The 5 p.m. forecast on Wednesday, Sept. 30, by the National Hurricane Center caused a collective gasp from residents all around the Chesapeake Bay. It predicted that Hurricane Joaquin would plow straight up the bay.

Three hours later, the predicted path had started to shift to the east, and it continued shifting until the monster storm stayed away completely from the East Coast. There was a collective sigh of relief.

The long northeast storm that culminated over the weekend with major flooding was bad enough, but what might have occurred with Joaquin would have been much, much worse. We are grateful to the authorities for keeping us posted and to emergency responders for standing by in case of need; and hopeful that while spared the worst, we will also be spared further scares for the remainder of the year.  ...