On The Road with Dave

Last night, Tropical Storm Ida paid a visit to Mobile, Alabama as well as the far western portion of the Florida Panhandle before making its way northeast up into Alabama and Georgia. By tomorrow, forecasts have it well into Georgia and the Carolinas.

As the storm traveled in the Gulf of Mexico as a Category Two Hurricane on Sunday; my wife spent the day, cleaning house, washing clothes, and making sure we had food that would cook on a grill in case the electricity went out for days after the storm. I dubbed it "storm nesting". It's her standard operating procedure to prepare for hurricanes in this manner.

While she made these preparations, the Category Two Hurricane was weakening on into Sunday night becoming a Category 1 and meteorologists were predicting landfall on Tuesday morning with Ida becoming a Tropical Storm shortly before landfall. Reports on the local news announced school closings and warnings of power outages, and possible evacuations from low-lying and flood-prone areas.

Being the slacker that I am, I was imagining a possible day off on Tuesday due to the impending weak hurricane or strong tropical storm. I knew my wife would have to work on Monday to prepare for patients at her company needing emergency care after the storm in case of power outages from the storm. (A job, I helped at during our last hurricane) Due to my new job, I knew that I would report to work Monday afternoon but I had hopes that an early dismissal might be eminent by nightfall, to allow people to be at home as the leading bands of the storm would begin to arrive and I thought that today would bring power outages and missed work.

In actuality, my wife came home at 3PM on Monday and I worked 7 hours of a eight hour shift. My corporate headquarters finally decided to let us leave as some local flooding was occurring and a curfew was put in place in some areas. By this time, the once mighty Ida would arrive as a big rainmaker with relatively low winds shortly after midnight and would be all but gone by Tuesday morning.

We awoke this morning to grey skies; strong, cool, wind gusts, with no power outages, no wide-area damage, and no reason not to go to work. No, I wasn't hoping for a disastrous storm, power outages, damages or injuries. I know all too well, how a hurricane can wreak havoc on your life and would not have wanted a storm the size that would have warranted the preparations that my wife undertook, but I guess I was just a little disappointed in Ida. Think about it. I got off from work. The storm came in, I went to sleep and the storm was gone. I went back to work. Something just don't seem right...or wrong...or whatever.

Anyway, all is well, and that really is a good thing. Such is life on the Gulf Coast and the fast changing ways of impending tropical weather systems.



photo by Jeff Jones

Labels: Hurricane

If you've been watching any network news this morning then you are probably experiencing Hurricane Gustav coverage fatigue. Since early yesterday afternoon CNN, MSNBC and The Weather Channel have all converged onto The Gulf Coast and New Orleans as Hurricane Gustav moved close.

The Hurricane moved on shore early this morning and most news footage has centered on New Orleans. Here in Mobile, Alabama we are experiencing the edges and outer bands of storms accompanying Gustav's landfall. Last night the Bankhead Tunnel's doors were closed and our Causeway is flooded. The Causeway is a highway that crosses Mobile Bay at the water's edge. It's prone to flooding. A higher Bayway,
(part of Interstate 10) is the raised artery between Mobile and Baldwin Counties. It is open.

Rain has been steady this morning with numerous Tornado warnings across the area. Currently, as of this writing, there's another Tornado warning just issued for north of my area.

We expect rain and more rain for most of the rest of the day. No damage to speak of where I am. But, I have seen problems on television for Mississippi. This could affect my job over the next couple of days and I'm hoping all the preparations we took for my job prior to the storm will prove helpful.

If you're interested in our local news coverage, I'd suggest WPMI.COM. Usually, I suggest WKRG-TV; but they have me confused today.

Last night, we got wall-to-wall coverage at WKRG pre-empting network shows for local interviews with everybody and their cousin prior to the storm--and today as the storm has made landfall; all we're getting is CBS tennis coverage with a small picture-in-picture "radar box" in the corner of the screen.

But for those concern with my well-being--all is fine over here on the edge of Gustav. I think I'll watch the Star Trek: Next Generation marathon on the SciFi Channel for a while.

Labels: Alabama, Family, Hurricane, Mobile

I'm tired.

As you might know, I work for a medical equipment company. One of the services we provide is home oxygen therapy.


Patients who need assistance with breathing and maintaining a proper oxygen saturation in their bloodstream are provided oxygen via an electric oxygen concentrator. The Concentrator basically takes "room air" and filters it to release pure oxygen that runs through tubing to a nasal cannula. This machine provides great relief and a certain amount of freedom in the patients' homes.

The main problem with these oxygen concentrators are that they operate on electricity.

Let me direct you to the following map.


That's Hurricane Gustav entering the Gulf of Mexico.

I looked up the meaning of the name, "Gustav". It means Staff of the Gods or the Lord's Cane. Which means if the storm happens to hit Mobile, Alabama or the Mississippi Coast then thousands of people will have their electricity fail due to being hit by a really big "stick" swung by God.


Part of my job for the last few days has been preparing my patients for possible power outages due to the impending storm. So, my co-worker Paul and I have been riding the roads of Lower Alabama and Mississippi delivering supplies and portable oxygen cylinders to all our patients not evacuating for the storm. Amazingly, many(and I mean many) are electing to stay in the area for a variety of reasons.

Paul spent the day in the Gulfport/Biloxi, Mississippi area dropping off racks of these cylinders to patients with the memory of Hurricane Katrina still fresh in their minds. (Today, is the 3-Year Anniversary). Of course with each delivery, was time spent talking and calming the anxieties of these older citizens of the Gulf Coast.

My job was to deliver cylinders as well as Liquid Oxygen containers called Dewars to patients in the Mobile and Baldwin county area.


A dewar(pronounced like the fine Scotch whiskey)provides a self-contained refrigerated liquid oxygen that fills a portable unit worn by the patient to provide oxygen therapy. A dewar can fill and refill the portable unit for weeks at a time.

These dewars are the reason why I'm tired.

Besides, climbing in and out of the back of my van to get the smaller cylinders I also delivered 4 of these containers. When they are full, they weigh about 170 pounds. Unlike the photo, mine had no wheels and like an idiot I did not have a moving dolly in my van today. So, after lifting these dewars down out of the van and tilting them slightly and rolling them to the patients' doors. I also encountered many many thousands of steps and stairs(okay, okay, it wasn't thousands) in order to get the units into the patients' homes. Did I mention the weight?

After my last delivery, I headed back to the office to finish preparations for the office, and for the weekend. Paul and I re-stocked all of the vans in case we have emergency deliveries over the weekend and immediately following the storm.

Paul will officially be "on call"; but I could be called in as well, if the volume of calls are extreme.

All this preparation could be for nothing, if Hurricane Gustav decides to move and hit further westward. But an ounce of prevention is still worth a pound of cure.

I'm hoping all of the preparations and sweating in the 90 degree heat is for nothing. But, the "overtime" will be nice.

I'll keep ya informed as Hurricane Gustav moves closer to the coast. Keep your fingers crossed.

Labels: Alabama, Family, Hurricane, Mobile

On this anniversary of one of the worst storms in a century, and the event of Tropical Storm Ernesto currently going ashore in the Florida Keys; I take a look back to August 29, 2005. The day I met Hurricane Katrina.

"It looks like Hurricane Katrina will be hitting New Orleans by Monday Morning. Due to several circumstances we are not going to be able to evacuate...."

".....The storm's total coverage at the moment in the Gulf of Mexico is 750 miles. Sustained winds are 175MPH. So, when Katrina reaches New Orleans, all of the Gulf Coast will feel it's effect.

Not since, 1969 has a storm this large hit landfall on the Gulf Coast. The Storm at that time was Camille, and I remember the devastation Mississippi went through at that time. As a small boy, we lived 200 miles inland and we went through a night of terrible tornadoes due to Hurricane Camille. All of Mississippi was effected for days following landfall.

We've retreated inland twice in the last year due to hurricanes, but this time we are going to "ride it out." Local news coverage is now constant, and some coastal flooding and storm surges are now affecting us as the waves move in with heights currently at 12 feet.

We have "boarded up" the house, laid in a supply of food and water, charged our batteries, taken showers and baths for maybe the last time for a few days, and now we wait......"


".....It's 12:47AM, about 5 hours from landfall in New Orleans.

We are getting some sporadic thunderstorms and wind from the early "leader bands" from the storm.

Hurricane Katrina is currently a high Category 4 hurricane with sustained winds at of 160MPH.

We'll see what happens as the night wears on......."


".....Downtown Mobile has 8-10 feet of water standing in the streets and flooding some buildings. The storm surge was estimated at 22 feet.

Luckily our power is restored temporarily. I hear the sounds of generators in the distance.

I'm going offline again as the electrical power continues to flicker......."


"....If you are following the news coverage of Hurricane Katrina and you have never been in a hurricane before, then you might be thinking that since the "eye" of Katrina is now in Central Mississippi, we folks down on the coast are "in The clear".

I wish.

In the last several hours we have been experiencing the "back" of the storm.

Local news has been reporting that there are still 50-75MPH wind gusts and we get bands of torrential rain still....."

"A few facts.

At 2:00PM CST winds were still being clocked at Category 1 speeds.

196,000 people are without power in the State of Alabama. We are among the lucky few that have power. A good deal of the town I live in outside of Mobile is still without power.

5319 people are in shelters. Shelter population is expected to rise as people with damaged residences seek a place to stay.

A drilling rig broke free and collided with a bridge in Mobile.

All of Mobile and Baldwin Counties are under a curfew until Dawn Tuesday.

From New Orleans, there are reports of people stranded on their roofs. There have been unconfirmed reports of bodies floating....."

"....Tree limbs continue to fall, and we have had a few hit our roof with no damage.(Thankfully) But, we have been startled several times by the loud boom the branches make as they hit the roof.

An interesting observation I made about the wind; occasionally rather than a wind exerting a side force on the trees, we also get incredible downdrafts, that bend the limbs of the trees downward toward the ground on all sides. I had never seen that before.

Last report I saw, we have had 13+ inches of rain since last night and more still on the way.

I feel sorry for the folks in New Orleans and Mississippi and know full well they bore the brunt of Katrina's force. I also know that all of the State of Mississippi will endure the force of Katrina on into the night.

But even as the eye of the storm marches northward, we on the coast are not out of the woods yet.

One last personal note, I'm out of cigarettes, and since businesses are closed or without power and the existing curfew; I have no way to get anymore "smokes" until tomorrow. It's gonna be another long night.

All in all, that's a problem I can live with."

"Good Night Katrina

Last Post of the Day

Katrina, you had a pretty name, but you were an ugly storm.

I'm glad you are gone from here, and hope you die out as you drive north. By next week you should be a light rain past Pennsylvania.

Tomorrow will be a day of clean-up.

My daughter and her husband and a roommate of theirs will be staying the night with us. They are still without power and rode the storm out at a local shelter, unbeknownst to us.

Special Thanks to all who commented, emailed, and Instant Messaged me while I was online off and on throughout the day with their well wishes for our safety.

Thanks to all the regular readers of Will Wheaton Dot Net that paid me a visit. It was much appreciated.

"Rainy Days and Mondays always get me down", is the old song; well today was a rainy Monday; but knowing people think about you in times of trouble, even if they don't know you in person, can more than make up for it.

Good Night."

You can relive the entire day with me in My August Archives; scroll down to Monday, August 29th. Many people left me me kind words in the "Comments" section.

My thoughts are with those enduring Tropical Storm Ernesto tonight and tomorrow and days to come. Although not a hurricane now, weather systems can be unpredictable, and I hope all will remain safe.

There's a sentiment here on the Gulf Coast that some who have not experienced a hurricane might not understand or find cruel. But, it's an accepted sentiment:

"I'll be thinking of you, but I'm glad it's not me this time"

Labels: Hurricane

"On The Road With Dave" does not wish to be an official Hurricane Katrina blog, but as it happens, that seems to be the national focus and a great deal of my area is affected by the aftermath, which means in many ways, the Katrina aftermath will be a part of my life for many months to come.

I am weary of the news coverage, the updates, the lack of anything else to talk about; and I just want things back to normal. That's not going to happen all at once.

But, for those still suffering, for those still seeking answers; the information and attention to the area of the Gulf Coast is vital at this time.

Which is why I want to make known the following helpful links:

FOR LOCAL NEWS COVERAGE:

WKRG-TV is offering continuing coverage with live streaming video. Watch WKRG for news from Mobile, AL; Gulfport and Biloxi, MS; and New Orleans, Louisiana. Coverage includes recovery efforts, local needs distribution, and updates on road conditions and travel in the area.


WLL-TV from Baton Rouge is your station for updates in the New Orleans area. Steaming video is also offered there. If you have become a fan of the Mayor of New Orleans in the past week, WLL-TV is the place to usually see his remarks first.


FOR ASSISTANCE AND INFORMATION:

MISSISSIPPI EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION provides links concerning Hurricane Katrina, information, assistance help, and ways to reunite families in Mississippi.

FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION may be under fire by the media, but for survivors of the storm, they will be the first step in acquiring funds through loans and grants for needed repairs. FEMA offers a variety of programs including temporary housing for storm survivors. Survivors will need to register with FEMA if they expect ongoing aid.

NATIONAL CENTER FOR MISSING AND EXPLOITED CHILDREN has pictures of kids who are missing after the storm and children who have been separated from their families, but are currently in shelters.


FOR YOUR GENEROUS CONTRIBUTIONS:

THE AMERICAN RED CROSS is taking donations for disaster recovery as well as cooperating with other local shelters to provide care for evacuees. The Red Cross site also has a database for locating loved ones separated by the evacuations.


GOVERNOR HALEY BARBOUR of MISSISSIPPI also has a fund for Mississippi Storm Victims, as well as information for residents and family from the Mississippi Gulf Coast.


FOR THE CURIOUS:

NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC AGENCY has high resolution photos that can be searched by neighborhoods. Folks can see their homes and businesses damaged by Katrina or hopefully left intact. NOAA also offers photos and info regarding the phenomenon known as the new Storm of the Century.


If you have any more helpful links, I will accept them in the COMMENTS section.

Labels: Hurricane

Quixtar has made two announcements regarding Hurricane Katrina.

First the good news.

"We at Quixtar are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life and devastation that has occurred as a result of Hurricane Katrina.

Through our parent company, Alticor, we contribute annually to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund and donate products for use by International Aid. Both organizations have been mobilized to help victims in the region affected by Hurricane Katrina.

We now invite all employees and Independent Business Owners powered by Quixtar to contribute to the American Red Cross at Quixtar.com. Alticor will provide a dollar-for-dollar match on employee and IBO contributions up to a corporate total of $250,000.

We know many of you are concerned for the victims and are seeking ways to help ease the suffering of those who've been affected by this terrible disaster. At a time like this, it seems like no contribution could ever be enough, but together we can do our part to help those affected by this tragedy.

Alticor and Quixtar are considering additional ways we can support the many needs arising from this tragedy -- financially, physically, and through volunteer efforts. We will continue to inform IBOs and employees of ways they can join us in helping these victims in their time of need."

To Donate to the Red Cross via Quixtar, you can get details at Quixtar.Com

Quixtar Blogger Figure 8 reports about further relief plans at Quixtar and Beyond.

Now, the BAD news;

Independent Business Owners powered by Quixtar will have further problems in recovering from the storm (myself included) because of delayed shipments:

Due to Hurricane Katrina, Quixtar is unable to ship to affected areas
Please read this important announcement concerning shipping limitations

Due to the catastrophic damage caused by Hurricane Katrina, Quixtar has been notified by UPS, FedEx and USPS that all shipments to the following zip codes starting with the following numbers have been canceled indefinitely:

Quixtar is unable to process shipments to Zip Codes starting with the following numbers:
365-366
369,393
394
395
396
700-701
703
704
Mobile, AL
Meridian, MS
Hattisburg, MS
Gulfport, MS
McComb, MS
New Orleans, LA
Houma, LA
Mandeville, LA


This affects regular orders as well as DITTOTM Scheduled Orders scheduled for this period.

Please accept our apologies. We will communicate any changes as soon as we are notified.

This inconvenience will make it harder for we affected IBOs to resume our sales and sponsoring efforts and provide ongoing income after the storm. Like many business owners, in the area, we are at the mercy of a devastated infrastructure; even though we may have minimal personal damage and are ready to resume business.

Labels: Alticor, Hurricane, Quixtar

We Were Lucky.

We survived Hurricane Katrina relatively unscathed. After a day of yard clean-up, the only clue that we have been through a storm as bad as it was; is the large pile of limbs, branches, and leaves that await removal at the edge of our street.

A fellow at a local store, asked me yesterday; the typical "How ya doing?" greeting. I said "Better than most this week, and thank God for that." He paused, and responded, "You, just reminded me how lucky I am, I'm out walking, talking and asking people how they are; thanks"

Yes, we were lucky that we are not in some shelter or still stuck on a rooftop surrounded by water.

We opened up our home to my daughter and her husband, and their roommate for a few days while they awaited restoration of their utilities.

We also offered to our other friends, co-workers, and neighbors the opportunity to come and have a hot shower or sit under the coolness of some "conditioned air".

Our only problem thus far, has been the availability of gasoline to continue to go to work.

Yep, even waiting in a gas line for three hours makes us feel luckier than some in our area.

But with that luck comes a certain post-storm depression. I can't describe the feeling. I wouldn't venture to say that it compares to that of a 9/11 survivor, but maybe to that of an airplane crash survivor.

It's a mix of emotions of frustration, guilt, relief, thankfulness, and uncertainty all rolled into one. I hear that the feeling is typical, and will pass.

To everyone that has written to me expressing your concerns, I want to say thanks.
I have received comments at my blog and by email from dozens of people that know me only by my words online; offering encouragement, well wishes, and positive thoughts and prayers.

The outpouring of support and encouragement that I have received from people has been uplifting, and proves that the Internet is far from the cold, impersonal and anonymous medium that some seem to tag it with.

If you have the means available, support whatever relief effort you feel comfortable with. We were lucky; many others are still suffering, and will be in dire straits for months to come.

Thanks again,

Dave

Labels: Hurricane

Last Post of the Day

Katrina, you had a pretty name, but you were an ugly storm.

I'm glad you are gone from here, and hope you die out as you drive north. By next week you should be a light rain past Pennsylvania.

Tomorrow will be a day of clean-up.

My daughter and her husband and a roommate of theirs will be staying the night with us. They are still without power and rode the storm out at a local shelter, unbeknownst to us.

Special Thanks to all who commented, emailed, and Instant Messaged me while I was online off and on throughout the day with their well wishes for our safety.

Thanks to all the regular readers of Will Wheaton Dot Net that paid me a visit. It was much appreciated.

"Rainy Days and Mondays always get me down", is the old song; well today was a rainy Monday; but knowing people think about you in times of trouble, even if they don't know you in person, can more than make up for it.

Good Night.

Labels: Hurricane

If you are following the news coverage of Hurricane Katrina and you have never been in a hurricane before, then you might be thinking that since the "eye" of Katrina is now in Central Mississippi, we folks down on the coast are "in The clear".

I wish.

In the last several hours we have been experiencing the "back" of the storm.

Local news has been reporting that there are still 50-75MPH wind gusts and we get bands of torrential rain still.

A few facts.

At 2:00PM CST winds were still being clocked at Category 1 speeds.

196,000 people are without power in the State of Alabama. We are among the lucky few that have power. A good deal of the town I live in outside of Mobile is still without power.

5319 people are in shelters. Shelter population is expected to rise as people with damaged residences seek a place to stay.

A drilling rig broke free and collided with a bridge in Mobile.

All of Mobile and Baldwin Counties are under a curfew until Dawn Tuesday.

From New Orleans, there are reports of people stranded on their roofs. There have been unconfirmed reports of bodies floating.

Tree limbs continue to fall, and we have had a few hit our roof with no damage.(Thankfully) But, we have been startled several times by the loud boom the branches make as they hit the roof.

An interesting observation I made about the wind; occasionally rather than a wind exerting a side force on the trees, we also get incredible downdrafts, that bend the limbs of the trees downward toward the ground on all sides. I had never seen that before.

Last report I saw, we have had 13+ inches of rain since last night and more still on the way.

I feel sorry for the folks in New Orleans and Mississippi and know full well they bore the brunt of Katrina's force. I also know that all of the State of Mississippi will endure the force of Katrina on into the night.

But even as the eye of the storm marches northward, we on the coast are not out of the woods yet.

One last personal note, I'm out of cigarettes, and since businesses are closed or without power and the existing curfew; I have no way to get anymore "smokes" until tomorrow. It's gonna be another long night.

All in all, that's a problem I can live with.

Labels: Hurricane

We lost power at 7:30AM this morning.

We are safe, so far.

Our yard is littered with limbs and the wind is still gusting well over 40MPH. A few trees have been snapped at their tops in our side yard.

The gusts of wind outside really do sound similar to a freight train roaring down its tracks. I stepped outside, a few minutes ago, and the wind forced me back inside.

Downtown Mobile has 8-10 feet of water standing in the streets and flooding some buildings. The storm surge was estimated at 22 feet.

Luckily our power is restored temporarily. I hear the sounds of generators in the distance.

I'm going offline again as the electrical power continues to flicker.

Labels: Hurricane

It's 12:47AM, about 5 hours from landfall in New Orleans.

We are getting some sporadic thunderstorms and wind from the early "leader bands" from the storm.

Hurricane Katrina is currently a high Category 4 hurricane with sustained winds at of 160MPH.

We are all bored at the moment. It's been a non-stop marathon of watching local newscasts. I finally popped in a video for two hours or so and watched my copy of "Last Man Standing" with Bruce Willis.

It's a good movie to break up the boredom. My hope is that the boredom will continue, and we won't be in for the excitement of major storm damage. But, it looks like we will stay up for most of the night, to keep an eye on the storm "eye".

In my last entry I gave a link to WKRG, the local CBS affiliate offering a live feed.

In the interest of equal time, you can also read reports at FOX10 news.

We'll see what happens as the night wears on.

Labels: Hurricane

It looks like Hurricane Katrina will be hitting New Orleans by Monday Morning. Due to several circumstances we are not going to be able to evacuate.

In Hurricane "Lore", the principle is "East is Beast, West is Best". In our case, we will be two hours east of the storm. So we are going to go through a rough 24 hours.

The storm's total coverage at the moment in the Gulf of Mexico is 750 miles. Sustained winds are are 175MPH. So, when Katrina reaches New Orleans, all of the Gulf Coast will feel it's effect.

Not since, 1969 has a storm this large hit landfall on the Gulf Coast. The Storm at that time was Camille, and I remember the devastation Mississippi went through at that time. As a small boy, we lived 200 miles inland and we went through a night of terrible tornadoes due to Hurricane Camille. All of Mississippi was effected for days following landfall.

We've retreated inland twice in the last year due to hurricanes, but this time we are going to "ride it out." Local news coverage is now constant, and some coastal flooding and storm surges are now affecting us as the waves move in with heights currently at 12 feet.

We have "boarded up" the house, laid in a supply of food and water, charged our batteries, taken showers and baths for maybe the last time for a few days, and now we wait.

If you want to follow the storm, you can tune to the Weather Channel or you can watch live streaming video online at WKRG-TV.

I'll try to post an update or two, but can't promise anything.

Think about us, I'd appreciate it.

Labels: Hurricane

Hurricane Dennis seems to be on a direct path to my area.

The Governor of Alabama has issued a Mandatory Evacuation order of Mobile County.

We are leaving town.

There will be no "Sunday Thoughts" tomorrow.

No blog posts until Tuesday at the earliest.

If power outages result, you'll see me again when the power is on. Check back here over the next couple of days, I'll be back as soon as possible.

Until then.....

Dave

Labels: Hurricane

Back in September, Mobile, Alabama was visited by Hurricane Ivan. Ivan proved to be a rude visitor.

This weekend, we all await the arrival of Tropical Storm Arlene as she plods along in the Gulf Of Mexico. Heavy rains and strong winds are expected tonight and Arlene should reach the Gulf Coast sometime Saturday Morning.

As of this writing, weather warnings and watches are area-wide as Arlene approaches wind speeds of 60 MPH. Forecasters speculate that Tropical Storm Arlene may upgrade to a minor hurricane by the time "she" reaches landfall. For those not familiar with hurricanes; a wind speed of just 74MPH determines the hurricane classification.

Dave won't be "going on the road" to escape Arlene, like I did last year; but the possibility of electrical outages and some damage is always a threat. So if you don't see me for a few days, it means I'm without power.

I'll let you know how things go, when I return. If we stay connected to the grid, I'll write some updates and let you know what's going on. In the meantime, I'm sure you can live through Arlene vicariously through The Weather Channel.

I'll see ya'll after the storm.

Labels: Hurricane

Ivan Sucks!

Technically, it blew.

It blew down houses.
It blew out lives.
It blew down trees.
It blew down billboards.
It even blew a 300 pound potted fern from a hotel balcony.

Mostly it blew through our money while we lived for two days in a hotel four hours from home.

And it blew through more money while we had to eat out a lot with no electricity for three more days.

It blew through a lot of personal energy for those three days back home, while we cleaned debris, tree limbs, and leaves.

But today, the last of the debris has been piled up, the electricity is back on for us(some 100,000 people are still without power)

Luckily for us, our home was intact. My partner's home also stood against the force. The house we were remodeling, lost part of the front porch and an attic turbine; that caused some minor water damage to one bedroom ceiling. Damn, that room has to be re-painted once AGAIN!

But, thankfully, we have had homes to return to. The heat was unbearable without AC for three days, but many thousands of others, have no home to live in, much less "conditioned air". Sleeping with the windows opened relieved the heat some, but then we were subjected to the constant roar of generators running in the neighborhood. (we really tried to find a generator to buy, but with almost 300,000 people without power in three states; a generator was hard to find.)

Tonight, when I lay my head down on my favorite lumpy pillow, with the ceiling fan spinning quietly overhead; the thermostat set on a chilly 65(...Hey I deserve it!); you can rest assure my last thoughts will be thankfulness that my family is together and a concerned prayer for those still suffering.

Peace.

Labels: Hurricane

I spent the day "boarding up" two houses and a business. That means covering windows and doors with plywood to prevent debris from entering the houses during a hurricane.

I am officially "during a hurricane."

Hurricane Ivan's projected path has the storm coming straight up into my neck of the woods; which puts me and the family "on the road outta here!"

We've prepared the house for storm damage and packed up some clothes and "irreplacables" (including my ventriloquist dummy) and we are headed north into Mississippi back to our old hometown to stay with friends for a few days.

Be back in three days or so, and I am fully prepared to begin repairs. I'll update you further at that time.

Until then, we'll be safe, you be safe, too.

Labels: Hurricane