I survived the big blow

Avatar for fllatebloomer
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
I survived the big blow
7
Tue, 11-02-2004 - 5:35pm
Hi all, Sadie called me and said that you guys were worried about me. I haven't had a phone or internet since the hurricane hit on 9/16. I just got it back on Saturday. I'm doing OK. Have some roof damage, a broken window and storm door and a lot of downed limbs and debris but basically my house held up OK. Much luckier than most. This town looks like a bomb went off here. Several friends and co-workers lost their homes and everything in them. There were some deaths from the storm and many more of my hospice patients couldn't handle the stress and died shortly after. I didn't have water for 3 days and then was under a boil order for several more weeks. I didn't have power for l0 days and we ate a lot of MRE's and drank a lot of bottled water. Gas lines and food, water, ice lines were hours long for days. and I was working seeing patients and taking them supplies immediately after the storm and for a long time. I finally got a FEMA blue tarp roof on Saturday and most of my debris has been picked up but it will be many months before this town is anywhere near normal again. The beach was destroyed and has been closed since the storm. Lots of stress and depression among everyone here, even those who had minor losses. It was pretty scary. I sat in my house that night in the dark because we lost power hours before the storm hit full force and listened to the freight train winds and listened to trees snapping off and hitting the house. We had blocked the windows and had the kids on an air mattress in the closet just in case. We were lucky. Most of my neighbors had uprooted oak trees through their roofs. Roads were impassable because of downed trees and power lines and all the bridges were out which made it difficult for anyone to get in to bring supplies.

My offices were destroyed and we spent the first few days after the storm working out of the parking lot, then a church loaned us space and eventually the company rented a former gym for our new offices. I just love being surrounded by full length mirrors. LOL. It's been pretty bizarre. We still don't have phone and computers up at the office on a regular basis and we're having to do most all of our paperwork by hand. Needless to say, I've been stressed.

Anyway, I hope you've had a chance to view some of the pictures on-line. Here's a link to the local newspaper which has a lot of pictures and stories about the storm.

PensacolaNewsJournal.com

I hope all are doing well.

Deb

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-29-2003
Tue, 11-02-2004 - 8:26pm

((((((((Deb)))))))) so wonderful to see you post!.. Wonderful you and family are okay,well physicaly any how huh?.. I am sure the aftermath of the storm is still within you..
Stress for sure..My brother's... both... who live in that area seemed to get through it without much trouble or damage..
Sure makes ya appreciate the things we use each day that seem so... well... just always there..when they are taken away..
Thanks to sadie for letting you know we were asking about you and thanks to you for coming here and posting to us..Hope you can come back again soon..Whispers to angels going out for healing and rebuilding...
((((((((Hugs to you and your family))))))"CAT"


 C  >^. A .

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Tue, 11-02-2004 - 8:58pm

{{{{{{{{{{Deb}}}}}}}}}}


I'm so glad to hear that you weathered the storm.

Avatar for fllatebloomer
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Wed, 11-03-2004 - 7:31am
Thanks Pam. Between work and kids it's hard to get on the computer anymore, especially with my slow dial up but I do think of you guys often. :) Deb
Avatar for fllatebloomer
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Wed, 11-03-2004 - 7:36am
Thanks Cat. I'm glad your brothers did OK because Gulf Breeze was a hard hit area. I have several friends there who lost their home and everything in it. With so many people homeless, it's been difficult for a lot of people to find places to live. I'm lucky I still have a roof over my head that isn't leaking too much. At least I have my blue tarp on the roof just in time for this week's thunderstorms. :) Deb
iVillage Member
Registered: 02-15-2004
Wed, 11-03-2004 - 8:42am


Hey Deb, this is Gigi. I'm glad that you're doing ok. I have a sister that lives in Orlando and she said that she had gotten 3 of the four hurricanes. I was happy to see that she survived. But being such the drama queen that she is, she made out ok.

Anyway, I'm glad that you are ok.

Hugs!

 


Hugs,


Sebastian


 


http://www.facebook.com/sebastianbruce

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-24-2003
Wed, 11-03-2004 - 8:47am
I know that I do not know you that well yet, but you sure had us all concerned about you.

Glad to hear your whole family made it safely. I hope things settle down for you sooner than later! It does sound very stressful.

Take care,

Hugs,
Laurie

My web pages
http://homepage.mac.com/lauriedav/PhotoAlbum1.html http://hometown.aol.com/didoangst/myhomepage/photo.html
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-08-2003
Thu, 11-04-2004 - 7:11am

((((((((((((((Deb)))))))))))))))))


I'm so glad to hear that you made it through. Sending lots of good thoughts your way.


Hugs!


~C