Post hurricane life sucks

[jpak]

It's one thing to survive the hurricane but quite another to survive the aftermath.

My first Hurricane was David in Savannah GA in 1979.

I was working at Skidaway marine lab on a barrier island one foot higher than the water got on a spring tide.

It was Labor Day weekend and was the only one there. I had no car and I had no food or money.

No one came to check on me.

Luckily a friend of a friend came to get his car off the island. I stole the lab coffee money and hitched a ride off the island .

We ran out gas on the causeway and I gave the coffee money to a complete stranger to get gas.

He came back! We spent a terrifying night in a shelter and returned to the island when it was safe.

No power. No AC. No running water. No food. Hot and humid. Sleepless sweaty nights.

Luckily, I had the presence of mind to run the lab still before the storm and I had 10 liters of distilled water to drink.

The aquarium people had a dead aquarium fish Fish Fry every night. What ever specimen fish thawed out of the dead freezer was all I had to eat for 2 weeks before I returned to Athens.

Lesson learned

[Tommy_Carcetti]

1. I remember after Wilma it felt like a collective groan let out among the community.

Like everybody had just been kicked in the stomach at the same exact time and were struggling to rise again to our feet.

The week without power sucked. But on the bright side, the lack of lights in the neighborhood meant we could see a brilliant nighttime sky for once.

[bedazzled]

13. It was the first time i saw the milky way

Unforgettable. We were lucky. Near hospitals... down only 3 days

[ooky]

2. After Hurricane Floyd

We were cut off from the rest of the town by high water over the roads with no power or water for 3 days. It was two weeks before we could reach my place of work by anything but boat. Once we could get to the nearest store the shelves were bare.

Life after the storm is definitely the worst.

[jpak]

3. I was in Pensacola for Katrina and it was bad

Gasoline dissapeared days before the storm and there was no gas from Louisiana to Panama City FL for 3 weeks.

I-10 was parade of trucks from AL, MS and LA hauling trailer loads of 5 gallon gas cans from FL.

I had a full tank of gas and an extra 20 gallons, but if we had to evacuate from H Rita, thousands of people would have run out of gas.

Parking lot in a Hurricane.

[misanthrope]

20. Add emphysema for my experience

No air conditioning to leech some of the moisture out of the air. The only way to get a nebulizer treatment was plugging into the car lighter. It was utterly miserable. All I could do was lie in bed and sweat for days. If I would have run out of inhaled meds and had what is basically an asthmatic attack on top of it, it would have killed me.

And despite all that, my wife refuses to relocate.

Alternately, my best hurricane memory was our evacuation before Ivan struck. We spent four days in a Birmingham-area hotel with two cats and a dog. I thoroughly enjoyed it because of the distance between me and Mobile, plus the drier environment after the storm passed made it easier for me to breathe.

My wife's insistence on using an old answering machine came in handy. We intermittently called home until the machine finally picked up, telling us the power was restored.

[jpak]

25. OMG

When the power goes out people suffer.

Best wishes for you and yours

[NutmegYankee]

4. Irene in 2011 was my worst storm.

No power for a week. Others like Sandy, Isabel (VA), and Isaias knocked out power for less time. Sandy and later for me were not as bad since I had a generator and could preserve food.

[jpak]

6. I watched Irene pass through in western Maine

We lost power for 3 days.

Luckily I had my Hurricane survival supplies - solar gadgets, mist thingy, battery powered fans, solar shower, food and water, camping gear.

Didn't lose any food though.

[Rhiannon12866]

33. Same here, Irene was a nightmare for those of us in the Northeast, power outages and damage

I know that Sandy was horrific for those downstate (New York), but for us, we live with the memory of Irene.

[NutmegYankee]

36. The fact that Irene was so bad to New England, and yet so easy on NYC

has a lot to do with the trauma of Sandy. Connecticut started recommending generator backup after Irene for gas stations, so while NY/NJ had gas shortages, we were OK.

[Maraya1969]

5. The lack of electricity is the worst. After Irma I was without electricity for about 10 days

I didn't clean out my refrigerator because I was too damn hot and when the electricity finally came on and I cleaned it I could not get the smell out. I had to buy and new refrigerator because of it.

It was also kind of the beginning of the end for my mom. She fainted and fell on her head waiting to get into a shelter with me so the night of Irma I spent with her in an ICU after she had emergency surgery for a bleed in her head.

After that she only came home for about 2 months in the spring of 2018 to stay with me and then was back in a resident care facility. She died Feb. 2020. Her death certificate lists breast cancer as the cause of death. She had just found out about it when Irma hit but obviously was never treated because of her brain injury - and several strokes afterward.

I can't stand the thought of going through another hurricane.

I was not in NJ during Sandy but my mom was and the apartments that my dad had bought in 1975 and provided income for them and her and me for many years was completely flooded, with no insurance. We lost everything.

[jpak]

14. I'm so sorry to hear about your Mom.

I never had to stand in line for food, water or ice, but my Pensacola friends did after Ivan (I evacuated).

They said it was brutal in the sun and heat and humidity.

After hearing what they went through, I bought a big light-colored umbrella and one of those wheely pull-along coolers.

[IBEWVET]

15. went 14 days with no power after Ivan

It was brutal, hot. Now I have a whole house generator so will fare better when the next one comes to town.

[jpak]

16. I evacuated Ivan 2 nights before it hit PNS

It was devastating - shocking.

I went to stay with an old UGA roommate at U-AL in Tuscaloosa.

Ivan came to Tuscaloosa - and it was panic.

The day after I drove up to Maine for 2 weeks - my workplace was closed for 3 weeks after the storm.

I was stunned what I saw when I got back.

[Maraya1969]

21. Thank you jpak.

[malaise]

32. I disagree - no water is way worse than no electricity

[Maraya1969]

38. OK you probably have a point. Always fill the tubs up with water so at least the toilet flushes.

And I have a lot of bottle that I fill up.

btw before any big storm here I also put my AC Wayyy down

That way when it goes out the house stays cool for awhile. I had extra insulation put in and other things done to make my house more environmentally friendly and it really makes a difference when you lose AC - specially in frigging sw Fl.

[malaise]

39. That won't last for more than a week

[malaise]

7. Great thread

After Gilbert we had no water and no power for close to eight weeks.
It was an experience.
That said the way the neighbors and community came together was wonderful. I loved how the teenager boys helped the seniors by removing tree limbs and other debris.

There is a well near the Marley statue by the stadium and it was amazing how people set up shower curtains so that they could have a decent bath and fill up containers with water.
There weren't many generators around in 1988 but one of my friends had one so I'd pick up a gallon of cold water and a six pack of Red Stripe twice a week. One of my neighbors still tells me that he never forgot the two bottles of beer I gave them one night. I didn't even remember it but he hadn't had a cold drink in weeks.

We'd go to the beach and buy fresh fish and stop by the ice factory (when it reopened) and buy a huge block of ice.. We'd break the block into two and put the fish in plastic bags between the two halfs. It would last about three days. One of my siblings'send lots of dried beans, potatoes and other non-perishables which I shared with neighbors and friends.

One day on our way to Port Royal for fish, one of the group had the idea to buy coconut water for the JPS workers (electricity) who were fixing lines. I never forgot their smiles.

It was different but it's amazing how we adjust. I think every human being needs one really bad hurricane to gain some perspectives about the lives of the poor in our countries - but we don't need two.
---------------
One of these days Jamaica's luck will run out again.

[jpak]

8. 8 weeks!

I can't imagine...

[malaise]

9. It was longer for some communities

Unbelievable

[LeftInTX]

17. One thing different than the US:

Our homes here are built for AC.

Our previous home was built in 1963 and it had larger windows. It was kinda like the older ranch homes you see in South Florida.

We survived in that home for several years without AC, although we did have fans.

My current home was built in 1980. If the AC goes out, I might as well camp outside. The last time, I went to my in-laws house. There is no cross breeze

[malaise]

18. Indeed that's the good part of building here although it is changing

We really have only three very hot months - June, July and August.
Some folks never got power back until after Christmas that year - Gilbert was September 12..

[Grammy23]

10. Life after a hurricane is no fun. Not a time for a party. Sucks barely describes it.

Initially, there is a profound sense of relief that you lived through it. If your home is still habitable, another big burden is lifted. Then the reality of the situation begins to set in. No power. Curfews. Destruction and devastation. Confusion trying to figure out how you will survive without the usual amenities we use to live. Heat and humidity. Frustration. Exhaustion.

If you thought to get gas for your vehicles and cash before the storm, you are a little better off. Rumors swirl about ice, gas, food, looting, fires, etc. When you get word about ice , be prepared to wait a long time and have cash. Exact change. Communications are spotty. Rumors fly at the speed of sound. Facts are plodding and erratic.

You wisely got a generator in advance. Great. The fuel you got (ahead of time) is a time bomb in a 55 gallon drum, but at least you have fuel for the generator — for a little while. Then you’re like the rest of the assholes out prowling for more fuel. You ration using the generator to keep a refrigerator and one fan going.

The kids enjoy the first few hours of pretending to camp out. Then reality sets in, the power is still out. It is hot and sticky. You hear every sound outside. Sirens. Chainsaws. Buzzing of a million bees/wasps whose home in a half rotted tree got split open. There is a big hole in your roof that needs to be covered but at least you still HAVE a roof. You may hear transformers groaning and sparking. Darkness descends and things get scary in the dark. You’re not used to sleeping with all the windows open. You hope everyone else is staying home and not out to take advantage of a chaotic situation.

Yes. It sucks. And a whole lot more.

Please think of those living with the aftermath of the storm. Remember those who are still waiting to see what it will bring to their town. If you are safe and comfortable in your home, be grateful. Donate to the organizations that will help the victims of this disaster begin to rebuild and recuperate from nature’s wrath. No amount is too small. It will take a very big village to get through this. Time to unite and do the right thing. The US government can’t and won’t do it all. And if they do anything, it will take a very long time. Meanwhile, the people need food and shelter. So don’t delay. Offer your help and money now. They need you.

[jpak]

11. Great post

Sums up everything

A crank solar radio is a must have.

Also, use text messages to communicate

And give $ to the Red Cross.

[Grammy23]

12. I've lived through several hurricanes going all the way back to my youth.

You learn as you go and try to impart some of what you’ve learned to those who have never experienced life after a disaster. Your addition of a radio powered on something easily accessible is smart. Crank, solar .....whatever works without the regular power grid is what you need. You need to think in terms of regular infrastructure really messed up or limited. The local authorities will be stretched to the point of breaking. Ordinary needs will not get their attention. Only highest needs of life and death, community health and safety are priority. So before the storm you need to stock up on food, water and supplies for sanitation. After the storm is TOO LATE.
Work with your neighbors to share food, water and supplies. Band together to remove trees blocking streets and causing danger. But stay away from things like power lines especially if you know nothing about them.

You get the idea. I could write a book, but then......it has probably already been done.....many times. 😉

[misanthrope]

23. Bravo!

I long ago grew weary of hearing people romanticize these things. I understand trying to stay upbeat but some of what I've heard through the years is outright delusional.

You forgot about the mosquitoes that in this part of the world can carry disease, West Nile, Zika, etc.

[Grammy23]

24. Well, as you can see.....

The list of “things to remember and prepare for” goes on and on.

And most of it is not fun. Yes, there are moments of gratitude if you live through the horror. You might even laugh at times.....you need a good sense of humor to get through it. But all in all, it is a royal pain in the a$$. No romance.

[malaise]

37. You nailed it

Issue by issue

[nolabear]

19. I was there for Camille. We eventually got back to no power

and a WHOLE lot of snakes and fire ants! We were without power for a couple of weeks. I was young enough that I don’t really know how the adults handled it, except they parachuted soldiers with chainsaws in to clear roads for the cleanup crew. There was an ice house and people lined up. We grilled —of course. You always grill! And my transistor radio might as well have been made of gold.

I learned a lot about having a crankable and solar powered radio/cell phone charger from those days!

[jpak]

22. I was horrified by Camille in 1969

Especially the party at the motel.

Same news cycle as the Manson Murders and Woodstock.

[Celerity]

28. There was no party, that is a myth started by a fraudster, and it was an apartment complex.

not a hotel. The Richeliu Apartments in Pass Christian, Mississippi. The fraudster was a woman who was a convicted murderer (her 11th husband) and potentially insane. Walter Cronkite was suckered in and helpef to cement in the myth.

https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/weather/sfl-blog-108-camille-party-20150310-story.html

https://www.nola.com/news/weather/article_acee3db1-ec9d-5fa6-bdc2-1ad983263903.html

http://camille.passchristian.net/hurricane_party.htm

[nolabear]

29. Stupid hurricane parties are always a problem.

I don’t even know what to say except some people are absolute fools.

[Grammy23]

26. My Camille (1969) story could be very long but I'll keep it brief.

We lived in Gautier, MS. (About a 25 min. Drive east of Biloxi.). On. Aug. 15th my family had been out to eat at Baricev’s Seafood Restaurant in Biloxi on the beach to celebrate my oldest sister’s 32 birthday. My husband and I brought our 2 month old baby and he was the attention getter that night from our waitress and others sitting near us. It was a very festive evening with much laughter and definitely good eats! Seafood platters for everybody!

Two days later we were rudely awakened by my mom calling to tell us we had to get out. So we threw a few things in our car and drove north to Meridian to my sister’s home to wait for the storm to come ashore in Long Beach, MS. Later we found out Baricev’s was gone. Nothing left but pilings where it once stood. It was totally surreal to realize we had been there having a party two nights before the storm hit.

It was then I realized at 20 to never take things for granted. Live in the moment and pay attention to the details because it can all vanish. That is a lesson presented to me many times since then but that one stood out.

[nolabear]

30. Girl! We were within a few miles of each other!

I was in Pascagoula but I lived in Gautier for a couple of years too. God, Baricev’s. We loved The Tiki in particular. I lived right by the old plantation. During Camille though we were with our grandparents in Pascagoula and evacuated to Jackson. Coming back was the weirdest thing, wasn’t it?

Btw my grandson calls me Grammy too!

[Grammy23]

31. Wow! We lived near the Tiki and ate there many times!

Small world. I don’t know how we lived in that area and lived to be Democrats. (Other than my parents and grandparents were lifelong democrats. )

I gave up going to high school class reunions after attending several and thanks to FaceBook saw what their religious and political views are. I have nothing in common with them other than age and being in the same graduating class. Oh, well....

Yes, returning home after Camille was jaw dropping. They actually allowed us to drive across the bridge connecting Ocean Springs and Biloxi — even though it was heavily damaged! It would never happen today.

[nolabear]

35. I remember going over that bridge. And the dinosaur from the mini golf

It looked like it had emerged from the sea. And the boat thrown across 90 that stayed there for years.

I went to 6th grade at Gautier Elem. We were Air Force though so I went to lots of schools though most of them on the coast.

[malaise]

34. Amazing hurricane stories on this thread

[BigDemVoter]

27. I lived in New Orleans for years. . . .

Ugh. The worst thing I remember about big storms was the HEAT afterwards, as there was no power for days. . . .