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mia

(8,356 posts)
Thu Aug 24, 2017, 07:24 AM Aug 2017

Hurricane memories

It's hard to believe it's been 25 years since Hurricane Andrew. Around this time that day, I went outside and found that our neighborhood was still full of salt air. Trees were down and so much more.

I remember how kind everyone was.




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Rhiannon12866

(203,041 posts)
1. Thanks for posting this. I do remember Andrew, it was one of the worst ever
Fri Aug 25, 2017, 04:02 AM
Aug 2017

I used to work with a guy who had the headline and front page about the hurricane posted next to his desk. It sounded devastating - glad to know you stayed safe. Around here (NE NY) we had Hurricane Irene in 2011. The big news around then was about Sandy. But Irene hit us and there was loss of power, massive flooding and devastation to the point people are still rebuilding.

Grammy23

(5,808 posts)
3. After Hurricane Ivan in 2004 devastated the NW Florida area
Fri Aug 25, 2017, 11:41 AM
Aug 2017

we drove to Pensacola Beach, a 20 -25 minute drive from our home in town. Many of the beach homes and permanent residences were wiped away and the dunes were swept flat. As we drove down Via DeLuna toward Ariola Dr. we saw many homes with severe damage. Then we got to the Gulf side street and the homes that remained were the shockers.

The whole back side of the homes next to the beach (that survived) looked like a giant buzz saw had cut off the entire back wall, exposing the interior of the homes. They were filled from floor to the ceiling with sand. Not a single square inch was left uncovered with the white, sugar sand this area is so famous for having on its beaches. Only this sand was packed into the whole first floor of the homes that were not swept away. It was a sight I won't forget because it was a clear demonstration of the power of the storm surge.

It took a long time for the community to return to normal and for the beach area especially to be up and going for the tourists and locals who live year round at the beach. We have for the most part recovered, but some people never rebuilt because they were under insured or the loss was just too devastating. And believe it or not, if you drive through certain parts of town, you can still see tattered remnants of the blue tarps on roofs that never got repaired.

To all who are in the path of Hurricane Harvey, please heed the warnings. Hurricanes are not an excuse to party and drink. You need to get out if you can, especially if you are close to where the storm surge will come in. If you have doubts about the security of your home, leave. If inconvenience annoys you, get out. Inconvenience is the least of your worries. But you will have that on steroids if this storm pans out like they believe it will. Be smart. Pack up some clothes, toiletries or meds, valuables thst will fit in your vehicle, your important documents and go. Not too long from now it will be too late to leave. I've been through several hurricanes so I am not talking through my hat. Voice of experience here. Just go and watch from a distance.

NightWatcher

(39,343 posts)
6. Ivan sucked. It almost knocked down my in laws house
Fri Aug 25, 2017, 12:50 PM
Aug 2017

And only because he was known in the area, we were allowed to get some things out before they condemned it. The things I remember most from that week were cases of mre's, biting flies, and a sign for "tourists" who drove around looking at others' destruction.

csziggy

(34,120 posts)
7. An online friend of mine had her entire downstairs destroyed by Ivan
Sat Aug 26, 2017, 07:47 PM
Aug 2017

She and her husband had gone inland and spent the storm with her daughter well away from the coast. Her house was one one of the islands visible from the US90 bridge as it entered Pensacola.

They rebuilt, leaving the ground floor as a pass through, shoring up the supports and enlarging the upstairs. Essentially they mostly downsized the house, though. Not long after they finished construction, Katrina hit and damaged the mostly new home. Her husband died soon after and in less than a year my friend died. I always thought that the loss of their garden and most of their possessions - twice - was the cause of both deaths.

bluecollar2

(3,622 posts)
5. I remember arriving a week later
Fri Aug 25, 2017, 12:30 PM
Aug 2017

to help clean up our grove.

We didn't get grid electricity back until just after November.

I remember most the constant beating of helicopter blades as the supplies were being shuttled overhead to Homestead AFB which had been turned into the main logistical support center.

That, the humidity, mosquitoes and heat...

We were lucky though...the main house stayed pretty intact so we were able to shelter in place. We didn't have to sleep in tents...

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