Sally

I'll have to try and get thru to Steve and Tina later this PM. I suspect that Steve will be busy at the hospital.

Great to hear the John and Elaine are OK and no real damage... Still a lot of clean up. OK on the Cat O Mine! Safest place it could have been.

Our day started at about 5:30. Guests are early risers! Water had receded further, and we all got going while it was still cool. The guests could not find a rental car anywhere in Pensacola. All RV campgrounds are full, (Many are refugees from Laura.). They did get a climate controlled storage area. So far have not been able to get a hotel room--a little more complicated, since their son (a Deep Sea Diver and member of the Cajan Navy arrived today. Now this guy is in shape!

First we had to pull a 75' section of 6' fence out of the road so traffic could get thru. We had to cut the 2/4 stringers to move it without causing damage. We got it off the right of way, and found a Jon boat sort of hidden in the swamp across the street. Apparently this was when I managed to get two punctures in my right rear tire--you would think that the deep tread "Wrangler" would be more resistant...

Next two water heaters out of the folks yard who were staying with us, so would remove a tree which had fallen across the entrance to the house. Some more use of the "Axe" blade in the sawmill. Nice having a 4x4 which acts like a tractor!

We had to cut loose a few of our own limbs and drag them to the street. The PWC we rescued yesterday. had to be drug closer to the curb so the owner (one of our neighbors, lost three PWC---and the 1964 Chris Craft "Sweet Sixteen" which he had just finished restoring!!! We could see the bow just floating above the surface.

About this time a number of law enforcement, aninimal control officers, and Search and Rescue group descended on the street (We are a peninsula, with waterfront homes on each side.) A Coast Guard Dolphin chopper did a fly by at about 5 mph. Then a parade of SAR trucks pulling boats. The word was that a young boy had set out in the middle of the storm, to make sure his parents Pontoon boat was securely tied off, in a 12' Jon boat (the one we found???) A short time later the CG Dolphin came along the bay with forward motion at less than 1 mph and less than 110 feet off the water.--and hovered for about 20 minutes less than 50 feet off the water. No "news" about this, but we fear that the boy had drowned.

The folks staying with us, found out that a water pipe had broken. We had to hunt for the water meter and mains shut off. Done...

Then we started clean up in our yard--lots of debris and in some places it is over 2' deep. One of men who works for our gardener will come by tomorrow to help.
Maybe we can get some more "help" from the other 3 members of the "Cajan Navy" who arrive tomorrow. We may end up with 6 guests (and one large standard poodle).

When you are 84, it is a little harder to rake and bag debris. But that is a small price to pay for having the home safe. We both should sleep well tonight.

Tomorrow--off to the tire store for repair. (The tire had gotten down low enough that it was leaking around the rim--had to band the tire, and use a "Spanish Windlass" to pop the tire back to seal on the rim, after jacking up the truck.)

We also see the parade of "looky Loos". No attempt at looting yet, but you wonder who is casing the houses.

Unfortunately we don't have any cable TV or internet. I am on the Verizon "hot spot" MiFi, which seems to be working well tonight...
 
Lots of work, Dr. Bob. You do what you can. Glad to hear your home, vehicles, and boats are OK... and that you are able to take in those who didn't fare as well. You and Marie are good people.

After the last hurricane that hammered our area, the number of nails all over the streets on our island was nasty - they came from all the shingles that became missiles. Everyone who tried to move a vehicle got flat tires.
 
Sounds like quite a busy day Bob. Good to hear that you, your wife and assorted company are doing relatively well. Stay safe and healthy.

Jim
 
Molly Brown":2g8muiqx said:
Luck hasn't much to do with it in Bob and Marie's case. There is a reason Bob gives the majority of our safety talks. He is a tireless advocate to plan, prepare, execute. I'm continually amazed by his attention to detail and planning.

Bob, I hope you and Marie will take a moment each day to relish the satisfaction of all your efforts paying off. And, there is no better feeling than being able to assist those in need, especially your neighbors. Charley really brought our neighborhood together and lasts to this day, 16 years later.

Wondering about John and Eillen, how they fared, house ok, did they get the boat out in time, etc....

James
Click to expand...


Where I grew up that's called Common Sense!
Not so common any more.
Glad all is ok Bob, Job well done, again.
:thup :thup
 
Bob glad to hear you are ok. sounds like a lot of fun. Just wondering if you choose the lot with the extra elevation when you bought or was that even a consideration? It was when I bought my house. I loved it for a lot of reasons but being 400ft above see leave but only a few miles from sea level is great. I also choose to live in one of the only river valleys in the state that does not have a volcano at the top of it. Cut most of the trees back from the house 100 ft a few years ago. earthquakes are what they are. How many hurricanes does this make for you so far?
 
Just wondering if you choose the lot with the extra elevation when you bought or was that even a consideration?
Click to expand...

Yes, there were two considerations: One was elevation, and the other was both "deep water" (meaning 6 feet in Florida), and protection for both the boat, dock and house during hurricanes. The only damage to boats on the "Bayou side" of Perdido Bay (width about 3 miles, length about 15 miles..so enough fetch to get some 5 or so foot waves) was if there was a roof over the boat, and the surge came up high enough to smash the T top or windshield against the roof. None in our area. . Our neighbors had windows at the 5 feet above the storm water level broken out by the waves. The houses and vegetation on the bay side of the street act as a partial breakwater.

I went to Home Depot buy some more contractor trash bags for the debris (everything from pine needles, threaded paper and plastic, to longs and pieces of docks and stair cases,). Also needed latches for the 3 screen doors on the pool cage. The force of the wind, didn't tear out the screens, (debris did), but damaged the latches. Home Depot had 18 wheelers full of generators and other essential supplies, including bottled water, lined up in the receiving end, and as soon as one came off the shelf another took its place. No shortages, but square nosed shovels were down to about 1 for 2 of each type. The check out was very efficient. There were employees directing traffic.

As I was driving back, there were more convoys of electric utility trucks with police escorts arriving, plus convoys of tree trimmers and haulers. About 1.5 miles from our house there was a broken electric pole. The truck with the pole and digger was lined up ready to dig the hole, rigging crew were already assembling the insulators, and and new cables laid out. About 100 yards from the entrance to our isolated subdivision, there was another crew, who had the disconnects all rigged and ready to close. About 60 minutes after I got home, the power came back on. (Ivan took 6 weeks). We have not seen any Cox Cable trucks or Phone company trucks....

Shortly after I was back, a truck and trailer from "Come Back Coolers" from Panama City came down the street with coolers full of ice, water and soft drinks plus lunch. Our diver friend knew one of the crew from one of his dive assignments. Apparently "Come Back Coolers" is a faith based organization. We were told that the coolers with beer come later in the afternoon!

We are also seeing the "out of town" roofers coming thru! For the most part these folks are expensive and poor quality....

Several of our neighbors are general contractors, with their own large companies--all of them had dumpsters in by 4 pm yesterday--several were full today and second ones were swapped out... Cars are bing towed out every hour. We never have a parking problem....now the street I lined with pickups and trailers, trying to salvage what they can.

Looting...I did a walk around at 10 PM. There are 4 people staying at the end of the street (Cul de sac, water entrance to the bay there). We met half way. We also had the Sheriff patrol run thru several times during the night. I did a walk around at 3 AM. Nothing out of the ordinary--except no lights or people. But sometime after 10 PM, someone came and took the Jon boat we had found right after the storm....Since there was a 7 PM curfew, it was most likely not the owner! I chained the PWC--and the owner came to get it today. Our neighborhood watch is not normally armed. During this time, we make an exception.

We just had two more "Cajan Navy" divers from Louisiana arrive, and these guys are workers! The folks staying with us had their dumpster (30' long heavy load containers) arrive, and they will start tearing out the drywall this afternoon. There is a new fully climate controlled storage area which had just opened., and these folks snagged a couple of units. It was interesting that they had some furniture which was built for them in Mexico, and it was not damaged by the flooding--the wood still had a good finish, no swelling or evidence of water intrusion...about the only pieces they could salvage. A pool table in the "dining room", was high enough that the felt and slate were not immersed, plus several walls acted as "breakwaters". so no waves breaking in that room. The pool table may survive.

Our neighbor's wife had gone to Lafayette, LA to take the dog to family, and to try and rent a car. At first the folks at Enterprise said "All of our cars are being sent to Pensacola"--when she showed her FL driver's license, they rented her a van.

I found out why there was a Bobcat and and a slightly larger rubber tracked Cat which came into the area about dusk. Some folks from Alabama had found their boat near the end of the street, and no way to put it on the trailer... Solution: Bring the tracked lift vehicles to the edge of the bayou and put straps around the boat, and hoist it onto the trailer! That is the way the "Good ole boys" do it in Alabama.

We are doing well--thanks to several C Brats who have offered to come and help--that is what makes this C Brat family so very special.

As to the number of hurricanes--over a dozen--I've lost track. First two were in Houston in Med school. A couple in VA, when in the Army. 3 x we had hurricane force winds at sea with storms--not necessarily named hurricanes. and at least 10 since we moved to Pensacola about 28 years ago. Some were glancing blows. This one is 2nd worse we have seen--Ivan had considerably more damage, and much slower response. But no FEMA, No Red Cross, not even Salvation Army or Samaritan's Purse. If like Ivan, FEMA will come around weeks later with a bottle or two of water.

What stands out is how a community pulls together. Many of our neighbors have family near--if not others come to help.
 
Bob, Thanks for sharing with us. I know it takes some time, but for those of us who really have little experience with that sort of disaster, it is Eyes Wide Open reading. You all are in my prayers, for safety and continued energy. That has got to be hard work. Glad that you are OK and able.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

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wow-what a week it’s been. Last week Steve drove up to Wisconsin to pick up his mom. She bought the condo next to ours and she was ready to move in. They arrived Monday night and spent Tuesday getting somewhat settled until Steve had to be back to work at midnight. The storm came and did it’s thing. Luckily, Steve only had to go on the roof of the hospital once during the storm. Our marina and the boats here only suffered minor damage. Because it was already blowing when Steve got back, we secured Outlier well in our slip and hoped for the best. Fortunately, the only damage she received was a broken starboard window and a small chip in the gel coat. Good to hear that other
C Brats fared well also. Steve’s mom took the whole experience in stride and is still happy with her new home.
 
Hey Tina. Glad to hear you and Steve are ok. What a welcome for your mom! Well at least no more snow for her! Or extreme cold! You guys take care. Hope to see you in March at Hontoon. Colby
 
Steve and Tina,
Glad to hear you are OK! Great on Steve's mother buying the next door condo.

Jack and Jeanne--John and Eileen are fine, their boat was in the shop! They have posted earlier.

It is heart rendering to walk down the street and see the debris--people's lives all on the curb to be taken off to the dumpster. Those who have the big contract dumpsters are full, and more are on the way later today. Those who have flooding have to remove the drywall up to the 4' from the floor level (assuming that the water was no higher than 3 feet--if more than 3' it must be taken off up to 8'. After drywall is removed, all exposed area has to be sprayed with mold retardant, and allowed to dry. All electrical which was under water needs to be replaced.

Our losses are minimal--but we had 45, 42 gallon contractor bags of debris raked up and put on the curb, we have an accumulative about 50' long x 3' wide and 3' high of other debris--limbs, logs, planks, cut up fences ...We were able to get up most of the plastic and paper, so it will not go into the bay/ocean. The litter included dead frogs, squirrels, lots of bugs/and other bugs to bite you when raking!

We are having 9 workers for dinner tonight. (Yep, I know about COVID 19, but life has to go on.). It is amazing what has been done in several days in getting houses cleaned out. One is particularly sad: the wife was out of town, the husband apparently left after getting his animals together before the storm hit, and has not been back--the house is badly damaged, and appears as if they have abandoned it, along with vehicles etc...No clean up done etc. We had one house like that from IVAN--still standing, but inside gutted. County will not tear it down. Owners will not sell (divorce) to allow neighbors buy and tear it down. As long as the weeds don't grow too high, the county will not condemn the house....

I have photos on the iPhone I am trying to transfer--showing high water, vs today with mounds of trash in front of every house. About half of damaged cars have been removed. Unfortunately owners get less than low blue book for the car.

Still no sign of FEMA, any governmental agency, or the Red Cross. (At least in our part of town). Our neighborhood was one of the hardest hit--with over 50% overall home flood damage, plus 90% vehicular loss. Several of the houses on stilts had the entire side and front wall of the house torn off--probably microburst or nigh wind gust. The official rain fall for our area was 31 inches.
 
WOW, Bob, You have really been hard at it, punching back at Sally, and taking care of business. What a shame that those houses are deserted. Prayers for all those involved and affected.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

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Tonight it looks like the next plague will be a Cat 3 hurricane, rather than locusts, which was my prior bet.

We had a local electric company install a double throw, 100A 220v safety switch to our outside power service and then (in the attic over the garage) to a L14-30R 220v generator input connected to the entire 110V panel.

We have a Wgen 7500 running Watts generator arriving Friday. I would prefer a Honda 7000iu, but it’s $4,500 and I just can’t justify that for the rare use for home backup. The W7500 has 9,500 startup Watts, keyfob remote start and automatic choke, and a 3 yr warranty like the Honda for $849 including shipping. Dr Bob’s natural gas whole-house solution is more elegant, but this solution is more cost-efficient for us at this point in our lives.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N80F68E?ta ... 53-20&th=1

Unfortunately, the Cat 3 hurricane arrives Thurs night, so the timing is unfortunate. We still have our trusty Honda 2000iu (we sold the spare to next door for $400). The cable box had to be moved. An upgrade to 50A service would only require changing the Romex from the transfer switch to the generator connect input. Total parts and labor $840, but would be cheaper for a 110v/30A wiring and less labor.

Hope this helps if you are making similar decisions. PM me with any questions. Yeah, I know it’s not boating, but it’s Hurricane prep.

Cheers!
John
 
John and all the rest in Hurricane ally, again, you are in my prayers, for safety, security and sanity. I would be going stark raving bananananas after 1 hurricane.

Be safe, and stay safe. Plan ahead for the worst, and hope for the best.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

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Several factors--and we do hope that the storm does not arrive. The water by the shore has cooled down from upper mid 80's 3 weeks ago to the upper 70's now. The high water temps are further South in the Gulf. Right now this looks like a superstorm going on several models to a Cat 5! However the models show it going closer to Morgan City (Laura), or maybe New Orleans. It will have been attenuated by landfall. It is still a very dangerous storm.

Good on getting a larger generator John. Now you need to stock pile a lot of gasoline. We used 100 gallons total during Ivan 2004 with our 7,500 watt generator. (We still have it, as a possible back up for us--or others if they need it). I have enough gas cans for 50 gallons if you want to borrow them. (Option is to have the Tom Cat fuel tanks full, and bring the boat to the house before the storm to have the fuel. I believe you are high enough to avoid flood.

The 18000 Watt Generac fueled by natural gas is in the $4,200 range, plus installation of natural gas lines, platform and auto transfer switch (included). Our Generac is now 15 years old. We change the oil yearly, Battery every 4 years, and it auto starts each week, and runs for 15 minutes. If we have a power outage more than 60 seconds, it starts up and carries the entire house load including the air conditioning. We had to use the generator about 60 hours during Sally--Ivan was several weeks, when we had the smaller generator. We have a significant outage about once every 2 months. Some of the generators were not mounted high enough, and even though the flood waters were 3 feet below the generator, the salt spray and waves shorted the generators out. Ours is 5 feet above our house foundation, which is almost 10 feet above high median tide. (Generator is about 15 feet above mean high water.).

We still have our 7,5 KW unit similar to yours. Probably one should start it regularly and run them at least once a month.

Keep lines tight--and boats out of the water. We could have more flooding, since ground is saturated. Some of our Pensacola areas have been under reported as to the extent of damage. A tree down is not as dramatic TV as a house totally destroyed, or flooded. Not one photo in the photo of our neighborhood, where the average loss is going to be over the $250,000 flood insurance minimum and then add in vehicles for all but 3 houses. (We are fortunate, being higher on a mound, but if it is anything over a 3 at landfall with in 50 miles we are out of here. (RV towing Marie's Lincoln, Truck towing the C Dory (with its 100 gallon gas tank full, and an extra 30 gallons of diesel, plus a 35 gallon auxiliary diesel tank in the truck. (RV is also diesel, but only 24 gallon tank).
 
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