WEATHER Official Hurricane Irma Thread- Woo Free
- Thread starter Warm Wisconsin
- Start date
Looks like a sand blaster was taken to that goofy looking monument,
crazy what water and wind can do.
It was sandblasted. My Oceanography teacher in H.S., the back of her car was always wearing a new coat of primer after a season on the coast because the wind-driven sand sandblasted the paint off and it was too expensive to have it constantly repainted.
I go to the Dollar General in my small town in Texas and it is not appealing. It is disorganized. not much in the way of selection. I go because it is a convenience store. The one up the road in the next little town is a little better.
But . . . I went to one in Missouri and man . . . it was bigger, it was clean, it was organized, it had a great selection, the staff was super friendly. I wasn't shopping just along for the ride but I was so impressed I bought a candy bar just to get a receipt so I could fill out a survey and compliment those folks. If every Dollar General was like that, they would probably become my first grocery go to.
Oh ye, this is the Irma thread - probably out to say something bout that. Irma is doing weird. It was supposed to begin heading northeast once it passed 30 North. But it is continuing west and now south. Not normal
I got notice yesterday that they need help in Fla. & Ga.
Dunno if I'm gonna go or not.
Too many projects here that I have to have hands on.
Dunno if I'm gonna go or not.
Too many projects here that I have to have hands on.
Suzieq
Veteran Member
The Dollar store I go to is very neat, sparking clean and food taste fresh. It opened up about 18 months ago. I think Walmart built this one, because when they installed the gas pumps, it has Walmart written on them. They have a huge freezer, produce, meat and dry good section.
20Gauge
TB Fanatic
I am in SE Georgia, we only had Tropical Winds and rain. Overall the county is closed. No one is allowed in, except those who have been cleared before hand. That would include Doctors, Nurses, Power personnel and now Level 2 clean up personnel. The level 2 are the ones who check power lines, trees down, damage, etc and pass the information along for those to repair.
Of a county of nearly 85,000, we have at most, 10,000 left in the area. They are telling us that 50%+ of the county is / was without power and the outlying islands are without power and water / sewage. That would be Jekyll Island, Sea Island and St Simons, (the big 3).
After 2 days, we are just now getting some grocery stores open, (Publix, etc). The issue is that they forced as many people as possible to leave the area before hand and now the businesses are now unable to get anyone to man the business. For example, the local Walmart had only 12 people show up yesterday. Today it was 24. I am not sure when they will open.
On a personal side, we flooded, as usual, but we are experienced with that and had prepared. We lost power, but being near a substation it was restored asap. The only damage we had was a service drop got brought down due to a tree falling on it. It snapped off just over the meter box. We were able to move the power lines out of the water and safely move them out of harm's way. We will need to replace the pole as soon as the local hardware store opens up.
The preps worked just fine, we rode the storm out just fine. The only mistakes or areas of improvement were as follows:
a) Kitty Litter, when you have three adult cats, you need more than you think
b) Mustard, if you are having sandwiches, make sure you have some in the pantry.
Of a county of nearly 85,000, we have at most, 10,000 left in the area. They are telling us that 50%+ of the county is / was without power and the outlying islands are without power and water / sewage. That would be Jekyll Island, Sea Island and St Simons, (the big 3).
After 2 days, we are just now getting some grocery stores open, (Publix, etc). The issue is that they forced as many people as possible to leave the area before hand and now the businesses are now unable to get anyone to man the business. For example, the local Walmart had only 12 people show up yesterday. Today it was 24. I am not sure when they will open.
On a personal side, we flooded, as usual, but we are experienced with that and had prepared. We lost power, but being near a substation it was restored asap. The only damage we had was a service drop got brought down due to a tree falling on it. It snapped off just over the meter box. We were able to move the power lines out of the water and safely move them out of harm's way. We will need to replace the pole as soon as the local hardware store opens up.
The preps worked just fine, we rode the storm out just fine. The only mistakes or areas of improvement were as follows:
a) Kitty Litter, when you have three adult cats, you need more than you think
b) Mustard, if you are having sandwiches, make sure you have some in the pantry.
Vtshooter
Veteran Member
Robitussin and skittles.
I still have no power but my internet is up!
The most aggravating thing so far is the snowflakes calling into the local radio stations whining that they should have their power restored first because they are special. I really despise whiners and they must have a lot of cheese on hand to go with all of their whining.
Everything is as expected, no power, no fuel to be bought, no food, very few restaurants open and power crews working 24/7 to fix things.
I still have over 200 gallons of diesel for my generator and listening to a tornado pass close to my shelter was a cool experience. It was a lot like a roller coaster, is is a little scary but you know you are perfectly safe.
The most aggravating thing so far is the snowflakes calling into the local radio stations whining that they should have their power restored first because they are special. I really despise whiners and they must have a lot of cheese on hand to go with all of their whining.
Everything is as expected, no power, no fuel to be bought, no food, very few restaurants open and power crews working 24/7 to fix things.
I still have over 200 gallons of diesel for my generator and listening to a tornado pass close to my shelter was a cool experience. It was a lot like a roller coaster, is is a little scary but you know you are perfectly safe.
SusieSunshine
Veteran Member
Glad to hear that you are OK.
Milk-maid
Girls with Guns Member
I remember in the past when you said your wife didn't want to use the shelter since it was too far from the house? Did she come in during the storm?
How did your main house hold up?
Gonecrabbin
Senior Member
Going to pick up a portable A.C. unit from my sister's house on Monday night around 8pm my son sees a DOLLAR GENERAL store open! On the front door is a sign that says "CASH ONLY"-wanted HALLS cough drops and liquid MUCINEX-they has both .A real teaching moment-my son got to see up close the bad behavior of a certain segment of the population when told that EBT cards are really NOT the same as cash.
The store manager must have anticipated some of the stupidity cause he had a uniformed, armed guard stationed at the single entrance(looked like he knew his shit too). Profanity, screaming-"you cant do dat"!-"aint fair" "wez repotin yoo", jostling, etc-they cleared the store and then only let in people who actually had cash to show.
a lot of weirdness-I am going to try to post about some of the "higher points" of the last few days when they get the power back on-The latest update saisiiiiiiiiiiiii8888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888qqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqq
Medical Maven
Deceased
There is a good lesson here. If it can be done safely, it would be best to remove the tree before the power crew shows up. Of course, huge trees would be a challenge. Hobby farmers or otherwise would have the best chance of getting this done.
And you want to be very sure the power lines are not hot.
Irma Recovery: Day #2 – Life as a Starfish Kid…
Posted on September 13, 2017 by sundance
https://theconservativetreehouse.co...ery-day-2-life-as-a-starfish-kid/#more-138493
Did you ever read that little story about the kid walking down the beach throwing starfish in the water, when the old man says he can’t save all of them, so why bother? Well, that a parable for Day #2 in Irma’s impact zones. That parable also explains why this follow-up is reaching y’all well after midnight on Sept. 13th.
[Hurricane relief work is a little like keeping a farmers schedule. As I understand it, the work schedule of a farmer extends the necessary shift until the job is done, which has entirely nothing to do with a clock…]
I said yesterday I thought that 50% of the residents of South Florida might be home. I was wrong. That estimation was overstated. Maybe a third of the regular residents were home on Day #1 – a few more showed up today (Day #2)…. and based on south-bound traffic observed, a whole bunch more are in in route tonight.
They ain’t going to like what awaits.
First things first. Yes, we found fuel – it took driving past 47 empty gas stations to find one open with fuel. More than 100 cars (easily) were around the block for this station at 8am. We dispatched a volunteer to wait in line, and went about doing what we could w/out fuel, SCOUT. Three hours later 40 ten gal cans caught up with us. Oh, and another station opened around noon.
Tonight the police were not only escorting gas, but local police were guarding the gas stations upon arrival (saw it first hand). Somehow fuel has reached such a valued commodity that even the rumor of a delivery sends the fuel starved swarm into a frenzy. Controlling that swarm is now added duty of police. At approximately the same time as a 3,000 gallon tanker driver removes his hose from the ground intake, the tanks he just filled run dry. You’ve just got to see fuel piranhas in action, to believe it.
Grown women driving SUV’s, whip out 2 jerry cans and are more than willing to throw down the Mad Max gauntlet if that’s what it takes to keep their babies formula cold. There ain’t no class society structure here. It’s beyond Thunderdome. Hence the police directing pump flow, and trying to stave off the tired, desperate guy with a shotgun, running on fumes, who has had enough of waiting eight hours for a possible chance at gas pump lotto.
The first birds returned today. Weird to notice a bird making a noise, then realizing you haven’t heard a bird chirp in two days. I wonder where they go?
♦ Have you ever seen a 200 person outside line -wrapping all the way around the building- for a possible seat in a Waffle House? Methinks it ain’t the pancakes. Remember, only about a third of the town-folk stayed/arrived. Now imagine that 200 person line tripled; imagine those gas lines tripled; imagine SUVMom -vs- Mad-Max-Shotgun-Guy TRIPLED.
Two thirds of local residents, who left with ZERO prep, return to discover what smells like a rotting carcass in their fridge, and no air conditioning, ….Yeah, one might imagine the next few days could be rather sketchy nerves for more than seats at the Waffle House…
♦ When we are looking for root problems, one of the boots-on-the-ground tricks is to follow the collective hum of generators. •Question: You got power? Answer: No? •Question: Do you know why you have no power? Answer: (variations of words used to describe what happens when a cow licks you square in the forehead and someone asks you why).
With most hurricane power outages you can find something, usually a tree, that has actually severed the top power line on a neighborhood grid. If the tree is massive, with or without taking down the pole, the tree has to be removed first. If the power company has to remove a tree before they can restore power to an ordinary residential neighborhood, they drop the priority to “some later time”, and move on to quicker repairs… Ergo most of those without power, end Day #3 (September 13), will not see power until their rotation on the tree removal list comes up; sometime around the end of the month (two weeks away), or later.
Insurance companies (via quick claims settled to contracted tree removal), or a bunch of fast action roughnecks with chainsaws, can both deliver the identical amount of relief and speed up the process. Bob, Jeff, Phyllis, Gus, Gustav, Erik, Jose and Baby Francesca, found out today how that works. Gustav’s tree, though he willingly disclaims ownership, took down Bob, Jeff, Phyllis and about 50 other people’s electricity service. Jose, a young chap wrecked with guilt and a 6 month old baby, happened to be custodian of another tree that took down the electrical convenience of about 150 more.
Gustav’s tree, a well saturated Australian Pine, is about the dimension of a gasoline tanker trailer in the parts that matter. Jose’s oak tree, one of the reasons Grandma told him to buy that specific house-while harboring visions of cradling her new grand-baby underneath it’s shade, is even more awe inspiring. Well, that is, if it wasn’t the cause of so much damage. FUBAR. Both jobs need cranes, slings, major league heavy equipment rental, eminent domain/easement use and two 6 men crews for two full days etc.
•Problem #1) 84-year-old Phyllis, whose kids don’t call her any more, needs her medication chilled and wears a CPAP to sleep at night. •Problem #2) Jose family w/baby Francesca needs her formula cold etc. = No power two weeks. √Solution: move Mr. and Mrs Jose, w/ baby into my house to care for Ms. Phyllis who also needs power. One generator + two family problems solved = a neighborhood.
♦ On my way North today I did see about 20 fuel tankers headed South. Unfortunately I also saw one tanker with an armed escort being followed by a blood thirsty wolf pack tracking his cargo just to be first in line for the swarm. Hopefully the fuel piranhas can be satiated in a few months or a million+ tanker trucks, whichever comes first. According to FEMA as heard on radio interview, the collective power companies need 800,000 gallons per day, just to keep their crews operating in Florida…. Do the math.
I also saw a massive convoy of power company trucks headed down I-75 from the upper East Coast (they must have crossed I-4). There’s lots of resources flowing…
Right now our priority remains just keeping people moving forward, or at least looking forward. There are tremendous challenges in front of a great deal of really good decent people. It’s easy to be overwhelmed by the scope of the challenge and allow the sheer enormity of it to drown you. Don’t let it.
Every day, every hour, every minute… the goal is the same; just one step. Don’t look at what cannot be solved, look at what can.
Please check in on your neighbors. Please reach out to friends and family in Texas (Harvey), and/or Florida (Irma). Just let them know they matter, and despite the yuck of all this mess – they are cherished. The most inconsequential of life’s ordinary scheduled tasks can seem like a daunting challenge when cast against the backdrop of these crises.
You don’t have to operate a chainsaw. Help someone to see just the next step forward. Pick up a prescription for someone. Make them a sandwich. Give a can of fuel to someone who has that annoying whir of a generator running. Wash someone’s car, or offer to do their laundry. Pay attention to the conversations around you. Try to do something you find of value.
Be “Starfish-kid”
And you want to be very sure the power lines are not hot.
Irma Recovery: Day #2 – Life as a Starfish Kid…
Posted on September 13, 2017 by sundance
https://theconservativetreehouse.co...ery-day-2-life-as-a-starfish-kid/#more-138493
Did you ever read that little story about the kid walking down the beach throwing starfish in the water, when the old man says he can’t save all of them, so why bother? Well, that a parable for Day #2 in Irma’s impact zones. That parable also explains why this follow-up is reaching y’all well after midnight on Sept. 13th.
[Hurricane relief work is a little like keeping a farmers schedule. As I understand it, the work schedule of a farmer extends the necessary shift until the job is done, which has entirely nothing to do with a clock…]
I said yesterday I thought that 50% of the residents of South Florida might be home. I was wrong. That estimation was overstated. Maybe a third of the regular residents were home on Day #1 – a few more showed up today (Day #2)…. and based on south-bound traffic observed, a whole bunch more are in in route tonight.
They ain’t going to like what awaits.
First things first. Yes, we found fuel – it took driving past 47 empty gas stations to find one open with fuel. More than 100 cars (easily) were around the block for this station at 8am. We dispatched a volunteer to wait in line, and went about doing what we could w/out fuel, SCOUT. Three hours later 40 ten gal cans caught up with us. Oh, and another station opened around noon.
Tonight the police were not only escorting gas, but local police were guarding the gas stations upon arrival (saw it first hand). Somehow fuel has reached such a valued commodity that even the rumor of a delivery sends the fuel starved swarm into a frenzy. Controlling that swarm is now added duty of police. At approximately the same time as a 3,000 gallon tanker driver removes his hose from the ground intake, the tanks he just filled run dry. You’ve just got to see fuel piranhas in action, to believe it.
Grown women driving SUV’s, whip out 2 jerry cans and are more than willing to throw down the Mad Max gauntlet if that’s what it takes to keep their babies formula cold. There ain’t no class society structure here. It’s beyond Thunderdome. Hence the police directing pump flow, and trying to stave off the tired, desperate guy with a shotgun, running on fumes, who has had enough of waiting eight hours for a possible chance at gas pump lotto.
The first birds returned today. Weird to notice a bird making a noise, then realizing you haven’t heard a bird chirp in two days. I wonder where they go?
♦ Have you ever seen a 200 person outside line -wrapping all the way around the building- for a possible seat in a Waffle House? Methinks it ain’t the pancakes. Remember, only about a third of the town-folk stayed/arrived. Now imagine that 200 person line tripled; imagine those gas lines tripled; imagine SUVMom -vs- Mad-Max-Shotgun-Guy TRIPLED.
Two thirds of local residents, who left with ZERO prep, return to discover what smells like a rotting carcass in their fridge, and no air conditioning, ….Yeah, one might imagine the next few days could be rather sketchy nerves for more than seats at the Waffle House…
♦ When we are looking for root problems, one of the boots-on-the-ground tricks is to follow the collective hum of generators. •Question: You got power? Answer: No? •Question: Do you know why you have no power? Answer: (variations of words used to describe what happens when a cow licks you square in the forehead and someone asks you why).
With most hurricane power outages you can find something, usually a tree, that has actually severed the top power line on a neighborhood grid. If the tree is massive, with or without taking down the pole, the tree has to be removed first. If the power company has to remove a tree before they can restore power to an ordinary residential neighborhood, they drop the priority to “some later time”, and move on to quicker repairs… Ergo most of those without power, end Day #3 (September 13), will not see power until their rotation on the tree removal list comes up; sometime around the end of the month (two weeks away), or later.
Insurance companies (via quick claims settled to contracted tree removal), or a bunch of fast action roughnecks with chainsaws, can both deliver the identical amount of relief and speed up the process. Bob, Jeff, Phyllis, Gus, Gustav, Erik, Jose and Baby Francesca, found out today how that works. Gustav’s tree, though he willingly disclaims ownership, took down Bob, Jeff, Phyllis and about 50 other people’s electricity service. Jose, a young chap wrecked with guilt and a 6 month old baby, happened to be custodian of another tree that took down the electrical convenience of about 150 more.
Gustav’s tree, a well saturated Australian Pine, is about the dimension of a gasoline tanker trailer in the parts that matter. Jose’s oak tree, one of the reasons Grandma told him to buy that specific house-while harboring visions of cradling her new grand-baby underneath it’s shade, is even more awe inspiring. Well, that is, if it wasn’t the cause of so much damage. FUBAR. Both jobs need cranes, slings, major league heavy equipment rental, eminent domain/easement use and two 6 men crews for two full days etc.
•Problem #1) 84-year-old Phyllis, whose kids don’t call her any more, needs her medication chilled and wears a CPAP to sleep at night. •Problem #2) Jose family w/baby Francesca needs her formula cold etc. = No power two weeks. √Solution: move Mr. and Mrs Jose, w/ baby into my house to care for Ms. Phyllis who also needs power. One generator + two family problems solved = a neighborhood.
♦ On my way North today I did see about 20 fuel tankers headed South. Unfortunately I also saw one tanker with an armed escort being followed by a blood thirsty wolf pack tracking his cargo just to be first in line for the swarm. Hopefully the fuel piranhas can be satiated in a few months or a million+ tanker trucks, whichever comes first. According to FEMA as heard on radio interview, the collective power companies need 800,000 gallons per day, just to keep their crews operating in Florida…. Do the math.
I also saw a massive convoy of power company trucks headed down I-75 from the upper East Coast (they must have crossed I-4). There’s lots of resources flowing…
Right now our priority remains just keeping people moving forward, or at least looking forward. There are tremendous challenges in front of a great deal of really good decent people. It’s easy to be overwhelmed by the scope of the challenge and allow the sheer enormity of it to drown you. Don’t let it.
Every day, every hour, every minute… the goal is the same; just one step. Don’t look at what cannot be solved, look at what can.
Please check in on your neighbors. Please reach out to friends and family in Texas (Harvey), and/or Florida (Irma). Just let them know they matter, and despite the yuck of all this mess – they are cherished. The most inconsequential of life’s ordinary scheduled tasks can seem like a daunting challenge when cast against the backdrop of these crises.
You don’t have to operate a chainsaw. Help someone to see just the next step forward. Pick up a prescription for someone. Make them a sandwich. Give a can of fuel to someone who has that annoying whir of a generator running. Wash someone’s car, or offer to do their laundry. Pay attention to the conversations around you. Try to do something you find of value.
Be “Starfish-kid”
marsh
On TB every waking moment
From this run, it looks like it dissipates:
https://www.tropicaltidbits.com/ana...7091312&fh=-48&xpos=0&ypos=14.399999618530273
20Gauge
TB Fanatic
The stores that are opening up in town are "cash only". People are pissed! They keep insisting that they can pay with debit. So now the local Pizza Inn is requiring cash up front before they let you sit down. I guess too many tried paying with cards after the fact and claimed no cash.
I saw two cases that made me sympathize with the people working.
1) A man ordered 2 dozen pizzas and then tried to pay with card. He was told when the phone was answered "cash only" and there were 2 signs on the door saying the same. He claimed he didn't know. They refused to give him his order, all of a sudden, he found cash!
2) There was one waitress for the entire location. She was moving constantly at a run, never walked the entire time I was there. Service, despite that was darn good. Excellent considering the conditions, yet no one was tipping. I one case of a single dollar for a tip. People are pigs! We gave her a $10 to say thank you.
The comment about people going over the edge is too true!
I saw two cases that made me sympathize with the people working.
1) A man ordered 2 dozen pizzas and then tried to pay with card. He was told when the phone was answered "cash only" and there were 2 signs on the door saying the same. He claimed he didn't know. They refused to give him his order, all of a sudden, he found cash!
2) There was one waitress for the entire location. She was moving constantly at a run, never walked the entire time I was there. Service, despite that was darn good. Excellent considering the conditions, yet no one was tipping. I one case of a single dollar for a tip. People are pigs! We gave her a $10 to say thank you.
The comment about people going over the edge is too true!
Ragnarok
On and On, South of Heaven
They went, too...
Ragnarok
On and On, South of Heaven
Cash money... low denominations... SHOULD have been in everyone's preps.
I had $250.00 in 1, 5, and 10's... Good to go... Even though I still have no power the gas stations and grocery stores around my perimeter got power today, so now debit cards work.
I have to say, this was/is ( still no power ) a great learning experience. I went through Wilma alone but now my family was with me on this one so the responsibility curve was quite a bit higher. For the most part I can pull us through the coming weekend before my preps become dangerously depleted...
Daytonabill0001
Wheat or Tare, which are you?
Wow! My hometown of Daytona Beach, where I grew up, got flooded badly... There's so much runoff flowing into the Halifax River, which dumps into the ocean via Ponce Inlet, that it has flooded Riverside Drive and to be honest about it, it surprised me!
Over the years, I have weathered some hurricanes but never saw the river do this... Remember, the river empties into the Atlantic and consequently, the river has low and high tides... Now with that in mind, try to imagine all of the rain runoff required to keep the river overflowing it's banks like that...
To see what I mean, view this vid from the Daytona News Journal. it's 2:16 long... And taken with a drone...
http://www.news-journalonline.com/news/20170912/video-looking-down-over-flooded-daytona-beach
Over the years, I have weathered some hurricanes but never saw the river do this... Remember, the river empties into the Atlantic and consequently, the river has low and high tides... Now with that in mind, try to imagine all of the rain runoff required to keep the river overflowing it's banks like that...
To see what I mean, view this vid from the Daytona News Journal. it's 2:16 long... And taken with a drone...
http://www.news-journalonline.com/news/20170912/video-looking-down-over-flooded-daytona-beach
My house is all good. My wife, grand kids and daughter all occupied the shelter with me.
We wont have grid power until at all until Sunday at the earliest per the linemen working the area.
Fuel is the biggest issue. There in NONE in the city at all, diesel or gas, even on the gasbuddy app. I had to tap into my 100 gallon stash that I keep in the city to fill my truck with today and I let a buddy fill up also since he was at 1/8 of a tank. I still have around 100 gallons of diesel left at the house and it should keep the genny running until we get power back.
I put a large capacitor on my AC unit today so it is easier for the genny to start. My friend put one on his AC unit and is running it on a little crappy 5KW gas genny so they really work.
Daytonabill0001
Wheat or Tare, which are you?
That's an excellent idea! Thanks for that...
AlfaMan
Has No Life - Lives on TB
How are the pharmacies in the affected areas coping with a lack of power-some meds need to be refrigerated. I take Humira for rheumatoid arthritis; the injector pens have to be refrigerated/cooled. With the amount of older folks in FL and the amount of meds they take; it would be really interesting to see how that situation is being handled.
And by the way; The prep tips and all on this thread have been extremely interesting and useful.
And by the way; The prep tips and all on this thread have been extremely interesting and useful.
bw
Fringe Ranger
What size and how wired in? How many feet of cord from the AC to the generator? How many amps is the AC pulling? Where did you get the specifications from?
No disrespect intended, but do you know how to do the necessary calculations?
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Gensets are going to start being stolen soon, at gunpoint if necessary.
Flippper
Time Traveler
Flippper
Time Traveler
Actually water did this, people were videotaped posing next to it during the hurricane, they were leaning back on the fence letting the massive waves hit them while people took pictures. Granted there is sand in waves, but if I remember correctly there is no beach where that monument sits. EYW can tell us if she doesn't have a billion more important things to be doing post Irma. BTW, I'm relieved you left EYW and that your home survived in good shape, God is good!
ElevenO
Veteran Member
I lost power early monday afternoon and was without it, pretty much, for 55 hours on the nose. I just got it back less then 30 minutes ago.
The power loss was the worst aspect of it for me. I got a lot of wind and rain all throughout monday but there was no damage to the house nor was there any flooding. I did lose one large oak tree which I will, eventually, turn into firewood for the winter. Other than that, though, all that was lost was a bunch of small branches from nearby trees.
The power loss was the worst aspect of it for me. I got a lot of wind and rain all throughout monday but there was no damage to the house nor was there any flooding. I did lose one large oak tree which I will, eventually, turn into firewood for the winter. Other than that, though, all that was lost was a bunch of small branches from nearby trees.
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Yep no beach there. It's actually about 10 ft ish high from the water
Bardou
Veteran Member
Juan Browne has a new video out on Irma and the Reconnaissance C130's flying through the eye of the hurricane. He gives a good synopsis of what takes place and some history behind the flights into the eye of the hurricane and what kind of data they gather. Juan is a long distance pilot with American Airlines, he also has a press pass which enables him to go places where the average person is not allowed. He has done a good job of covering the Oroville Dam Spillway project here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEgpF2Levd0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEgpF2Levd0
Profanity, screaming-"you cant do dat"!-"aint fair" "wez repotin yoo", jostling, etc-they cleared the store and then only let in people who actually had cash to show.
Gee.
And here I thought "SHOW ME DA MONEE" was a black thang.
https://vimeo.com/62652371
Ain't no "Show me da EBT card" in there.
Gee.
And here I thought "SHOW ME DA MONEE" was a black thang.
https://vimeo.com/62652371
Ain't no "Show me da EBT card" in there.
EYW
Veteran Member
Since I am not a tourist, I avoid the area, but there is no beach there. It is right on the ocean, there is a seawall, not sure of the height. Tourists line up to have their picture taken there. I've seen the line about a half block long on a busy day. As a point of interest, my husband has painted that. I showed him the sandblasted pic and said all your hard work gone to waste. I don't care, I am retired now.
We may be here in BR in hotel until at least Monday. Even with resident identification, one cannot get past mile marker 73, we live at about mile marker 3, so it will be a while. I am just catching up on YouTube videos from the reseller community that I have missed and walking the dogs a lot since I can't open the front door and let 'em loose.
We really have no intention of going back until the fuel situation has stabilized. Just don't want to go through an area and use resources that maybe the locals need badly. Also no plans to go back until we know our power is back on as the fridge and freeze are gonna stink to high heaven and we want to make sure they refreeze before we have to shovel them out and also that the AC has run for a day or two to help dry out the air from just the normal humidity.
Interested people can follow the progress in the Keys at this Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/KeyWestHur...1S3YMG4Ou28xQC1KnJeeVQUDt_IA71wVzCsrA&fref=nf
There may be other Facebook pages for the other Keys, but I don't know. This one is putting out mostly Key West info, with some coverage of some of the Keys.
Very good post from that page:
Key West Hurricane Irma
2 hrs ·
Potentially useful advice from our mailbox:
To everyone who has suffered damage from the hurricane, a couple of tips.
If you do not have copies of your most recent flood, homeowner's or renter's policy call your agent or the company and have them email it and your declarations page to you and read it before starting any repairs. If you are not home yet, do this now so you will not have to look for it when you get home.
If you lost power take pictures of the contents of your refrigerator and freezer before you toss out the food. Your homeowner's or rental insurance should cover the replacement cost.
Take pictures of everything damaged before moving it or doing temporary repairs. Often, the location of an item or the condition of the area around it will determine whether it is flood or hurricane damage.
Take a picture of anything that you throw away so its value can be added to the claim.
Flood insurance and homeowner's insurance cover different things. Your insurance companies will try to blame as much damage on the things they do not cover as they can. Flood insurance covers damage caused by RISING water and other insurance covers damage from water that comes down (this could be from rain, burst pipes or runoff from defrosting freezers). There will most likely be things neither will volunteer to accept responsibility for. In that case, demand an independent appraisal and damage assessment.
If your insurance company wants to write you a check on the spot or before you have had a chance to get repair estimates, make sure that the check or anything you sign does not contain language that can be construed as a final release. You want to make sure to keep the right to supplement when (not if) additional damage is found.
Be wary of traveling repair companies. Many unscrupulous people go to disaster areas looking to scam. (Also many more who are there to make an honest living and help in a time of crisis.) A reputable company will not make you pay up front or tell you they need $X.00 to buy materials. If they are from out of town and do not have a local account, they may be fine. Just make sure to go with them buy the materials and pay for them directly to the supplier. It is OK to pay increments as the job progresses because they are away from home and need to cover living expenses. Do not pay by cash or check until the work on a particular phase is completed. Pay by card to have a remedy should your friendly contractor ghost you.
If a contractor tells you you do not need a permit to do "x repair" call your county code enforcement or check the website to make sure. Non-permitted repairs may have to be redone (at your expense) and can affect your future ability to buy insurance or sell your property.
If you evacuated, save every single receipt for gas, food, lodging, tolls -- anything you spend money for while away. If you have loss-of-use coverage, you will be reimbursed subject to the terms of your policy.
Get used to hearing "it's not covered" or "you actually have to buy replacements before we will pay for it". Do not believe it! Your insurers who are on your side when you pay your premiums now view you as "the enemy" (not really, but close) because to make money they have to pay out as little on claims as possible.
(A friend just reminded me: Check your wind coverage.)
Demand a copy of any and every claims report done by insurance companies or private adjusters. Go over it item by item to make sure everything is included.
These are my first thoughts. I will add tips as people post them to comments.
Best of luck as you go through the recovery process.
prudentwatcher
Veteran Member
We made it through with only 2 days without power. Still don't have cable or internet. Finally got some fuel today (it's been over a week) but many stations are still out. Some restaurants are open, but limited menu. Major lines for Waffle House and McDonalds. Went to Walmart today---no dairy products at all, they are tossing the whole section. No juices on the shelf, no soups, limited bread, limited fresh veggies and fruit. Not a huge deal, but interesting to see. Several areas still without power. School supposed to start back tomorrow (Thurs). This is in Gainesville.
Suzieq
Veteran Member
Jay GrayVerified account @jaygraymatters 7h7 hours ago
No matter how many times you see it - still takes your breath. #islamorada #KEYS #Florida #Irma
https://twitter.com/search?q=#keys #irma&src=tyah&lang=en
No matter how many times you see it - still takes your breath. #islamorada #KEYS #Florida #Irma
https://twitter.com/search?q=#keys #irma&src=tyah&lang=en
I'm back!
Just got cable this morning. Still no power, so I have my generator powering my cable equipment so I have TV phone and internet as long as I keep my generator running. Ironic that all my cable stuff came up first and I'm still waiting for power.
Running my generator 2 hours in the morning and about 6 hours in the evening. I have a Coleman 5kw continuous and around 6.5kw surge generator and it runs most of my house lights, fridge, freezer, and the washer, and a portable AC. (it's either the portable AC or the washer) but not both at once.
Neighborhood has been real good with everybody helping each other. Found bags of ice at my local safeway and brought a bunch home and handed them out to neighbors without generators. Cut my lawn yesterday and piled all debris at the curb. I must have looks pretty bad because 2 people stopped and offered me water.
My neighbor (the retired dairy farmer from NY) is 80 years old, almost deaf and had a heart valve replaced 6 weeks ago and insisted on cutting his own lawn, even though I had to help him open his driveway gate. He eventually got it done.
My house wasn't damaged but I had pieces of sheds and screen porches in my yard and leaning up against the house.
Some traffic lights still out and instead of treating it like a 4 way stop, many people are blowing right through. Been quite a few accidents, especially at night from people running into each other or hitting debris in the road.
More later, wife wants to go to walmart
Just got cable this morning. Still no power, so I have my generator powering my cable equipment so I have TV phone and internet as long as I keep my generator running. Ironic that all my cable stuff came up first and I'm still waiting for power.
Running my generator 2 hours in the morning and about 6 hours in the evening. I have a Coleman 5kw continuous and around 6.5kw surge generator and it runs most of my house lights, fridge, freezer, and the washer, and a portable AC. (it's either the portable AC or the washer) but not both at once.
Neighborhood has been real good with everybody helping each other. Found bags of ice at my local safeway and brought a bunch home and handed them out to neighbors without generators. Cut my lawn yesterday and piled all debris at the curb. I must have looks pretty bad because 2 people stopped and offered me water.
My neighbor (the retired dairy farmer from NY) is 80 years old, almost deaf and had a heart valve replaced 6 weeks ago and insisted on cutting his own lawn, even though I had to help him open his driveway gate. He eventually got it done.
My house wasn't damaged but I had pieces of sheds and screen porches in my yard and leaning up against the house.
Some traffic lights still out and instead of treating it like a 4 way stop, many people are blowing right through. Been quite a few accidents, especially at night from people running into each other or hitting debris in the road.
More later, wife wants to go to walmart
Daytonabill0001
Wheat or Tare, which are you?
True dat...
Repairman-Jack
Veteran Member
So 120vac generator to 12VDC inverter? Aside from that it would need to be a pure sine wave inverter if you're looking for "clean" power
Most large appliances will run fine on generator. For sensative stuff you could put a UPS that has pure sine wave output between, but if power starts getting wonky it could cause the UPS to start tripping between line and battery.
At minimum I'd try and add good surge protection on most items.
Suzieq
Veteran Member
Hurricane Irma Aftermath In the Lower Florida Keys - 9/10/2017
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KXEJbgEAs0