I'm alive--but do you guys have time for THIS story? PART 1

[IraRat]

First, let me thank EVERYONE for their good wishes displayed here in so many warm posts. (Especially Gage's post- this storm has made me realize that people really are nice, helping out when one needs help. I feel like Gage and me are best of buddies now, can't wait to meet him in person!)


Me and my family, plus Woody and his family (and his many mistresses), all appreciate those wishes. This was INDEED the most effed up mess most of us down here have ever experienced.

A New Orleans kind of Katrina mess? Of course not, but the worst storm to hit Broward County in 50 years. Or 60 years. Or 127 years--depending on the station you were watching.

This is going to be a long story, so please, PLEASE forgive me. And this is only Part I.

Power just came on for us today (Friday), and we were knocked out 6AM Monday.

Here's the rundown on Wilma, and how it affected Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties so far. (Situation-wise, it's more or less identical for all 3 counties.) Part II (to come) will cast some illumination on our wondeful FEMA, as well as the illusion that you can actually expect any real assistance from this arm of the Department of Homeland Security. Basicially, we're all doomed, because these guys don't have a CLUE as to what will be needed in an actual emergency.

And we're all white and middle class in Coral Springs, so any references to the poorest of poor isn't going to help conservatives very much here!

This storm was TOTALLY different from Katrina, and therefore, any of those past Katrina excuses won't hold water here. If you truly have the patience to read Part II, you will definitely learn something. But if our government AGENCIES fail to learn from this, it will be a tragedy.

First, Wilma basically caused just "minor" damage. But it caused "minor" damage absolutely EVERYWHERE. Yes, there were was some structural problems with some buildings, roofs, shingles--but this was INCREDIBLY minor, WHEREVER it hit. All across the board.

However, every other tree in our counties came down.

LITERALLY, every other tree, or 2 out of 3, and it's an unexplainable miracle that hundreds weren't killed and that there wasn't more building damage. Power went out for millions of people IMMEDIATELY. And no, not because of downed lines--but because of substations that couldn't withstand a category 2.

(And yeah, when the first guy died in Florida, I knew it had to be some pompous idiot from Coral Springs who was out at the high point of the storm, checking damage to his backyard putting green.. I don't know the true story of what happened in this instance, but that's my guess.)

Here's Ira's story:

5:30AM Monday, Wilma starts hitting us with rain and wind so strong that it of course wakes us all up in terror.

6AM, our power takes a crap.

7AM, 7:30AM, trees start collapsing in the backyard toward my rear (western) wall, toward my dining room and Jamie's (older son's) room. But so many branches have already collapsed, they hold up other TREES that are about to collapse on us as well.

8AM, 8:30AM, barrel tiles start flying off my roof, damaging my truck (minor damage) in a few spots. One of my fences starts flying to Oz, and we're almost ready to seek shelter in our safe closet. Except this closet is so small and such a mess, that we huddle against the corner of 2 walls. Wife and kids are freaking out, but I'm also concerned that I'll have enough Bud to get me through this. (I popped my first at 5:30AM; see above.)

So we all spend the next 2, 3 hours in terror, the calm eye passes over us for like an hour or so, and then we spend ANOTHER hour or two in more terror as the back end of the storm hits us.

Plus, no sex during any of this, and that really pissed me off too. (However, I don't think Wilma had anything to do with this. This may have been just my wife's decision.)

I have pictures of damage, and I will post them later tonight. Plus pictures of what YOU'RE all concerned about here:

THE CRAB!!!!

Yes, she still lives!!!

No damage at all. The tarp was totally blown off (but retrievable), but aside from that, all that happened was that the swivel-back tongue jack collapsed to the towing position, and the tongue was sitting on the ground. She didn't move an inch, and perhaps the fact that I had choked the wheels with lumber sticks, and tied those pieces together so they wouldn't fly around, really helped. The owner of the boatyard brought his Bobcat over, I wrapped the safety chains pver the hitch ball he had in the scoop, he lifted, I swung the jack to vertical, and we were cool.

Anyway, I'll get back here in about 3 hours or so. The kids just HAVE to have some pizza tonight, because it's been one hell of a week

And I think this is more than enough for ONE post!

[mikeschn]

Ira,

I'm glad to hear you and yours are well. I see my package didn't make it before the storm hit... Well, you'll have it for the next storm.

Yes, I'd like to hear part II, all about FEMA. It builds up a pretty good case for coming up with our own bugout teardrop complete with supplies!

Mike...

[angib]

Ira,

It's good to see you back here and know you are all safe and well. I do hope your wife...... neah, I'll not go there.

Could you not make alternate access arrangements (eg, laptop and cell phone?) - do you realise I had to mention Jayne Mansfield in a sweater without you being around?

I do hope you will use your experience to learn for the future, just as you want the government agencies to do. My suggestion to start you on this road is: if there was spare space in the safe closet into which your wife and children could fit, wouldn't that space have been better used to hold a larger beer stock?

Andrew

[madjack]

...damn good to hear from ya Ira...we wuz all worried about you and the family(realy) not to mention the poor ol' crab, out in the elements with nothing but kazillion dollar boats for company. We await with baited breath(and a cringe) for part II
madjack

[Steve_Cox]

Ira,

It's good to hear from you again. Can't wait for the next episode. We are all rootin' for ya as far as the nookie situation is concerned.

Steve in St Augustine

[toypusher]

Ira,

Really glad that you and yours are OK! I went through 3 typhons (when I was stationed in Taiwan) and I know what you are talking about during the storm when it passes over.

BTW: Did you have enough Bud???

[Ma3tt]

NO SEX! Damn that FEMA can't even help out in the most basic of needs!

[Guy]

Dear Ira,

It is great hearing you and yours are safe.

I hope you are able to find the time for Part II.

[Nitetimes]

Glad younse made it thru ok. Now you can have a beer and relax, if the TV works that is. Maybe even get a little tonight.

[Grandadeo]

You mean you got power back... arleady! Mine is still out, along with the phone. However, I do feel like a million bucks today. Since it looked like power was still a few days away I rigged up a 220V cord to run my well pump off the generator. And having a gas hot water heater I had my first hot shower since the storm hit. A spong bath with a sink full of luke warm water was sure getting old. Glad to hear you did well down south. Wish I could track down my kid brotherin Pompano. I'm sure they made him move out of his 6th floor condo, since the outside bedroom wall blew away.

Lee

[The Teardrop Nanny]

Dear Ira and Family,

Wouldn't this make a great movie for TV? Especially the closet part.

Maybe you can try the closet caper again (alone) with your wife when a hurricane force wind isn't happening. She'd probably be much more agreeable if it was just the two of you.

Glad you came through unscathed-- best wishes in picking up the pieces.

TDN

[TomS]

Hey Buddy,

I'm glad to hear that you and your family got through the storm OK. I'm also happy to hear the Crab survived. It must've been one hell of a week. I can't wait to read Part II.

BTW -- I cancelled my reservation at Collier-Seminole State Park this afternoon and made a new one further north at Myakka River State Park.

Take care,

[TonyCooper]

Ira,

I am glad you and yours are OK. I sincerely am.

I am somewhat at a loss that you consider it the governments job to take care of you! FEMA did not even exist until 1976. I wonder what all those generations of Americans did before Uncle Sam came to their rescue during time of adversity?

I've been through many of those storms and I know and understand the hardships. I understand starting completely over too. But GEEZ, The US government doesn't (yet) control the weather or GOD.

I really don't want to hear how the US Government and/or the State/Local Government failed in their duty to protect you from a major weather event or how it is all their responsiblility to make it all better.

Where are the moderators when obvious topical (political) taboos are being broken?

What follows is an open statement and request to Mike and the moderators of this site.

I have in the recent past participated in debate over Katrina. Madjack (and others) made some sense and I have since not spoken of things of a political / religious nature. I have refrained, and in the spirit of what we are collectively here for, I request that we don't open that can of worms again.

I don't want to hear any more leftest Whiney Baby BullS**t... If it starts up again, I'm liable to jump back in with both feet... and none of us want that do we?

So can't we call a truce here and talk about any and everything else except politics and religion. We can talk about the Wilma ... but lets leave politics out of it... I want to stay on my side of the neutral line, but I expect others to honor the same pact. That includes IraRAT.

Please??? Please??? Pretty Please???

Once Again Ira,

I'm glad to hear you and your family are all OK.

[oklahomajewel]

NO SEX! Damn that FEMA can't even help out in the most basic of needs!

I don't imagine that you'd want to have FEMA fill that need .... but as we've seen , they are able to get everything ...er, I mean they are able to everybody ef.... well, ... you know what I mean...

[oklahomajewel]

I am somewhat at a loss that you consider it the governments job to take care of you! FEMA did not even exist until 1976. I wonder what all those generations of Americans did before Uncle Sam came to their rescue during time of adversity?

Ya know, I kinda have been thinking that way. Here in the 'burb of Oklahoma city, I was close to people and neighborhoods that were literally blown away during tornadoes in May 99 and May 03..

I don't even give one thought to what FEMA did around here. Any of those thoughts are crowded out by the care and concern and HELP from our church, all churches, business... just plain ole people taking care of thier neighbors...

Julie