Tag Archives: Hurricane

Current Events

Update

30 Comments

Hi Gang.

It has been quite a while since I have posted anything on the blog, actually it has been over two months. And I do apologize, but Nancy and I have been a somewhat busy here in SWFL. I want to thank everyone who sent letters, emails, and texts supporting us  is so many, many ways. This was not something two people in the early 80’s needed, but it is what it is . We are still attempting to tackle the myriad of things we are having to do one day at a time.

The house is slowly beginning to look like a home, but still have a long way to go. We lost both of our cars and then learned that the RV was to be totaled as well. The insurance company has been gracious enough to allow us to live in it until we can move into the house, which I suspect will be sometime  in early spring.

I can’t believe how great FEMA has been. They came in for phase one and cleaned up all the curbside “stuff” from everyone’s home as well as all the trees that were cut down and stacked curbside. The photo at the top was the initial stuff that went to the curb; twice as much followed as the reclamation crew made their way through the entire house. The only furniture saved was some made from solid wood, all else went to the curb. Of course, there was much more added to the curbs after that phase as they were so quick to get in here and start the cleanup. They returned this week for phase two of the cleanup. For a govt agency, let me say I was impressed! Kudos to the guys working for that agency; they are very thorough!

Drywall is up and painted, some plumbing has been done as well as some electrical work. Once cabinets and counter tops are installed they will return to make all the necessary connections.  We purchased one mattress and are sleeping in the house, but all else is still taking place in the RV and will be for quite some time as the kitchen will take the longest to complete. The reason things are going slow is you can only imagine how contractors/vendors are in such high demand. For example, kitchen cabinets can take as long as fourteen weeks for delivery.

So, rest assured Nancy and I are well physically; can’t say the same emotionally as I’m sure you can imagine – LOL. Again, thank you so very much for the support everyone has provided

Semper Fi, Jim

Current Events, Recent Posts

Humbled and Humiliated

30 Comments

Marines, family, and friends, I am both humiliated and totally embarrassed to do this. So many of you have reached out saying you truly want to do something to help as we recover from the destruction of  hurricane Ina (both cars flooded and totaled, house inside under 2-1/2 feet of water). At the height of the storm, Nancy and I were siting on folding chairs on top of the LR coffee table and the water was almost to our knees. Watching 155 MPH wind gusts turn 50-60 year old oak trees in to something akin to a cactus is something we will never forget. It was absolutely unbelievable how fast the water rose. Once the storm drain in our front yard could no longer handle the water it literally took over and our house became an island in a sea of water. And understand, we are many miles inland.

Many have offered to come to Florida but we have no place to put you up plus we have passed the point where we need physical help to remove everything from the house and not to the point where we can put things back together. The house is structurally sound but the contents were destroyed. The house has been gutted and we are  scrambling along with thousands of others trying to find a reputable contractor to put it all back together. The scammers are plentiful and from all over the country. We are living on the property in our RV at the present time but will probably have to move to a campground as it will, take many months to recover. Of course, in FL affordable homeowner’s insurance does not cover any personal items which includes furniture, not even a washer and dryer.  And no one offers flood insurance except FEMA. We have saved some items to see if they can be disinfected and reused, but I estimate about 3/4 of our contents are sitting on the curb waiting for the county to pick up.
We just found out our oldest granddaughter, Lindsay, set up a go fund me account to help us. PLEASE, PLEASE do not feel obligated to donate. Because you asked how you can help, other than keeping us in your prayers, this is the best way at the present time. With all the things I have experienced in my lifetime, this has to be the hardest to get my arms around. I never thought at my age I’d have to rebuild and furnish the entire inside of a home from scratch.

Please know that there are so many more in our area worse off than us. Many have no place to even live. If you would like to help them, the best way is through the SWFL Emergency Relief Fund where 100% of all donations goes to help those in need https://swfla.iphiview.com/…/contribution…/Default.aspxs

Please know that we are both okay physically, and emotionally we are taking it one day at a time and with the help of the Lord we will get thought this in time. Your continued prayers are so very  much appreciated.
Hit by the hurricane: My grandparent's fundraiser, organized by Lindsay Hunt

GOFUNDME.COM Hit by the hurricane: My grandparent’s fundraiser, organized by Lindsay Hunt

God Bless everyone and please keep us in your prayers as we work through this tragedy.
Semper Fi

Nancy and Jim

Current Events

Hurricane IAN

16 Comments

Good morning Folks, it’s the Lord’s day and I am going to take a break for I am beat to my knees. As I am sure many of you know where I live – SWFL, North Fort Myers to be exact. I’m sure you’ve been watching the TV and heard about us down here. It is, in every word, a War Zone. Mind you, there are a lots of folks worse off than Nancy and I, and they need our prayers, but we were hit hard, very hard.

We just got electricity back late yesterday afternoon, but no internet yet and that will probably take quite some time. We have water, but must still boil to drink. With power now I am able to use my laptop, which happened to be high on a shelf thus saved, and the hot spot on my cell phone, albeit cellphone coverage is limited at best as we lost many towers.

At the height of the storm, we have 2 1/2 ‘  of water in the house. Nancy and I were sitting on kitchen chairs on top of the LR coffee table and the water was still up to our ankles. This was not my first rodeo having grown up on the Chesapeake Bay, but I have ever seen 155 MPH winds.  Trust me, if you haven’t you do not want to! I understand Ian was 2 MPG short of being classified as a Cat 5. Our community is (was) completely shaded by beautiful live oaks, which now look like cactuses.

About three quarters of our “stuff” is sitting out by the street with all my neighbors things waiting for the eventual pickup whenever that will be. Both our cars were toasted and have already been hauled away by USAA. Since they were a 2012 and a 2013, we won’t get squat for them as they are not treated as being in an accident – strange.

At our age, the last thing we would have wanted to do was start all over again creating a live-able home, but that’s life. Like I said earlier, there are lots of people who don’t even have a roof over their head. We at least have a solid structure to begin creating that home. Just wanted to give an update to let you know Nancy and I are alive!! And that’s what is important.

Jim & Nancy

PS, please keep emails to a bare minimum as that’s all I have to communicate with Insurance companies, etc. Thank you