Hurricane Ian

stanknugzz77

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I am not sure how many members we have from Florida here. I feel like I only know of two (one being inactive for quite some time), but I am very guarded with locations or personal information about anyone, as I am my own.

I have family that lost their house in Charlotte County. They weren't there for the storm, but a lot of their neighbors didn't evacuate because the early forecasts showed that Ian would make landfall near Tampa. The last they had heard from their neighbors on Wednesday, the roof of their house was coming off. The eye basically went right over their neighborhood, according to the neighbors.

My family was planning to visit them in the coming weeks for our first family vacation that we have been able to swing in years. Please do not think that I am complaining at all about missing our vacation because that is obviously nothing compared to losing their house and the sheer devastation that entire cities in Florida are experiencing right now. I think that just makes it hit a little closer to home for us. I have been to a lot of these places that are apparently under water now or just demolished. I still can't even fully comprehend it all.

They are gathering supplies to head back in the coming days. No communication from any neighbors since Wednesday (I am guessing power and internet/cell service are down), so they are not entirely sure what they will be returning to. I am not really sure why I am posting any of this. I think that I am just mildly shocked by the situation and feel for everyone who is dealing with this in some way currently. My heart and thoughts are with all of the people experiencing any of this. Positive vibes...

~nugzz
 

Amos Otis

Weed Legend
How do the survivors recover from total and widespread devastation? I can't even begin to wrap my head around it. I was somewhat dismayed to find jokes made about it in one of the threads, but that is not to throw any stones. The video and pics in this article are heart wrenching.

 

Bevers

In Bloom
I grew up on the beach in Pinellas and live here these days as well. It was an extremely slow moving storm and people should’ve been gone from those homes. You can always hop in your vehicle and head away from it. They move 10-15 mph. No clue why people stay in the path on the coast, but my dad did as well and I’m sure he still does. As for what they do, they rebuild and stay in hotels until their homes are inhabitable. People looking to make money should look into CAT claims and writing estimates during it. Lots of money to be made helping people get things done.
 

Rozgreenburn

"The Philosopher, is Stoned"
I feel so terrible for the citizens of Florida, I, too am having a hard time processing the personal losses :cry:. Recover? I'm not being a dick, but, move. I would assume a goodly portion of folks who lost everything, will not go back. Would you? This is likely to exacerbate the financial woes of our nations lending institutions. We are going to need to help a massive number of people and businesses.
Now is the time to consider moving population centers, away from low coastlines and swamps. It only seems to get worse, and is showing no sign of backing off?
 

PlumberSoCal

? Guy Fire-y ?
Our neighbor's daughter who grew up with our boys lives near Ft Myers with hubby and her 2yo daughter. They are okay and said just a lot of wind and rain but yeah, when someone loses everything, I have no words. A lot of help will be needed in the coming months?
 
I lived there for 5 years in my 20s. I built a hurricane shelter/2story elementary school in port charlotte. Neil Armstrong. And sally jones in punta gorda. I learned alot of things and met alot of people. I had access to the coast at one of my houses. The canal led to the intercoastal waterway. Charlotte harbor is very shallow and pretty large. Its the only rhinf that protects Tampa from a direct hit. IMO and a few others. We were electrician and did the backup generators.
I rebuilt the schools that got leveled 18 years ago. Charlie.... I lived in sarasota, venice, northport.
We always used to say. Boastfully. We live where people come to vacation. After gettimg in some trouble. Painkillers were bad bad there in 08-09 after themarket collapsed.
Alot of fixed income older folks that cant move if they wanted.
I would never live there again. Its a snowbird and traveler state. Not many people are from there for more than a generation or two.
The exterior walls are block. But the roofs and such are highly susceptible to slow moving high wind storms.
It still holds a dear place in my heart for many reasons. I still have friends from down there. Its brings a tear when I think of it. I havent searched the photos. I dont think I will. I know what ot looks like...
 

Hugh Jass

Canna-Mycologist
These before and after pics are pretty sobering. I went through one hurricane in FL and a couple of tropical storms in GA, and they are the worst.
I think maybe some people joke about these things as a coping mechanism - you just can't really do anything, you just have to watch and wait.

 
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