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| Hurricane Charley 2004, FL | |
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| | Hurricane Charley 2004, FL | | | |
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Hurricane Charley 2004, FL
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| no partners | | Notes from the storm in 2004 fri the 13th August.
Fri nite- talked to my parents, after the eyewall went past all communications down. No landline or cell service for them, neighbors etc.
Sat morn-- call boss about 1 am, left Tucson about 2 am after ATM visit. Jeep Cherokee loaded with camp stoves, propane, non perishable food, two empty ice chests, 3 empty 5 gal gas cans, sleeping bag etc.
Sat drive, stop and nap roadside somewhere in Texas.
Sun somewhere stopped for some more supplies. Not sure on timeline now, drove south on I-75 toward Port Charlotte. Amazing as I was only one of a few private vehicles. Power companies, Red Cross vans, Salvation Army vehicles, ASPLUNDH the tree removal group. Big flatbeds with earth moving equipment, Caterpillar etc. Humvees from National Guard. It was a crazy 80-90 mph drive down, I wanted to get there because I was afraid would start to cordon off the area to control access.
South of Sarasota filled ice chests, more water, and filled the gas cans.
The exit to my parents house off the interstate was unrecognizable. No signs, trees gone and a cell tower looked like a pretzel. The lone gas station had no roof and all the pumps were blown off the island.
Roads to my parents house had some debris, some 4 wheeling around trees but not bad. Hit and miss on homes, some heavily damaged but fortunately in their neighborhood it was mostly downed vegetation and some roof damage. Pulled in at dusk, my father was so surprised to see me.
Assessment, no power, they had a small pool so used water to flush the toilets. I believe still had running water. Hot, humid, next day back up north to get generator, tarps, other hardware supply, bought a few more gas cans and another cooler. Got the generator going so they could power the refrigerator and freezer and eat the food out of there before it spoiled. Neighbor had a big propane grill and we all ate steaks and drank a lot of booze.
Ran fans and used cold towels to try to keep my parents comfortable. My father was in his 80's at this time and my mom 79 or so. Most people did not want to leave their homes in this state. Signs "looters will be shot" went up around neighborhoods. I was there about a week and up on a lot of roofs in the area covering holes with tarps. This area was mostly elderly and some relatives came in to help but it was up to neighbors and friends to do what they could. It was raining some everyday. My parents master bedroom was leaking so buckets and the tarp helped eliminate a lot of the leaking.
We saw no one for "help" for 4 days. Went into town to get ice from a national guard set up there. Some of the grocery stores were giving away food or whatever cash you had for cash and carry. Verizon and AT&T brought in portable cell towers about day 5. Day 4 the national guard rolled thru our neighborhood but beyond giving out ice there was not much doing. It was up to the power companies and debris removal to get things going.
My parents garage door was damaged but my dad and the neighbor managed to get it raised up. I left to go back to work a few days before the power was back on but they had a car they could use and I got all the fuel and bottled water for them I could before I left. It was hard to go. They made it all right and insurance repaired the home; however within 18 months they would move to Arizona. I was glad. |
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