Hurricane Michael (General)

by Balance_Maintained @, U.S.A., Sunday, October 14, 2018, 02:02 (1993 days ago)

Hey folks, just thought I'd drop a line and let you know that my family and I made it through hurricane Michael safely. We lost a car and my mom lost her house, but the people are safe, and that's what matters.

We are still without power and there is a lot of damage and debris. We are starting to see signs of work crews in our area, but estimates for getting the power back on extend out until at least the 19th.

I hope everyone is well. We are making the best of it, kind of pretending it's a 2 week camping trip!

--
What is the purpose of living? How about, 'to reduce needless suffering. It seems to me to be a worthy purpose.

Hurricane Michael

by David Turell @, Sunday, October 14, 2018, 05:48 (1993 days ago) @ Balance_Maintained

Tony: Hey folks, just thought I'd drop a line and let you know that my family and I made it through hurricane Michael safely. We lost a car and my mom lost her house, but the people are safe, and that's what matters.

We are still without power and there is a lot of damage and debris. We are starting to see signs of work crews in our area, but estimates for getting the power back on extend out until at least the 19th.

I hope everyone is well. We are making the best of it, kind of pretending it's a 2 week camping trip!

Had no idea you were in the path of that devastation. Glad you all are safe. Life is what is important. Material items can be replaced. Keep us informed.

Hurricane Michael

by dhw, Sunday, October 14, 2018, 11:13 (1993 days ago) @ David Turell

Tony: Hey folks, just thought I'd drop a line and let you know that my family and I made it through hurricane Michael safely. We lost a car and my mom lost her house, but the people are safe, and that's what matters.
We are still without power and there is a lot of damage and debris. We are starting to see signs of work crews in our area, but estimates for getting the power back on extend out until at least the 19th.

I hope everyone is well. We are making the best of it, kind of pretending it's a 2 week camping trip!

DAVID: Had no idea you were in the path of that devastation. Glad you all are safe. Life is what is important. Material items can be replaced. Keep us informed.

I didn’t know either, but thank you for telling us. The news bulletins were terrifying enough, but the images take on an extra personal dimension when you know that a friend has been affected. I hope you and the family will continue to cope, and life will soon get back to normal.

Hurricane Michael

by Balance_Maintained @, U.S.A., Sunday, October 14, 2018, 18:27 (1993 days ago) @ dhw

Thank you both. In the grand scheme of things, we are so good right now. We got our well running today with a generator, so baths and fresh water are available. We have plenty of food and firewood and a roof over our heads. Life is good.

--
What is the purpose of living? How about, 'to reduce needless suffering. It seems to me to be a worthy purpose.

Hurricane Michael

by David Turell @, Sunday, October 14, 2018, 19:33 (1993 days ago) @ Balance_Maintained

Tony: Thank you both. In the grand scheme of things, we are so good right now. We got our well running today with a generator, so baths and fresh water are available. We have plenty of food and firewood and a roof over our heads. Life is good.

That is great news. You all sound OK, but how is your Mother? Is she staying with you? I had no idea, of course, you lived in the panhandle of Florida, which is a nice stretch of country. I've been through so many hurricanes I had a generator put on site when we built this place 10 years ago. My first was the 1938 storm that hit Long Island, no names back then. It wiped out about 5,000 people on Fire Island which is a barrier island just off the south shore. It killed a business partner of my father. They are not fun.

Hurricane Michael

by dhw, Monday, October 15, 2018, 11:41 (1992 days ago) @ David Turell

Tony: Thank you both. In the grand scheme of things, we are so good right now. We got our well running today with a generator, so baths and fresh water are available. We have plenty of food and firewood and a roof over our heads. Life is good.

DAVID: That is great news. You all sound OK, but how is your Mother? Is she staying with you? I had no idea, of course, you lived in the panhandle of Florida, which is a nice stretch of country. I've been through so many hurricanes I had a generator put on site when we built this place 10 years ago. My first was the 1938 storm that hit Long Island, no names back then. It wiped out about 5,000 people on Fire Island which is a barrier island just off the south shore. It killed a business partner of my father. They are not fun.

Tony, thank you very much for this reassuring bulletin. Your own resilience is a tonic in itself. Such events really put things in perspective. We are still seeing haunting and heartbreaking scenes of the devastation caused by Michael and by the Sulawesi earthquake and tsunami in Indonesia (I think the latest death toll is about 2000). All this appalling suffering, and so much of it irreversible. I live in the West Country of England, where the climate is generally mild, and we complain if it’s too windy, too wet, too sunny, too cold, and if the shops have run out of our favourite treats.

Hurricane Michael

by Balance_Maintained @, U.S.A., Wednesday, October 17, 2018, 05:41 (1990 days ago) @ David Turell

I've been through flood, drought, fire, tornados, and hurricanes here. We will endure. Still no power, but it looks to be less than a week until it's restored. I live near Vernon, FL, about 50 miles north of Panama City Beach. We drove around the area today while I was out bidding on work . Compared to the surrounding area, we were so fortunate. We took minimal damage over all on the farm, but the devastation elsewhere is ......awe inspiring, to say the least.

--
What is the purpose of living? How about, 'to reduce needless suffering. It seems to me to be a worthy purpose.

Hurricane Michael

by David Turell @, Wednesday, October 17, 2018, 05:55 (1990 days ago) @ Balance_Maintained

Tony: I've been through flood, drought, fire, tornados, and hurricanes here. We will endure. Still no power, but it looks to be less than a week until it's restored. I live near Vernon, FL, about 50 miles north of Panama City Beach. We drove around the area today while I was out bidding on work . Compared to the surrounding area, we were so fortunate. We took minimal damage over all on the farm, but the devastation elsewhere is ......awe inspiring, to say the least.

Delighted you are doing so well considering what has happened. But again how is your Mother without a home? Is she with you?

Hurricane Michael

by dhw, Wednesday, October 17, 2018, 10:55 (1990 days ago) @ Balance_Maintained

Tony: I've been through flood, drought, fire, tornados, and hurricanes here. We will endure. Still no power, but it looks to be less than a week until it's restored. I live near Vernon, FL, about 50 miles north of Panama City Beach. We drove around the area today while I was out bidding on work . Compared to the surrounding area, we were so fortunate. We took minimal damage over all on the farm, but the devastation elsewhere is ......awe inspiring, to say the least.

Thank you again for keeping us informed. I love the positive spirit of “We will endure”, which epitomizes everything that I admire about our species. We won’t give up or give in. All the more admirable as you have seen the effects in reality. I’ve only seen the images on the screen, but my awe is overshadowed by my feelings of sadness, sympathy and helplessness, plus thankfulness that I live in a comparatively mild region. (Tempting fate, as I watch the trees in my garden waving madly in the wind, well within reach of my house.)

Hurricane Michael

by Balance_Maintained @, U.S.A., Friday, October 19, 2018, 03:36 (1988 days ago) @ dhw

Tony: I've been through flood, drought, fire, tornados, and hurricanes here. We will endure. Still no power, but it looks to be less than a week until it's restored. I live near Vernon, FL, about 50 miles north of Panama City Beach. We drove around the area today while I was out bidding on work . Compared to the surrounding area, we were so fortunate. We took minimal damage over all on the farm, but the devastation elsewhere is ......awe inspiring, to say the least.

DHW: Thank you again for keeping us informed. I love the positive spirit of “We will endure”, which epitomizes everything that I admire about our species. We won’t give up or give in. All the more admirable as you have seen the effects in reality. I’ve only seen the images on the screen, but my awe is overshadowed by my feelings of sadness, sympathy and helplessness, plus thankfulness that I live in a comparatively mild region. (Tempting fate, as I watch the trees in my garden waving madly in the wind, well within reach of my house.)

David, my mother is staying with her brother, and her religious organization looks as if they intend to repair the damages free of charge. Such a blessing for her and her husband.

DHW, it has been so much better than enduring, though endurance is certainly part of it. People have a way of thriving under adversity that I truly believe is predicated upon having their priorities forcefully, if temporarily, realigned. When food, clothing, shelter, and clean water are your priorities for life, all the other B.S. in life gets put in its proper place. I've watched my family pull together more strongly, and the gets good qualities burn through the normal layer of teenage angst and apathy, and I hope that I can keep that fire burning.

We got power back on today, finally, and it was interesting that it was almost anti-climatic. We had all acclimated to our new routines as far as cooking and survival went, that we ended up making another cook fire, smoking some ham, and eating out under the stars despite having lights and all of that for the first time in over a week. It has certainly been a humbling experience, and awe inspiring in its way. Whatever anyone else thinks or believes, you can bet your behind that I was thanking Jehovah that my family and the other people that came under my humble roof were safely preserved through the storm and the aftermath.

All of that said, we still have a ways to go here before things return to normal. The clean up is barely begun. Right now, utility crews are working their rear ends off getting utilities back up and running. Their efforts are nothing short of heroic, particularly given the scale of the job and the sheer amount of debris and devastation,though I doubt many of them see themselves that way.

The area north of Panama City, where I live, is pretty much always three days away from an economic depression. Most of us are out of work, at the moment. Last week, the worry was that fuel, food, or water would run out due to availability;this week people are afraid that they will run out because they are unaffordable. This is an agricultural region, particularly in cotton (which was nearing harvest) and planted pines. Their crops were scattered to the winds or broken like matchsticks. Watch for the price of lumber and clothing to go up.

--
What is the purpose of living? How about, 'to reduce needless suffering. It seems to me to be a worthy purpose.

Hurricane Michael

by David Turell @, Friday, October 19, 2018, 15:38 (1988 days ago) @ Balance_Maintained

Tony: I've been through flood, drought, fire, tornados, and hurricanes here. We will endure. Still no power, but it looks to be less than a week until it's restored. I live near Vernon, FL, about 50 miles north of Panama City Beach. We drove around the area today while I was out bidding on work . Compared to the surrounding area, we were so fortunate. We took minimal damage over all on the farm, but the devastation elsewhere is ......awe inspiring, to say the least.

DHW: Thank you again for keeping us informed. I love the positive spirit of “We will endure”, which epitomizes everything that I admire about our species. We won’t give up or give in. All the more admirable as you have seen the effects in reality. I’ve only seen the images on the screen, but my awe is overshadowed by my feelings of sadness, sympathy and helplessness, plus thankfulness that I live in a comparatively mild region. (Tempting fate, as I watch the trees in my garden waving madly in the wind, well within reach of my house.)


Tony: David, my mother is staying with her brother, and her religious organization looks as if they intend to repair the damages free of charge. Such a blessing for her and her husband.

DHW, it has been so much better than enduring, though endurance is certainly part of it. People have a way of thriving under adversity that I truly believe is predicated upon having their priorities forcefully, if temporarily, realigned. When food, clothing, shelter, and clean water are your priorities for life, all the other B.S. in life gets put in its proper place. I've watched my family pull together more strongly, and the gets good qualities burn through the normal layer of teenage angst and apathy, and I hope that I can keep that fire burning.

We got power back on today, finally, and it was interesting that it was almost anti-climatic. We had all acclimated to our new routines as far as cooking and survival went, that we ended up making another cook fire, smoking some ham, and eating out under the stars despite having lights and all of that for the first time in over a week. It has certainly been a humbling experience, and awe inspiring in its way. Whatever anyone else thinks or believes, you can bet your behind that I was thanking Jehovah that my family and the other people that came under my humble roof were safely preserved through the storm and the aftermath.

All of that said, we still have a ways to go here before things return to normal. The clean up is barely begun. Right now, utility crews are working their rear ends off getting utilities back up and running. Their efforts are nothing short of heroic, particularly given the scale of the job and the sheer amount of debris and devastation,though I doubt many of them see themselves that way.

The area north of Panama City, where I live, is pretty much always three days away from an economic depression. Most of us are out of work, at the moment. Last week, the worry was that fuel, food, or water would run out due to availability;this week people are afraid that they will run out because they are unaffordable. This is an agricultural region, particularly in cotton (which was nearing harvest) and planted pines. Their crops were scattered to the winds or broken like matchsticks. Watch for the price of lumber and clothing to go up.

Thank you for a wonderful description of what you guys are going through. And I love your attitude, seeing the best in a mess. Sounds like great news for your Mother.

Hurricane Michael

by dhw, Tuesday, October 23, 2018, 13:11 (1984 days ago) @ David Turell

TONY: DHW, it has been so much better than enduring, though endurance is certainly part of it. People have a way of thriving under adversity that I truly believe is predicated upon having their priorities forcefully, if temporarily, realigned. When food, clothing, shelter, and clean water are your priorities for life, all the other B.S. in life gets put in its proper place. I've watched my family pull together more strongly, and the gets good qualities burn through the normal layer of teenage angst and apathy, and I hope that I can keep that fire burning.

DAVID: Thank you for a wonderful description of what you guys are going through. And I love your attitude, seeing the best in a mess. Sounds like great news for your Mother.

I can only echo David’s sentiments and admire your attitude. And yes, I agree that endurance is only part of it, and that adversity can bring out the very best qualities of human nature. But I must confess that I find the downbeats of such disasters as saddening as the upbeats are inspiring.

Hurricane Michael

by Balance_Maintained @, U.S.A., Friday, November 09, 2018, 01:31 (1967 days ago) @ Balance_Maintained

So, an update for you guys. We are still deep in the middle of disaster recovery after hurricane Michael. It is pretty hard to describe the level of devastation that I have seen in the surrounding area. My family was unbelievably fortunate, even with the damages we sustained. My company is swamped with work right now, repairing and replacing damaged fences. I haven't been able to spend as much time on my favorite pass times, like debating with you guys, so I have been spending the time listening to Jordan Peterson lectures. I can not recommend him enough. His intellect, articulation, and intensity make him an amazing lecturer to listen to. I have particularly enjoyed his Psychological Analysis of the Bible series.

Anyways, I just wanted to touch base and let you guys know how things were.

--
What is the purpose of living? How about, 'to reduce needless suffering. It seems to me to be a worthy purpose.

Hurricane Michael

by David Turell @, Friday, November 09, 2018, 03:56 (1967 days ago) @ Balance_Maintained

Tony: So, an update for you guys. We are still deep in the middle of disaster recovery after hurricane Michael. It is pretty hard to describe the level of devastation that I have seen in the surrounding area. My family was unbelievably fortunate, even with the damages we sustained. My company is swamped with work right now, repairing and replacing damaged fences. I haven't been able to spend as much time on my favorite pass times, like debating with you guys, so I have been spending the time listening to Jordan Peterson lectures. I can not recommend him enough. His intellect, articulation, and intensity make him an amazing lecturer to listen to. I have particularly enjoyed his Psychological Analysis of the Bible series.

Anyways, I just wanted to touch base and let you guys know how things were.

Were you able to vote?

Hurricane Michael

by dhw, Friday, November 09, 2018, 12:45 (1967 days ago) @ Balance_Maintained

TONY: So, an update for you guys. We are still deep in the middle of disaster recovery after hurricane Michael. It is pretty hard to describe the level of devastation that I have seen in the surrounding area. My family was unbelievably fortunate, even with the damages we sustained. My company is swamped with work right now, repairing and replacing damaged fences. I haven't been able to spend as much time on my favorite pass times, like debating with you guys, so I have been spending the time listening to Jordan Peterson lectures. I can not recommend him enough. His intellect, articulation, and intensity make him an amazing lecturer to listen to. I have particularly enjoyed his Psychological Analysis of the Bible series.
Anyways, I just wanted to touch base and let you guys know how things were.

Tony, this update is hugely appreciated. You are clearly a man of great resilience, just to be able to cope with the sight and consequences of the devastation around you. Do please keep us informed.

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