Tropical Storm Ida projected to hit as a Cat 3, maybe 4...

[CudaChick1968]

It sounds like you've had a lot of experience with natural disasters @wahya. Katrina was our first and we had much to learn. Perhaps what's shared in this thread will help someone next time.

 

[Cojohnso1]

East coast is getting hammered with water. Ida is not done.

 

[QOTHL]

 

[biomedtechguy]

@CudaChick1968
No more "don't touch anything" now it's take pictures, keep receipts, and clear it out.
Today all I managed was hooking up one of my 2 generators to the 240v pigtail I made for it, went on the Bennington Pontoon Boat rescue mission, and got gasoline and some groceries.
It was so hot I briefly saw stars after completing the mission. On that note, my bro in law was having a LOT of trouble getting his Yamaha 50 HP 4cyl 4 stroke outboard motor going as he suggested taking his flatboat to retrieve my boat. I could see my boat across the bayou and down about a block, so while he tried to get his boat running I drove over to the house that my boat had landed in their backyard and jumped on and drove it back to my dock.
Spoke with the property owner too while I was there. All good. Got a ride back to pickup my Caravan and chilled a bit, hydrated, filled up some gallon water containers w/filtered well water from my revived pump just in case, and then drove to get gas and some odds and ends from the grocery.
I guess tomorrow I'll do some cleaning up.
At least I got to shower this evening and now hope to sleep at least until sun up.
Thanks again to all of you!

 

[QOTHL]

At least I got to shower this evening

Why didn't you go jump in a lake?

 

[QOTHL]

Perhaps what's shared in this thread will help someone next time.

Helps remind me why I don't live on the coast or next to a river or near water period.

 

[1 Wild R/T]

@CudaChick1968

I guess tomorrow I'll do some cleaning up.
At least I got to shower this evening and now hope to sleep at least until sun up.
Thanks again to all of you!

Good to hear things are improving... Slowly.... It may seem a small thing to some but I've spent enough time down in Louisiana I know having to go days without a shower on top of everything else is a hard penalty to bear...

 

[biomedtechguy]

Why didn't you go jump in a lake?

I didn't want to create a toxic fish kill...

 

[moparedtn]

First off, I'm so relieved to read of all you folks' doing ok down there!
Pretty epic storm for sure; I keep reading where one was "overdue", like they run on schedule
or something...
When I first saw the projected track running it through here eventually, I figured lots of wind
and me having to put my steep drive back together after heavy rains - but instead by the time
it got over here, it delivered plenty of rain but thankfully no torrential downpours.
The road survived, thank heavens.
Spooky part was there was next to no wind at all. Weird. 150mph at one point, now nothing?

I'm just glad y'all are ok down there - and that the fella on the opposite side of the planet from
me didn't get any more of my driveway gravel this time.

 

[WileE]

Well, New Jersey and New York got hammered last night with record rainfall in the evening 8 to 10 inches in just a few hours. Roads flooded all over. I've never seen this much rain here ever, not Floyd, not Sandy. Tornado hit south jersey.

 

[themechanic]

FEMA told me they couldn't help after a tornado ruined my house since I was insured. Make sure your home insurance includes paying for long term rental in an apartment; it takes a while to rebuild.

Look for Federal income tax breaks when your state declares a disaster.

 

[1 Wild R/T]

FEMA told me they couldn't help after a tornado ruined my house since I was insured. .

As usual... You do the right thing and you get zero assistance... You take a risk & get caught without coverage... Here's your free money....

 

[themechanic]

We wouldn't need FEMA if folks were charitable.

 

[1 Wild R/T]

We wouldn't need FEMA if folks were responsible.

Fixed it for you..

 

[themechanic]

Fixed it for you..

Jesus said we would always have poor people to care for. They are the ones needing charity.

Remember, the difference between us and them is one economic calamity away.

 

[cr8crshr]

Did anyone else notice a woman in one of the videos wearing flip flops walking around the damaged buildings taking pictures? I hope her tetanus shot is up to date.

For the life of me, I will never ever understand the wearing of Flip/Flops/Shower Clogs!!! They are not suitable footwear at all yet they seem to be worn with just about any and all types. I often wonder, if they had to suddenly take off running for their lives, how many could do so without busting the strap or loosing them while fleeing. Case in point is with the Afghan turmoil at the airport last week, the picture showing all the flip flops and sandals strewn about the tarmac after panic running to get the hell out. Casually around the house or pool then OK. But for the most part, I think not...cr8crshr/Bill

 

[themechanic]

I wore them while my broken toe was healing. They suck for working on cars on the garage floor, too.

 

[biomedtechguy]

We wouldn't need FEMA if folks were charitable.

As far as my friends and acquaintances on the forum commenting about "responsibility" and "government assistance" anyone who has been on the political forum know my views on that.
BUT
AGAIN, if the NFIP (National Flood Insurance Program) was NOT in existence, I don't know if I would have bought the house I live in, as I knew when we bought it, it had been flooded before. I certainly couldn't afford to pay for flood insurance, because we're already on the edge of making our required bill payments.
Now outside of the NFIP required flood insurance (because the house is financed, but even if it was paid off, we would be stupid not to have flood insurance) I have contents coverage through an independent insurance company. Amazingly that isn't that expensive, I think $20k in contents is under $500 a year? I will review that, because I want to make sure all the expensive stuff inside is covered at replacement cost. Some would be difficult to replace, like my 4 huge Klipsch Classic series speakers. A pair of Belle Klipsch and a pair of Cornwalls. I think they may be dragged upstairs along with a few other things like my desktop and firearms. Hopefully I'll never have to do that.
Anyway, this point has often been made:
If the federal, state, and/or local governments didn't over tax us all, we could more easily afford charity.
Federal "programs" are paid for through taxes and debt, and that money is taken from us at the tip of a gun or threat of prosecution. Charity, OTOH, is motivated by a higher power or conscience, and the giver decides who gets. THAT is a HUGE difference!

 

[CudaChick1968]

Jesus said we would always have poor people to care for. They are the ones needing charity.

Remember, the difference between us and them is one economic calamity away.

Wow, this one really hits home. Making the early mistake of not being born rich, Katrina and my mom both kicked my ***. The generosity and kindness I've witnessed after each event have touched my soul, transformed bad situations into better ones and literally changed my life. When I say I love you guys, I'm not just blowing sea spray -- I mean it, and feel it in every fiber of my being.

 

[SteveSS]

I guess I was born rich in some ways but my parents sure weren't. My father was born during the dust bowl days of Oklahoma. My mother was born in northern Montana the first sibling to be born in the US instead of Norway. They both got an education and worked hard. Dad has passed now but mom is still around. She is a multi-millionaire. I'm leaving right now to take her shopping.

I think we all picture Donald Trump when we think born rich, but it isn't the case in my family.