Checking in

[Recurve]

Just back to Key Largo, safe, sound, tired.

Lots of large broken trees everywhere. Everyone I know is OK.

Good things: Sound of chainsaws, the Florida Keys Electric Cooperative truck showing up in front of my house an hour ago and restoring my power. They are the best (maybe because "we own the company").

Bad thing: Big surge on the bayside. My sailboat broke loose and ended up high in someone's yard, hole in the side, engine destroyed. Sailing club docks destroyed. Friend's resort dock destroyed and dive boat under water. Many nice big trees shredded.

Funny thing: Sitting in a hotel in Orlando, talking on the phone and...Oh My God, that's my friend's yard flooding on the Weather Channel, and...that's my boat! Oh-oh...

Met TWC "Storm Tracker." I'll comment later maybe. Not so impressed with the accuracy of his reports anymore.

Sounds like we are better off in terms of power and gas situation than Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and up the coast. Drove home from Orlando on the turnpike and there were 10-mile backups around the rest stops, the only places with gas, I think.

I haven't seen anything but my neighborhood yet, so don't know how bad it is everywhere else in this part of the Keys, but the bayside got walloped by surge. At least I won't have to keep trying to convince residents that a recurving storm coming through south florida would cause big surge in Florida Bay.

Thanks to Storm2K and all you folks for keeping me informed before and during the evacuation. Wilma was a b*tch but she's gone and the windows are open now for the first time after a long hot summer.

Dave / Recurve

[arkess7]

Have you heard any news about Marathon........my uncle didnt evacuate and my Grandma still hasnt heard from him???

[HeatherAKC]

Recurve: Glad you're OK.

Can you give me any information on The Landings of Largo, MM98, Bayside?

We have a townhouse there and are just wondering how it fared. We are very well elevated, so I know there was no surge damage. No neighbors have called with any reports of damage, but we just tonight got cell service on Nextel...hit and miss.

Take care!

[Lindaloo]

boca (Steve) checked in. He is safe.

[cycloneye]

Great that you are safe there.I am eagered to see your small rant about the TWC Stormtracker.

[Recurve]

Heather: Haven't seen Landings yet, it's only a mile and a half south, I am sure there is no structural damage. But they must have got the bad bayside surge, I would expect destroyed landscaping and dock areas, but the buildings would be fine. I'm sure I'll see it tomorrow and I'll PM you if there's anyting to report.

arkess: Have not heard about Marathon, but they would have been farther from the max winds, and surge was probably less too. We don't have cable yet (there's no real local news anyway), but if I hear anyting I'll let you know. Cingular wireless is working here, a lot of the electricity is fixed except in the City of Key West. Is there any other way to contact him?

Cycloneye: I'm PM'ing you about that guy.

[arkess7]

thanks recurve......my grandma finally heard from him.......just some trees down and some shingles off the roof.........thank goodness!!!

[Weatherboy1]

Just wanted to check in here from Jupiter. Wilma had quite a kick to her; my last message was during the eyewall here. Then we lost power right after the backside of the eye kicked in and lost cable/Internet as well. Power came back on just a couple hours later (I don't know who's looking out for us at Florida Power & Light, but we've been very fortunate getting our power back on in all the recent storms). But cable didn't return until yesterday (TV) and Internet until today. Our house made out fine; lost one palm tree that fell in the grass vs. on the house, a few hedges/small trees blown over but all in all, not bad. We were very fortunate and I hope everyone who is less well off gets back on their feet soon. Good luck!

-Mike

[Recurve]

Glad you came through OK Mike. Having power back is great.