Port Saint Lucie, Fl

[sfwx]

I'm sitting here in the dark using a lap top on battery power. Frances was incredible. We experienced 3 hours of eye wall winds. I lost trees, a few shingles, all of my antennas, and had some water damage. My portable classroom sustained severe water damage after the roof shingles were torn off. 17 years of teaching supplies damaged. This area has moderate damage. The biggest thing was the shingles and water damage. Homes built prior to the Andrew specs, received the most roof damage in my opinion. Mine was redone after Irene, and held up like a champ. I have a smaller two bedroom wood frame house and had it boarded up solid. During the eye, you could feel the house "breathe" in and out. The toilets were making a sucking noise. I was in my safe room with my girl friend and her sister for 2 1/2 hours. The eye lasted a long time and we finally slept. Gas is in major demand as well as ice. Some looting has been reported. There are so many things I want to tell all of you as far as after thoughts regarding supplies. Hopefully I'll have power fairly soon. Enjoy your air conditioning and hot showers.

Eric

[Brent]

Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but your area is in the Ivan 5-day cone.

[vbhoutex]

Thanks for reporting on your experience. We are glad you came through unscathed and hope something can be done to salvage some of your loss. It is postings like this that help others understand what happens in a Hurricane and maybe realize it isn't all they think it is cracked up to be. Adrenalin rush? Yes. Fun? NOT AT ALL!!!

[Aquawind]

Well said agian vbhoutex! Ditto that..

[Terry]

My brother is just south of you, just south of Port Salerno. No power since yesterday at 9 am. But - we are 3rd generation Floridians so he knew the drill. He was one of the only ones to board up in his east of US one neighborhood. Neighbors ended up spending the night with him and getting treated to a steak dinner.

Hang tough and stay safe. You guys had a rough 24 hours and now no air conditioning! The WORST thing in my book next to bodily harm.

[tronbunny]

Take care sfwx.
We're doing generally better up here in central FL than we did with Cahrley.
As soon as our power guys finish up here, we'll send them right down.
After 4 days withiut power during Charley and 36hrs here after Frances, I have much sympathy.
My Mom, in Volusia has a huge tree down in her yard, threatening her house..wires pulled out from her electric meter box, no water (well).
If you can track down a generator or a neighbor with one, at least get yourself in front of a fan.
I know gas is an issue, but Port Canaveral is open and should be getting tankers in soon. As soon as you can, try sitting in your car with some A/C. I swear the humidity and heat will sap every ounce of energy you'll need to get back to "normal".
We'll be thinking of you and hoping for your immediate recovery.

[Persepone]

SFWX: What type of teaching supplies did you lose?

Perhaps some of us have stuff we could help you out with--what do you teach?

Perhaps companies like Staples could be persuaded to donate to schools damaged by the hurricane...

Ideas anyone?

[Sanibel]

Just went through it with Charley and had to post on batteries also. You can buy a car battery inverter for laptop power if you can find a telephone jack cord long enough.

Get the perishables out of your freezer. Find out where the FEMA tractor trailers are and get some free ice. Find a cooler and stash your frozens in it as well as any other foods like milk and OJ etc. Flag down the troops and ask them where the FEMA distribution is.

FEMA will give you free cases of bottled water. Get as many windows open as you can to vent the house. Use flourescent lanterns because they use less batteries.

This is where you wish you had a set of solar panels...


A small battery-operated TV doesn't hurt either...