Posted on 08/18/2004 7:36:38 PM PDT by PropertyRightsResearch.org
Cape Coral and Hurricane Charley
August 18, 2004
By Mary F. Stump
Cape Coral, Florida
westump@earthlink.net
Hey folks! We got back into town on Sunday afternoon, passed Punta Gorda and a mobile home village -- or what was left of it -- butted up against Interstate 75. There is nothing but debris -- aluminum, fiberglass, wood all strewn about in patternless fashion. Sign poles with directions and exits from I-75 are snapped off or broken in half, while the signs themselves are laying haphazardly bent and twisted on the ground or hanging on fences. Destruction on a massive scale like this is seldom seen. Wilbur commented that is is the worst sight he has ever witnessed -- and he is a World War II veteran. We took the Punta Gorda exit for Cape Coral. All businesses located at that exit ramp are damaged/destroyed/closed. A few blocks down is an open gas station, damaged but still pumping. Lines were over a mile long. We understand it's the nearest open station around. We continued toward Cape Coral and came to the intersection of Route 41 and Burnt Store Road. There used to be a mobile home village here with creeks running through it -- lovely trees and dedicated owners proud of their homes and yards, with not a blade of grass out of line. It was a beautiful place on both sides of the street. It broke my heart to see the condition it is in now. So much destruction -- unbelievable! I can't even put this into words -- none exist in our vocabulary.
I found the side of someone's home -- neatly wrapped around a pole.
I found the insulation, heavy, wet and torn, distributed over about a 20-mile area, along with wood, glass, furniture, appliances -- everything known to mankind is thrown around.
Cables and lines are on the ground -- some are 'live'.
I looked at Wilbur and remarked, "No matter what happened to our home, we cannot complain," because there are no homes left here!
Driving south on Burnt Store Road is a patch of very old, very poor homes. I saw a women sitting in her doorway -- there was no door -- crying. I know in my heart that these people do not carry insurance and do not have the money for repairs or rebuilding.
What's worse, there is no power, no water, no phone, no refrigeration.
Afternoons, you can set your watch by the hellacious storms. The rain comes -- daily -- through broken roofs. It is the only shower available.
The greatest thing is the help that has come, from not only Florida counties, but also from Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas, Illinois, and many other states -- sending electric trucks, National Guard, ice, ambulance services, telephone poles, building supplies -- and on and on. We passed many of these angels on our way home on I-75.
Still, many are living without power as I write this.
Residents on Sanibel, Captiva, Useppa, Ft. Myers Beach and even Pine Island, were forbidden to go home to check on damage. The ban was lifted just this morning -- and the "'cane came through on Friday the 13th."
These outer islands lost more than half their homes. No one can visit at this time -- not to check on and rescue pets, report damage for insurance settlement ... no one is allowed, and one who frantically tried to get past the barriers was 'tazered' and thrown in jail.
We come down Chiquita -- damage here is not so severe. Trees are uprooted/on roofs/or snapped in half.
We are lucky. As with most homes, pool cages are mangled and torn, with debris in every yard ... just like ours.
Two olive trees from our front yard are uprooted, but we have a roof.
As of noon today, our phones are working.
Power came on this past Sunday -- only two days without electricity. So, we are very lucky! Our next-door neighbors lost the back of their home.
Food from freezers in all these areas must be thrown out, making garbage collection an even bigger job and adding to health concerns.
Send prayers, please.
Here's a job opportunity to make money! Get a chainsaw and twine. Make bundles of wood --it's free! Sell to campsites who sell to campers for about $5.00 per small bundle! But be sure to bring a BIG truck! Don't like that idea? Get a chipper/shredder. Make mulch and sell it! It's also free, in any neighborhood -- just pick it up!
Or how about this? Carry sharpeners on your truck. Drive around and sharpen tools that are being used by everybody -- from mower blades to snippers -- everybody is using these and needs them sharpened. Just please -- don't price gouge.
Until later!
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
Insurance companies and government grants and private business and property owners will rebuild.
What other country could say that?
You have phones and power... wow
Another way to handle it, in my opinion, would have been to organize bus-loads of people, sorted by neighborhood, to return as soon as the main roads are cleared, and give them 15-30 minutes to visit their homes and remove items they need until general access is allowed. They could be escorted by police or national guard troops to ensure they didn't try to sneak off and remain behind when the bus returned to the mainland. The way the current situation was handled was disgraceful and sets a bad precedent for future evacuations.
If you run into a rough looking guy named Kim who is a house painter, tell him is brother, David, says hi.
Sorry, I'm in Ohio, was just posting an article written by a friend who is in Florida.
Yes, you are right on the money with your observations. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, however, has had access to the islands, "to check on the 'endangered species'". What's wrong with this picture, folks? While homeowners are unable to even get back home to check on their homes, pets and get insurance claims started, a federal agency is making sure all the gators are okay.
Thanks for the report...
Talked with my brother who lives in Punta Gorda, but on the east side of I-75. They had no damage to the house but were without electric, water, phone, etc., until last evening.
Those on the west of I-75 were directly in the path of the storm and fared much worse. Niece in Cape Coral survived with no damage... on a canal a couple of blocks from the Calooshatchie River.
Prayers for those who still suffer in untold ways.
I live in the Orlando area. I'm currently very pregnant (due in 2 weeks) and have been without power and water for almost a week now. May not have it back until next week. We lost 3 trees that were at least 100 years old (live oaks) but thankfully we're all safe and our home wasn't damaged. We're currently staying with relatives in the Melbourne area in case I go into labor. Can't be bringing the baby home to a house with no power, but other than inconvenience, we're thankful to be alive and well. Good luck to you. Hope your rebuilding goes well.
LOL, I love your quote about the food chain!!! Glad you're safe and going to have your baby in a safe place with power on! I am in Ohio and posted for someone in Cape Coral whose home was not damaged, but who is surrounded by much damage.
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