Just received a call from my son in Key West. Evacuating the Keys. They have been moving boats out of the water all day. Told him to please leave - he said no, he is staying.
Hell of a birthday call, isn't it? Will be worried until I hear from him again.
He said that South Florida is depleted of everything, only thing in abundance is rain water, sea water and river water.
That's not good news Dixie. Hope he changes his mind about that.
Steve and Sandy did all right in Ft. Lauderdale, but are pondering whether to evacuate tomorrow morning if Ivan comes to call near South Florida.
Sandy reports the store shelves are already just about bare.
Kevin called this morning to say the West Palm Beach area was without cell phone satellites to communicate until today. Their power is still out for the unforseeable future.
They sustained only some screen damage on their back porch, and with the generator, had limited power - including using a window a/c in their master bedroom for comfort.
When the water was rising in the streets, he and a friend went to the storm drain and unclogged debris, getting it under control.
However, the area's sewer system is rapidly filling up, and *might* soon begin to back up into their bathroom drains - - imagine this is so in many areas.
He had a crisis situation during the storm, their family visiting at a neighbor's. Kevin and Susan's 16-year old son, Christopher, experienced extreme back pain and lost consciousness three times. Kevin was holding him, and he went into mini seizures.
The friend in whose home they were happened to be a physician, but not a neurologist - called 911 and paramedics arrived shortly - taken to ER, and cannot find the cause. Lab t4ests showed nothing; nor x-rays.
(Prayers for my grandson, please?)
If Ivan nears Florida, they now plan to go to her parents' house, since their own house was built a year before Andrew and the roof might be vulnerable in a Cat 4 or 5 hurricane.
Yes, dixie, South Carolina set a record for the number of tornados accompanying a hurricane, at 40, as of yesterday.
I can't imagine your son wanting to remain in Key West, and do pray for his safety. I assume your brother is all right in Ft. Lauderdale?
Oh, no. I will be praying for his safety. I know how worried you must be. And, it's your birthday?
Try to have a happy one, dixie.
Love and prayers to all of you who have families in Florida or all along the coast. It's almost unbelievable a third hurricane so quickly is threatening to hit. Please stay safe!
