[JellyJam]

I just got back from visiting my co-worker, Vicki, in Port Charlotte ... all I can say is: Wow. The destruction is incredible. There wasn't a single home, at least from what I saw, that didn't have some kind of damage. Every mobile home was destroyed. A fire station near her house lost its roof; a sign outside reads: "Roof is gone, but the firemen aren't." National Guardsmen were at nearly every major intersection - God bless 'em, the heat index was 99 degrees.

Vicki told me their horrifying story. She and her husband had hunkered down in a hallway closet; when Charley arrived, she started feeling rain coming in - it was dripping on her from the light fixture in the closet. They then moved to the kitchen and huddled under the kitchen table. Every tree in their yard snapped in two. Their pool cage was the only one in their neighborhood that survived. The master bedroom had major water damage; all the carpeting had to be removed. They still have no power, no phone service. Vicki said she had to wait in line two hours for two bags of ice. Thankfully, I brought her some ice, cold Icehouse beer and a large pepperoni pizza. To quote that old William DeVaughan hit from 1974: Be thankful for what you got. I know I am!!

[Velveeta]

Your post brought me to tears.

Vicki will be just fine, she has wonderful friends.

>>>"Roof is gone, but the firemen aren't." National Guardsmen were at nearly every major intersection<<<

Yes, God Bless them!

[Donna Lee Nardo]

Thank you for sharing that account, JellyJam. You are a very thoughtful co-worker to have! :)

[Cindy]

So glad Vicki and her husband made it through.

[JustPiper]

This pains me JJ, but this enlightens me:

"Roof is gone, but the firemen aren't." National Guardsmen were at nearly every major intersection - God bless 'em, the heat index was 99 degrees.

Thank God Vicki is ok! And what a good friend you are!