[GeronL]

and imagine that this did not harm the stockmarket, did not do lasting damage to the US economy and will likely not take all our attention.

Insurance companies and government grants and private business and property owners will rebuild.

What other country could say that?

[GeronL]

You have phones and power... wow

[CedarDave]

When the next storm comes around, what some people will remember about this one is that once evacuated they could not return home for nearly a week to check on their homes, and that one poor man who tried was tazered by the police in front of his children. Some who would leave when the evacuation order comes will now resist and try to stay with their home.

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.

[Blood of Tyrants]

If you run into a rough looking guy named Kim who is a house painter, tell him is brother, David, says hi.

[volchef]

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.

[backhoe]

A Hurricane Called Charley