FReeper Storm Check-in (vanity)

9-19-03 | me

[netmilsmom]

Through the week, many of us heard of FReepers who were in the path of Isabel. I personally know Gabz, Corin Stormhands and Consitution Day were in the area. I thought it would be a good idea if we had a thread to ask if someone is ok and let them check in. Prayers to our FRiends in harms way. Thanks!

[putupon]

Power is still off in most areas surrounding the Richmond, Virginia.

Phone reports from parents (finally got thru via cell phone) in Wmsburg area: No power w/ none in foreseeable future, damage to the roof of their house, water line broken and spewing all over at business (outside). Don't know condition of boat kept in Hampton yet, keeping the fingers crossed (rockfish season about to start, no boat? the horror!).

Northwest of Richmond where I live, power still off in most places, ours came back on sometime Friday night, but its still off less than a mile away. Lots of neighbors have houses packed with relatives from all over.

My father-in-law was of the lucky 6% who never lost power; he lives about 5 miles away.

Trees are down everywhere, but 6 empty plastic trash cans never moved an inch, go figure.

My house is OK.

Here are a few pics from the Hunton, Elmont, and Hanover Air Park area:

[Interesting Times]

We're all still fine here. I've been offline because Cox cable has been down for the last couple of days. Power is still out, though I can see lights a couple of streets down the hill. The generator works fine...

We were able to find a general contractor who convinced our insurance company to let them handle the whole job -- tree, roof, bedroom and attic -- on a cost-plus basis, so I don't have to present competing bids on every little piece. The insurance company was balking a bit at the $7300 estimate to lose the tree, but the contractor explained that the job will involve a rather large crane.

We are extremely fortunate. This house was built in 1950, presumably from tungsten steel and ironwood. The contractor took one look and said that any house built in the last 25 years would have been knocked flat. The tree is really two trees growing together, each more than 100 feet tall and more than 4 feet thick at the base. They had rotted on the inside where you couldn't see it and broke at ground level at the height of the storm. We were in the basement, directly under the impact points. It made a truly remarkable noise as it smashed more than halfway through the attic and came to rest on a steel support beam that anchors the addition.

There are several guys with chainsaws on the roof as I type, and with any luck they'll have the thing removed and a temporary patch on before the next rain.

I probably won't be posting again for a couple of days, so let me sign off by saying thanks to everyone who expressed concern, and best wishes for all those impacted by Isabel.

FRegards,
I.T.

[diotima]

Glad to hear you guys are OK. Thank goodness you are safe!

[netmilsmom]

You live out west?? Oh, well thanks for checking in anyway! LOL!

[netmilsmom]

oooops sorry. I guess the Browns rage just came over me. I should say, not the players just their uniforms! Kind of like the guy who lost his pants!
Cleveland is a whole lot better to live in than some parts of MI where I am now!

[netmilsmom]

Thanks for checking in! Glad you're ok. I did warm Diet coke during the blackout. I brushed my teeth with it, yuck.

[netmilsmom]

Geez, sorry about the tree. Thanks for checking in!

[netmilsmom]

Wow, great pic! Pretty nasty!

[netmilsmom]

Thanks for keeping up the thread!!

What a wild story about the mom and the baby! God works in mysterious ways. Makes me want to hug my kids.

[Interesting Times]

Thank you, and I agree.

Power and cable came back on here 5 minutes ago.

[Gabz]

LOL!!!!!

I like your tag line......I'm going to have to break down and just buy Treason - all copies my library has have a waiting list until mid-December.

[Gabz]

Makes me want to hug my kids.

Me too, even though she has been less than a joy to deal with these past few days.

All she did Thursday was whine about not being able to go outside. It's been sunny and beautiful since Friday morning and she wants back inside within 10 minutes after she demands to go out.

Thank goodness school is open tomorrow. There's more "storm" damage inside this house to clean up than there is outside.

[diotima]

Anyone hear from Skeet?

[Gabz]

Power and cable came back on here 5 minutes ago.

Hip Hip HOORAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[netmilsmom]

>>There's more "storm" damage inside this house to clean up than there is outside.<<

LOLOL!! I feel like that sometimes.

[ironman]

Here in Northern VA I had 2 large trees come down. One a 65 ft oak glanced off the side of the house. Just tore up a rain gutter and some shingles but totally blocked the driveway and trapped my car in the garage. Got it cleared yesterday. The other tall oak smashed thru a section of my rear fence. Doggie can't go out off leash until I can fix that. 50+ hrs with no power but back on late yesterday. We still have to boil water.

[Howlin]

We've been waiting!!! Glad you're okay!

[nina0113]

I don't know if Steve checked in or not so I will. No major damage at our house. Electricity went out 10 pm Thursday, got it back at 4 am Saturday - the suburb across the road had it back Friday afternoon, and it was beyond maddening to see their porch lights not 500 feet away Friday night.

Saturday evening's Latin Mass was cancelled due to no electricity at the church yet - several poles and many trees were down along the road. Today's (daylight) are still on.

The fondue pot came in very handy for boiling water, but a generator has moved up to the top of our major-purchase list.

[Howlin]

Did you have much damage?

[netmilsmom]

>>all copies my library has have a waiting list until mid-December.<<
I was second on the waiting list. I hate living in Liberal Land.
Wait til you read it. I am on chapter 7 and I'm so mad I could spit!