My wife asked FlaBucks how they were doing in Orlando this AM...he sent a video of his front yard...told us most of the storm was past and was winding down and they were all clear. An hour later he sent a picture of the tree that had just then fell on his outdoor storage shed.
Very smart. Couldn't really accomplish that anyway being out of state...but NEVER would have thought that much water would come in. I mean they are ALWAYS talking about huge storm surges but through Charlie, Wilma, and Irma it never got through our back yard. This is going to devastate FMB.
and Sanibel, based on the pictures I've seen. My brother and SIL, who live in Orlando, said essentially the same thing as your son, but fortunately for them, they didn't have a tree fall on their property,
No good news for FMB. Dan Allers, a council member in Fort Myers Beach, described devastation at a level "that no one really anticipated or expected" as he walked through the area Thursday after it was pounded by Hurricane Ian. He said that he's aware of at least three deaths reported in the town located on Florida’s Estero Island. Allers did not know the total number of fatalities. He estimated that 90% of the island is gone, including businesses that had been there for decades and had weathered several hurricanes. "When I say gone, it's not just the insides of the houses — it's brick homes, it's houses that were on stilts, wood homes," Allers said. "It's gone."
Ralph and family are good. Said the farm is wrecked... all the fruit is gone, 27 barns damaged, office totaled. House came through OK thanks in part to losing two large trees that shielded them from the worst of it. He was told 15-20 days for power restoration.
Very happy that Ralph and his family is safe but I feel so bad for him. This is the second time in a few years that his business has been devastated by hurricanes.
Certainly sorry to hear of that disaster for Ralph and family. How in the world did you get in touch with him?
Mary's brother lives on Bird Key off of Sarasota. We contacted him to offer to put him up but he and my SIL were in Chicago area visiting her kids. I'll be interested to hear how his place came through this. Sorry to hear about Ralph's farm but glad he's ok. Sun's out today and it's a beautiful morning.
I've lived in the Southeast and East Coast (2 years in Puerto Rico) all of my life and I think that the day after a hurricane goes through is always a beautiful day.
Ralph has some spotty cell service, so was able to text me. He has a Generac so they aren't suffering... but when the propane runs out it'll get uncomfortable.
Here at The Villages are power lines are all underground (except for the small original area.) When Irma hit we had gusts well over 100 mph. and we never lost power. As long as the electric companies transformer stations don't flood we're in good shape.
Hello everyone I hope all is well with you I realize I’m behind in the happenings on Skybox As Scott described we are safe, finally got the power back on yesterday afternoon. It sure was another interesting experience I am still crawling out of my cave so to speak and with just getting power realizing the extremity of this storm in so many areas. The inland rivers that received 20 plus inches of rain have decimated the infrastructure to roads and bridges. We got back to work today to start picking up the pieces of our own infrastructure destruction. There is so much suffering going on in the seven counties that took the brunt of the storm I won’t even get into our farming aspect other than it’s the nail in the coffin. I’ve managed this location for thirty years this month and told my wife I was actually afraid to go to work this morning because I really don’t know where to even begin. From what brief news I have caught the destruction along the SW coastline is more like a tsunami destroying everything. Every red light is gone, very minimal gas to run the much needed generators and everyone has their own story from hell in the experience. Please pray for their needs. Thanks guys, I will get back to you later today
Our place trashed. But it's just our vacation home. I feel so badly for the owners of all the small shops and restaurants, the kids who had jobs there, the folks who live there full time and lost everything. Folks like Ralph who work their asses off and then get this happening.
Ralph it's good to hear from you. Sorry for the suffering you and others are going through right now. Hopefully you'll get some help and you and the family can start moving back towards norma.