It'll be a while till things are back to normal here and in our neck of the woods, but we are trying, with a lot of help from the community, and from utility providers, and others from all over the country- and they've been doing a yeoman's job, for which we are so grateful. We will get there.
Looks like the strongest winds of Ian went right over us- with winds they estimated sustained at 155 MPH ( 140 MPH on the other side after the eye went over us). This lasted, we estimate, for about 8-10 hrs. While we had some roof damage ( limited to shingles off the roof, down to the wood in some places, and we had a number of soffits torn off. This allowed the water from the hurricane ( driven at approx. 140 MPH we estimate) to leak through the ceiling in many places, so for the second half of the hurricane we were running all over the great room, and our master bedroom trying to catch leaks, and the ceiling was ruined. We also lost our water treatment system ( well water), which fell over and most of the components broke. And, we lost our boat, which slid off the lift, and flipped over upside down into the canal ( we watched it go- we could see it all from the hurricane impact windows ( which did a great job of protecting us during the hurricane). It's still there, waiting for SeaTow to take it away....
We also lost 6 large oak trees, uprooted by the storm, and a number of palm trees.
Though we were told we might be threatened by storm surge during the hurricane ( we are located on a tidal canal off a tributary of the Peace River, about 12-15 miles north of the Charlotte Harbor), we watched the water in the canal actually blown downriver, with water levels in the canal as low as I have ever seen), but the threat of flooding actually came about two days after the hurricane, as the already flood levels of the Peace (around Arcadia) and Myakka Rivers were joined by the massive amount of rains dropped by Ian as it went northeast ( towards you guys!) and the water flooded down river. The canal rose higher than we had ever seen it, and we didn't know if it would stop before it reached the house. Fortunately it did ( I'm told the Peace River crested at 23 feet, flood stage being at 12 feet) and we were not flooded. Parts of our property lower than the level of the house were, though, we had a picnic table and benches down by the canal that were completely covered by water!
All that said, though, we are extremely lucky things aren't much worse. The house held up well structurally, we got electric back about 8 days after the hurricane ( those guys from all over the country were working feverishly 2/7 to get power back to as many people as possible and there aren't enough kudos in the world to give them what they deserve.) We checked everything out electrically , and all seemed to work fine, including the AC, when the power came back on. My husband and a friend jerryrigged the storage tank from our water system directly to the well pump ( submersible) so we get water into the house ( smells like sulfur, till we get the treatment system replaced, but it's water! We're cleaning up, got the trees cut up and dragged to the curb, and are decluttering the house so it doesn't look like hurricane central. And we're eternally grateful to be home in relative comfort, and working as we can to get things done. In time ( these things don't go fast under circumstances like these, we will get our roof replaced ( hoping the tarp job will keep us dry till then), soffits replaced as well as the great room ceiling, insulation and whatever drywall might need it replaced. Hope the insurance company comes through to help us replace or fix what needs it, we will see.
We have some wonderful friends here, most of us are in the same boat, and it's a great source of support and help in getting through those sometimes discouraging days. There are so many people who lost everything, there are lives lost. From what I have heard, in Ft. Myers, many in Arcadia, there was much structural damage, with some people's entire houses destroyed, from either wind damage and/or flooding. We were thankfully spared that this time around ( our house was destroyed in Andrew in 1992), considering the magnitude of the wind and potential for flooding it could have been much worse for us.
I have to look at the positive side of things, it's how I'm wired, though I will indulge in a second or two complaint. It's been a rough summer for me, and my family by association. Earlier this summer I received a diagnosis of colon cancer- out of the blue, I'd had a colonoscopy 4 yrs ago that was clear, no one was expecting this. I'm still recovering from colon resection surgery, doing well but my energy levels are still rather low, so have to pace myself with the recovery efforts. Even still, the good news is that apparently the colon removal ( I now have a semicolon, I guess) got it all and no evidence of residual cancer. So no chemo, just surveillance. My minor complaint was to ask the Good Lord if He didn't think a diagnosis of colon cancer was enough for me to handle this summer, I needed a major hurricane too?????? I guess we know the answer to that one!
About the birdies. Our little cockatiel, Coconut, died several years ago at age 30. We miss him still but there are so many memories we have of our life with him. He died in my husband's hands, and I swear Coconut gave him a little I love you nibble on his finger just before he died. I was sorely tempted to bring home another sweet cockatiel ( he was a black and white mutation, beautiful) in a pet store about a year ago- this little guy was tame and talked to me as I played with him. He was about 7 months old, and considering our ages ( mid-70's), and how long Coconut lived, I thought it unwise to bring home such a young bird who would most likely outlive us. We still have our beautiful little lavender 8 yr old parakeet, Hinki, that we adopted from her original owner ( who got Alzheimer's disease and had to go into a nursing home) when Hinki was a year old. She's sweet and loving as can be, and talks a blue streak, I swear in context. She's had a splay leg since we got her, and may have some neurological issues there as well, but she's always gotten around very well and of course we spoil her rotten. I hope she's around for a while, but think at our ages she may be our last bird. At that point I will go volunteer at our local Parrot Rescue organization as I'm able and get my bird fix there.
I guess that's about it. And I so appreciate your asking about how things are with us. You stay well and keep up the faith too. I understand all too well you have some cleanup from Ian there in Orlando, too.
Marybird.
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