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Hurricane Frances

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  • Michael H.
    Expired
    • January 29, 2008
    • 7477

    Hurricane Frances

    I hope everyone was as fortunate as I was through hurricane Frances. I had only light damage on the property and no damage to the cars. Just got electric and internet back this evening. The flooding here is incredible. Next up, hurricane Ivan, due this weekend.

    Thanks to all who wished "good luck"!!

    Michael
  • Donald M.
    Expired
    • December 1, 1984
    • 498

    #2
    Re: Hurricane Frances

    Michael,

    I live in Punta Gorda and there was much damage. Luckily, the car was unhurt. When this is all over, I'm going to look into a reinforced garage door or a kit to reinforce my existing door. The wind alsmost blew it in during Charley.I'm afraid it will be many years until Punta Gorda is back to normal and in some cases, it will never be.

    Comment

    • Dennis C.
      NCRS Past Judging Chairman
      • January 1, 1984
      • 2409

      #3
      Would it be rude to ask...

      ...why people continue to demand to live in the very predictable path of repetitive flooding, hurricanes, tornadoes, fires, draught, etc.

      Comment

      • Rich G.
        Extremely Frequent Poster
        • August 31, 2002
        • 1396

        #4
        It's like being a Met Fan *NM*

        1966 L79 Convertible. Milano Maroon
        1968 L71 Coupe. Rally Red (Sold 6/21)
        1963 Corvair Monza Convertible

        Comment

        • Chuck R.
          Expired
          • April 30, 1999
          • 1434

          #5
          Re: I think it's a trade off Dennis

          As opposed to the great white north,

          They get hurricanes, we get blizzards, freezing rain, and some flooding.

          They get heat, and we get blizzards, freezing rain and some flooding.

          They get draughts and we get blizzards, freezing rain, some flooding AND draughts.

          They get brush fires, we get blizzards, freezing rain flooding, draughts AND forrest fires.

          They get tornados .......well some times we get tornados.

          Oh yeah, I almost forgot to mention we get salt and rust they get none.

          And let us not forget Micky, Donald, Goofy and Pluto too.

          Man, I almost talked myself into moving south.

          Comment

          • Michael H.
            Expired
            • January 29, 2008
            • 7477

            #6
            That's a reasonable question...

            Dennis,

            People flock to the west coast of Florida in heards just for the experience. We have things here that you can't find in any other part of the country. All of the weisel new/used car sales people that can't make it in New Jersey, come here to perfect their talents. Independant contractors for home repair that have been run out of Chicago, Detroit or New York, come here to rip off all the easy target elderly. Hospital and doctor care and quality is a joke and the doctors come here to issue prescriptions instead of actually trying to find the cause of your problem. The traffic is so heavy and completely out of control that there are at least 3 to 5 accidents a week within a few blocks on US 19, about a block away from my house. The politicians are in the same group as the used car sales people. In fact, if you graduate from used car sales rip off school, you can move right into politics. I think the city of Tampa is ranked 7th in the nation for crime and murder but they're workin on it. They want to be #1. The water that comes out of the tap smells like sewer water but that doesn't stop the county from over charging for it. Everyone here seems to hate everyone else for no apparent reason. I suppose it's something they learned in the big cities up north. The summer humidity is so bad that a shower lasts about 15 minutes. Oh, and did I mention the possibility of an occasional bit of foul weather? The 2004 season, so far, has two direct hurricane hits but I think that will change by this weekend. They try to hold this event at least a few times a month. Hurricane Ivan is scheduled for Tampa. Again. That will change the average to 1.5 hurricanes per month or just .375 per week.

            All in all, a nice quiet place to retire from all the hassle of the big cities up north. Sure glad I came here five years ago. Now, when I move to someplace else, I'll have great stories to tell.

            Michael

            Comment

            • John H.
              Beyond Control Poster
              • December 1, 1997
              • 16513

              #7
              Hurricane Preparations

              Got this list of trade-offs last night - kinda sums it up (easy, guys, it's tongue-in-cheek) :

              You all should be aware of hurricane preparations, but in case you need a refresher course:
              We have entered the peak of the hurricane season. Right now, you can to turn on the TV and see a weather person pointing to some radar blob down in the Caribbean and making two basic meteorological points.
              (1) There is no need to panic.
              (2) We could all be killed.

              Yes, hurricane season is an exciting time to be in Florida. If you're new to the area, you're probably wondering what you need to do to prepare for the possibility that we'll get hit by "the big one."

              Based on our insurance industry experiences, we recommend that you follow this simple three-step hurricane preparedness plan:

              STEP 1: Buy enough food and bottled water to last your family for at least three days.
              STEP 2: Put these supplies into your car.
              STEP 3: Drive to Nebraska and remain there until Halloween. Unfortunately, statistics show that most people will not follow this sensible plan. Most people will foolishly stay here in Florida.

              We'll start with one of the most important hurricane preparedness items:

              HOMEOWNERS' INSURANCE:
              If you own a home, you must have hurricane insurance. Fortunately, this insurance is cheap and easy to get, as long as your home meets two basic requirements:
              (1) It is reasonably well-built, and
              (2) It is located in Wisconsin
              Unfortunately, if your home is located in Florida, or any other area that might actually be hit by a hurricane, most insurance companies would prefer not to sell you hurricane insurance, because then they might be required to pay YOU money, and that is certainly not why they got into the insurance business in the first place. So you'll have to scrounge around for an insurance company, which will charge you an annual premium roughly equal to the replacement value of your house. At any moment, this company can drop you like used dental floss.

              SHUTTERS:
              Your house should have hurricane shutters on all the windows, all the doors. There are several types of shutters, with advantages and disadvantages:

              Plywood shutters: The advantage is that, because you make them yourself, they're cheap.

              Sheet-metal shutters: The advantage is that these work well, once you get them all up. The disadvantage is that once you get them all up, your hands will be useless bleeding stumps, and it will be December.

              Roll-down shutters: The advantages are that they're very easy to use, and will definitely protect your house. The disadvantage is that you will have to sell your house to pay for them.

              Hurricane-proof windows: These are the newest wrinkle in hurricane protection: They look like ordinary windows, but they can withstand hurricane winds! You can be sure of this, because the salesman says so. He lives in Nebraska.

              Hurricane Proofing your property: As the hurricane approaches, check your yard for movable objects like barbecue grills, planters, patio furniture, visiting relatives, etc...
              You should, as a precaution, throw these items into your swimming pool (if you don't have a swimming pool, you should have one built immediately). Otherwise, the hurricane winds will turn these objects into deadly missiles.

              EVACUATION ROUTE:
              If you live in a low-lying area, you should have an evacuation route planned out. (To determine whether you live in a low-lying area, look at your driver's license; if it says "Florida," you live in a low-lying area). The purpose of having an evacuation route is to avoid being trapped in your home when a major storm hits. Instead, you will be trapped in a gigantic traffic jam several miles from your home, along with two hundred thousand other evacuees. So, as a bonus, you will not be lonely.

              HURRICANE SUPPLIES:
              If you don't evacuate, you will need a mess of supplies. Do not buy them now! Florida tradition requires that you wait until the last possible minute, then go to the supermarket and get into vicious fights with strangers over who gets the last can of cat food. In addition to food and water, you will need the following supplies:

              23 flashlights. At least $167 worth of batteries that turn out, when the power goes off, to be the wrong size for the flashlights.

              Bleach. (No, I don't know what the bleach is for. NOBODY knows what the bleach is for, but it's traditional, so GET some!)

              A big knife that you can strap to your leg. (This will be useless in a hurricane, but it looks cool.)

              A large quantity of raw chicken, to placate the alligators. (Ask anybody who went through Andrew; after the hurricane, there WILL be irate alligators.)

              $35,000 in cash or diamonds so that, after the hurricane passes, you can buy a generator from a man with no discernible teeth.

              Of course these are just basic precautions. As the hurricane draws near, it is vitally important that you keep abreast of the situation by turning on your television and watching TV reporters in rain slickers stand right next to the ocean and tell you over and over how vitally important it is for everybody to stay away from the ocean.

              Good luck, and remember: Its great living in Paradise.

              Comment

              • Dennis C.
                NCRS Past Judging Chairman
                • January 1, 1984
                • 2409

                #8
                Rich, Chuck, John, Michael...

                I firmly believe the compilation of your responses to my "Corvette Technical Question" is the most accurate, complete and detailed response ever presented about any subject on this wonderful board. Now I fully understand things I thought would remain a mystery to me forever. Sincere Thanks, Dennis

                Comment

                • Chuck R.
                  Expired
                  • April 30, 1999
                  • 1434

                  #9
                  Re: That's LOL good John *NM*

                  Comment

                  • Chuck R.
                    Expired
                    • April 30, 1999
                    • 1434

                    #10
                    Re: Aww Dennis, just pokin sum fun *NM*

                    Comment

                    • Dennis C.
                      NCRS Past Judging Chairman
                      • January 1, 1984
                      • 2409

                      #11
                      And I laughed all the way through it... *NM*

                      Comment

                      • David Van Weele

                        #12
                        Re: Hurricane Preparations

                        John, the clorine/clorax (without detergerent) is used by the drop. Six to eight drops per gallon of polluted water will make it safe to drink. aaaaaaaah.

                        Comment

                        • Mike M.
                          Expired
                          • April 30, 2003
                          • 104

                          #13
                          Re: That's a reasonable question...

                          I have heartfelt sorrow for those living in Florida who have been affected by Charley and Francis. I have contributed $ to help and will donate my time through my church group. Everything Michael H. states is true. If you have never been through the rebuild of your life after a major hurricane you won't understand. I lived in CA and went through numerous earthquakes that did some damage to my property. But they were nothing compared to Fran (I missed the big one in the late 80's) But as I said in an earlier posting, Hurricane
                          Fran in 1996 devistated my home and property. Help? None at all from anywhere. There are certain businesses in the Raleigh, NC area I will never do business with because of blantant price gouging. Called State Farm to report the damage. First three minutes of the call consisted of the agent on the other end informing me of what my policy didn't cover! Just thinking of those days brings back the feeling of helplessness. There is only so much that one person, who was lucky enough to own a chain saw, can do without electricity, water, telephone, transportation and gasoline. And I live 150 miles inland. Live through that experience once, you will never forget a second of it, or not have deep feelings of sorrow for those facing it now.
                          Mike

                          Comment

                          • Mike Cobine

                            #14
                            Glad you made it ok

                            We got power back Tuesday also but many around still do not have it. We got some wet carpets with rain blown in through the door and thus nasty smelling mildew. Cars are fine, but that is a minor issue in the scheme of life. House had no damage but the barn had some roof peeling.

                            No trees down but the tops of a couple and enough branches to cover the 1 acre plot. There is a pile now that is about 100 foot long, 7 foot high, and 15 foot wide in front now for the county to pick up. Another blessing, the county is picking up instead of us having to haul it off as usual.

                            No internet, only modem. The DSLAM is out in the CO and no ETR on Sprint's part. Cox Cable, with all those vulnerable cables in the air, is back on.

                            There were still around 77,000 in Marion County without power yesterday. Some elderly friends who are on oxygen have no power and can't get a hotel room anywhere. Of course, like most old people, they refuse to take our offer of coming here.

                            Now Ivan is pointed this way too.

                            Comment

                            • Dick W.
                              Former NCRS Director Region IV
                              • June 30, 1985
                              • 10483

                              #15
                              Re: That's a reasonable question...

                              I read an article in Newsweek, I believe, on the exclusions that the insurance companies have been able to get into their policies with regard to hurricanes. It makes you wonder whose side the regulators are on. I understand that they were made to keep the large insurers from abandoning Florida, but with the cost of insurance and the deductibles it sure has to be a hard pill to swallow
                              Dick Whittington

                              Comment

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