..returning from Wilma
This is a copy of the letter I sent to my mom and Aunt.
Ahh - at last some time to get a few words written.
This last week has been absolutely unimaginable. Looking back, it seems more like the last month even though its been only 10 days since we made the decision to evacuate. The evacuation cost me,personally, just over $500 which I could ill-afford but fortunately had (and enough to get by with until things return to some semblance of normal).
We, here at my house, were very fortunate indeed. No water damage and only minor wind damage. We have had water and power since we got back. Parts of the rest of the island have not been so lucky. It has been estimated that some 65% or more of the cars on the island have been "totaled" - my car among them,after it decided to become a boat. My scooter is in great condition because I wheeled it inside before we left.
The southwestern end of Key West has been decimated. Beaches now reach a half mile inland. Houses and restaurants have been destroyed. Landmarks gone, roads impassable. The airport has been able to reopen for daylight operations and only local flights (from the mainland). There are no rental cars left and waiting lists for those are 4 & 500 people long. Some of my friends have lost absolutely everything. The storm surge was at about 8 feet and all the houses around me are at or below sea level. Ours is raised enough that we were okay.
The spirit of regrouping, surviving, and helping is very strong, though. It is a wonderful thing to be a part of. We have been able to transfer our regular clients to the second phase of the program, enabling us to open our doors to storm displaced people and families. In the past two days, I have been able to place 2 families and 8 individuals - mostly onto the mainland. The house is still full,though, and will be for a while yet.
Life is good, however busy. Even in the midst of all this chaos, I can find the time to stop and breathe deeply and be thankful that I am alive, breathing and sober. And that I can be of help to others who did not fare as well as we did. My life has decidedly taken an interesting and rewarding turn - dontcha think!?
Enough for now (I guess I should turn the phone back on).
Talk to you soon.
with affection - chris
P.S. Ronney, Steve and the dogs are okay,too. Frazzled but okay. Imagine that - frazzled... __________________...and we will know peace
Ahh - at last some time to get a few words written.
This last week has been absolutely unimaginable. Looking back, it seems more like the last month even though its been only 10 days since we made the decision to evacuate. The evacuation cost me,personally, just over $500 which I could ill-afford but fortunately had (and enough to get by with until things return to some semblance of normal).
We, here at my house, were very fortunate indeed. No water damage and only minor wind damage. We have had water and power since we got back. Parts of the rest of the island have not been so lucky. It has been estimated that some 65% or more of the cars on the island have been "totaled" - my car among them,after it decided to become a boat. My scooter is in great condition because I wheeled it inside before we left.
The southwestern end of Key West has been decimated. Beaches now reach a half mile inland. Houses and restaurants have been destroyed. Landmarks gone, roads impassable. The airport has been able to reopen for daylight operations and only local flights (from the mainland). There are no rental cars left and waiting lists for those are 4 & 500 people long. Some of my friends have lost absolutely everything. The storm surge was at about 8 feet and all the houses around me are at or below sea level. Ours is raised enough that we were okay.
The spirit of regrouping, surviving, and helping is very strong, though. It is a wonderful thing to be a part of. We have been able to transfer our regular clients to the second phase of the program, enabling us to open our doors to storm displaced people and families. In the past two days, I have been able to place 2 families and 8 individuals - mostly onto the mainland. The house is still full,though, and will be for a while yet.
Life is good, however busy. Even in the midst of all this chaos, I can find the time to stop and breathe deeply and be thankful that I am alive, breathing and sober. And that I can be of help to others who did not fare as well as we did. My life has decidedly taken an interesting and rewarding turn - dontcha think!?
Enough for now (I guess I should turn the phone back on).
Talk to you soon.
with affection - chris
P.S. Ronney, Steve and the dogs are okay,too. Frazzled but okay. Imagine that - frazzled... __________________...and we will know peace
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