Remembering Jeanne, Frances, and Charlie in 2004. All 3 hit us in a 6 week period.

madfloridian

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Fri Aug-26-11 11:34 PM
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Remembering Jeanne, Frances, and Charlie in 2004. All 3 hit us in a 6 week period.

It's really hard to look back at them now. The stress was just so great, I wonder how we did it then. Their eyes came within 30 miles, and there was devastating damage around us. We were lucky, and there were mainly downed trees and power lines, no damage to our home. No electricity for days with one of them. I think that was Jeanne. I thought I would always remember which one hit when, but I would have to look it up now.

Finding ice was a nightmare. We managed to keep a little milk and juice that way. Everyone talked about how organized Jeb was, and how lucky we were....but I did not think so. All of the local radio stations were pre-recorded music and talk. One did take one day to let us know which stores were open, which restaurants might be serving. Then just as we were getting used to having local info via battery radio....they said we are now resuming regular programming. And that was it basically. We had satellite radio with batteries, but there was not anything local enough to help.

I hope that has changed. There must be communication when disasters hit, but there was only one day.

We are within the city limits, and we had power restored much faster than those in more rural areas. Some of them were without for weeks.

I remember the oddest thing after the third one...it felt like there was something circling above my head all the time. Like it was exerting pressure on my head. It lasted for days after the hurricanes were over. I thought I was going to have to see a doctor or someone, but it gradually got better.

My husband came back one day from getting ice, and he had tears in his eyes. He had been by to check on a neighbor who lived alone with his two miniature poodles, and the police were there. His housekeeper had found him dead. We had talked to him the day before trying to keep him calm and offering to get things he needed. He sounded like he really didn't care. His huge oak had fallen on a neighbor's house, and I think the stress was too much for his age and health.

I forget which one moved soo..oo..oo slowly, with the winds howling for a day and a half. Frances? Not sure now. It was horrible.

I remember that I was glad some restaurants were serving even limited meals. By the end of 3 days we still had a little canned and dry food left, but the stores were empty. They restocked after a few days, but it was stunning to think of empty stores. People were probably hoarding.

We bought a generator after the storms. We haven't needed it, thank goodness. It is still in the huge box it came in. The directions look complicated, and the darn thing is so heavy. I guess we would have to call a neighbor to help us.

We live inland in Florida about halfway between the east and west coast. But the strength of the 3 storms was still very great when they got to us. I had not seen that happen since Donna in 1960. To have 3 like that in row was almost unbelievable.

I feel for the people in Irene's path. It's a helpless feeling to see a monster storm coming and be at its mercy. Very thankful it weakened a little.