O.T. - As Seen On TV

Hurricane

Bill Tindall, E.Tn.

My cousin who loves in Mariana, well inland, emailed yesterday reporting that his Internet connection had just been restored, after only 209 days. He reported similar damage to trees and buildings from winds clocked at 209 mph nearby.

Re: Hurricane

David Yoho

Tallahassee also had lots of tree damage and I saw several roofs with tarps. My wife's aunt still has a tree in the back yard that snapped and needs cutting down. Places along the route we took to Mexico Beach were bad too. I saw tracts where fully forested land once was now turned into nothing but broken trees. Tyndall Air Force Base is another example of the destruction the wind caused. Just unbelievable!!

Re: O.T. - As Seen On TV

Hank Knight

People who have never lived through a hurricane have no idea. We get them fairly often here in South Carolina. If you ever live through a big one, you'll never forget it. In 1989, Hurricane Hugo devastated our state. 30 years later, it is still a historic milestone for most of us here, a demarcation. People still discuss personal history in terms of "Before Hugo" and "After Hugo." We've had hurricanes since Hugo, but that was "the big one." I was supposed to try a case in the Clarendon County Courthouse in Manning South Carolina the Monday after Hugo. The courthouse was heavily damaged in the storm. It finally reopened a year and a half later and we tried the case. I still see effects of Hugo's devastation when I drive the back roads. The clean up takes a very long time. I always have a bit of sardonic amusement at the TV weather coverage of hurricanes. Invariably, there is a weather reporter standing outside, leaning into the wind with the rain coming down sideways. "Wow, you can't believe how strong the wind is," he says. My thought is always: It's a hurricane, you idiot. What did you expect?

Re: O.T. - As Seen On TV

John Veerkamp

And the national attention quickly focuses on the next story. On the Texas coast where Harvey made landfall Port Aransas, Aransas Pass and Rockport the devastation is still everywhere. It is incredible how much has been is accomplished and how much to be done. There has been an underwhelming response from the various governmental Federal and State organizations. Most of the work is being done by locals and volunteers . This is not an affluent area and locals lost everything. Jobs, homes transportation. Many had to leave the area just to survive . New visitors may not realize the scale of the disaster in five or ten years, but it is forever changed.

And Puerto Rico?

Don Stephan

And the amount of destruction, and pace of recovery, may be so much worse in Puerto Rico.

Re: And Puerto Rico?

John Veerkamp

absolutely!

Re: O.T. - As Seen On TV

Bob Herrman

I live just south of Marianna and west of Tallahassee and north of Panama City and Mexico Beach, and the lost of roofs, trees and damages to homes is tremendous. Only trees that seem not to be damaged were palms, sycamores and cypress. Many of the hardwood trees we’re blown over leaving large holes with roots showing (mainly pecan and oaks). Pines were snapped off anywhere from 15 foot to 20. Reportedly that was the level where the sap had reach for the fall season. Have no ideal if that is actually true, but a forester explained it that way. Makes a good story either way.

Another point of interest is that houses with metal roofs fair well, except for where trees crashed through them. The lumber industry is destroyed it will take several decades to recover. Panama City has suffered more then most of the panhandle. The primary industry is service oriented to tourism or Tyndall Air Force Base. The school system has reported that 3000 students are no longer in the system as the families have moved. This is a result of business closing and lack of homes to live in. As most tourists areas, wages aren’t high to begin with. Some business such as restaurants and even Target are open on limited hours due to a labor shortages.

BUT, this area will recover as the local people are strong and tough. In five years things will be at a new normal. It is a opportunity to rebuild and correct some of the errors done in the past. Besides many things will be new! The trees will be missed, and especially in mine and my children’s life time.

Re: And Puerto Rico?

Hank Knight

The situation in Puerto Rico is a national disgrace.

And the Virgin Islands?

John K Jordan

I wonder if the Virgin Islands may be even worse from back-to-back hurricanes. A friend described large coastal areas scrubbed of trees and buildings, including his home and business. Lots of unreported looting and dangerous people. He said Puerto Rico got most of the press and help, even as little as it was.

Another guy whose house wasn't destroyed was without power for over 100 days since much of the power grid was flattened. He recommends stocking the emergency kit with solar chargers and lots of batteries and candles. His family is finally getting back to "normal" but others will never recover.