There you are! I've been wondering about you. The news reports from your area were very scary. We personally made out well after Fiona. There was a lot of damage and three deaths. Some areas are still having difficulties.
Friends from OC moved to Florida last year, got hit by Ian pretty bad. Recent photo shows they stripped all the drywall off themselves and are already proceeding with repairs. Helps they have 2 young adult sons to pitch in.
My son lives in New Orleans. Down there they hang the drywall horizontally instead of vertically. That way they only have to strip 4 feert up when it floods. They open the walls, strip out any carpet, cabinets, pergo flooring, etc. and get the AC running as soon as possible to dehumidify the inside of the house to prevent mold.
Had friends here from Saratoga for a few hours visit on Saturday who are visiting family in Victoria. Fortunately for them and their families and friends who live all over Florida, none of them had more than trees down which they were able to take care of themselves as soon as the storm was over. They are now focused on helping others who had more damage done.
Fannie, Glad to hear you made out well with Fiona. Read that the winds and storm surge were as high as 110 mph and 9 feet up North. Those are big numbers. We evacuated to a friends house 20 miles inland and listened to the shingles come off his roof as Ian passed overhead. Got home on the 30th and found that the canal water came up to within 12-18 inches of our house which sits 10.8 feet above what they call mean level. We have some damage from the wind and the dock got knocked around but all in all we are extremely grateful. The wagon was in the garage and untouched. Have lost track of how many friends had water in their homes or lost roofs and know 2 who lost everything. Received an email yesterday from the President of the Sanibel - Captiva car club. Property damage is extensive of course, and at least a dozen of their cars have been destroyed but no one appears to have been lost. Right now we are just happy to have an intact roof over our heads, water, electricity, and the luxuries of cable tv and internet.
All things that are nice to have, but what'important are the three necessities--food, clothing and shelter. I bet there were a lot of people missing at least one, if not all three.
