Copy this entire document in PDF form

TEXT ONLY 182k Panama & Mexico Beach Hurricane.pdf

WITH most of the PHOTOS 4,538k Panama Hurricane-2.pdf

If you desire another format, contact the Author of this website

PDF = (Public Domain File) readable on all computers & phones with free - Adobe Acrobat Reader

--------------------------------

Hurricane - Preparation

© Copyright 2018 by Steven C. Buren from www.theorybin.com

This is an account of Hurricane Michael that hit Center of Florida Panhandle at Mexico Beach and Panama City on Wednesday, October 10, 2018, & 20 days that followed.

The rain bands hit about 6pm. The Eye hit 3am Thursday. The storm passed 9am.

Many precepts were used from experiences, and this is a walk through analysis of the necessities and conveniences that were useful.

My Screened Porch 12x12 was a very important staging area and used for drying everything that was easily moved. The porch also allowed tools to be positioned for easy access. The existing porch was screened two years ago, with double door entrance, and it was more than worth the time and effort for this simple enclosure.

Tuesday Oct 9, One Day Before the Storm

On Tuesday Afternoon News; hearing and perceiving that the storm was definitely headed to my home in Panama City; I began to pack clothing for travel. The Van & Truck were filled with fuel, and a few gallons in my Gas Jug, and 12 cans each of Creamed Corn, Green Beans, Peas, & Peaches, and 2-Cantaloupe from the store.

That evening, I cooked everything that was frozen. Then water jugs went into the freezer and below, and all refrigerated foods were prepared to go into a single cooler.

I had been preparing a trip to Kansas, so my refrigerator was already expected to be emptied, but I rarely stockpile my refrigerator except for canning in harvest season.

My home is about 12ft above sea level and 200yds from the Bay, on the last road before the bridge that leads to Tyndall AFB, where I collect shells on the far side of the base, next to Mexico Beach, to give to tourists at PCB piers with my website written on them.

I did not expect flooding except by leaking roof or window & structural damages. Things were gathered from the carpet that were small and weather sensitive. Not much else was done indoors, but going to bed early.

Wednesday Oct 10, Morning of Storm – 12 Hrs Before Arrival

Early in the morning, before sun-up, I loaded the Van with clothes for a week, and 12 cans each of Creamed Corn, Green Beans, Peas, & Peaches, a Blanket, Battery-Radio, and a Guitar. Then I packed a complete set of tools, plastic bowls & plates, Can-Opener, Utensils, Sharp knife, 2-Cantaloupe, 4 gallons of water, tent and a blanket.

At First Light, I gathered all loose items around the yard and back of the truck. Then pulled the Generator from my Shed, and placed it on the Porch & covered the Generator & Air-Compressor with plastic bags. All back seats from my van are on the porch, to utilize the van for cargo. The Porch was arranged to keep seats from the brunt of the rain, and they were covered with shower curtains.

I had a large meal of the last of the perishables from the refrigerator, and a nap.

 Wednesday Oct 10, Noon of Storm – 8 Hrs Before Arrival

A neighbor JD came by while I was pulling the Kayak from my porch, asked if he could get water from my faucet, because they had shut his water off for not paying his bill. He was already two months beyond rent payments. I told him the water hose coiled on the fence was available and a convenient location. I asked him if he was leaving, and that I was headed west. He was aloof, and something like he would seek shelter in the church and return. I said the power, water, phones and all will be gone. He did not understand well, and asked if I had a flashlight. I said a light won’t help much, for it may be out for weeks. He went on that they can’t evict him, ‘cause the government wont let them. I was hoping he would leave permanently, as one that constantly borrows. Then he asked for gas money, and I reminded him I don’t have an income, I will never give him a dime, if you’re hungry, bring a bowl & I will fill it. We were hearing the last of the aircraft leaving the Tyndall Airbase. The kayak was brought by thought of the Texas storms that amassed great flooding. There was little to no chance of flooding the peninsula, but maybe it was needed for other areas.

I shut power on the water heater and refrigerator, loaded the kayak, clothes, and the laptop, and took a shower. Two of JD’s kids carrying a baggy knocked and asked for some sugar. Their slang was so deep, at first I didn’t understand the word that sounded like sargo, and I asked them to repeat it. I saw their mother was on their porch across the street watching, so I gave them a large jar of chocolate mix that only needs water, and a jar of sugar about 6-cups, saving about a cup of the last of my sugar, and asked if they were leaving, for a Great Storm is coming. They shrugged without an answer, but left with a simple “thanks.”

I searched the rooms for the last items, a pad of paper, pens, and a pocket flashlight. Then shut the main power breaker, to keep surging and brownouts from disturbing my circuits that might still be connected. I locked the front door and put a bicycle lock on my screen door to the porch. Driving out about 2pm, I set my GPS for Dr Hovind’s Adventure land, north of Pensacola, where I knew he had camping grounds. I have had several sessions of discussions with Dr Hovind’s ministries, to get him interested in my studies, but he was not swaying on changes to his own doctrine.

Just before turning onto Transmitter Road from Hwy-98, I realized I had left the bathroom window open after my shower, as always. It was decided that it was too much chance of getting stuck in situations to go back. Notably, there was very heavy but fast traffic going out of town, and near none coming in to town, and police nearly every mile.

Wednesday Oct 10, After-Noon before Storm – 4 Hrs Before Arrival

While traveling towards I-10, the main highway east to west, I tried calling Dr. Hovind on two numbers. His message machines said they were closed for the impending storm, and I was expecting his ministry to be a refuge campground from the storm. I pulled over & made a call to my parents and some friends, and told them I would not be in the storm as I was headed west, and would wait it out near Pensacola. My dad said to call him when I get back. I did not think about it then, but that was near impossible.

My second call to Dr. Hovind was when I reached I-10 at DeFuniak Springs, but still no answer. Since I could not reach Hovind, I decided to wait at the first roadside Rest Stop on I-10, which is below Crestview, about 20 miles north of Ft Walton Beach. Before reaching I-10 the winds were gusting, and I entered the highway about 3:30 with a great tailwind. There were no cars beyond my own, only large trucks headed west, and nothing headed east. I arrived at the Rest Stop a bit after 4pm, with only four cars and vans, many large trucks in a separate area, and the rain began about half hour later. The Rest Stops are a great convenience, and it is curious why they are not marked as selections on the GPS’s. I use them often, and also wonder why they keep the restrooms so cool, as it is bitter cold when wet from rain and wearing shorts.

I spoke with the one attendant/security of the Rest Stop for at least half an hour, and then had a snack & took a nap. When I awoke, my van was the only vehicle in the car area, so I considered heading 35miles west to the next stop above Pensacola. I still wonder why from nearly 2-million people in the Panama area, I was the only one in a comparatively safe zone. Walking around in the pavilion with my battery radio, the reports said the major rain bands would strike the coast about 6:30pm, and the eye would hit near Mexico Beach near 2-3am.

Thursday Oct 11, Arrival of the Eye of the Storm – 3am

Radio gave spotted reports of the storm, so other sources must be sought for the details. My location 60 miles NW of the eye was safe enough, and a due west highway with a tailwind was available if the storm shifted. The gusting was not much, and not a heavy rain, only a steady rain and 20 to 30 mph westward breeze.

About sun-up there were two other cars in the parking area. We spoke, and they were a family of the Crestview area, prepared to leave if needed, and said all stores including Walmart were closed. They asked when would I head back, and my reply was, “When the wind shifts to the East.” The storm eye passed Mexico Beach about 9am, and the wind shifted south. By 11am winds were gusting south and upper clouds were moving South East.

Thursday Oct 11, After Noon of the Storm

About 1:30pm, the wind suddenly started gusting east. I saw the other cars leave, and I finally left the Rest Stop. The road went west about 4 miles before I saw an emergency turnaround in the median. I took that and headed eastward, and almost immediately the winds shifted east, with a great 30mph steady tailwind. I traveled 30mi East to DeFuniak Springs, then 15mi South to Freeport, then started the 40mi East journey to Youngstown, which is 25mi north of home.

Near immediately after heading East from Freeport, there were trees down in the ditches, and within 20mi there were large trees blocking at least one lane. The police cars were passing in both directions, and emergency vehicles too, with lights & sirens blaring. After 20 or so tree obstacles, there were occasional work crews clearing tree debris. The rains stopped, but the wind was strong to the East.

The last 20 miles before Youngstown, power poles were down, and some areas all poles were down for miles. But the whole distance to Youngstown, at least the width of the car could get through without getting into the mud. Some of the Pickup trucks were swinging wide around trees and such into the mud, and they were sliding around nearly getting stuck. I kept snug to the branches, but stayed on the pavement, and only dropped off the road once out of many obstacles.

One area was blocked, and GPS routed my passage only a short ½ mile to get around. Then from Youngstown to South Port, the highway-77 was cleared 100ft wide on the sides to the nearest trees, so the passage was easier, but still full of surprises and many homes along the highway completely torn to the ground. At South Port was a split, where I normally head slightly East to go around the majority of Panama City, but that was a narrow road and a low bridge over the Bay. There was flooding at that intersection about two feet deep, so I pulled into a closed Gas station to evaluate.

I watched cars & trucks go through the waters, and saw my normal passage was too deep. So I took the road straight south-77 through Lynn Haven, towards Hwy-98, that goes by my home. Going through that intersection, the water was deep enough to come in my doors, but the seal was good, and no water entered. As soon as I got across the intersection the water got deeper, so I drove onto the concrete median that was a smooth hump rise about a foot higher. The signs it normally held were blown away, and there were hardly any signs standing from that point to my home. When I hopped to the median, about 5 to 7 cars following did the same, and we traveled that way about 200yds to the end of the waters. A small bridge divides South Port from the entrance of Lynn Haven, and the multi-deck apartments start there. Most complexes were without roofs, and some apartments had walls missing.

About a mile into Lynn Haven was the largest obstacle I encountered. About a half mile was flooded about 3ft deep, with power lines down and all manner of debris floating and moving under the water that had a westward current to the right. To the right was deeper water, and the left seemed blocked at every road from massive trees. I went ahead through about 1.5ft for about 2 blocks, then took a Bank parking lot across to a driveway, and zigged into another parking lot. Moving around trees and such, the side roads ended. So heading back toward the highway, I crossed over to the other side for a block to the south and followed for a block or two. Seeing plywood floating with many nails flustered me a bit, but I knew it would have to be traveled. I made it through parking lots and streets back to the highway, and finally got out of the water. Then followed Hwy-77 south, almost to Hwy-98 and it was totally blocked at the railroad crossing.

I had to zig-zag Eastward through the Mall parking lots and a few small streets & some flooding to come out on Hwy-231 that moves Northeast. I took that highway that was seriously cluttered with power lines and poles, that barely had pathways anywhere. I was amazed that my car did not snag a line above or below, but I knew all power in the area was off. I followed Hwy-231 about 3.5mi to Transmitter road, and saw well over 100 railroad cars on their side or upside down.

I turned south onto a narrow Transmitter road for 3mi at sundown, and went through or around many tree and power line obstacles. By the time I reached Hwy-98, it was dark with no street lighting or surrounding lights of any kind, except traffic. Power lines, poles, and water obscured the Highway for the rest of the trip. Some lines above would scrape over my kayak that held them above my roof, and some were coiled on the road, where it took caution to drive over them. Boards and signs and poles were everywhere, and then police directing traffic from workers that were clearing poles and lines.

About two miles before home, it required side streets to get further. All streets had trees, poles, and wires down. There were usually 2 or 3 cars ahead of me that showed the paths to take, but when I got to Boat Race Road, the obstacle was a guess. The side roads all blocked, I took a part of a driveway around a tree, and powered through a deep ditch with enough momentum to come out. Then I just followed side streets and in one guy’s yard as he screamed at me and a truck that passed behind his mailbox to avoid the tree over the road.

Finally, Back on Hwy-98 with a mile to go on the peninsula, every pole was shattered, and most were lying in the street. I followed the truck swerving at all kinds of House Trailer & utility parts as we passed the RV Camp. Then the Hotel or Apartments on both sides had roofing parts in the road and a tangle of power lines over and under. One helpful patron directed us to cross the median where we could not see if there was or not any debris. I took his advice, and traveled through where there was no other way to get through. That was one time when I thought I would have to get out clearing the road, but that patron guided me right. Notably, the land on the peninsula is all sand and no mud pits as were in other areas. The median was like driving a dry sand road, but loaded with grass that hides the dangers.

Next came the Under the Oaks Park and the boat docks. Boat parts and roofing from the dock gas station and Steak House, mixed with power lines and tree parts and many signs. Then it was mostly cleared on one northbound lane, as southbound had every pole crossing both lanes. The next dodge was twisted pieces from the second gas station roofing, residential housing shingles, and large sections from metal billboards mixed with trees and power lines. Finally I arrived at West Cooper Drive, but it and all accesses were blocked by many trees of two to three feet diameter.

I parked in the lot of Barry’s Boat & Scooter Sales, at the end of my street, and walked to my home 100yds further. The trees blocking the road were in pieces, so I dragged a few parts around to clear some of the way at least to make a walkway. At home, I had a neighbors 2ft Cedar lying west, completely closing my driveway. Then I had his Sweet Gum tree blocking the rest, up to my truck, A large pair of Oak limbs fell behind the truck over my sidewalk to the doorway. I cleared the doorway and unfastened the bike lock on the screen door, and entered the front door about 8:45pm.

Thursday Oct 11, Arriving Home After the Storm

Once inside, I sought for flashlights while picking things off the squishy carpet, and stacking them mostly on the porch. Assessing the damages indoors, it seemed that water was the only fault, and most of that appeared to come from the bathroom window that I forgot to close after my shower. My bed was moist from apparent very high humidity, but not too wet to use. That was nice, for I did not want to sleep in the car again.

The kitchen windows were opened to dry the house as best it could with no fans, and I was grateful that I had built the screening on the porch, for now I could leave the front door open. Two removable carpets were in the kitchen, so I draped them and the bathroom rug over the Oak limbs in the yard.

I gathered a few tools and changed to work clothes, and headed out to remove the tree blockade from our street. After sawing and dragging limbs for an hour, I had a wide enough path to get a car through, but it used part of Barry’s property instead of the road. Being worn down, I put notes & business cards on my van, front & back not to tow it, and grabbed a handful of clothing bags from the van and locked it up. Going to sleep was quick, after a thankful prayer and a bit of a snack.

Friday Oct 12, One Day After Storm

The first life forms I noticed were the butterflies of various types, everywhere. Then the gecko’s seemed to crawl on everything. Then later in the evening the squirrels seemed to come out of their hiding places. These were my first outdoor looks at the area. First thing was to get all wet things off the carpets, and out on the porch if possible. Everything I picked up seemed damp. The shingles were gone from the entire roof except patches where the pipes and chimney came through, as they had added tar to seal them into a formation. With the shingles gone, my roof leaked everywhere. The bedroom floor was damp, but not too wet. My dry sink cabinet had the TV and players on it, and the sink portion had half inch of water. Some parts trays on my bedroom desk had water near the top. The closet had some dampness on some clothes, and others dry.

The bathroom was the big entrance of water, being I left the window open. But after speaking with some neighbors that had their walls blown out, the window may have been a release of pressure that kept my roof on. The leaves that were imbedded in the screens left particles that filtered through the screens, and made trails of black dirt down the wall under the window, and strange puddle shapes on the floor.

The living room carpet was soaked and squishy. Furniture and all that covered them was damp, except for my main desk. The computer desk and everything on it was completely dry. Then I checked the guest room, which is covered with storage. That room was untouched from any damages or dampness as it was at the time I left. By mid day the ambient air was under 40% humidity, so I opened the windows and door in the guest room to add breeze to the carpets. My bedroom window did not have a screen, but I opened it for the need of dry air. Then searched the porch for screening material and cut a swatch & taped it outside my bedroom window. Those openings gave four corners of movement to the air and made a noticeable difference in the carpet dampness by the doors. When the humidity reached over 60% in the evenings and night, I closed the windows & doors, and then opened as the humidity declined after sunup.

Outdoors on that first day, I went through our street carrying saws and cable cutters, and cleared a pathway for vehicles from the highway back to my driveway. It was scenic, and over a lot of wires, but raked and trimmed with no nail problems. Then I walked the highway, pulling wires and boards out of the highway on both sides of the median, for safe passage up to the Under the Oaks Park. The power poles were too great a task for me, but at least one good path and two were open in some areas. Several of the rescue folks I spoke with were asking where things were, like what city is this and where is the sheriff’s office or fire department. All signs were gone and the GPS was better than any map, but the obstacles were confusing the drivers.

Then I started gathering things off the highway that would be good for repairs. I found billboards are giant tarps that were very useful, and boards of all sizes were strewn all about in fields and roadside. The boards were too heavy to carry far, but some billboard signs were 4 inch wide, 10 ft long strips of thin aluminum, that would be great for fastening down tarps. I made several hauls of the aluminum strips until I had over 70.

That evening, a neighbor Rusty & Betty were cooking on a large Barbeque grill, and I asked to set a pot on a section. They agreed, so I ran home and mustered a 3 gallon pot with water & spices and made pasta with garbanzo beans, peas, and green beans. While cooking, it was getting darker, and they had only one flashlight to use. I brought two solar rope lights that were strung in coils on a downed tree and a hanging wire, and several pocket flashlights. That was our first tailgate night to end the evening, and the pasta was great with plenty to share. Many aches and pains and scratches to notice that night, but very thankful for the day.

Saturday Oct 13, Two Days After Storm

That morning I cleared brush & limbs in front of my truck to manage a path through my neighbor’s driveway around the fallen Cedar tree, and out to the road. Finally, my truck had escaped its capture. Then I went down the highway and gathered a full load of metal strips and boards and tarp/billboards. One area, I found the sign to the City of Parker, and set it up on a structure. Then I found a one foot square solar panel, that was probably used to light the parker sign or something, but there was another larger one that was still on the pole. I did not bother the attached items, only the loose ones.

I brought that load in and ate, before taking notice that it was the Sabbath Day. I stopped all work and settled in for reading, but light was too hazy that day for me to see the letters well. I read chapters of Joshua until my eyes faded, so I went for a walk to the point. The new aluminum park benches and roofs replaced the original concrete models about two months back as an improvement. Three of them were destroyed and mangled in the water. I found a clean sandy spot on the point and took a salt bath, my first since the storm.

As I reached the boat ramp, a rental airboat approached with a medical team. I spoke to two of them; one went for the truck & trailer. Dr Alison & I spoke for a few stories, where I told her that folks here had no education on common things, like cooking spoiled food or simple scratch treatments, and it needed radio broadcasts.

Then I told Dr Alison we could cut taxes & improve education if they would eliminate football, which takes a majority of the funds and infrastructure for schools, & replace it with 2yrs of Pre-Med classes. Put the same enthusiasm into academics as they do into sports, and you will have a world’s best education. Dr Alison said she had heard that before, and I was amazed, because I had never heard of it, except from my own teachings. Maybe there is a movement. In finish, I told Dr Alison I just took a bath, so she tested the water, and then gave me two packages of “Solar-Puff Lamps.” One was for my neighbor and one for me, as I had told her my neighbors were ill prepared and had only one flashlight.

Dr Alison is with the Third Wave Volunteers, (white shirt) I told her I would send email.

Sunday Oct 14, Three Days After Storm

Part of the morning was very foggy, and dampened even the screens. I did not open the doors & windows until after 11am. It was a hot, humid, lazy day, but I gathered clothes and other damp things and hung them or strew them about the porch. A few more of the neighborhood arrived and noticed they were having difficulty getting through some of the trimmings. I trimmed the path a bit more and raked the street again.

I took another stroll up the Hwy-98, clearing more debris and cables. One truck stopped where I was sawing a large pine to widen the single lane, and used his chainsaw where we completely removed it, opening two lanes.

Then my curiosity took me to the docks behind the gas station. I met Captain Andrew & Tiffany. They told me of the storm from their perspective on a commercial fishing boat, which was not the sanctuary I would have chosen. They said they watched four tornados in the eye of the storm. The first three circled from the north to south, cropping all the trees and poles where everything above twenty feet was twisted or blown off. Then the fourth was a massive funnel that hit the dock and raised the waters and the boats. Two boats swung over them to the other side and some up on the docks and one in the median of the highway, beyond the gas station. The mooring posts were like power poles, and some were still in place, and others on the dock & parking lot with boats still attached. I gave the captain something to read, and he gave me a large sheet of plastic that I used for part of my roofing tarp.

I saw Rusty & Betty outside, and gave Betty the Solar Puff Lamp that Dr Alison gave me for them. The leftover pasta was still good, and quick to put me into dreamland after tinkering on the guitar.

Monday Oct 15, Four Days After Storm

Pasta for breakfast is good too. Using water from the back of the toilet in a large bowl for washing, saved the use of the drinking water. Then cleared a few tree parts from the front of my fence and drove out to the south bound Hwy for some scavenging of plywood and tarps for my roof. I found two large canvas signs mangled in the trees just before the bridge, and picked up a lot of other pieces that filled the truck.

On the north bound side, while cleaning an area, a truck & trailer making a U-Turn, spilled part of their cargo of 16oz water bottles. I went to help reload, and the pallet wraps were torn, so they could not get the individual bottles back on the trailer. I told them to just leave them on the curb off the Highway, and I will spread the word where folks can get what they need. So we stacked along the curb, enough to fill a small pickup.

I returned to unload my pickup and my neighbors were in their yard, so I went by & told them about the water. Rusty was interested so he & a son got the pickup & I hopped in the back & we picked up about 100-200 bottles. Then I went for a walk down the point and told those who I saw, that there was water available just before the bridge on the north bound side. Several got together to get some, and I finished my walk & retired for the day.

Tuesday Oct 16, Five Days After Storm

More cleaning, roofing, and clearing out trees. A team of the power company came to remove broken poles, and clear trees for the pole crews. They worked around my SW corner, where I showed them the wire route from the transformer to my back pole that feeds two homes and mine. They chopped on the big cedar that blocked my drive with a chainsaw, & I hauled the parts off to the front. We moved my Gold-Wing bike near the mailbox and cleared a large path to the shed by back pole. The clearing of the driveway made it where I did not have to leave a vehicle by the Highway at Barry’s Shop.

Before sundown I unloaded the truck and joined the neighbors for another pasta cookout, where I brought my Solar Puff Lamp and set it on a dolly handle for the Barbeque Pit lighting. I shared some Pasta with Rusty & asked Mike if he wanted some. He & Tracy had already closed up and were done eating for the day, so I took home a large portion of pasta, and had a large meal.

Wednesday Oct 17, Six Days After Storm

Rusty & George came early and asked if I had taken their light home with me. I said I brought one and brought it back home, but I would never take theirs. That baffled me that they could not keep track of a light they were using. I worked around the yard again and roof, until it got hot, then I tried arranging my porch. The generator powered my saws-all and skill-saw to get some larger limbs cleared. Then I went on the roof to clear some half fallen limbs that were twisted in the oaks over the house. That took a lot of finesse to drop them without hitting me or the roof, and that took several hours.

Hot and tired, I went for a walk to the point (Beach Park) with my phone, to see if there was a connection and get some photos, and met two linemen at the highway on a break looking at their phones. I asked if they had any service here yet, and they said it was spotty and this is not a good location, but they have great service at the Air Base. I asked if they could reach it at the bridge and they responded positive, so with thanks, I took off jogging to the bridge. At the top of the bridge I checked the phone and got two service bars, and my phone started downloading all kinds of backed up messages. I could do nothing with it until it was finished dumping data. Reading the messages, I saw all concerned that I was not responding the past week, and they were looking for a simple I’m okay.

I called parents in Illinois, and mother answered but could not hear my voice, and hung up. So I called Rachel in Kansas, and told her the connection may drop off, as it may be temporary standing at the top of the bridge. Please contact Gail and Shermie and tell them all is well, like camping with no phone, water, or electricity.

Then I called parents again, and got contact and explained there was no way to contact before, unless I drove out of the county, and then I would not be able to get back until they allow people in. Then I think I called my brother, and texted a few messages. Walking down the bridge, I saw the two linemen drive by waving; they passed before I recognized them so I missed responding. On the way back, I walked the west side beach.

Rusty came by later to borrow a rake, and I asked him if they found their lamp. He said Betty had laid it outside by the wheelbarrow and couldn’t remember where she put it. Now they have it okay. I know I loose things constantly in my house and no one around to question. How can they live in a small home with at least seven adults, and keep anything where you left it?

Thursday Oct 18, Seven Days After Storm

Phone came on !!! Sort of….

That morning about 3am the phone came on blipping one message after another. I checked it and saw 6% charge, and I had it 100% at sundown. I thought the battery is dying, maybe from the heat of the sun as it was on solar. So I charged from my spare truck battery until the sun was up enough to use the solar panel & ensure the phone was shaded well. It just would not charge well, even in airplane mode where communications are ignored. I would reset to normal mode, and charge would drop fast to 60% in ten minutes. I left it on the truck battery all that day and night, but could not call out.

The rest of the day was cleaning and drying and cutting limbs and long naps and working the roof.

Friday Oct 19, Eight Days After Storm

Next morning the phone had a message of mandatory update. I had tried to bypass these updates and it always demands. So I updated the phone and charged and charged and charged, which must be impossible for those without my equipment. Finally about 6pm it started letting me call.

That was just after the Water Came On !!!

I was shooting mucky looking water in surges through my faucets. The bath sink completely clogged the filter several times. I looked around and all was well, and started on the roof, but something felt like I should check Barry’s place. I walked over and his SE corner outside outlet was broken off and shooting water out to his parking lot. Looking around, I found his water meter, ran home for tools, and shut his meter off. Then I called him (My first good call out) and said his water is on, but I shut it off. About 8pm I finished working the roof for the day and called Rachel and Parents and had long chats. Still, I had to charge the phone much more than normal.

Saturday Oct 20, Nine Days After Storm

A day of rest, and a hot one too, I went for a walk to the point and saw some long time acquaintances that were moving out. We chatted a long time, and they said they were moving near Mobile. Then walking back through the complexes I met several new acquaintances, long time residences, but I had never yet met. I passed them my card and a flyer. Then walking on the beach, I met more people and passed them my flyers and shells. That day was just meeting people and see what they were thinking. Many were not ready to leave and sounded cheerful that others were coming out to meet them. Even the busy ones raking and cutting limbs were in good cheer, even though much that they had was damaged. It was a long walk and I wanted to write, but it did not seem right without a keyboard. I just don’t put much on paper any more, for my hen-scratch is hard to read and slower than a keyboard.

Sunday Oct 21, Ten Days After Storm

Power trucks set new poles in two spots, and attached line from my back-yard pole to the branch line transformer across the street. I noticed that the poles are set in place with a part A & B polyurethane mix to keep them rigid in the holes. They used to do this with cement, but now the poly mix box says “rigid pole cement.”

I trimmed the pine smothering my 10ft Palm Tree, and removed fencing at front of yard, below the downed pine tree. Then trimmed pipes from the roof extensions for an unobstructed roof. Some of the pipe trimming required in the attic work, so I started the Generator, and used Saws-All to cut the pipe. I also replaced the in-side Attic Louver screens on both sides of the roof. Some coughing and sneezing while in Attic, that cleared up when I left the Attic. Then a break in the heat of the day, then cleaned nails & screws from some of the 16ft beams, and flush cleaned some of the roof shingle nails till sunset.

Electricity Came On !!!

While on the roof, I started violent sneezing near exactly when power came on, but I did not know power was on till neighbors were hollering and I saw lights on their porches.

When I finished prepping the roof tarps for overnight, I came down & activated the house circuits. Started water heater & sent a few messages to friends that I was soon able to take a shower. Remarkably, after my Salt Bath, I had no notable body odor, but definitely felt dirty & slimy.

Monday Oct 22, Eleven Days After Storm

Power Company, Tree trimmers came through to take out limbs that were overhanging or near the power lines. I asked them if I should move my vehicles. Only one spoke English, and he said he did not need them moved. I have several limbs and trees against, over, and under the line to my back-yard Pole that feeds three homes.

With a bit of fatigue, my routine changed to stay indoors and get started on this document.

Red-Cross Truck came through, announcing on their speaker that they have food. I spoke with them, gave a flyer & shell, and received two snack bags.

3- single serving chips, 4- single serving pudding, 4- single serving fruit, 7- cookies, 2- large Fig bars.

While in the kitchen I noticed my jar of pecans on top of the refrigerator contained a half inch of water. I sorted out the wet & dry pecans, cracked a couple wet ones, and they were good, but noticeably soaked. I set the rest of the wet pecans in a red bowl and placed it on a stump by my porch, and then retired for the evening.

Tuesday Oct 23, Twelve Days After Storm

A slight rain & drizzle today with a light gray cloud cover & no sun. The red bowl of Pecans for the squirrel is empty. The Red Cross Food truck came by at 12:40pm touting “Hot Meals,” and my neighbor Rusty was there, still drizzling. They gave me hot peas as the only vegetarian dish, and then I asked if they had bread, and they gave me a whole bag of 12 Buns.

Finished using my bottled stored water of Ten gallons over 12-Days, using very-very conservatively for Mixing Drinks, Cooking, and Rinsing of dishes after wash. The water came on Oct 19 Day-8, but I could not boil it without Electricity. The Electricity came on Oct 21 Day-10, but my first boil of water left a dark black gelled mass that looked like some food coloring that strung together, and moved like swirling colors from a tea bag. After another day, it cleared and used it for washing, but waited another day before tasting the boiled tap water.

Wednesday Oct 24, Thirteen Days After Storm

The day started with a weak and slow slog to the coffee cup. Writing of the past days was all I could muster for a while. Then moving some items around the floor, I found slight dampness under some things and worked to clear it for ventilation. About 9:30am a flurry of 7 or more police cars were parked on my street, and some more were unmarked but look like official vehicles. Lights were flashing, but no sirens. I spoke with one officer near the rear of the lineup, and he said there was a domestic disturbance, and people are tense. I clarified with “A squabble? Some folks live that way all the time.”

The Officer in the car asked if I needed anything, and my reply was “A watermelon about that big.” He said Yeah or something like that. Then I asked the standing officer if he was interested in Biblical things, and on his nod I pulled a flyer from my back pocket and a shell with my website, and said it is what your preacher should be teaching.

The officer said to give me one thing this will tell me different. I paused and said the Messiahs true birth date. He said “in June” and I said “April the first, and you can see how the churches treat that day.” The officer in the car said something like what about December 25th. I told him it was the birth date of Antiochus Epiphanies, and he can verify that in 1st & 3rd Maccabees which explain that date very well. And he required that they bring offerings to the place where the Mosque sits in Jerusalem. And that offering has continued until July 14th 2017, when it ended when they quarantined the Mosque for killing 2-Policemen on the Temple Mount. And that date is the time that is to be counted for the two prophets to arrive. The policeman gave a nod and got back in his car, as the lineup ahead of him was moving.

The postal truck came by and delivered 4-pieces of political & medical junk mail, and asked about my neighbors Shawn & Aaron, where there mailbox was gone. I told her I would dig for it and set it up if found. Digging through the limbs, I found the mailbox still standing, and cleared around it, but could not clear the large limbs for driver access.

While moving the brush across the street I found a large sheet of laminated aluminum honeycomb about 3/16 thick. It has blue & red symbol incomplete but looks like part of a postal sign. It is bent badly but I notched out 4-large patches for the holes in my roof, where I removed all the vent pipes. There is enough for a large piece where I may remove my chimney to have a clean & unobstructed roof. The mandatory vents will reroute to the edge of the roof instead of sticking through.

A different Red Cross food truck came by at 4:15pm and gave rice, a bun, and a bag of single pack cookies and pudding. One of Rusty’s sons were there and I asked what the powwow was about this morning. He said that his sister came in drunk and started arguing, and won’t be back. I asked the patron of the Red Cross truck if she was interested in Biblical things. She agreed so I gave her a flyer from my back pocket and a shell with my website, and said it is the best site on the planet. She said she collects shells, and I noticed that her Olive shell was a very nice polished one with strong brown colors.

Thursday Oct 25, Fourteen Days After Storm

Finished the roofing and shed tarp before the expected rains came. I met a neighbor Brian while covering my shed with a tarp. The SE corner of his home is adjacent to the NW corner of my home, where my shed is placed. He is from Louisiana with a strong hidden Cajun accent. We chatted well and I gave him a flyer and a shell.

It has been raining now about 3 hours, and my living room is leaking from the doorway to the East corner. I guess I should have added that last tarp. At least I think I know where to place it to fix the problem, but it is expected to rain for over two days. If I get energetic, I could go in the attic and see exactly where the leaks begin. I spread a small tarp across my drip area, suspended with a walking stick & string, to aim the drips into a cooler.

The Red Cross truck came through or street at 5:05, and called out “Steve are you there?” I ran out in the rain with a large hat wearing black sweat pants and sweater. I assumed they knew I was vegetarian, and did not ask the contents as the rain was fairly heavy. They gave a bag of two hot dog buns, and a take out square of beans and what looks like meat chili. What do I do with it? Maybe save for Rusty’s dog.

Just finished some writing of the first few days, that I could not log as it happened. I hope it is accurate and tells some of the story. The ambiance is different with electrical systems, and the conveniences would be near indescribable to those who have always gone without, and it is a rare experience to notice such things. This brief experience of loosing all utilities makes me wonder what my path would have been without those technologies of the last two hundred years. Phone, Lights, Computer, City water & Septic, Radio, TV, I did have Radio at all times & transportation, but even they were very different with the city destroyed.

After dark I gathered work clothes, all but one set, and washed them in buckets in the bathtub. I gave two rinses after wash, then another wash with soap, and the third rinse finally came clear. Then wrung & hung them on my porch.

Friday Oct 26, Fifteen Days After Storm

The morning started with bustling winds, neighbors clearing yards with a Skid Steer, and writing my preparation list. The Red Cross Truck arrived at 11:15am, with beans, chips, buns, and gave an extra bag of 10 Organic Banana Cream Nutrition Shakes.

Cleared limbs and a few things, & set 4-concrete blocks and a couple large boards on top my shed to keep the tarp from ballooning in the wind. It seems to work real well, but that roof is too weak to walk on, so that is the limit for weight on that roof. I gave Rusty the dog food from yesterday, and chatted with several neighbors.

Cleaned some nails from the newer scrap board pickups, and started spreading my last Blue-Tarp on the Flat portion of my roof. The Red Cross Food truck came by at 4:15 while I was on the roof, and they gave a large square of hot beans, peas & corn veggie mix and three bags of potato & corn-chips and popcorn. Very nice.

Finally my phone started charging normally, using about 10% of the battery a day. So this was not a bad battery, but some data swamp that bogged it down after being unlinked for two weeks.

Saturday Oct 27, Sixteen Days After Storm

Walk about taking photos, down to the point, up the beach near Under the Oaks, and around Blackshear to home. Spoke with a lot of people and took photos of the whole area. Many were devastated, and one original resident was very poorly distraught, and I had no comfort for them.

Caught the Red Cross Food Truck about halfway up Blackshear, spoke with some FEMA folks walking around, and found a small orange on the beach. The orange was a touch salty near the skin, but excellent and sweet. Another walk on the West Beach around the point to home finished my adventures for the day. There is enough lumber on the west beach to build anything. Getting a truck accessible to the lumber is not easy unless they allow to park by the bridge.

Sunday Oct 28, Seventeen Days After Storm

Me & the Truck went to Oakshore Drive, to scavenge some items in trash-piles. Some apartments and trailers were gutted, and everything but personal items were heaped beside the roads for pickup. This is not an especially affluent area, but convenient, and I saw a one handle wheelbarrow on an earlier walk-by yesterday.

My hobbies include rebuilding things from parts, so like an artist, I collect novel items that could be useful. Among the treasures were, a large one-armed wheelbarrow, a computer monitor, TV, large sports team flag, elaborate Japanese shower curtain, 3 canvas coolers, stand-up air conditioner, standing lamp, 2-power outlets, 1-gal gas-can, and some things were in perfect condition.

Then I went to the store for a new chain-saw blade for my electric 8ft trimmer, and see if there are roofing panels or tarps available. I bought the blade at Ace-Hardware and near 20 people in the checkout line and not moving. The checker announced a cash only line, and I jumped the whole 20 people, with $20 for a 19+ item. Then I realized that other than food, this is the only thing I have purchased since the storm. I had traded an old gas can for tarps, but bought nothing but common groceries and a chain-saw blade.

Then I went a bit further to a distribution center at a church, just past transmitter road. There I wanted only tarps, but they had all vehicles drive a line about a block, by all sorts of handout contributions from everywhere. They loaded me with food & snacks & more snacks & cleaning supplies & paper towels & MRE’s & trash-bags. There were many items like water, ice with coolers, pet-food, toiletries, diapers and carnivore-food that I did not want or need, and anything I asked for extra, they gave. And all these were in great plenty, but they were out of tarps. Still, if it does not fatten me up, it will be useful.

The Red Cross food truck did not come today, or I missed it, and my favorite parts were the brief conversations.

An hour before sundown I walked the West beach to get some good wood. I recall a large board of hardwood, Teak, or something near the bridge. I found that there were two, and very heavy. I walked one back before sundown, and found it 2x8, 9.5ft & unknown weight for my bath-scale died in the storm.

My neighbor JD brought an 8-person Dome Tent to trade for my Weights that I had on my porch. I was in need of Tarps, which was our original deal for two more tarps, and I told him 2-tarps and you can take them now. He could not yet take the weights, but he will get them later. He said he made 400 for scrapping materials, & I encouraged him that there are many opportunities now with people leaving useful items on the curbs.

Monday Oct 29, Eighteen Days After Storm

Today I intend to VOTE early and attempt to build a Pole-Barn style Tarp covered carport on the side of my house, out to the shed. Many other homes have lost their carport roofing and are now rebuilding.

In start, observing Barry cleaning is back yard of his shop & home by the highway, I saw him tossing blue boards over the fence. I said that is part of Mikes carport, and he said Mike had called him & wanted to keep them. They were ragged and many broken, but I hauled them into Mike’s yard, including a bunch of the sheet metal that was spotted with blue. That was my morning workout.

Taking the Van, the Video Camera recorded my Drive to the Voting center, to get a perspective of the cleanup changes in the area. It is tough driving long distance as some stoplights are gone, and those that work are very long waits & not synchronized. Since I was close to the FEMA Distribution center, I went by, and they were out of Tarps, but gave a box of MRE’s, and had a sign WIFI Hotspot, so tomorrow I can get email there.

While in the area close to Harbor Freight, I drove over, and the store was empty except workers. I then went to Lowes to check on roofing materials. Lowes was closed except for a tremendous Tent. There I got a longer chain & blade for my electric chain-saw, and a ¼ drive apex tip holder. They did not have the 3/8 drive apex holder, but my 3/8 to ¼ adapter will still do the work on screws with my speed-handle. While there checking roofing materials, they had no panels on display at the Tent, but $125 for the 20x25 Tarps. When I got home, I saw 19x29ft Tarp prices on the Harbor Freight catalog at $30 for 4-mil and $60 for 9-mil thickness.

Driving back home, I stopped at the Distribution center at the Church by Transmitter Road, to see if they had received a shipment of Tarps. Going through the gauntlet, I handed out flyers and shells, and one elder lady, likely a teacher was really interested in the shell, so I offered a shell with 10 Commandments. She was ecstatic with that and asked if she could have another for her kids. I showed her a bag with about 20 shells and asked how many do you need. She said she could use all of them, so I gave her the bag. Then a 10-12yr kid stood beside her with two game boxes for kids. I said I often give toys to kids; I’ll take those, and get all the shells you need from my bucket. He selected two handfuls and then we moved on. They gave MRE’s & snacks & cleaning & toiletries & then came to pallets of Tarps. They gave me 4-Tarps 20x25, and would have given more for the asking, so I was very pleased. Then I came to their Preacher in full attire, and I gave him my flyer and a shell, and thanked him for a very organized system. It is my prayer, that this Teacher and Preacher might learn, use, and gain from the teachings & information in my Flyer. 

Coming home later than expected, I offloaded the Van and then moved all my weights to a spot near the gate and covered them. The weights were a trade to JD for an 8-person Dome Tent, where he gave the tent, but could not yet take the weights, and he learned to scrap metal materials. That full day of driving around was probably good for the factor that I was getting a pit toasty from the sun the last few days. Also while moving the weights, I made a counterbalance like a see-saw, with the Teakwood on one position and the same distance from the fulcrum placed weights until balanced, and the teakwood board that I carried from the beach measured about 59.5lbs.

The sun was setting, so my day was gone with many things unfinished. Just as I pressed the button about 6pm to start the computer and log the day, power went off. After sorting the items from bags in the kitchen & fixing a tomato soup & crackers meal, I walked over to Corey’s place, as he was sitting on his porch with candles and flashlight. We spoke a bit and he said he had just filled his freezer from the store, and was concerned about loosing power. I told him it had blinked off every day since coming on, and expect this as they are still stringing new lines and some may have been temporary. I told him to add water jugs in unused areas to his freezer & lower section to act as ice, and that can sustain the cold in his refrigerator for several days.

Then I made a call to Rachel in Kansas, and we spoke of her new art projects, and I told her I have a great abundance of new driftwood pieces on the beach, and will bring some on the next trip north. She said the Cities Halloween Horror Festival was over in Independence, Kansas, so I now can return.

Tuesday Oct 30, Nineteen Days After Storm

I worked on putting my new chain & blade of the Chain-saw and as I finished, two FEMA representatives came by. They said I had a special case, as I had no insurance or mortgage or income, but asked me to register at 11th street, next to where I voted yesterday. I have no idea how to handle the paperwork or what they need, as I am only needing materials to re-roof and maybe a write-off on tax day. I needed to go there for a WIFI hotspot and handle my email and get updates for my website. So that seems to be the plan of the day, but I need to start on the carport very soon while free materials are available on the beach.

This was a long day of trimming limbs to manageable pieces. Finally the electric trimmer got snagged in a limb and sprung the driving chord that torques through the 8ft extension. That may not be replaceable. So I finished up by spreading a tarp over the Carport area, and walked down the beach to get the last Teak board by the bridge.

Near the Tyndall Bridge, in the forest of Seclusion Bay, there was a skid-steer blazing a trail where the trees were downed on the old sand roads. They were clearing all the way to the beach and four people were playing in a boat that I found washed ashore before, that was from the water theme park in Panama City Beach. It had no motor or paddles, just a joystick style rudder that could be flopped back & forth to paddle forward.

As I got closer to the road they made, two guys approached as interrogators telling me I was trespassing. I said this is the beach & nobody owns the beach. One tall guy with many tattoos said this is TSC’s property and we own it 150ft out in the water. I asked is this a Military thing? He said yes, and that is why the police have been watching this area.

Now I knew he was blowing smoke, as the police had a stop post to restrict people that were not from an address in those areas, from traveling to Mexico Beach & beyond. I told him the base has no right, by the Constitution, to extend its boundaries. He badgered with me a bit till he was baffled. Then I said I am headed for the bridge where there is one piece of wood that I am after. He conceded and I went on. I got my teakwood plank which was not waterlogged and only about 50lbs, so I was able to carry it back in one stretch using my hat to pad the shoulder and alternate sides every 200yds. As I passed the second man with another standing near, I asked them what TSC stands for. He said TSC is Total Site Construction. He had a gray shirt with TSC with their logo, slogan and website, but I cannot recall the site.

Wednesday Oct 31, Twenty Days After Storm

Today will be the upload and distribution of this document, if the WIFI works at the FEMA camp. The radio spoke with internet providers, which said their systems were restored at Panama City Beach 10 days ago, and should be in other areas in November, with an adjustment to the billing. His patter avoided saying a hike in billing, so that will be the new surprise.

In all, besides a massive reorganization of landscape and internal cleaning and re-arrangement, my home is needing two more Tarps installed, which I received two days ago. That leaves one spare in case of later damage or a neighbor that needs one. I’ll talk to Barry & Mike about that & the TSC land grab. The land that TSC has claimed is the most prime property of this area of Parker, Springfield, Callaway, and begins at the back fence next to my neighbors Barry & Corey across the street, and we knew nothing about it. A conversion of that forest can change my street to a paradise or a nightmare, depending on what they do to that land, and who they potentially draw as clients.

I called Barry, and told him I had a spare tarp and a brief piece on the Seclusion Bay invasion and left off when he got another call. Barry called back and he said the Seclusion Bay property has not changed hands in the assessor’s database, but that may not updated for a month.

I went on to lay the tarps on the roof and cleaned of nails & such from five of the 16ft 2x8 boards that I got from scrap on day five. Then I arranged the boards and other stuff to weigh down today’s Tarps that were laid on the roof. Now I am read for a snack, a nap, and then runoff to post this message on my website.

Just as I started my truck to shuffle cars and head for the WIFI at FEMA camp, a neighbor James of Wood Avenue, the next street over, came by to clean my yard with his Bobcat. He took an amazing sweep of the yard removing multi-tons of limbs, and did this in an hour. He took the yard debris and all that was in front of my gate, to the dumpster area by the beach. Many thanks to James, and his Tuscaloosa Tree Services, for saving me months of manpower cleanup work.

= = = = = = =

To finish, I should be cleaning and rebuilding well into next year. This perspective has highlighted some of my essentials and some things that are hyped, but useless. Power flickers and dies occasionally, and laundry is waiting for a place to open to replace my bucket method. Cold is settling in, and there is more to do than I can count. But I came out way better than most, and suffered only scratches. Applaud those utility people for a massive organization that worked together to accomplish in two weeks, what I expected to take months. Our President and Governor brought teams of experts to solve the tangles, but the congressmen both State and Federal barely took notice. The congressmen should have set a control camp in the heart of the devastation, but they were too busy campaigning. We can learn from this and expect more events, and supply what is needed in a planned fashion rather than handouts.

I would rather cover my roof with roofing than tarps, but none is available. I understand that most people would not fix things themselves, but with availability, contractors could repair faster, and not hike prices for the rarity of commodities.

Designate and open the State & County Parks & Rest Stops in all counties, as temporary camps available to those needing to flee disaster. Making refuge destinations would more-so justify the facilities, and make calamity escapes easy to preplan.

A county organized tree removal plan can work much faster and cheaper than individual out of state hot dogs looking for fast bucks and get out quick. Use them and their equipment at a set rate like the linemen under one plan in a complete sweep. Assign them blocks to sweep downed and precarious trees in a more efficient method.

Most storm flooding seen in other states is accentuated by the release from upstream dams. That poor preplanning more than doubles those disasters, for that allows unclean water into homes. My items were wet from the roof & window, and not sewage water, so I had no mold problems when things were dried quickly. Another advantage is I have brick walls and wooden ceiling, no drywall or paneling to absorb or trap water.

= = = = = = =

Please feed back to the Theorybin Author if you have stories you would like to add to the website, which relate to this storm.

Events Observations & Experiences:

Rope lighting and other solar powered lighting is cheap and easy to dress up the yard at low cost. I also use strings of solar light on my porch, which gives an ambiance of starlight every evening. These lights became a very useful item in a power out situation.

Standing in line for gas & stores was my greatest waste of time. After standing in Walmart un-shaded parking lot for over two hours for free 5-gal of gas, me & hundreds were turned away as they ran out. This was hyped on the radio, but difficult to get.

False radio Giveaways were called in by listeners. This is not the radio announcers fault, but pranksters could not resist. They would elaborate on things given at a location, like the Fairgrounds, but when I arrived there was no such thing. This was defeating, more-so because at that time, roads were difficult and timely to traverse.

Toilet Shovel is convenient if you do not wish to plug your sewage system when power is out. I did not know at that time, but the City of Parker has generator assisted Lift Stations that handle sewage even in storm shutdowns. That is expensive and rare, but it worked, and I was concerned that other locations will normally have the sewage plug the lines, and sometimes back-flush into homes during floods & repairs. We do not have that problem, but while not knowing, I ensured from damage by hiking to the beach with a paper roll and a shovel, and all worked well.

Limits of cooking over a shared burn pit can get testy moods for some folks that don’t know you well, or have rough & crude manners of camaraderie. Some were friendly and some not-so, even when sharing the finished meal and supplying the lamps. Then flashlight foraging for dry wood, sometimes yields some Pine Wood which Blackens pots, and is impossible to clean. I used Gunk Engine cleaner to remove the sticky layer, but only sanding will remove all the blackened areas from shiny cookware.

Airing Tires was to be expected, as well as plugging nail holes. I used caution and by heaven’s protection, did not have damage, but neighbors did. They used Fix-a-Flat in a can, but it would not fully inflate their tire. Remember that all Gas stations or Car repair centers or Tire stores are destroyed and completely un-available. I do not recommend using car powered compressors, as two of my alternators were fried from that use over several years. My air compressor and Generator helped the neighbor to inflate, but we could not measure or release air from his tire after he installed the Fix-a-Flat.

A Chips & Salsa dinner was a surprising discovery, as I found my treat of Manwich Bold; Sloppy Joe Sauce is the Best Salsa Chip Dip I have ever tried. They should add that to their usage on the label of the can….. Other Sloppy-Joe mixes worked well too.

=====================

Items of Interest for Storm Preparation

Refrigerator

Try very much to use all refrigerated spoil items BEFORE the Storm

Stuff your fridge with water jugs BEFORE the Storm to act as ice

Expect only to use as a cooler for leftovers, do not expect power

Those that left food in the fridge, usually replaced the fridge

Power

BEFORE Storm; Power off water heater - Main Breaker - All Gas

Floppy power lines will send voltage spikes that may harm items

Tarps (Tarpaulins)

Cover items in your home with tarp & shower curtain BEFORE Storm, expect leaks,

You or neighbors will definitely have use of tarps AFTER Storm

Sweetener

Sure-Fine Syrup is better than sugar & gallon jugs are good to store water.

Sorry about recent trends against fructose corn syrup; I like it more-so than sugar

My lower cabinets store water jugs lined in back row, where hard to reach

Drink & Cook Water

Conservative use for one person was 10gal/12days, I had near 50gal stored

Never drink or cook with the tap water, unless boiled first

Canned Food

Count only on things that do not need cooking - Meats spoil first & easily overnight

Some fruit, veggies & melons can last several days–some weeks

Solar Puff Lamp

Very highly recommended, the best lighting & built in solar panel easy to charge

Output a bit less than a 20watt bulb   www.solight-design.com

Solar Rope Lights

Great for landscape, ambient light only & may be intermittent by internal corrosion

Mine were coiled & hung on overhead fan blades, laid outside for daytime charge

Battery Pwr Radio

Better than charge type, get small or pocket size, must move where you're working

Battery Radios easily last a dozen days, needed for public information

Battery Pocket Light

Perfect for all needs and ease, single AA or AAA batteries OK. Keep several around

Solar Panel Charger

For Phones, my rig 9v 10w with 6ft speaker wire, to 2-car sockets

Standard battery packs only usable when battery is charged, 2 days max

Generator - mine was Predator 4000w

Used for air conditioner & fans to dry carpet & cool refrigerator

Some Power tool use; - - not good for radio & TV, signal is too noisy

Use sparingly as gas is not available when all stores are closed

Humidity Gauge

Usually comes with temperature gauge, need one inside & out

Carpets & clothes will not dry over 60% humidity - close up on humid nights

Gas Can 5-gal

For Generator or Car or great commodity to trade for anything

Any size is good, I traded an Empty 5gal for 2-FEMA-Tarps 20x25

Cash

When stores opened, card readers were slow, cash jumped to front of the lines, some stores would only take cash because card readers did not work - nearly 2 months

Work Gloves

Several pair of gloves for the weather, as mine were thin for summer, but close to Kevlar quality. One set for each vehicle and several others, as everything gets  disorganized

The other things

Truck

For gathering, towing, dragging limbs, working with neighbors

Chain Saw

I had only electric trimmer, but it would be useful

Yard Tools

Hand saws, rakes, shovel, long arm limb clipper, pocket-knife, hatchet, wheelbarrow

Electric 8ft Trimmer (chain saw type very handy)

Trades & Handouts

A lot of the handouts become barter. I do not like traveling to stand in lines for hours. Would prefer to trade. = = Tarps & Gas & Cooking Grills were the only trades I saw

Professional Helpers

There are many scammers with silver tongues

- many were from out of state looking for a quick buck

Tree cutters quoted me $700 for a Cedar laying in my yard

They would cut & put on the curb. Normally price 4 - 500 if standing in difficult spot, needing a lift. A normal removal would include stump removal & hauling away

- -  I evaluated that it would be 30 minutes work, so I offered 50 - they left

These men were gouging the prices, where folks do not know the normal prices.

The same could be said for roofing & any other repairs.

Insurance

There is not much good to a system that stalls when you need them immediately. After near a year, people are still trying to get their insurance money to fix their homes.

Repairs cannot be made till insurance Companies OK the fix

I consider them a useless system.

Save Your Money for times of trouble.

Use Caution and check for water or sewer lines that may be broken by uprooted trees. My neighbor had downed trees removed & broke a water line. Next bill was $20,000.

My home was not in a Flood Area, and other needs will be essential for those conditions

Copyright © 2018 by Steven C. Buren. All rights reserved on www.theorybin.com.

Text or Photos may be duplicated, provided copyright origin is added from this paragraph.