Thoughts on the hurricane. September 28, 2024 8:54pm
The wind and rain didn’t seem like that big a deal.
The sound of a tree cracking sounds a bit like a gunshot.
Thank god for men with chain saws. Trees are down everywhere. The 3 streets into the neighborhood were blocked until neighbors with chain saws came out.
Sirens. So many sirens. All day, all night. And helicopters in the sky. But no cars.
The tree frogs are delighted with all the extra rain and are singing their little hearts out at night. Impossible to sleep with the windows open, they make so much noise.
Going to bed at 8:30pm seems reasonable when it is pitch black inside and out.
People are actually pretty polite when driving streets that have no working street lights.
I don’t think there are any lights on anywhere in the city. Ditto for water. No Wifi. Cell service is tenuous but a couple of bars can be found in the Whole Foods parking lot as is evidenced by the many many people already there. It would almost seem the store is open…but no. Wishful thinking.
I pass a Stop N Rob that is open…no electricity and a line outside. Cash only. A couple of people at a time allowed in.
Camp stoves are really handy in an emergency. Especially if you live in an all electric house.
Old fashioned hard back books and a deck of cards are entertainment.
The dog’s baby pool that’s full of water is handy for toilet flushing. The realization that there is a porta potty in the empty lot next door where a new house is being built is even handier. Best of all…it’s pristine and complete with toilet paper AND hand sanitizer.
Delighted that I bought a case of water last week because I realize I drink more water if I just have to open the fridge door and grab one. Even when the fridge isn’t on and the bottles are warm, it’s easier.
I think my work is still surrounded by water. I’m supposed to work tomorrow. There is no way to reach anyone on the phone. There is probably no way to reach the property anyway.
Streets under vast amounts of running water wash away.
My local news report comes from a daughter in New Mexico. She tells me it’s bad. No help is coming. They can’t…the roads are washed out. Is it really that bad or is the media hyping it up?
Aren’t I one of those seniors that people are supposed to check on?
This was written on Saturday night when I had absolutely NO IDEA what was going on in Asheville. I assumed that the lights would pop on any minute, quickly followed by the return of water. I had enough supplies for maybe three to four more days. I’ve been through hurricanes. That should be plenty in a city. Help comes quickly…caravans of electrical repair trucks.
I did not know that main roads had been washed out all over the city. I did not know that all of the highways had been blocked and the daughter in New Mexico that I managed to speak to for a few minutes was 100% correct. (She always is, why would I question that now?)
I was unaware of how high the water had risen, that my favorite little art movie house had been gutted, that Biltmore Village with my favorite restaurants was emptied by the floodwaters. Nothing left but shells of buildings and debris.
Clueless how many were homeless, without food, without basic needs. Or dead.
And very slow to realize that I am currently out of a job until who knows when.
If you want to help, there are many many places. One of my favorites is the American Red Cross. But you do you.
Carlos and I are in Virginia with the most patient and wonderful friend. She did not have a choice. I just sent her a text that we were coming. She and her husband have welcomed me with open arms.
We are safe, the house had minimal damage, I am so so fortunate.
