In 2007 I moved to Iowa from my waterfront home in NE St. Pete. I always figured the “Big One” would eventually wipe me out, yet they keep taking a heavy slice out counties to the south of Manatee County. It will happen to Pinellas County, Hillsborough too. My gut wretched watching the scrape away damage done. And the sense of complete disbelief of residence on the coast and inland. I tell everyone never go to Orlando.
In August 2020 Cedar Rapids had its horrible Derecho. I incurred severe damage to the attic of my condo, eventually causing the ceilings in my master bedroom and dining room to sag. There was six inches of standing water and mold one year still one year after the Derecho I had to have ceilings replaced and walls and floors painted and carpeted. It was only a two-month inconvenience for me for 50 minutes of 120 mph winds. And, as a seasoned sailor, I could tell those were the highest winds outside my condo. A small branch tore right through, and bent, the iron railing on my balcony. Another broke a window. The ceiling lifted and dropped for a good 20 minutes of the storm.
Down the street and around the corner was the brick and mortar Tires Plus building that was featured in the news across the country. The men had just piled into the bathroom, and, after the storm, they had to wait to be rescued. The entire building was demolished with the exception of that bathroom. They just recently reopened with their new building.
The beautiful canopy that covered the streets of Cedar Rapids left it looking forlorn. Sixty percent of the trees, many of them 100 plus years of old oaks, perished. And today there are still many trees that have not been cut and removed. Old forests no longer show the same beauty.
At least the wildlife has finally returned - deer, turkeys, skunks, and the other woodland creatures are now repopulating. The first year after the storm there were no birds. Not one. No chirping. It was eerily quiet. New nests are in the remaining trees and the City of Cedar Rapids is grinding stumps and replanting new trees that I will not see flourishing in my lifetime.
You forgot to point out that De Santos as a young congressman voted against giving FEMA assistance to eastern shore states when hurricane Sandy hit them. Hmm. Jim Dale
So sorry for all the people who have been impacted. A friend of a friend had just moved to Sanibel Island and they lost EVERYTHING. So heartbreaking for everyone, and the loss of lives is sooooo sad.
In 2007 I moved to Iowa from my waterfront home in NE St. Pete. I always figured the “Big One” would eventually wipe me out, yet they keep taking a heavy slice out counties to the south of Manatee County. It will happen to Pinellas County, Hillsborough too. My gut wretched watching the scrape away damage done. And the sense of complete disbelief of residence on the coast and inland. I tell everyone never go to Orlando.
In August 2020 Cedar Rapids had its horrible Derecho. I incurred severe damage to the attic of my condo, eventually causing the ceilings in my master bedroom and dining room to sag. There was six inches of standing water and mold one year still one year after the Derecho I had to have ceilings replaced and walls and floors painted and carpeted. It was only a two-month inconvenience for me for 50 minutes of 120 mph winds. And, as a seasoned sailor, I could tell those were the highest winds outside my condo. A small branch tore right through, and bent, the iron railing on my balcony. Another broke a window. The ceiling lifted and dropped for a good 20 minutes of the storm.
Down the street and around the corner was the brick and mortar Tires Plus building that was featured in the news across the country. The men had just piled into the bathroom, and, after the storm, they had to wait to be rescued. The entire building was demolished with the exception of that bathroom. They just recently reopened with their new building.
The beautiful canopy that covered the streets of Cedar Rapids left it looking forlorn. Sixty percent of the trees, many of them 100 plus years of old oaks, perished. And today there are still many trees that have not been cut and removed. Old forests no longer show the same beauty.
At least the wildlife has finally returned - deer, turkeys, skunks, and the other woodland creatures are now repopulating. The first year after the storm there were no birds. Not one. No chirping. It was eerily quiet. New nests are in the remaining trees and the City of Cedar Rapids is grinding stumps and replanting new trees that I will not see flourishing in my lifetime.
I still want to go back to Florida…
Richard,
You forgot to point out that De Santos as a young congressman voted against giving FEMA assistance to eastern shore states when hurricane Sandy hit them. Hmm. Jim Dale
Interesting. Pine Island got hit as bad if not worse than Sanibel. Loss of life is going to be staggering.
So sorry for all the people who have been impacted. A friend of a friend had just moved to Sanibel Island and they lost EVERYTHING. So heartbreaking for everyone, and the loss of lives is sooooo sad.
L. Quinnett
Thanks for bringing us into the neighborhood there, Richard!