Originally Posted By Daisy Duck Hi Dave -- I have moved here permantly. My family is all over this way and I decided that I wanted to be closer to them. My parents are in Sarasota and my sister and her family are in Atlanta. This way it makes it much easier to see them. I moved here just after Christmas. Somebody asked about the trees being replanted and I think quite a few of them can be. There are several that took up a whole lot of the sod with them and once that goes back in, that will help. <<<90% of the homes in Poinciana sustained heavy damage - that is over 10,000 homes in a working class area.>>> I think much of the damage to Poinciana was done by tornados. There were several spotted by law enforcement officers in the Kissimmee / St. Cloud area (and farther west) when the first 2 feeder bands came thru. The actual damage from Charley (or any hurricane, for that matter) was worse on the east side of the hurricane -- i.e. to OIA and going up the Beeline and then going along I-4 and on into Winter Park and then working its way on into Daytona. I am not saying there was not severe damage other places. Also, once the weather experts finish going over all the data, they may find that there were a lot more tornados, too. Which might explain why some building were destroyed and the one next door had very little damage. They are still finding out stuff about Andrew 14 years after the fact!! So I am sure, we will continue to learn more on Charley for quite some time.
Originally Posted By Daisy Duck One of the things we discovered at work about hurricanes is that it can cause problems with some of our beds. I am a nurse and work in a hospital. We use Clinitron beds and they are pressure sensitive. One of the hallmark signs of a hurricane is low pressure. Well, Clinitron beds are filled with sand. Apparently, 2 of the beds ruptured when the pressure got so low when Charley came thru. One just developed a leak in the bottom. The other one started spewing sand all over the room. Luckily the patient was not in the bed and he actually enjoyed it --- he thought he could have a beach party in his hospital room!!! And Clinitron had never had this happen before, so I guess you stuff can happen when you least expect it <G>!!!
Originally Posted By teri Poinciana was a direct hit from the eye wall, with or without tornados. It is between Celebration and Kissimmee. Give Kids the World is also in that area. Celebration was on the west edge of the eye wall and got less damage relative to Kissimmee which was on the east edge. We had funnel clouds over here as well with the first band and with the leading edge of the hurricane. There were all kinds of zephyrs and green flashes of electrical discharge when the eye wall came through. We didn't hide in an interior room, we watched from a window parallel to the wind direction. It was incredible. The arborists think that perhaps 50-70% of the righted trees may survive, if we are lucky.
Originally Posted By imtigger2 I feel for you guys. Laura and I were there for the last 'big one', it was the first time in the parks' history that they closed all the parks (the next time was 9/11, and we were at WDW for that one as well). We were staying at CBR on property and just sat there, with our mattress ready to go up against the window, with water and food... watching the doppler on T.V. and praying for the best. They even evacuated the building next to ours and told us that since we were on a foot higher ground, that we didn't 'have' to go, but didn't tell us if we SHOULD go. It was a freaky experience for sure. When it was all over, Laura and I both agree'd that we prefer earthquakes in CA to hurricanes. At least with an earthquake, it happens FAST... you don't sit there for an entire day, watching news reports, wondering if you're gonna die from the thing. I would say that you two have been through one of the worse you'll see for quite a while. We've been going to WDW every Sept. (hurricane season) since 1988 and it's VERY rare to get one that reaches into central LBV. Cya in September! Dan Bejma Carlsbad, CA
Originally Posted By vbdad55 I have been in an earthquake ( 5.5 when I was in San Diego) - and I realize that is not the 'big one' - and not to lessent he hurricane as I have never been in one and never want to be ( and feel for all who sustained such awful damage) -- but I have been very close to tornadoes - and F5 hit 2 miles from my home here 8 years ago and we saw the funnel just before touch down and it was pretty bad here also --and I still was not as scared as I was in the earthquake. maybe because I am not a native Californina and not used to them- but the one I was in struck at 1:00 AM apprr. and I was there on business and playing cards in the Sheraton Harbor Island ( built on land fill) -and the think that firghtened me so much is that it came on so suddenly that you have no time to gather your faculties at all.......I mean I really had no clue what to do - as the plaster starting cracking out of the seams of the wall and ceiling, the building and walkway swayed like something you see in a movie but could never believe --pitcures fell off walls and the TV fell of the stand --etc. ---by the time I could figure out what was the right or wrong thing to do..it was over ( 25 of the longest seconds of my life) -- So I guess I am saying I would not want to experience either - but I would rathr have some time to think about that to do to at least try and make some right decisions. Although the decsriptions here of the eye wall of the hurricance makes it seems like the bad a** tornadoes we get here all the time.. except for hours on end....God Bless all of you who went thru it....
Originally Posted By WDW1974 ^^^Actually, I believe that hurricanes are much better than earthquakes (although I've never been thru the latter, but was in SoFla with Andrew in 92) because you do KNOW they are coming. You can protect yourself and your property, choose to ride out the storm (or if you have enough time, high tail it out of the area). With an earthquake or a tornado, it just happens. No time to do anything really ... And as far as your mold question goes, all it takes this time of year is a good 18-24 hours without electricity to start growing stuff all over. It's why you absolutely can't live without AC in Florida a good 8-9 months a year. The humidity will make an awful mess. I have a cheap friend that doesn't run the AC often to save money ... well, I think he is nuts. That leather sectional in the living room ain't gonna last long. I refuse to visit him because I won't sit in an oven with sweat dripping down my brow so he can save another $50-75 a month.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip I think earthquakes would bother me the most. I've been within two blocks of a tornado. It happened about 22 years ago, and I still remember it like it was yesterday. We had finished shopping at a Labelle’s and had gotten into our car to go home. As exiting the parking lot we came around the side of the building and my wife shouted "What the H is that?" Just about a block and a half away we saw all kinds of stuff swirling in the air. Tree branches, shattered lumber, and masses of unidentifiable stuff. We were so close to it that you could not see the funnel shape -- just all of this stuff swirling around in the air. I said "I think that's a Fing tornado!" and we drove like heck back to the front entrance of the store and ran inside. The store personnel were taking everyone into a back warehouse area that had no windows. We stayed there about 10-15 minutes until store personnel heard on the radio that the tornado had left the area. It was probably the longest 15 minutes I've spent. The tornado went on to damage over 80 homes in Roseville, the suburb where we were shopping. Several people were killed by the storm. I hope I'm never that close to a tornado again. Having said all that, I still think I would rather live with tornados than with hurricanes or earthquakes. I was on a quick 3-day solo trip to WDW when Floyd came through, and the anticipation was horrible. You know for so long ahead of time that it is coming but have no idea how bad it will be. I wasn't worried about dieing, because I knew Orlando was inland so that the force would have to be much reduced by the time it got there. But I was very worried about the infrastructure becoming such a mess that I would have no way of getting home or even calling home to let my family know that I was OK. Of course Floyd ended up being something of a dud, so there was no problem. But the anticipation was terrible because you knew for so long ahead of time that it was coming. I would hate earthquakes the most for the reasons that vbdad gave. They are completely unpredictable and come on so fast that you have no way of protecting yourself against them. My thoughts are with you folks who had to experience Charlie. From my experience with Floyd, I can't imagine how terrible it would be to have a BIG one come through. (Sorry so long)
Originally Posted By teri Hurricanes, tornados, waterspouts, earthquakes, fire, flood - I have been through them all. They all suck. I feel awful right this very moment for eveyone who is out there, vulnerable because their roof has been damaged - we have had severe thunderstorms for the last few days. Right now it is blowing so hard you would think another hurricane was coming. All the folks out there doing cleanup, all the power crews, all the tree folks... a disaster leaves you vulnerable. Before I lose power, I am going to post this... American Red Cross of Central FLorida P.O. Box 536726 Orlando, FL 32853-1613 Heart of Florida United Way P.O. Box 608210 Orlando, FL 32860-8210
Originally Posted By Craigcc I was in Northern Calif for the Loma Prieta quake, and in Southern Calif for the Northridge quake, and in Orlando for Charley. One of the good things about hurricanes rather than earthquakes is you have lots of warning. One of the bad things about hurricanes rather than earthquakes is you have lots of warning. ;-) I'd rather avoid them both!
Originally Posted By t1lersm0m <<I have a cheap friend that doesn't run the AC often to save money ... well, I think he is nuts. That leather sectional in the living room ain't gonna last long. I refuse to visit him because I won't sit in an oven with sweat dripping down my brow so he can save another $50-75 a month.>> Sounds like my grandmother, she has about $500,000 in stocks and cds and stuff, and she wont run the AC a lot even when it's hot, and she has this thing about not flushing the toilet. She even has a brick in the tank of the toilet to reduce the amount of water that's used. But she'll say that's why she has money.......go figure.
Originally Posted By Mr X >>>Of course Floyd ended up being something of a dud, so there was no problem.<<< Actually, though we were lucky enough to be spared in Orlando, Floyd was a very powerful hurricane that wreaked havoc up north. I read about Floyd in a 10 ten worst hurricanes list on CNN!!
Originally Posted By WDW1974 ^^^That's scary. Those are the people who think they get to take it with them when they go. I'd much prefer to drop dead with BILLIONS in debt (many of the wealthiest people on the planet are also the ones who have the most debt). I think it would show that I lived some when I had the chance. It's like I have friends who absolutely refuse to use/build credit. I think that's crazy because you never know when you might need it.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<Actually, though we were lucky enough to be spared in Orlando, Floyd was a very powerful hurricane that wreaked havoc up north.>> Thanks for the correction Mr X. I remembered it not doing much in Orlando, but forgot about what it did in the Carolinas. My vague memory on that is coming back -- wasn't most of the damage there caused by massive flooding?
Originally Posted By Mr X Not sure, RT. I recall it being a "dud" too, since we were sitting there in Orlando waiting for all hell to break loose...but then later on I saw all the wreckage from up north and started counting my blessings a bit more. Remember how scary it was, seeing that sucker approach Florida and realizing that it was like TWICE THE SIZE AS THE STATE?!! :O
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <<^^^That's scary. Those are the people who think they get to take it with them when they go. I'd much prefer to drop dead with BILLIONS in debt (many of the wealthiest people on the planet are also the ones who have the most debt). I think it would show that I lived some when I had the chance. It's like I have friends who absolutely refuse to use/build credit. I think that's crazy because you never know when you might need it.<< Right on man-- there are no pockets in caskets my Grandma used to say - you can't take it with you....I have unfortunately known too many people younger than me whose life is already over....very sad.... As far $$ is concerned..I'll deal with balancing debt vs assets..not an issue..unless born into it you usually have one to eventually get to the other..and I want to have a good time along the way..enjoy my time and my family etc. -- a person's health is more important than a balance sheet...enjoy life -- you only get one ( I think )
Originally Posted By Daisy Duck <<<Sounds like my grandmother, she has about $500,000 in stocks and cds and stuff, and she wont run the AC...>>> I'm not sure how old you or your grandma are, but if she is old enough to have gone thru the depression, part of the way she saves her money may be a throwback from that era. My grandparents lived thru that and my Mom was born at the tail end of it. She helps out with some seniors and she often sees them stocking up on certain items that were in short supply -- over 70 years ago!!! I think it became a habbit way back then and they just never "broke it." Plus they never know what will happen to them "at the end". How much care will they require and how much will it cost? Will they need to be in a nursing home? How much will Medicare pay? My Dad constantly worries about that.
Originally Posted By t1lersm0m << I'm not sure how old you or your grandma are, but if she is old enough to have gone thru the depression, part of the way she saves her money may be a throwback from that era. My grandparents lived thru that and my Mom was born at the tail end of it>> She's 80, so she was just a child for The Great Depression. That may be it though, she may remember what her family went through. You know, I don't even want her to spend her money on me....(really I don't). She'll go to Atlantic City on a bus trip, and take $100 to gamle....that's it, $100.00. LOL She once went to Florida with my Aunt Betty and Uncle Jack...my souvenir was a bunny egg that you can keep money or something in from Cracker Barrel. It had the price on the bottom of the box $2.99 or $3.99. I guess I have the same way of thinking as WDW1974 and vbdad55. I'm going to enjoy life while giving my son the best life I can.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <<She'll go to Atlantic City on a bus trip, and take $100 to gamle....that's it, $100.00. LOL << I am not a gambler at all..( they aren't builidng those beautiful casino's because people win money there is my theory) -so I give her credit for this one... But she should hop on a plane and see whatever parts of the world she ever wanted to see...... <<I guess I have the same way of thinking as WDW1974 and vbdad55. I'm going to enjoy life while giving my son the best life I can<< Yep, my kids have a pretty goodlife....yet they are appreciative -- so I absolutely feel I am getting my money's worth -- no matter what may ever happen, we can all always say we had a heck of a ride for a long time...can't place $$ on memories.
Originally Posted By Daisy Duck <<<my souvenir was a bunny egg that you can keep money...>>> She gave you something to save your pennies like she did when she was a child -- when it cost only pennies to buy a candy bar!!! Of course, kids today have no idea what that's like <G>. I could buy bubble gum for $0.01 when I was a child but candy bars were a little more.... (OK, I am dating myself here. LOL) Anyway, saving pennies was a big deal back then, because a lot of people had so little. My grandmother always had a little extra money she kept put away for special stuff. She would work as a seamstress every so often. (She was very talented and could make patterns from scratch.)
Originally Posted By WDW1974 <<I guess I have the same way of thinking as WDW1974 and vbdad55. I'm going to enjoy life while giving my son the best life I can. >> I say that's a very healthy attitude, but you knew that I'd say that. My grandfather is almost 93 and he certainly didn't have it easy in his younger years. But he has for decades now. Yet when I take him out to dinner, I make sure he doesn't check out the prices because he'll rant and rave that no steak is worth $20 and can you believe they want $2.75 for a coke etc ...the family also doesn't tell him how much vacations, cars, homes and the like cost because that might cause him to keel over!
