Hope everyone made it out ok from it
We did just fine here in Clermont. The power blipped a couple of times, but never went out. Just another FL storm for us - no big deal.
Greetings from the 305. The attached radar image made Sunday afternoon was during the height of the action in Miami as the somewhat diminished eye came ashore over in Naples, the yellow and orange bands came through Miami and things really disintegrated quickly. I was listening to the HAM radio operator's Skywarn Net and the reports started really coming in as these bands swept across the area. We endured a pretty serious event here. Electric was out at our location for 23 hours returning Monday morning about 10:30AM just when we were about to discuss what we were going to do next. Just had my first drive out and around today (Tuesday). There are parts of Miami that look as though they've been through a war. Other parts, not so bad. Still random power outages. You may drive for 4-6 blocks and the interactions have functioning traffic lights. Then, perhaps 4-5 more blocks where the traffic lights are not working. The Miami Police, first responders, utility and clean up crews are doing an outstanding job getting help to those who really need and getting things back to normal again. BHW
We did fairly well here: the house, the pool screen and the dock made it through unscathed. At the peak of the storm, the water level in the canal rose to above the seawall, submerging the dock completely. The trees outside did not fare so well though, but those will re-grow eventually. Power went out sometime during the night between Saturday and Sunday and we have been on our genny since then. A huge tree got uprooted and fell on one of the main concrete poles supporting the lines that bring power to our area. Power lines are down and the pole is now leaning at 45 deg. It will be a while before power is restored here.... hope we have enough propane for the genny
A lot of business seems to continue being transacted in the virtual arena. My wife, who fled to Virginia on Saturday due to the then dire prospects for Sarasota, forgot her complete contact list. She was suppose to have a meeting with a client tomorrow, on Wednesday, and wanted to prevent the client from making an unnecessary trip in for the meeting since she was not in town. The wife managed to reach a realtor who knew the client, to relay the cancellation message, and then learned that the realtor had fled to Missouri. In retrospect, the wife probably didn't need to evacuate, but at the time, it was beginning to look that our 2nd floor condo might be taking on water. Everyone in Sarasota seems to feel that a bullet was dodged.
We're just a bit north of you - in Tavares. City docks on Lake Dora took a hit, but otherwise, it seems like minimal damage. Some trees down. Further to the north, Umatilla had significant damage to buildings in the area. Of course, we are getting the news remotely. Have not been down there yet...
We got hammered in Naples. As of this morning about 72% don't have cell service. Also, 159K out of 210K total population of Collier county is out of power. FPL projecting a week from Friday before all power is restored. A few stores are beginning to reopen, but gas is hard to find. Otherwise we came out relatively unscathed considering what could of happened. Lots of trees uprooted with Magnolia and Cypress trees the largest casualties
We got hammered in Naples. As of this morning about 72% don't have cell service. Also, 159K out of 210K total population of Collier county is out of power. FPL projecting a week from Friday before all power is restored. A few stores are beginning to reopen, but gas is hard to find. Otherwise we came out relatively unscathed considering what could of happened. Lots of trees uprooted with Magnolia and Cypress trees the largest casualties
Minneola never lost power. Montverde just got it back today. Parts of Orlando still out. Most of north east lake still doesn't have power. Lots of trees and lines down, but no real structural damage. For what it could have been, I'll take what we got.
Learned yesterday that 98% of Highlands County is still without power. This may well have the effect of cancelling events at Sebring International Raceway until the state of emergency is lifted. BHW
Flew back in yesterday. Went first to in laws condo in North Naples just south of Bonita Beach Road. No power, long gas lines, and devastating flooding in the area of old Bonita Springs north of Bonita Beach Road and east of 41. It is the basin of the Imperial River. The area is very poor and 100% Latino and we are just not hearing about it. But I drove by it yesterday. The same area had mild flooding a few weeks ago after 13 inches of rain in a weekend, but this time it is much worse. Same applies for the Island Park area of South Fort Myers, which is near seven mile creek. Here on Sanibel, I will get power back on 9-22, but a couple of restaurants have power. My office in Fort Myers has power. But I would guess 75% of residential customers without power in southern Lee County. My yard looks like a bomb went off, but the house is fine, fortunately. Cars were high and dry in a windowless concrete warehouse in Fort Myers.
I'm in Charlotte County, in the one corner where power did NOT go out. Newer development, underground lines, power substation nearby, so all good. Lost a 40' Washington Palm out front, but I HATED that ****er, so, no big loss. Neighbors came by with chain saws and a pickup so we had it cleaned up pretty quickly. Now I just have to wait for the county to come pick up the pieces. Other than that, a little damage to the lanai, and some shrubs, it's all good. D Image Unavailable, Please Login
We don't have a whole house generator. I just gutted it out for the first few days. I went to the office and stayed cool all day there. Once my wife and kids returned on Saturday, we hit the road to stay with friends on the island. Still waiting for power to come back...
Wow, you should consider a stand by generator: we had my in-laws with us and it made life at home perfectly fine, even without FPL I learnt the hard way 10 yrs ago with Wilma and I said to myself: no more !!
I learned after Andrew - 6 weeks in the Keys with no power - now in the ants but put in a 45kw Generic with 1000 gal propane - we have been without power several times from snow and 5 degrees outside and blowing - thank God for power
We are OK and I am happy and thankful I can write this. Just got power back yesterday. It was a long and hot time without AC! Some damage to our home. Tree fell on the garage, not horrible, but will need to be repaired, along with some other minor roof damage. Pool cage/screens trashed. Front door frame cracked from a 140mph gust, fridge crapped out during the storm and some other minor issues. Everything is repairable and will be taken care of. Very glad we are OK, property can be replaced/repaired... I am extremely happy that I now have electricity, lights, AC, Wi-Fi are very nice to have back! I hope all others faired well. Regards, Scott
Just closed on a new house a few days ago in Fort Myers. No damage other than a few shingles missing. I was working at the hospital the whole time while Irma was here, but going back to my then old home to no power was no fun. I think investing into a Generac stand by generator would prove beneficial for future storms!
