Harvey
#226
Re: Harvey
We are finally home from Oregon, and today was my first day back at work.
In the end, United cancelled three flights for us - Saturday, when we were originally booked, Wednesday, when the airport was still closed, and Sunday, because they are still well short of full service - they were providing "the majority" of flights on Monday, over a week after the storm. They could learn a lot from HEB about both logistics and staff engagement.
We ended up rebooking with Alaskan Airways on Sunday to fly into Austin and rent a car. With hindsight, we should have done that earlier in the week. Thanks for the offer of help, PF, we wanted to get home that night.
It's good to be home, but we had two nasty surprises: First, we knew we hadn't been flooded, though it was close, but we found that a leak or something got to some of our edge boards and the drywall behind it along one side of the house. Not yet sure how bad the damage is, but we're still far better off than many. And second, when we went to collect my car from the airport yesterday, we found that rain damage had killed the battery and warped felts inside the wheel arches. Again, not yet sure if there is any other damage.
It was interesting - making me both sad and happy - listening to stories from friends at work today who'd been out helping remediate houses for friends and neighbours. Hearing about people's awful losses, but also about everyone's desire to help.
In the end, United cancelled three flights for us - Saturday, when we were originally booked, Wednesday, when the airport was still closed, and Sunday, because they are still well short of full service - they were providing "the majority" of flights on Monday, over a week after the storm. They could learn a lot from HEB about both logistics and staff engagement.
We ended up rebooking with Alaskan Airways on Sunday to fly into Austin and rent a car. With hindsight, we should have done that earlier in the week. Thanks for the offer of help, PF, we wanted to get home that night.
It's good to be home, but we had two nasty surprises: First, we knew we hadn't been flooded, though it was close, but we found that a leak or something got to some of our edge boards and the drywall behind it along one side of the house. Not yet sure how bad the damage is, but we're still far better off than many. And second, when we went to collect my car from the airport yesterday, we found that rain damage had killed the battery and warped felts inside the wheel arches. Again, not yet sure if there is any other damage.
It was interesting - making me both sad and happy - listening to stories from friends at work today who'd been out helping remediate houses for friends and neighbours. Hearing about people's awful losses, but also about everyone's desire to help.
#227
Re: Harvey
I've just returned from a 14 day vacation without computers. I could read BE on my phone but was unable to post. SM was devastated to learn of your severe flooding, but thankful that the trike was saved. I'm thankful that both you and hubby were offered shelter by caring friends and have already begun work on trying to restore your home to habitation. Glad to here that Weeze and CB got through it unscattered.
My sis and her husband will head to us here in MS after putting down the hurricane shutters tomorrow in their Florida home.
My sis and her husband will head to us here in MS after putting down the hurricane shutters tomorrow in their Florida home.
#228
Re: Harvey
Glad you made it home ! The stories of mayhem and heroics are amazing!
I was interviewed today by our local paper about our counties water testing. I hope I am not going to be misquoted. We have enough people freaking out because they are reading social media and believing the horror stories that people are falsely posting. Our health department had two lines today, one for tetanus shots and the other for well water testing.
These long work days are killers
I was interviewed today by our local paper about our counties water testing. I hope I am not going to be misquoted. We have enough people freaking out because they are reading social media and believing the horror stories that people are falsely posting. Our health department had two lines today, one for tetanus shots and the other for well water testing.
These long work days are killers
I got an inkling of what it must be like in some of the worst hit areas today. I have my car in for service now, and the dealership shuttle drove me up Jones Road near Cypresswood Drive, near where Jones crosses Cypress Creek. Every front yard had a huge pile of debris, broken up cabinets, and maybe a mattress. There was so much debris that it formed a wall all along next to the road, stretching for half a mile along Jones, and much further along Cypresswood. Just awful. And these are mostly the people who have the money to rebuild their lives. Elsewhere there are people who really do not.
#230
#231
Account Closed
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 0
#232
Re: Harvey
Attachment 128530
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We are living in a shell right now. Although I am not home very much as I am working 12 hour days. Tomorrow is day 13 straight days. I took off an hour on Friday to meet the insurance adjustor. Hopefully we can start remodeling soon
Attachment 128531
Attachment 128532
We are living in a shell right now. Although I am not home very much as I am working 12 hour days. Tomorrow is day 13 straight days. I took off an hour on Friday to meet the insurance adjustor. Hopefully we can start remodeling soon
#233
Account Closed
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 0
Re: Harvey
On the bright side the new bathroom I wanted will now happen. It might not be quite as I wanted because there is so much to do. But it's a start. Living with a bed two chairs and a TV with bare studs and concrete for is manageable, just about!
#234
Re: Harvey
Flooring is not salvageble, it is bowed and bent and beyond repair. The smell is fading as everything dries up. The house has been sprayed with some anti mold spray as well as chlorine spray and tomorrow it will be bug sprayed.
On the bright side the new bathroom I wanted will now happen. It might not be quite as I wanted because there is so much to do. But it's a start. Living with a bed two chairs and a TV with bare studs and concrete for is manageable, just about!
On the bright side the new bathroom I wanted will now happen. It might not be quite as I wanted because there is so much to do. But it's a start. Living with a bed two chairs and a TV with bare studs and concrete for is manageable, just about!
Glad you found the silver lining! Your upbeat posts are an inspiration. You go girl!
#235
Re: Harvey
Flooring is not salvageble, it is bowed and bent and beyond repair. The smell is fading as everything dries up. The house has been sprayed with some anti mold spray as well as chlorine spray and tomorrow it will be bug sprayed.
On the bright side the new bathroom I wanted will now happen. It might not be quite as I wanted because there is so much to do. But it's a start. Living with a bed two chairs and a TV with bare studs and concrete for is manageable, just about!
On the bright side the new bathroom I wanted will now happen. It might not be quite as I wanted because there is so much to do. But it's a start. Living with a bed two chairs and a TV with bare studs and concrete for is manageable, just about!
#236
Re: Harvey
SM...sounds you are making good progress with the house. Like you said...on the upside you will get a new bathroom out of it.
Don't forget to take care of yourself and that fella of yours.
#237
Account Closed
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 0
Re: Harvey
There are so many people in our condition or worse that don't have insurance. We will eventually be able to replace everything. I am determined to make this an exercise to start minimizing our lives and our personal possessions.
Except my sketchers...
#238
Re: Harvey
Honey, thank you so much for the offer, it is appreciated. Right now we need to have minimum furniture in the house because of the demolition work. Maybe there is somewhere near you where you can donate it ?
There are so many people in our condition or worse that don't have insurance. We will eventually be able to replace everything. I am determined to make this an exercise to start minimizing our lives and our personal possessions.
Except my sketchers...
There are so many people in our condition or worse that don't have insurance. We will eventually be able to replace everything. I am determined to make this an exercise to start minimizing our lives and our personal possessions.
Except my sketchers...
#239
Re: Harvey
Some clean-up music for everyone.
I know it's very hard work and can be dispiriting - but you'll be ok in the end.
I know it's very hard work and can be dispiriting - but you'll be ok in the end.
#240
Re: Harvey
Unfortunately Irma seems to have eclipsed Harvey ... but we are still thinking of all our BE friends in Houston