Chixe Thread: Lessons learned from Ike's extended weekend visit

Lessons learned from Ike's extended weekend visit

fuscom — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 20:45:55

It's also equally important to know when to sit back, chillax, and let the process take it's course.

My dad had two huge oaks which line the boulevard behind his home crash through his back yard fence and damage his garage, as well. He called the city (they own these particular trees) and notified them, and they told him they would have people out to clean up the debris when they could.

Of course, my dad, wanting this huge forest of oak tree branches removed from his driveway, had some lawn guys take care of it. In doing so, he paid them money he'll probably never recover because he was impatient and didn't listen or follow what he was told to do.

My brother-in-law had a neighbor's tree damage part of his home after Hurricane Rita. I think they had to deal with property lines, and how much of the tree had fallen on the house...or something to that effect.

Lessons learned from Ike's extended weekend visit

Tyme — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 20:19:46

I learned something else: check, double check and triple check your insurance coverage.

I just got off the phone with the insurance company. About a year ago I had someone come out to look at the trees and he put, in writing, that my neighbor's tree was dying and should be cut down. I didn't think much of it at the time because that wasn't why I had the guy come out.

Their tree, due to the high winds, damaged my garage. It's obviously their tree because I don't have that type of tree on my property. Having the fact the tree is dying and should be cut down in writing makes the difference between me having to hassle over anything. The insurance company are more than happy to go after the home owner but I said I wanted to talk to them first. I'm friendly with the people who live in the house but they rent - I have no interaction with the landlord at all.

If your neighbor's tree falls into your yard it is still your responsibility (as I was told). Because I had in writing the tree should have been cut down, the home owner was negligent. If you have that situation it definitely can pay off to have someone come out and assess the property.

Lessons learned from Ike's extended weekend visit

fuscom — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 19:36:47

I'm glad you didn't have to go through anything like that.

And, honestly, I'm equally sorry that you had to. I was shocked to hear on the radio how Ike had merged (or something) with a front in the mid section of the US.

These things are life changers for anyone in their path, that's for sure. I do hope that you get some well deserved rest today.

Lessons learned from Ike's extended weekend visit

Tyme — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 19:12:46

@fuscom - normally looters aren't much of a threat either but hundreds of our firemen, police officers and utility workers were in TX. We weren't expected to be hit as hard as we were. In TX people could board up their houses, or leave - there was warning. Here we were taken off-guard.

So we had to wait for those people to be called back from TX and they are just getting into town last night and today. People have locks on their doors and cars, put passwords on their sites because there are malicious people out there. It wasn't a matter of unfamiliar noises - it was watching a strange group of people rip the aluminum siding off of a vacant house (they lost it due to the mortgage issues) and the males in our neighborhood forcing those strangers out. That kind of thing and the burbs were hit with theft much worse.

We had to band together and do for ourselves because the people we normally rely on to protect us were in TX helping others. We have block parties here every year so we're kind of familiar with each other. I was friendly with my neighbors (more so in homes than apartments) every where I lived. With homes the bonding is different because we see each other more.

I'm glad you didn't have to go through anything like that.

EDIT: I remember something else I learned. Always have an old-time phone (that doesn't rely on electricity). I had to dig out one just so I could use the land line.

Lessons learned from Ike's extended weekend visit

Gnorb — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 18:54:48

Technology cant build a community. Rather the lack of technology, electricity, groceries, telephones, cellphone connections, gas, homes, whole cities and glass in downtown skyscrapers builds communities

I learned this all too well during that year when Hurricane Wilma hit us. It was a just-barely 2 (as in "just under cat 3" just barely). Suddenly I met all my neighbors.

Certainly changed my view about a lot of things then.

Lessons learned from Ike's extended weekend visit

fuscom — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 18:50:03

Looters weren't a real likely threat [edit: for us]. We are fortunate to live in a nice area with a strong police presence. However, I guess when you're in a dark house with no power, and there's no lights on whatsoever outside -- the slightest unfamiliar noise starts messin' with your mind.

Lessons learned from Ike's extended weekend visit

Tyme — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 17:30:03

I just got my power back on yesterday. Obviously we weren't hit as bad as those in TX but loss of power and the ability to just "do" things as one normally does caused me to reflect as well.

I'm glad I still receive a newspaper daily and have a land line. I will never own an electric stove. I could light the gas stove with a match. Electric? I would have been screwed. My friends found that their lovely view on the 12th+ floor sucks when they have to climb all those stairs.

Companies need to educate their employees so they can educate customers. People become cranky, frustrated, evil, etc. when they are unable to receive answers.

Most people don't think about looters and gang activity when the power goes out. In my neighborhood we watch out for each other so I was fortunate. The males in the neighborhood watched out for us and the seniors on my block. They protected the neighborhood against the idiots that wanted to take advantage of the situation. I remained armed while the power was out and I was hesitant to leave my home unprotected. And no, as grateful as I was for the males protecting my home that many males around my daughter wasn't making me feel any better.

As I was talking to Scrivs last night I began to finally unwind. I wasn't sleepy but I couldn't focus on the words staring at me on the monitor anymore. I couldn't sleep so I did chores like wash/unplug my now empty freezer downstairs. Empty/clean the refrigerator. As a single parent I am expected to have the answers when, sometimes I have no idea what to do and just pray things work out right. As I type this I'm just starting to relax and let my guard down. Maybe I'll be able to sleep this afternoon.

Lessons learned from Ike's extended weekend visit

fuscom — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 08:33:43

My family and I live about 60 miles inland from where Hurricane Ike crashed ashore. Being "only" a category 2 hurricane, we decided to ride it out and shelter-in-place as our city instructed us to. Besides, with a predicted 20' storm surge, folks from Galveston needed to be on the freeway getting out of the way more than we did.

Three days without power and other necessities of life (such as gas, milk and coffee) gives one a chance to reflect on some things. Here are some things which came to my mind.

Category 2 hurricanes which have a 600 mile windfield, do the damage of a category 4.
When you're in the midst of a roaring 600 mile windfield, after a few hours you pray it'll just end -- even if you're not a bit religious.
The terrified factor increases by 3 when a hurricane hits you in the hours you're usually asleep
The oh s* factor increases by 7 when this teeny category two hurricane knocks out ALL the power of the 4th largest city in the US, in the hours you're usually asleep
When the wind is howling close to 100 mph outside your home, and you hear things hitting your boarded up windows, and it's 3 am and pitch black outside, you can actually build up enough body heat from stress to spontaneously combust
Street lamps are really under appreciated in the feeling of security they provide
Hurricanes are a great way to shed 5 pounds in record time
Technology cant build a community. Rather the lack of technology, electricity, groceries, telephones, cellphone connections, gas, homes, whole cities and glass in downtown skyscrapers builds communities
When facebook and twitter and email and newsvine, and IM is down, newspapers and radio rule
When the things you take for granted are taken away, you celebrate like there's no tomorrow when they are restored
McDonalds is the best thing ever, after a couple of days of soggy peanut butter in a 92 degree home
It's good to get to know your neighbors, especially when your biggest fear is looters
The world hasn't changed. In fact, it reverts real quick back to the days of your grandparents and/or great grandparents when people depended on the radio as their primary news source and/or entertainment, and children played outside, and neighbors talked, and store owners only sold the necessities, and actually knew and shared their customers needs and desires
The people who'll tell you that empathy in business is a bad thing are dead wrong
It's good to live in a community that truly cares and takes the saying "neighbors being neighborly" seriously
You don't really need any more. In fact, you probably already have too much

To my friends and family in Galveston and SE Texas, and even in the midwest US, who's lives were radically changed by Hurricane Ike, Godspeed.