View Full Version : Aug 29th,Anniversary of Katrina.....Gustave !!!!!!
greenberetTFS
08-29-2008, 06:24
Katrina hit my home and caused an awful lot of damage....$44,000 to be exact.,, Allstate, my insurance company only gave me 14,000 and then dropped me.I had 6 trees land on my roof,my fence was ruin and my roof needed total repair,plus many other misc repairs.If it wouldn't have been for the SBA loan for over $30,000 which I took out to complete the repairs, I would have been screwed. :mad: Now Gustave is a potential heading straight towards New Orleans again. I live 47 miles due north of New Orleans on the Mississippi border. I only hope that it's not going to be a type 3 hurricane. My currant insurance is Mississippi State wind and hail which is $3,900 a year including a $15,000 a year deductible which is 10 percent of my current home evaluation. My fire and theft is still with Allstate which is $1100. I still can't believe it's coming again :mad:
GB TFS
One bit of good news is the last Hurricane should have taken out the weak trees.
As long as your roof was screwed down tight and heavy duty shingles put on you should do fine.
I just had two tall pines next to the house taken down this summer. Kept looking up and saying "Hmmm, too close to the house."
For the family beach house on the mainland side behind Holden Beach? The way the Double Wide is set up if the eye goes to the east we should be fine. To the west? Oh, well, at least the lot will be cleared. Should be clean right down to the sand.
I was in NO this week. One of my customers just flat admitted he couldn't do it again. He worked 7 days a week, 12 hours a dayfor 6-8 months just to get the business back to some semblance of normalcy. all this with a work force of 6-10 out of a normal 35. The one issue many people haven't realized is how badly insurance companies screwed many policy holders. One customer is still fighting them. Others just gave up.
Our Team was alerted last night. We have the Suburbans and Ryder Trucks packed to the Gills and are heading to NOLA this morning. The Govt must be taking it serious. They pulled all but a couple of us off the RNC for Gustave.
Keeping all of you in the path of Gustave in my thoughts...please stay safe.
I still can't believe it's coming again :mad:
GB TFS
I can sympathize, have ducked 30 storms in the last 11 yrs, with several close (cat 1+ winds), and two big hits(cat 2-3).. It's no fun.. Our house insurance is also around 6k$,, It's lower than most because of a couple reasons:
we had the place build to the 150 MPH wind load with CBS
we are up 10 ft off the yard and about 14 ft above hi-tide
we have never lost a shingle because of the 1:2 roof pitch
we have 150 mph shutters
We did get damage and some water penetration. At 100++ mph wind driven rain will FLOW thru any window or door in the smallest crack,, even with the shutters up. And our soffit, which is 4FT wide for shade,, they put that plastic shit on it,, the winds created a vortex under the eve and sucked about 50% out in the big storms. Now it's 1/4" Hardy Board,, concrete,, problem fixed.
Anyway,, BTDT...
Stay safe,, good luck,, don't wait until the last minute to leave..
There are no hurricane awards for bravery,, just folks that get lucky...
Our Team was alerted last night. We have the Suburbans and Ryder Trucks packed to the Gills and are heading to NOLA this morning. The Govt must be taking it serious. They pulled all but a couple of us off the RNC for Gustave.
K,
Well we didn't link up in Denver, how's about NOLA? :D
I'm part of the National Emergency Response Team (NERTs :D) and got called up to head out tomorrow morning. We've already sent out 4 trucks with about a dozen people, and myself and 4 others are flying into Dallas TX to meet up with them, then probably stage somewhere in TX. I've heard it might be San Antonio, depending on the track this storm takes.
So, like you, I'm out of the frying pan and into the fire, as it were.
I just hope we don't get overrun by a hoard of "Code Pinker's". (I'm flying and can't take my bayonet). :D
greenberetTFS
08-30-2008, 11:01
I can sympathize, have ducked 30 storms in the last 11 yrs, with several close (cat 1+ winds), and two big hits(cat 2-3).. It's no fun.. Our house insurance is also around 6k$,, It's lower than most because of a couple reasons:
we had the place build to the 150 MPH wind load with CBS
we are up 10 ft off the yard and about 14 ft above hi-tide
we have never lost a shingle because of the 1:2 roof pitch
we have 150 mph shutters
We did get damage and some water penetration. At 100++ mph wind driven rain will FLOW thru any window or door in the smallest crack,, even with the shutters up. And our soffit, which is 4FT wide for shade,, they put that plastic shit on it,, the winds created a vortex under the eve and sucked about 50% out in the big storms. Now it's 1/4" Hardy Board,, concrete,, problem fixed.
Anyway,, BTDT...
Stay safe,, good luck,, don't wait until the last minute to leave..
There are no hurricane awards for bravery,, just folks that get lucky...
JJ_BPK,
We stayed last time and plan to stay this time...There really isn't any place to go with a tank full of gas. My wife's in a motorized wheel chair that we just got recently and I haven't had the hitch and lift installed yet. So that's another reason we considered to stay. The pine trees where the ones that hit the house so they are gone now. My main concern is the 10% deductible I'll be facing when it's all over. That means the first $15,000 must come out of my pocket and I don't have it so, I'll be going after a 3rd loan on the house,or hope I can re-do my SBA loan.
I'm going on 72 and as I saw in a recent post the guy that went thru it last time just don't know if he can do it again. I can understand where he's coming from because I pretty much feel the same way. But enough of my whining. Thanks for the thoughts,appreciate the feedback....
Teddy
Defender968
08-30-2008, 11:48
Well they just upgraded Gustave to a Category 4 storm, this one is shaping up to be a bear, anyone living down there or heading down to help our thoughts will be with you. I hope everyone who can heeds the voluntary evacuation and gets out early. It looks like they've got a better plan this time and are acting on it with extra first responders, National Guard and such, best of luck folks.
greenberetTFS
08-31-2008, 04:30
I don't know just how long I'll be able to be on the air.Last time it took about 7 weeks to get back on the internet.This ones suppose to be the big one. I'll be writing as long as I can......
GB TFS
Ret10Echo
08-31-2008, 04:53
I don't know just how long I'll be able to be on the air.Last time it took about 7 weeks to get back on the internet.This ones suppose to be the big one. I'll be writing as long as I can......
GB TFS
Stay safe brother.
I arrived in Baton Rouge yesterday for work. Hopefully there isn't a lot to do.
R10
Ted
Here are a couple NOAA radar sites that you can watch:
Ft Polk, La
http://radar.weather.gov/radar.php?product=N0Z&rid=POE&loop=yes
Mobel, Al
http://radar.weather.gov/radar.php?product=N0Z&rid=mob&loop=yes
The storm looks to be West of us, about 250 miles, We are still getting 40-50 mph winds, but the rain have abated..
The storm winds have dropped to 125,, not much but better than 150..
Not much help,, but after Georges in 98', they have been harding our utilities,, concrete poles and fiber optic phone lines, seems to be working, haven't had a storm related failure lately..
Hopefully your area has had the same improvements..
Are you on DSL?? If it's available, that means the tel co has switched to optics, much better storm proofing..
Stay safe,, Our Prayers..
Sacamuelas
08-31-2008, 08:18
lawn cleared, generator cranked/tested and serviced, two room a/c's, 120+ gallons of gas acquired on top of all tanks being topped off, small 10 foot diameter by 24 inches high vinyl pool in the garage filled for water needs along with all tubs filled, bottled water and nonperishable foods acquired, radios, TVs, three deep cell boat batteries and LED 12v lights as backup power, 6mil 100ftx40ft clear painters tarp for roof repair with box of roofers nails, chainsaw,etc.....
Oh yeah, 300 extra rounds of ammo and one new pistol (LOL) acquired for "need". YOu know I'm going to use this as an excuse to get another firearm.
I'm ready. :munchin
The Reaper
08-31-2008, 08:26
Saca:
Great list, and well-prepared.
You know the deal, once bitten, twice shy.:D
Best of luck to all of you in the beaten zone, hope it leaves you untouched.
TR
Does anyone know the likeliness that their Mississippi Unit could be activated?
Best,
Stu
ZonieDiver
08-31-2008, 09:38
They should have "abandoned" the parts of NO that flooded severely during Katrina. What a waste of money!
Gustav heading for the NO area, and TS Hanna is bearing down on some friends in the Bahamas - slated to cross FL and head for the Gulf Coast, too.
We live in south central Mississippi and Katrina hit us pretty hard the last time. We were prepared then and am prepared now, have more ammo than before.
My wife just returned home from surgery after they found cancer, so I am dressing an incision as well as getting all the livestock housed and the farm equipment positioned.
It shouldn't be too bad here so we pray for everyone that is in the direct path of this storm.
clapdoc sends.
greenberetTFS
08-31-2008, 15:00
Does anyone know the likeliness that their Mississippi Unit could be activated?
Best,
Stu
Stu,
The Gov just activated every NG unit....I don't know if there is a 20th Grp in Mississippi....If so,then they would be...
GB TFS
Stu,
The Gov just activated every NG unit....I don't know if there is a 20th Grp in Mississippi....If so,then they would be...
GB TFS
That would be 2/20. BN and C Co. located in MS.
Red Flag 1
08-31-2008, 16:40
I don't know just how long I'll be able to be on the air.Last time it took about 7 weeks to get back on the internet.This ones suppose to be the big one. I'll be writing as long as I can......
GB TFS
My prayers are out for you and your loved ones!!
What is in the GOMEX is not good, you don't need me to tell you that.
Hope to hear from you very soon !!!
RF 1
Thanks much. Good luck, and stay safe.
stu
I don't know just how long I'll be able to be on the air. GB TFS
Teddy,, Are you still up??
From the looks of the Mobile & Ft Polk radar,, I think the storm has laid down considerable??
Winds at 100 mph w/gusts..
Keep your fingers crossed...
We need some FB & SA from the FOB's???
:D:D:D
Wish you all the best!
Take care and stay safe!
greenberetTFS
09-01-2008, 07:41
Teddy,, Are you still up??
From the looks of the Mobile & Ft Polk radar,, I think the storm has laid down considerable??
Winds at 100 mph w/gusts..
Keep your fingers crossed...
We need some FB & SA from the FOB's???
:D:D:D
JJ_BPK,
It's official,Gustav has landed on the outer banks of NO. I believe your right on it's
intensity. They said it's now a category 2,however they are now warning us about tornadoes. We still have our power. I'll stay on as long as possible. It may get lost at anytime. The flooding is pretty bad along the coast. :(
Teddy
JJ_BPK,
We still have our power. I'll stay on as long as possible.
Teddy
Das ist good,,,
Looks like you have about 2-3 hours to go...
Stay dry & safe..
Keep your feet and powder dry Good Luck....
Ted,,
Spent some time digging around in my HK(hurricane kit),
Send me your address,, I have an extra un-used FEMA Ticket,,
I never qualify,, they know me to well..
But maybe you can fudge a little & use it??
Soft Target
09-01-2008, 08:09
One bit of good news is the last Hurricane should have taken out the weak trees.
As long as your roof was screwed down tight and heavy duty shingles put on you should do fine.
I just had two tall pines next to the house taken down this summer. Kept looking up and saying "Hmmm, too close to the house."
For the family beach house on the mainland side behind Holden Beach? The way the Double Wide is set up if the eye goes to the east we should be fine. To the west? Oh, well, at least the lot will be cleared. Should be clean right down to the sand.
Pete sure knows about hurricanes. I was a County EM Director in the FL Panhandle for 6 1/2 years, including being just west of the eye of Ivan in 2004.; utter devastation but our residents came through. The ones in Evac Zones left, along with many others and the rest were prepared. Of course the media found a couple malcontents who would be there anyway and didn't cover the numerous stories of heroism. By and large you didn't hear whining just gritty determination by a rural, independent population. Did everything go right, OF COURSE NOT!!!, it was a disaster! Lost an 8-year-old girl when a tree fell on a mobile home (her father was a paramedic on duty the next county to the west. Of all that happened, that was the most devastating. Allowed rescue guys to go out at the height of the storm which is contrary to doctrine, I couldn't have stopped them anyway. They were too late and I 'll spare the details of what they found.)
I can't let this go by without saying, hurricane preparedness begins with the individual then local government, then state and last but not least, federal. I assure you that if the local and state folks haven't done the public presentation, planning and other preparations, it makes FEMA's job incredibly more difficult. If it sounds like Katrina, that's right. You will never read that in the media.
Now in Colorado but watching, you NOLA guys and responders - "Be careful out there" (SGT Phil Esterhaus)