2020.10.01 THROW BACK THURSDAY - LIVING THROUGH SALLY ALA ORANGE BEACH Plus Class News
THROW BACK THURSDAY - LIVING THROUGH SALLY ALA ORANGE BEACH Plus Class News
Dewana Price's daughter, had moved into a new little subdivision a mile from the beach in Orange Beach, so Dewana and her husband, Rex Walker, built and moved into a home near her in February 2004, during Mardi Gras. That fall they endured Hurricane Ivan, but were wisely under a mandatory evacuation then. She's so sorry they didn't declare an evacuation for Hurricane Sally!
"Well, we learned a lesson the hard way. We have stayed in Orange Beach through several storms, but never a hurricane. We had no intention of leaving when Sally was going to hit the Mississippi coast. We are far enough away from the state line, and the huge Mobile Bay is way to our west, so a Category1 shouldn’t bother us much.
"Leave it to a woman to change her mind and hang around in the very warm Gulf a long time, probably to put on her makeup -- the additional 1 day delay resulted in Hurricane Sally making landfall exactly 16 years to the day that Hurricane Ivan, a Category 3, hit Gulf Shores! By the time the forecasters told us it was headed for a direct hit on Orange Beach and Gulf Shores (all of 10 miles away) as a high Category 2, we were all stuck.
"Yes, 100 mph winds make a huge noise and the gusts were even higher. They always said if you heard the freight train noise of a tornado, to take cover immediately. That noise went on constantly for 4 hours!
"About 3:00 A.M. we looked out our glass front door and saw a lot of light. It illuminated the area enough to see house shingles flying by and other unidentified items amid the rain. We later found out the light was a neighbor’s house on fire, burned to the ground along with 3 vehicles—cause still unknown. They made it out safely, but not easily, and 911 said the fireman could not come until the storm passed—can’t have a fire truck blown over.
"Because of the unfortunate missed forecast, most of the neighbors remained in their homes. We were all terrified for many hours. And, yes, when the 40 mile wide eye finally came around 4:00 A.M., it was eerily quiet for 4-5 hours after all that noise.
"Our yard vegetation is shredded, most likely will die. We previously had twice received the local garden club Yard-of-the-Month award. Ha! A large prolific Ruby Red grapefruit tree, planted in 2005 after Hurricane Ivan, was completely uprooted and deep garden beds, made of 2x12's, floated up. We're uncertain if the grass can survive the saltwater bath.
"Luckily our house didn’t flood, but our garage had 23 inches. We lost all power tools on the lower shelves and our car had several inches of water in the floorboard and was totaled. Most people didn’t even have time to board up.
"The aftermath is far worse than living through the hurricane. I am president of our homeowners association and was the one to pass info about the location of free meals and how to get transportation since few cars worked. I also cooked some for neighbors and daughter, Leslie, brought over stew for them. Her house in Gulf Shores had minimal damage. The neighbors helped each other, and several are still using our washer and dryer before theirs has to be replaced. The available rental cars were depleted quickly, and insurance adjusters had to be assigned from many states away.
"Cell phones were spotty for 4 days and land lines were all down. We lost power on Tuesday night around midnight and it was restored to our house late Saturday night. No A/C, you don’t dare open the fridge, and our toilets were non-functioned because of the way our sewer system works on the island. Imagine that problem if you dare! Cold showers were the norm and hair-do's non-existent. BTW, coffee can be made in a pot on the grill—throw grounds into boiling water like our pioneer ancestors did. Our internet has been unreliable for more than a week.
"The city of Orange Beach really stepped up. After a day, the local restaurants cooked what was in their freezers (no power) and served 3 meals a day at the local community center for both residents and first responders. Thank goodness they had a generator. One breakfast was shrimp and grits. Another dinner was shrimp, sausage and pasta in an alfredo sauce. A city van patrolled the neighborhoods and picked up people who wanted to go. They also delivered ice and water.
"Quite an experience. Not one to be repeated, but we have empathy for the people affected by the wildfires. Pictures later when we are less exhausted."
I'm guessing George Hebling and Richard and Myra Harrison may be happy they had already moved from Orange Beach, although it is a truly beautiful place!
CLASS NEWS
James Voland Jones, who has been going through cancer therapy for a few years now, has been nurse, caretaker and bottle washer (gin or wine??) for wife, Penny Hicks Jones, who had foot surgery several months ago and has not been able to stand on her foot at all. Jim says things are a little better for her now, but she is walking yet. What an angel he is. Jim and Penny live in Virginia Beach, VA. Yep, he's a retired "Navy guy" with lots of stripes and bars on his uniform.
I hear "the girls" got together last Monday at Izzy's for lunch! Maybe things are getting a wee bit closer to "normal".
Have a great weekend!
ML