Hurray!! Great News!! Our little 1886 cottage in Galveston survived another hurricane! The house was just like we left it seven days ago. The shutters held, no leaks and the fence
kept about 3' of debris out of the front yard. Looks like there may have been about 2' of water under the house and in the garage - but nothing of any real value was damaged.
There was a very small window today for some of the residents to "Look and Leave" their homes and Andy and I were among those who made it. We made very good time
until the last 10 miles. After that it was three lane gridlock that took 3 hours. As we got closer, magnificent caravans of cherry picker electrical repair trucks, tree removal vehicles, FEMA and EMS vans from different communities and states would press through the civilian traffic with the Houston K-9 units clearing the way. They are using everything possible. One long column consisting of 18 wheelers carrying relief supplies and at least 40 EMS vans, 10 or so from
South Carolina others from Pennsylvania and Washington, DC. It was impressive.
As we got closer to the causeway, the debris became surreal. 100 dump trucks making 5 loads a day might begin to make a small dent in the tons of debris, hay-like grass mixed with timbers and water craft, jet skis, trash containers, surf boards and household goods. One marina was wiped out and Sylvia counted at least 50 hulls at various angles broken and stacked. These were not little old bass boats, but cabin cruisers and big sport fishing boats--Wellco and Donzis and Hatteras, commercial boats as well.
And there was a smell! Rotting vegetation mostly, but when we crossed onto the island, that passed. It was obvious that herculean efforts had been made to clear the streets enough for recovery personnel and vehicles and us to come onto the island. Policemen stopped by while we were loading up - they were from some small town near Tyler, Tx and they were well equipped and just trying to give our Galveston police and emergency people time to rest. The staging area at the Island Community Center was magnificent.
Some places fared well, others didn't. All of the island will have massive clean up. For us it will be a lot of raking and hauling trash for alley pick up. Our big pecan tree survived. The garage stuff that was damaged was mostly stuff we should have gotten rid of before the storm, but could never find the time to go through the boxes. No problem now, except we are going to stay away for a while to allow things to dry out and for the city's basic services to be restored. We're talking about a town of 60,000 or so NOT having water, electric and gas and everything that is basic. We are proud and grateful to those who are doing the dirty and dangerous work of helping our community regain its footing.
Many friends will not have this story when they come home, but for now and for us, we celebrate and are grateful. Blessings, Sylvia & Andy
kept about 3' of debris out of the front yard. Looks like there may have been about 2' of water under the house and in the garage - but nothing of any real value was damaged.
There was a very small window today for some of the residents to "Look and Leave" their homes and Andy and I were among those who made it. We made very good time
until the last 10 miles. After that it was three lane gridlock that took 3 hours. As we got closer, magnificent caravans of cherry picker electrical repair trucks, tree removal vehicles, FEMA and EMS vans from different communities and states would press through the civilian traffic with the Houston K-9 units clearing the way. They are using everything possible. One long column consisting of 18 wheelers carrying relief supplies and at least 40 EMS vans, 10 or so from
South Carolina others from Pennsylvania and Washington, DC. It was impressive.
As we got closer to the causeway, the debris became surreal. 100 dump trucks making 5 loads a day might begin to make a small dent in the tons of debris, hay-like grass mixed with timbers and water craft, jet skis, trash containers, surf boards and household goods. One marina was wiped out and Sylvia counted at least 50 hulls at various angles broken and stacked. These were not little old bass boats, but cabin cruisers and big sport fishing boats--Wellco and Donzis and Hatteras, commercial boats as well.
And there was a smell! Rotting vegetation mostly, but when we crossed onto the island, that passed. It was obvious that herculean efforts had been made to clear the streets enough for recovery personnel and vehicles and us to come onto the island. Policemen stopped by while we were loading up - they were from some small town near Tyler, Tx and they were well equipped and just trying to give our Galveston police and emergency people time to rest. The staging area at the Island Community Center was magnificent.
Some places fared well, others didn't. All of the island will have massive clean up. For us it will be a lot of raking and hauling trash for alley pick up. Our big pecan tree survived. The garage stuff that was damaged was mostly stuff we should have gotten rid of before the storm, but could never find the time to go through the boxes. No problem now, except we are going to stay away for a while to allow things to dry out and for the city's basic services to be restored. We're talking about a town of 60,000 or so NOT having water, electric and gas and everything that is basic. We are proud and grateful to those who are doing the dirty and dangerous work of helping our community regain its footing.
Many friends will not have this story when they come home, but for now and for us, we celebrate and are grateful. Blessings, Sylvia & Andy
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