What we “came home to” after Hurricane Charley’s eye passed over our home. This was after a preliminary clean-up. There had been 11 coconut palms around our house along with two huge mango trees that towered over it. You can see what was left. (Neighbors boat trailer – without the boat – Gone with the Wind) Please pass this post onto others who maybe able to help Harvey’s victims in any way.
Watching hurricane Harvey’s intensification brings back bitter memories. I’ll show some pics to illustrate what we experienced so you can understand what Harvey’s victims will have to endure. In 2004, our home and the north end of Pine Island, Florida, took the full force of Charley, an intense category 4 hurricane. It took us over two years before we fully recovered. Harvey’s victims must face that when the winds subside, the rain stops, and the sun shines again. They’ve only opened the front door to their problems. They will need all the help they can get! Following a few more picture examples, I’ve listed a few suggestions to help them.
Damage to our dock and seawall. Note our neighbors roof draped over my boat
Siding was stripped off, a piece of our neighbors house crashed through our house’s side, and the doors were literally blown off their hinges. Miraculously we didn’t loose our roof like nearly all our neighbors.
Chairs and table from somewhere. It didn’t belong to any of our neighbors. Anybody recognize it?
What was left of our palms. They were wrenched off at ground level. A house across the street literally had a palm tree blown through it. The root system stuck out one side and top out the back.
Help them over-come the bewilderment factor.
When you are faced with such a total disruption in your life, the hopelessness you experience makes it hard to know where to begin … or if you even want to. Unfortunately, doing nothing isn’t a good option. If you’re a friend or relative of one of Harvey’s victims, realize that as soon as the local officials allow it, you need to be there. Do what you can. Aid in clean-up. Help them get items they’ll need to survive the rebuild period if their home is habitable. Help them find shelter or temporary housing if not. DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE THE VALUE OF MORAL SUPPORT!
Donate to disaster responders. The Red Cross, Salvation Army and others do a great job in helping provide necessities to victims. If you live in the area, churches and civic groups, will be involved. See what you can do to provide them with your hands, feet, mind, or funds. Be aware there is scum that will masquerade as aid agencies and try to scam your money so be sure of who you donate to.
Here is a list of necessities that someone must furnish. If FEMA and local government agencies are ready, they should be able to furnish a lot. But remember this … It is up to us as friends, relatives, and citizens to do what government can’t! No matter how federal, state, and local officials try, they will miss things. IT IS UP TO ALL OF US TO BRIDGE ANY GAPS! In a rough order of need they are.
First
1. Water
2. Ice or some means to keep things cool.
3. Means to replace inoperative toilet facilities.
4. Ability to communicate.
5. Food. (Can goods with can opener – paper products)
6. Life sustaining medicines.
7. Government MUST provide security for victims and their property.
Then
Generators, Grills, Tents or Alternatives, Camping equipment, Saws and cleanup equipment, (Many of these items you can loan or give to a friend or relative)
Finally
1. Clear and restore infrastructure. (Without destroying much of whats left – this happened after Andrew hit the Miami area)
2. Government should eliminate paper work and red tape. “Get it done then document it.”
3. Government should suspend or control local code enforcement until emergency subsides.
4. Government must see all insurance companies promptly and completely fulfill obligations to policy holders.
5. Send FEMA representatives into the field to distribute information on where and how to apply and receive various types of aid.
What the victims don’t need is a circus of media thrusting microphones and camera’s in their faces. This is particularly true of the carrion crows from networks like CNN whose primary objective is to use others misery to advance their political objectives.
(Please pass this on to others who may be able to help)
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DL Havlin 