Hurricane HELENE

September 28, I worked from 6 AM to noon cleaning and piling the stuff up for removal. My hips told me i am not used to shoveling rocks and sludge.
One good thing, all the residents are out and helping clean up! No one has power and there is a lot to do!

Inserting video’s seems to be on the fritz, but here is one:
Video

I am living in the clubhouse until my power is turned back on. Hot shower, full kitchen, comfortable bed, all air conditioned!

PS
I found all my kayaks, but my dryer (being front loaded) is full of water. My washer sloshes when I moved it, we have no power yet to do anything.
In the rubble, I lost two power saws (one for wood, one for metal), two drills (a high power one and a regular), my kit for doing the bridge breaking program (projector, scales, etc.,etc.), a comfortable chair, and innumerable small tools and things. My wetvac also died.

A company is scheduled to come in Wednesday to pick up the tons of damaged goods we have piled up in the parking lot. We are supposed to get power today (Sunday – 9-29-2024.)

I am glad that I got a rental car!!!

PPS
$500 for trash pickup
$1000 for drywall
$1000 for a used washer and dryer.
$40,000 for a used car.
$1000 at Home Depot
$2000 back porch

PPPS
The story about getting a rental car went like this: after working all morning (9/27/2024 the morning after the storm) collecting my stuff up and down the way, I came to the clubhouse to rest and find something to eat. When I laid down, Don came in. He said that he had a reservation at noon to get a Payless rental car. I jumped up and said that I wanted to go too. We got to the rental place, they had lost all their cars that were on the beach but had some here on US 19. We  stayed in line for a bit, then they gave us a nod to say our documents were in order for a car, but we both were told to wait about an hour and a half and they will be ready. 
12:15 we sat on the floor (all the chairs were taken).

1:30 There were 10 people in line when they were told that they had no more cars.

2:30 About 50 people had come and gone without a car.

3:30 Another 50 people had come and gone without a car.

4:30 another 50 people came and  gone, but I got a car!! I was very happy, I was mobile where hundreds went without.

Today, 9-29-2024 I borrowed two long extension cords (mine had gotten wet and were worthless) and ran power to my washer. Click, the breaker blew. Walked back and forth a number of times to reset the breaker as my extension cords just were bad. The dehumidifier was ok, so the extension cords are in use driving that. I have cleaned the garage floor four times, but black water still seeps out of various places.

I went to Home Depot and got a new shop vac, mine was upside down in the water. I cannot use it yet, but when our power gets on it will get the rest of the crud.
It is 4:30 and no sign of the power company. There are no more parking spaces here, the spaces look like a used furniture lot. Tons of stuff we had in our garages!! A scavenger is here with a huge truck to take 15 washers and 15 dryers. I guess they think that they may be able to get some to work! Not a good time to purchase a used one!!

A shower is an amazing thing, and clean dry clothes! The water is hot in the kitchen, but not in the shower, so the shower was cold, but refreshing!!

8:30 PM, no power.

9-30-2024
New to me washer and dryer are going to be delivered Wednesday.
Working with a dealer to find a used car.

So far no response from one salesperson.
Tesla added $1500 for paint, $1000 for wheels, and $1500 for dealer delivery…..after we made an agreement for a price. I did not know about th $4000 until I got the invice!
A third dealer is sending me photos of a Tesla they have in Orlando.
I now have another day’s work getting ready for the drywall people to have room to remove and replace the drywall, ouch.

10-1-2024
I have 4 sets of tall (8 foot) plastic shelves, two sets of wood shelves, a short set of shelves and one cabinet, all full of stuff that was higher than two feet above the floor. I have moved all but one wood shelving into the center of the garage, then I have to deal with the stuff under the stairs, ugh! The $850 they quoted was just for the removal of the drywall so everything can dry out.  I will have to find someone later to put new wallboard up. Maybe something that will be good in water!

I just read a note from a friend, “Do not g=forget your SunPass”, I had forgotten mine, but they have not picked up the car yet. Whew.
Eileen had come yesterday, she is out of power too. She went around with me looking for a car. 

September 1, 2024 PM
Seven hours later I have the shelves and anything salvageable in the middle of the garage. The crew has started ripping out the drywall already!!
They came and got my car (weep), I loved that car. 
I went to Publix and got milk, I had purchased some yesterday from Save a Lot but it was spoiled, I wondered if it might be, as the refrigerator with the milk was the only one running, all the other freezer and refrigerator/freezer cases were empty.

After an exhausting day working I had gotten into my rental and went to Publix. I got the milk and some fruit. I checked out at the self serve, but then realized that I did not have my wallet! I was putting them aside when a very nice lady said that she would pay for it for me! I know I looked bad (wild hair, wet clothes), but I was not a bum! After she insisted she and her husband added my things in with their things and then gave them to me. What an amazing gesture on her part!!! A spot of sunshine in today!

Speaking of sundhine, the weather people say it feals like 102°!

They are going to hold a meeting here in the clubhouse at 7 PM, so I have to make it look like I am not here.
I just noticed that my keyboard is filthy! Coming in and working on it with dirty hands! 

I am going to have company tonight, a couple are giving up the hot condo and bringing in an air mattress.

DRUM ROLL
We have POWER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!