It's about 7:15 a.m. and they just arrived at the house and called me. It's hit or miss in our neighborhood and apparently we were missed! My next door neighbor's house (to our left) looks really bad and you can see right through the house, but ours is relatively untouched. I can't believe it. Apparently their house is one of the worst in the neighborhood and ours is one of the best, as are the neighbors to our right and across the street.
About 50% of the fence is down and about 10% of it is missing. The windows are not broken. The house is dry. There is a little bit of siding and a few shingles missing, and many of them ripped. They will have to cover it with a tarp or something. Small ripped pieces of shingles are all around the yard. The tree on the right side between our house and the other neighbor's is down (on the right side), but the root ball is still in tact and it might even be saved. It is actually not even our tree.
The shed in the side yard caved in, but is easily repairable (It's one of those big rubbermaid sheds). The lawnmower and most of the stuff is still in it. The kids' playhouse that was in the backyard is totally missing in action. They can't find it anywhere.
Inside the house looks just like we left it, but it smells like death from the rotting food in the fridge. They are not going to open it to empty it until they are done with everything else since it's already overpowering. It's hotter than hell inside with no ac. There is one small area in the roof of the attic that is open to the sky, and some insulation is blown around, but nothing major.
Apparently our house and the two across the street from ours are some of the relatively untouched homes in the area. Sis says we could easily move in and rough it without power or water if we really wanted to. There is a even a trickle of water moving through the lines so the toilets still work. Of course, we really need to wait until there are operating grocery stores and gas stations. (I am imagining what it smells like in the grocery store right now after a week with no power).
They could not find ANY gas south of Birmingham, Alabama (over 300 miles from Slidell). So living there is not really an option until there is fuel available in the area since we would have to drive a long way for food and bottled water.
Our neighbor to the left has a generator running and he is there to keep an eye on things while we wait for water, food, power, and gas to become available again. I have no idea how long that will take, but maybe it will bounce back quicker than we think.
Basically, we got incredibly lucky compared to most people in Slidell. In fact, this month could be our one and only chance to win that coveted "yard of the month" contest for the subdivision. ;-)
HUGE sigh of relief. At least we have a home that we can go back to, even if we can't live there for a while. My heart breaks for so many who don't.
Next on the "to-do" list is to get busy with the schooling and figure out the employment situation.
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9 comments:
Dear Laurel,
You and your whole family - you're got courage and you've got heart. I admire you all tremendously.
Love,
Cousin Sheila
Another Jan. '99 mom here! So glad to finally be "in touch" with you in some small way through your blog. We have all been very worried about you. Please let us know if there is anything we can do to help.
Laurel, thank god your house was somewhat spared. Since you stayed in town give me a call, I would love to have you come to dinner tonight or tomorrow or both.
Hi La,
What a relief... I am glad it is just surface damage. Remember you are welcome here at any time.
B~
Laurel, Bret and kids,
We've been worried about you - glad you are well!! Will follow this blog with interest. Your friends in Fort Collins,
Joe, Cheryl, and Tommy.
Praise GOD! I prayed for Bret and the crew in church this morning . . . am so glad everyone is safe and house seems okay.
Remember, the Memphis offer still stands, regardless of employment choice. My friends' house is huge, old Central Gardens, and y'all can have whatever you need, for however long you need it, for free. House, internet, etc. School (either the private school at Cathedral or my kids' public school will take ya'll in.)
love to all,
Carol
FYI, Here is a post about how LSU is looking for professors immediately. Don't know if it is of use in terms of short-term employment plans, but thought I'd pass it on.
Good luck!
Help withteh fridge:
After my parents had a flood and the house was without power for two weeks, their fridge was nasty too.
They tried everything and the best tip they got was bread (when you can find that...). They made little bread tents and placed them all over the fridge. The bread absorbed the smell of the fridge and it took two or three rounds of breads tentts, but they did work and my parents used that fridge another ten years - even if it was that nasty avacado green!
Dear Laural...I have been following your every post..I am so happy for you and your family that you escaped a lot of the damage..I know it will take a long time for everything to be back to "normal" but you are strong and I know you can do it..prayers still going your way...Jimmie
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