I was looking for ANYthing tonight to keep my mind off storms, potential storms, etc. and found this neat site (hey, frugality is my middle name) and this topic naturally caught my eye.
I'm posting it to show another side of an individual in an occupation that is usually seen as hmm, one who makes life in stressful times even more stressful.
I didn't live in the area after Andrew (lived in Orlando), but I did do a write up for the National Guard and spent quite a bit of time there very shortly afterwards, and for months of follow up. Forget being a journalist, I couldn't do much more than wander around listening to people and realizing how much I couldn't bear to write because of the horrific pain involved in asking questions that were too obviously beyond answering (or chose not to write, for the safety of the population there and the methods the Guards were using to deal with criminal activity, which they shared with me but asked me to refrain from writing...no problem for me!).
I guess it is just another reality hit of the aftermath of a horrible storm... to help us remember (and what some here know all too well from personal experience) what they really mean. The ending of this makes me so sad, but I understand. I hope the years have helped him heal.
http://www.allthingsfrugal.com/andrew.htm
Another side of the coin...Andrew story
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Astro_man92
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I just read this and i'm really speachless
Last edited by Astro_man92 on Thu Aug 04, 2005 11:30 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Sooooo true. I have many memories of adjusting losses after Andrew. The 4 in 04 were something, but the damages from Andrew was in another world. I was ok emotionaly until after I got home then I felt depressed for several months.
The no street signs was a real challenge. Before leaving Lauderdale by the Sea (the closed hotel left by the time I arrived) each morning I needed to pack water and gatertade and food. Once south of Timaimi Drive nothing was available except the occassional street vendor selling beer. The night before I had sat with maps and counted the freeway exits, then the number of blocks in various directions to the address I wanted, then I would hope that the owners have painted a sign so I could tell which house in the block it was. I spent a lot of time in the "forgotten" spanish neighborhoods. partial roofs gone, no power and interiors destroyed. These people suffered as much as anyone, but as they had no construction issues (or money) and still had walls they were overlooked by most. last year on Pine Island it was not unusual to see the red cross trucks offering food and cold drinks. I know adjusters who were robbed, and know of adjusters who were shot at. So many memories, some good some bad mostly sad.
The no street signs was a real challenge. Before leaving Lauderdale by the Sea (the closed hotel left by the time I arrived) each morning I needed to pack water and gatertade and food. Once south of Timaimi Drive nothing was available except the occassional street vendor selling beer. The night before I had sat with maps and counted the freeway exits, then the number of blocks in various directions to the address I wanted, then I would hope that the owners have painted a sign so I could tell which house in the block it was. I spent a lot of time in the "forgotten" spanish neighborhoods. partial roofs gone, no power and interiors destroyed. These people suffered as much as anyone, but as they had no construction issues (or money) and still had walls they were overlooked by most. last year on Pine Island it was not unusual to see the red cross trucks offering food and cold drinks. I know adjusters who were robbed, and know of adjusters who were shot at. So many memories, some good some bad mostly sad.
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I was one county up for Andrew (and remember it vividly.)
After what I heard about what happened down there and the crime going on, I have thought many times since then that I should purchase a gun.
I do know how to use one.
I hope that we never are in the situation where I would need one. But I know from what happened down there, that it could happen again, and it could happen here if we're unlucky enough to get a direct hit from an Andrew-type storm.
People are animals. Beneath the civilized veneer, when push comes to shove, they are animals.
After what I heard about what happened down there and the crime going on, I have thought many times since then that I should purchase a gun.
I do know how to use one.
I hope that we never are in the situation where I would need one. But I know from what happened down there, that it could happen again, and it could happen here if we're unlucky enough to get a direct hit from an Andrew-type storm.
People are animals. Beneath the civilized veneer, when push comes to shove, they are animals.
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beachbum_al
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T'Bonz wrote:I was one county up for Andrew (and remember it vividly.)
After what I heard about what happened down there and the crime going on, I have thought many times since then that I should purchase a gun.
I do know how to use one.
I hope that we never are in the situation where I would need one. But I know from what happened down there, that it could happen again, and it could happen here if we're unlucky enough to get a direct hit from an Andrew-type storm.
People are animals. Beneath the civilized veneer, when push comes to shove, they are animals.
Well, maybe they are, but I continue, in the face of madness in the world (why do you think I live on Culebra??), to believe there is so much good in the world...here is a Andrew story of another sort.
I was walking around, taking in stories, and hanging around the sandwich give out place...behind this very tall, incredibily unattractive, very old woman. She asked what I was doing and I told her and asked how she was doing. She said she was okay, but that in asking for help from her neighbors, they shunned her. She said it was because the wives of the men on either side were incredibly jealous of her. She went on and on about this (and I'm telling you, it was WONDERFUL because I was laughing inside after days of horror) and then she looked at me...really a hard stare. I said, is something wrong? And she said...are you married? And I said, no. And she said, well!!! If you are looking for a man, this is the time and the place!! Have you SEEN the fantastic looking men here?? Those National Guards! Those Army! Those Police!! I started laughing so hard I was crying, sort of hysterical crying because of the release I guess, and she just hugged me so hard and said...it's all right girl, you go find yourself a man! Another story I never wrote for strangers...until tonight.
So many people I met were in the worst, the seriously worst, of situations, yet they were giving when they had nothing (Are you hungry? from migrants crouching over pots of rice and beans collected by a dozen, offering to feed ME?) and kind and stoic. One woman...a migrant worker, took me around introducing me to people, families with people missing that no one seemed to care about, on and on and on, things I can't say even now.
At one point I asked her...Maria, how do you deal with this? You seem...so sad but so calm. And she said to me, MJ, it's just another hardship in our lives as forgotten people. I'll never forget that. And never forget her. We corresponded for a couple of years, and then as these things go...we lost touch.
Sorry to go on like this, I guess it's the seaon. But...aren't we blessed? Don't forget it.
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Astro_man92
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Swimdude wrote:Yikes... I'm not old enough to remember Andrew well enough... But that was certainly shocking to read.
I wasn't even born when Andrew hit
[img]http://home.cfl.rr.com/smileypage/look's%20temp%20smiley%20page/LolLolLolLol.gif[/img]two months after October second 1992 my fav date
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Yes, everyone involved suffered greatly - speaking for myself, I suffered in the following months from a very serious case of survivor's guilt. I found that during that period I could only go to work, drive home, and sit down for what seemed to be hour after hour (I was very fortunate to be one of the few to be relocated to southern Broward County just days afterwards, while many of my friends and co-workers (some at the NHC) slept in cars, or army tents, or worse yet, in severely damaged homes).
Even though I was relocated to a fine home and quiet community (outside the turmoil that was taking place day and night just 50 miles to the south), I found that suddenly gone were my interests in my volunteer work, hobbies, or even my own future plans - it was as if Andrew just blew everything away. Of course it was post-traumatic stress, but, when one is passing through that dark tunnel, it's sometimes hard to see it for what it is.
My sister-in-law lived in Central Florida at that time, and told me that in the days following the disaster, she could tell who was a Hurricane Andrew refugee - they were often the man, woman or child who had that traumatized glazed look in their eye.
What made it more difficult for me at times were the comments of those not affected by Andrew, who would often make those thoughtless "get over it" type of remarks that are only said by someone who has not yet suffered in life. Not only did those comments trivialize the entire disaster, they left me feeling even more guilty at how well I came through the situation - something I did not need.
Some good did come from this experience - it made me appreciate things when they are going peacefully (even if it is a bit slow at times), it made me greatful when a hurricane does not strike here, and, most importantly, it maked me more compassionate to those who do suffer from other disasters - whether natural or man-made.
God's peace,
Frank
Even though I was relocated to a fine home and quiet community (outside the turmoil that was taking place day and night just 50 miles to the south), I found that suddenly gone were my interests in my volunteer work, hobbies, or even my own future plans - it was as if Andrew just blew everything away. Of course it was post-traumatic stress, but, when one is passing through that dark tunnel, it's sometimes hard to see it for what it is.
My sister-in-law lived in Central Florida at that time, and told me that in the days following the disaster, she could tell who was a Hurricane Andrew refugee - they were often the man, woman or child who had that traumatized glazed look in their eye.
What made it more difficult for me at times were the comments of those not affected by Andrew, who would often make those thoughtless "get over it" type of remarks that are only said by someone who has not yet suffered in life. Not only did those comments trivialize the entire disaster, they left me feeling even more guilty at how well I came through the situation - something I did not need.
Some good did come from this experience - it made me appreciate things when they are going peacefully (even if it is a bit slow at times), it made me greatful when a hurricane does not strike here, and, most importantly, it maked me more compassionate to those who do suffer from other disasters - whether natural or man-made.
God's peace,
Frank
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I hope these stories hit home with some of you young people who don't remember Andrew and other hurricanes and some of you who have never experienced a serious cane.
It is NOT exciting.
it is horrific! and you will never be the same after experiencing one.
so don't be wishing for storms....and try to curb your excitement because some of us live in mortal fear of these canes.
It is NOT exciting.
it is horrific! and you will never be the same after experiencing one.
so don't be wishing for storms....and try to curb your excitement because some of us live in mortal fear of these canes.
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Too many hurricanes to remember
Re: T'Bonz's post
First, thanks msbee, for your very thoughtful remarks.
I don't agree with T'Bonz's comment - we should always remember what Anne Frank, holocaust survivor, said about mankind - that, despite evil, humans are still intrinsically good.
Yes, there were many terrible stories that came out of south Dade County, especially in the days and weeks immediately following Andrew, but, there was much good, too - volunteers came from almost every state and many different countries to assist the thousands in need.
Even the Soviets, who were still in power at the time, offered assistance, as well as many other countries around the world, so, while evil was present, goodness was there, too, as it always is, offering help wherever it is needed.
Frank
First, thanks msbee, for your very thoughtful remarks.
I don't agree with T'Bonz's comment - we should always remember what Anne Frank, holocaust survivor, said about mankind - that, despite evil, humans are still intrinsically good.
Yes, there were many terrible stories that came out of south Dade County, especially in the days and weeks immediately following Andrew, but, there was much good, too - volunteers came from almost every state and many different countries to assist the thousands in need.
Even the Soviets, who were still in power at the time, offered assistance, as well as many other countries around the world, so, while evil was present, goodness was there, too, as it always is, offering help wherever it is needed.
Frank
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The Big Dog
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msbee wrote:I hope these stories hit home with some of you young people who don't remember Andrew and other hurricanes and some of you who have never experienced a serious cane.
It is NOT exciting.
it is horrific! and you will never be the same after experiencing one.
so don't be wishing for storms....and try to curb your excitement because some of us live in mortal fear of these canes.
Yeah, let the w***casters, particularly the ones NOT in harm's way, gnaw on that for a while.
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The Big Dog wrote:msbee wrote:I hope these stories hit home with some of you young people who don't remember Andrew and other hurricanes and some of you who have never experienced a serious cane.
It is NOT exciting.
it is horrific! and you will never be the same after experiencing one.
so don't be wishing for storms....and try to curb your excitement because some of us live in mortal fear of these canes.
Yeah, let the w***casters, particularly the ones NOT in harm's way, gnaw on that for a while.
Now, I normally quietly lurk, but I felt I had to reply to this.
I have to completely agree.
Imagine being one of the people who did not evacuate, only to have their house fall apart around them in the middle of Andrew's horrible winds.
Assuming they lived through the storm, when the sun came out they found their homes completely destroyed, 90% of their belongings destroyed, with minimal supplies, no water, no electricity, no phone, and even if you could get to your car (you cant, its entombed by the collapsed side of your house) you cant go anywhere because the streets are flooded.
Think about that.
Now think about living like that for weeks until you get the privilege of living in a tent city with countless others in the same situation.
I think anyone who would find that "exciting" need to seriously re-think some things.
I certianly hope the same never happens to me.
-Edward
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I'll take that a step further and offer these stark facts:
having only enough water for the evac center down the street from my house to provide the only "toilets" available for approximately 200 evacuees - two 55 gallon barrels, marked "Mens" and "Womens" (as told on a live newscast);
hearing that one of the NHC meteorologists was pinned under his collapsed kitchen cabinets while trying to protect his children, and his remaining there to the point of having no feeling in both legs;
having the husband of a nurse and friend of mine lose one of his fingers during the height of Andrew, while trying in vain to hold the garage door in place - his finger was amputated when the door gave way;
finding out that another nurse and friend had been found in the corner of her demolished home, apparently in shock,
my having been on two "missing in action" lists, one for only 2 days, but the other, due to confusion at the hospital I worked at part-time, for almost 3 weeks - they had presumed I had been killed;
and,
having my own home almost literally "broken in half" by Andrew's winds - it appeared to have been struck by an earthquake, with a large crack right down the length of one bedroom ceiling (not including other severe damage).
Wow - I'd best stop for now - these "memories" stir up too much, and even the television hero of Andrew, OCM Brian Norcross (then of the Miami NBC affiliate), said a couple of years ago that he found talking any further about Andrew to be too painful for him.
Frank
having only enough water for the evac center down the street from my house to provide the only "toilets" available for approximately 200 evacuees - two 55 gallon barrels, marked "Mens" and "Womens" (as told on a live newscast);
hearing that one of the NHC meteorologists was pinned under his collapsed kitchen cabinets while trying to protect his children, and his remaining there to the point of having no feeling in both legs;
having the husband of a nurse and friend of mine lose one of his fingers during the height of Andrew, while trying in vain to hold the garage door in place - his finger was amputated when the door gave way;
finding out that another nurse and friend had been found in the corner of her demolished home, apparently in shock,
my having been on two "missing in action" lists, one for only 2 days, but the other, due to confusion at the hospital I worked at part-time, for almost 3 weeks - they had presumed I had been killed;
and,
having my own home almost literally "broken in half" by Andrew's winds - it appeared to have been struck by an earthquake, with a large crack right down the length of one bedroom ceiling (not including other severe damage).
Wow - I'd best stop for now - these "memories" stir up too much, and even the television hero of Andrew, OCM Brian Norcross (then of the Miami NBC affiliate), said a couple of years ago that he found talking any further about Andrew to be too painful for him.
Frank
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TreasureIslandFLGal
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and its hard too for the younger posters here to relate from a "grown up" point of view about this... I don't mean to talk down to you guys or anything, but hear me out...
As young people, you do not have the responsibility nor the stress of having to take care of others. Imagine if you not only have to deal with your own fears, but try and keep a cool head to be able to alleviate the fears of your children. How do you tell them, and be convincing, that "everything will be ok" when there is no water, no electricity, no A/C, and you can't go in the house because it is too dangerous? The car was crushed by a tree so you can't go anywhere to get away from the mess. Walking is out of the question since the 3 year old can't walk far and you have to carry the baby. After 4 days of sleeping in a fashioned "tent" made of sheets, being ravaged by misquitoes, and having to watch looters stray from house to house, taking whatever they want, all you can do is still say "it will be ok". You wait with increasing panic as people start getting more and more angry and desparate around you for the National Guard or someone to show up and help. Food is running low and many around you did not adequately prepare. Back then, people were told to keep 3 days worth of rations. After a week, civilized people stop being so civil. -afterall, they are trying to find food and water for their own children.
Eventually you are "saved" and transported to a tent city. Not so bad compared to where you were, but the future is bleak and a big cloud. You used to have a job, but now you don't even know if the office is still there or blown away with everything else. You vaguely remember that the due date for the car and 2 credit cards has passed already. You wonder if you will receive a large water bill for the broken pipe that was freely leaking after the storm. It all seems irrelevant when your kid looks up from the cot next to yours and asks if she will ever have to go to school again. You know the answer is "of course" but you can't help but say "I don't know" -since you don't know if the school made it through. The absolute terror in the kids' eyes is heartbreaking. -You finally did it! In a lapse of judgement you "slipped" and did the unthinkable! You lost your composure and now maybe they doubt you - and that maybe everything won't really be ok afterall.
You are an utter failure in your mind.
You prepared to the extent that you thought you had to...did what you were told by officials by having 3 days supplies, even a bit more. The house was pretty new and you were not in a flood zone. But, as fate were to have it, everything was blown away in a day. If you were a young, single adult, life could go on. You could up and move-real quick and easy, even if you didn't necessarily have a definate place to go. -But when you have kids, and no family to stay with, with little extra in the bank to buy all new clothes, transportation, etc. -you are stuck with the devastating effects of a storm's aftermath and trying to basically survive and help those around you make it through too.
These are the kinds of things that adults have to contend with - there is no choice - after a storm. When we chastize you kids for -removed-, it is not that we are angry that you are thrilled and awed by the storms, we understand that and would be lying if we weren't as well. But when you become so upset that one won't hit you, or weakens before hitting somewhere, we jump to anger because the seeming insensitivity that is shown. We need to realize you are just excited and young, you need to realize that we have the aftermath to contend with. That is why we pray fish. Respect our wish for big storms to be safe, and we'll let you get all excited without bashing you!
As young people, you do not have the responsibility nor the stress of having to take care of others. Imagine if you not only have to deal with your own fears, but try and keep a cool head to be able to alleviate the fears of your children. How do you tell them, and be convincing, that "everything will be ok" when there is no water, no electricity, no A/C, and you can't go in the house because it is too dangerous? The car was crushed by a tree so you can't go anywhere to get away from the mess. Walking is out of the question since the 3 year old can't walk far and you have to carry the baby. After 4 days of sleeping in a fashioned "tent" made of sheets, being ravaged by misquitoes, and having to watch looters stray from house to house, taking whatever they want, all you can do is still say "it will be ok". You wait with increasing panic as people start getting more and more angry and desparate around you for the National Guard or someone to show up and help. Food is running low and many around you did not adequately prepare. Back then, people were told to keep 3 days worth of rations. After a week, civilized people stop being so civil. -afterall, they are trying to find food and water for their own children.
Eventually you are "saved" and transported to a tent city. Not so bad compared to where you were, but the future is bleak and a big cloud. You used to have a job, but now you don't even know if the office is still there or blown away with everything else. You vaguely remember that the due date for the car and 2 credit cards has passed already. You wonder if you will receive a large water bill for the broken pipe that was freely leaking after the storm. It all seems irrelevant when your kid looks up from the cot next to yours and asks if she will ever have to go to school again. You know the answer is "of course" but you can't help but say "I don't know" -since you don't know if the school made it through. The absolute terror in the kids' eyes is heartbreaking. -You finally did it! In a lapse of judgement you "slipped" and did the unthinkable! You lost your composure and now maybe they doubt you - and that maybe everything won't really be ok afterall.
You are an utter failure in your mind.
You prepared to the extent that you thought you had to...did what you were told by officials by having 3 days supplies, even a bit more. The house was pretty new and you were not in a flood zone. But, as fate were to have it, everything was blown away in a day. If you were a young, single adult, life could go on. You could up and move-real quick and easy, even if you didn't necessarily have a definate place to go. -But when you have kids, and no family to stay with, with little extra in the bank to buy all new clothes, transportation, etc. -you are stuck with the devastating effects of a storm's aftermath and trying to basically survive and help those around you make it through too.
These are the kinds of things that adults have to contend with - there is no choice - after a storm. When we chastize you kids for -removed-, it is not that we are angry that you are thrilled and awed by the storms, we understand that and would be lying if we weren't as well. But when you become so upset that one won't hit you, or weakens before hitting somewhere, we jump to anger because the seeming insensitivity that is shown. We need to realize you are just excited and young, you need to realize that we have the aftermath to contend with. That is why we pray fish. Respect our wish for big storms to be safe, and we'll let you get all excited without bashing you!
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The Big Dog
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Ya know what? I'm going to bookmark this post. In the future, I'm going to direct anyone right back to this thread when they wax poetic about Cat 5's coming their way.
Thanks for the thoughts on Andrew. Fortunately for me, I didn't need to survive it, but I did see the aftermath two months later as I drove down to the Keys. Florida City didn't quite look like Hiroshima, but it was surreal.
Welcome to the board, Una. Don't just lurk -- we need more realists here.
Thanks for the thoughts on Andrew. Fortunately for me, I didn't need to survive it, but I did see the aftermath two months later as I drove down to the Keys. Florida City didn't quite look like Hiroshima, but it was surreal.
Welcome to the board, Una. Don't just lurk -- we need more realists here.
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Many times I would walk into a house in October (Andrew hit on 8-24) to find no power, water still pouring in through damages roofs, yet the people would be coping (surviving). I often wish i could go back and re visit some of the people I meet doing claims and see how they made out. One image that stays with me was the large piles of debris along side the roads and the miles of 40 to 50 foot highs of debris waiting to be burnt. And who can forget the 168' ship behind the large house completely on land and upright with no visible damage. Seeing I beam steel bend like a twist tie. I stopped to take a picture of a warehouse with all the walls blown out and I look up and see three guys with weapons (one looks very illegal) walking towards me. I waved jumped in the car and left. I can still see the long dead cow on the road west of Homestead. many images that will never leave. I can only imagine what those who were there still live with.
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