hurricane

Our Hurricane Story

Our story begins four days after we moved back to Alabama. We arrived in Alabama early Sunday morning September 12, 2004. In the early morning hours of September 16th, Hurricane Ivan made landfall. We were awake the whole night listening to the horrible winds whip outside. It was a horrible sound. Halfway through, the metal awning over the front door came off and began pounding against the door. It broke out a glass pane in the door. That is what we heard the rest of the night. Jason, his Mom and I had a prayer meeting that night. I never want to experience that again.

After it was over, we surveyed the damage. A metal shed on the side of the house was blown back. Of course, the awning was just dangling, but there was no other damage. We went over a week without any electricity. That was rough. Thank goodness for ice provided free of charge. We ate a ton of sandwiches during that time. I almost kissed the electricity workers when the lights came back on.

In July of 2005, we ran from Hurricane Dennis. We went to Carthage, MS, which was the only place we could find a motel room. We were safe there during the landfall. The only problem was that when we got up to leave and go home on the 11th, something was wrong with Jason. We took him to the ER in Meridian, MS and they said he had a Stroke. By the time he got out of the hospital, the electricity was back on at home.

Then there was Hurricane Katrina. We stayed at a family members house during that one. It hit during the day and most of the people in the house stayed outside and watched the winds. It was crazy. We left the next morning to see how things faired where we lived. Of course, first thing we noticed was there was no electricity. Shingles were gone off the roof and the shed pushed back by Ivan, was pushed the opposite direction by Katrina. It was basically collapsed completely.

We were without power for nine days. We spent some of that time in the volunteer fire department in the next town north of us because they had power turned back on. Then we had to leave because it was booked for a family reunion. A pastor in the area, loaned us his generator. We were able to run fans to keep us sort of cool. Jason was having a hard time breathing because it was so hot.

We mostly ate MRE's (Meals Ready to Eat). Some were okay, some weren't that good. But it was something hot to eat. I almost kissed the power workers again when the lights came on!!!! It was so great.

Thank goodness 2006 was much better. Hopefully, things will continue to be quite on the hurricane front. I have been told I am officially a Southern girl now, I have been through at least one hurricane. I don't know if that is good or not.

This was a picture was taken at the Fire Department when we first got there. I am the female face you can see on the right. Jason's parents are on the left with their backs to the camera. The men standing are two pastors from the area. Jason was sitting on the floor, so you can't see him.