Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.Paige
08-21-04, 06:42 AM
I survived Charley in Punta Gorda. I'm 1 mile north of the airport and 2 miles south of Charlotte Harbor. My house was built in 1971 by a carpenter who told me he had built it for a hurricane. I had covered all of my windows and lucked out by having 3 layers of shingles on my roof, the first layer was all I lost plus fascia and soffit. Total devastation for many who live in my neighborhood. Two people up the street from me were killed. Amazingly only 4 people in Charlotte county have died from the storm. The sound of the storm was extremely loud. My house is concrete block and I could barely hear my radio. The most terrifying moment was when the air pressure inside the house suddenly dropped and sucked my eardrums. That's when I got under the mattress of my bed. To give you an idea of how much of a pressure drop;All of the water in my toilet bowl had been sucked out the vent pipe. They estimate electricity will be returned to most in the county by 8/29 although I don't expect mine back that soon. Since there is no power or phone, cellular is spotty at best, there is a curfew to prevent looting. I'm posting this from my ex wife's house Just south of Sarasota county. Water is for the most part restored but must be sterilized for consumption. Most are using bottled water. Relief efforts by groups such as Red Cross are just awesome. Also utility companies from all over the country are pitching in. There will be 10,000 electric utility workers here by this coming Monday. Our city and county employees, many who lost their homes, have been doing a super job. We also have law enforcement and fire/ emergency crews from all over the state here. The national guard is helping with relief and security. Just way too many groups helping out for me to mention with my limited time but again a truly awesome effort. I have to admit I do not like George Bush's politics but did get a feeling a feeling of reassurance when Air Force I flew over my head Sunday morning. I'm a bicycle commuter, car free in fact. Cycling has been fairly treacherous with all the debris, no signal lights and gawkers. I must run now but hope to be back in September. Please forgive me for cross posting this on some other forums.