Patriot

There's absolutely noyhing funny about what's going on down there right now. But, from an optimistic perspective, this may be a good chance to shop around for a new bike if you think yours is basically done for, depending on the materials it is exposed to, and damage from debris, etc.
If anything, maybe you could borrow a bike or rent one temporarily.

I wish the best for you and your family, and hope you all come through this with flying colors.

ginger green

We prayed for you at dinner tonight. Please keep up posted

bike756

Do bikes float? It might not even be there anymore. Sorry about your loss.

RhumbRunner

DocJ,

A little over a year ago, my wife and I had just returned from escaping Charley in Dania Beach for the night. Today, most things are getting back to "normal"; a neighbor is getting her pool cage done, a new home is going up across the street where their home was destroyed and another freinds home is a few months away from having the interior completely redone.

But what we went through with Charley is nothing, Doc. You, more than the rest of us are living history. Not since the Great Chicago Fire or the San Francisco Earthquake has anyone seen what we are seeing unfold in New Orleans. There is no way for me to give advice about what to do, or how to handle the situation.

My thoughts will be with you and your family, as it will be with all affected.

RoadMark

Well, not much else to say that hasn't been said, except welcome to Florida. Glad you were able to leave and had somewhere else to go -many people had nowhere else so you are lucky.

I dunno, a bike in 10 feet of salt water for an extended period, I'd probably go with a check from the insurance company and start shopping. Just ocean air can be corrosive, never mind the salt water.
The Orlando area has many good cycling clubs, such as the Florida Freewheelers and others as well as lots of good bike shops. Clermont just west of Orlando even has what passes for "mountains" around here. Great riding.
So, if you wind up staying, welcome to Florida. If you end up eventually going back to LA, it was nice of you to visit! Come back soon with your bike.

take care of your family, the rest will take care of itself
Mark

kingsfan4life

Best of Luck Man

jhota

i've been through 4 hurricanes: David ('79, Cat 1), Hugo ('89, Cat 4), Andrew ('92, Cat 3) and Fran ('96, Cat 3). (the Saffir-Simpson categories being what they were when they hit wherever i was). only during Hugo was i at "ground zero" during and immediately after the storm. after Hugo and Andrew, i felt kind of jaded. my preparation for Fran was just gassing up the generator, stocking the fridge, and picking up a couple mini-kegs of Warsteiner.

after seeing what happened to Louisiana and Mississippi ('cause it's not just the Big Easy that's hurting), i don't know if i'll ever be that nonchalant again. thank goodness all my family in the area is o.k., but i'm praying for you and everyone else that is being affected by this event.

as for whether the bike will be o.k.? i'd suggest taking the insurance check and going shopping also. maybe see about stripping it for any salvageable parts, but it's gonna be drowned a long time.

USAZorro

Jason, Keep the faith, and know that a lot of people are thinking of you, praying for you, and hoping for the best. Try not to worry a lot about the bike. If it's still there when you get back there, you should be able to salvage nearly all of it.

glassman

DocJ,
While I live in N. Louisiana, my wife's mother and brother were in Biloxi 2 miles from the beach and went through the storm and the storm surge. Their house flooded and they were lucky to get out alive. Their car also flooded and they finally were able to drive (without lights, windows down, no electronics) to our house. So you really have my sympathy and best wishes for you and your family. Your bike may be covered by FEMA or insurance, if they total it out, you may be able to buy it back. It's worth looking into. I think this will probably be the biggest catastrophe ever and our shelters are full here. I am glad you are safe, you can buy more stuff.

KeithA

What happened is truly scary. Very, very happy you and your family are safe. All the poor souls who lost their lives though. Too sad. I just don't think places like New Orleans or Biloxi can ever recover...not from something like this.

Hoping for the best for you, your loved ones, and all the others.

catatonic

Hey man, at least the family is safe, and at the end of the day, that's all that really matters.

Best of luck in rebuilding things man.

Panic

DocJ,

Stay safe. I'd claim the bike as a total loss and get yourself a new ride. If you can fix it, you have a bike for your trainer.

My friends and family all got out, but they know they have total losses back there. I'm feeling a bit guilty since I moved away 3 years ago.

tmqdoc1

Glad to hear you made it out. We have been praying for everyone down there.
Hey, it has to get better.

GL,

Chris.

Raiyn

Exactly what I was thinking.
Just to add:
The Red Cross needs cash donations ASAP. https://www.redcross.org/
This is much better than donating material items as it's much easier to convert the funds in to exactly what they need rather than having to inventory and transport randomly donated items.
If your employer is matching donations by all means do it that way

bkrownd

Unfortunately it sounds like a lot of them are poor enough that they don't have much choice.

Patman1776

Time for our Gov't to start thinking about how we handle poverty in this country, so that this tradgedy in New Orleans doesn't happen again. The poor in our midst don't have the ability to just pack up and go. They are the one's suffering the most, and dying in the streets down there. Time to reevaluate our national priorities..........I'm glad you and your family made it out. My prayers are with you and, most of all, those who are still there and have no place to go.

As You Like It

Best of luck to you. I hope your bike turns out to be salvageable.

Moonshot

Yeah, for some of these people the only thing they have left is family. They'll return to New Orleans if for no other reason to have family nearby to help them.