We're also in Orlando. We were hit with a small tornado about 2pm before the hurricane that took out enough trees in the neighborhood to get everyone's attention.It also took a lot of shingles from roofs. Now, trees are down everywhere. The neighbor works with the county and at their meeting today he found out our power grid has yet to be asessed and we may be without power for 10-14 days. Generators are great. We did get phone lines back today and fortunately water wasn't affected. H did help run temp lines for a neighbor who's downed trees ripped up his water lines.
These things are horrible but at the same time they really bring people out and together. Our street was littered with trees, some of them beautiful old oaks. By noon yesterday, there were 20 people at least, many that I'd never even seen before out w chainsaws clearing the roads. One neighbor grilled out, others handed out drinks and everyone worked. I was impressed, many would have just left it for the county but these people understood that the county guys are swamped and that we are blessed. About every house has at least one large tree down but suprisingly few hit houses. They're in pools, in yards, and maybe on the screened porches but most houses took little damage. We were on the west side of the eye though and I know the east side of town took a harder hit.
Also, being inland we didn't have to worry about the tidal surge which can be so devastating.
Thanks for the prayers for this area. They helped!This was one powerful storm and things could have been much worse.
MM

Mars, drose, ISgirl....good to hear from you---glad to hear you are all safe <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" /> ...now, TR??????? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Confused]" src="images/icons/confused.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Confused]" src="images/icons/confused.gif" />

Glad to see more and more of our Florida members checking back in. Hope to hear from the rest soon.

Hey you all in Florida - got your power up yet? TreeReich - Don't make me come down there with my baseball bat.

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial"> posted August 13, 2004 07:33 AM
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my H and our house is in the panhandle and he works in destin. i talked to him yesterday and he said everything has really missed that area. but you never know. i can't help but worry about him. i'm glad the dogs are w/me now so that i know they are not stuck outside all the time irregardless to what H says about how the weather is down there.

prayers to all, RR
</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">RR- I work in Destin too !

We were fortunate this one, just an unreal thunder / lightning show with heavy rain. We had Opal in 95 & hearing about it brings back memories. You deal with the aftermath for a while after the hurricaine blows thru.

My prayers go out for all involved.

D.

All my thoughts & prayers go to all affected by "Charlie" ; from an "Andrew" survivor.

Flaca