Hey Honey! I'm home. Not as long of a day as I planned. I did get to Sebring to visit my customer that I was so worried about. They are fine, the family is fine, the house is fine and the business is fine.
The drive down there, however, was an eye opener. I know I had said I would take pictures, but with the traffic and lack of power (no traffic lights) it just didn't seem like a very good idea. So instead I'll tell you what I saw.
I headed south down SR 27. Just north of I4 I started seeing a lot of signs blown down, but business up and running. Just past I4 it was like a different world. More signs but no power. I will say that sturctural damage alone SR27 was much lighter than I anticipated. However, the groves were hit hard and there is much work to be done. There are several travel trailer parks, and those didn't fare so well, some buildings missing roofs, awnings or just missing. But again, not as much destruction as I thought I'd see.
One thing that really struck me. As I drove south Ambulances were headed north with their lights on. I can only guess they were transporting patients up to the hospitals away from the worst of the damage, where this is power. Where there is room.
I couldn't really turn off of SR27. They are asking people to stay out of these areas unless they need to be there, and I don't want to add to any of the problem.
Lake Wales, again from SR27 was hit. However, it looks like the Florida Natural OJ Plant held up pretty good. Some metal awnings were blown away and of course signs were down. I smiled when I saw Donald Duck standing on the roof, looking like he was doing the twist. Darn, he's a sturdy sucker.
Going into Sebring I was worried. But again, not as bad as I thought. Met with my customers, shared stories, a hug and a couple of tears and I left feeling better knowing they were alright.
Now I did make one tactical error. On my way south I picked up gallons of water (didn't know what I'd find) and got myself a large Diet Coke. So I make the 50 mile drive to Sebring, drinking drinking drinking. Had my visit and started north. Drinking drinking drinking. (you see where I'm going with this, don't you?) So, of course I'm looking for a public bathroom. No Power. Nothing open. No bathrooms. Oops. I keep driving north, nothing. Farther north, still nothing. Finally I spot an Eckard's. They're Open. Running on back-up power, but open. Stand in line. They were letting people in one at a time to purchase what they need on a cash only basis. Just lights, no air. Finally I catch the woman's eye and mouth "do you have a rest room?" She giggles and motions me forward. As we walk to the back of the store I just kept saying thank you thank you thank you. MUCH BETTER.
As I'm listening to the radio and talking to my friends across the area I realize I can't really go any where else today. Most of my customers are just getting open or still waiting for power. I talked to as many as I could reach - everyone's ok. With power outages as bad as they are, Downtown Orlando is a mess to drive in. I don't need to be down there adding to it, when no one needs me there right now anyway. Those that are open know I care, and will be there ASAP. They know how to reach me.
So, I'm home. With about the worst headache I've had in years. I'm going to take some motrin and lay down for a bit. But I wanted to get what I saw down before any of it slipped away.
All I can say is I was so very lucky.
Posted by Tammi at August 16, 2004 01:32 PM