Hurricane Katrina

[Ann B.]

This one is scary. I remember Camille. Camille was forecasted to hit Mobile, but instead hit Biloxi and killed many people with the storm surge.

They are predicting a 15' or more surge in downtown Mobile if the storm goes into New Orleans.

The west end of Dauphin Island is already flooded. People can't get to their homes to save their valuables. Those that are already there are having to walk out.

While New Orleans and Mississippi was evacuating, I think that too many people here were not preparing. Now, there is a sort of panic for some.

My school, as well as others, are now open as shelters. People in low areas are packing up and getting out.

Please pray really hard. I fear that many people are going to get hurt in this one.

I'll keep you posted as long as I can. Right now, the sun is shining The wind is blowing, but it is still HOT! We probably have a couple more hours before the outer bands start arriving.

I still have a few more hanging baskets to move.

It's gonna get BAD!

[tony b.]

Ann'
Like you said ,this is going to be a bad one.Get out of there dont take any chances and stay safe.I'm sure we'll all be praying for all of you down there in the eye of the storm.
GOOD LUCK!
tony b.

[vicki]

Ann,
Just wanted to say I will be praying for you all down that way. Please take care and keep safe.

[Dazed_Lily]

Ann- Isn't flooding going to be a potential problem for you too ?
I was watching the Weather Channel and the waves are whipped up very high at Gulf Shores. (I need to get a map; I don't know where anything is in Alabama). They mentioned storm surge in the bay to Broadstreet and I have no idea what that means.
Please be safe. Remember our prayers are with you & your family(and as you indicated with all in Katrina's path).

[Ann B.]

Cathy,

Broad Street is downtown, about a mile or two from the mouth of Mobile Bay (the northern tip where it meets Mobile River and the Delta river system).

The problem is that the strong north winds will blow gulf water into the bay faster than it can flow back out. In fact, the wind will prevent it from flowing out.

It floods here due to heavy rains, not from a body of water overflowing. I expect my back yard to flood. I may have to clip the fence to let water flow out.

In the map given at the link below, I am somewhere near the middle of zone 3. Zones 1 and 2 flood from the gulf, the bay and the rivers. Broad Street and Water Street are in zone 2.

http://media.mgbg.com/media/wkrg/images/evacuation_zones_new.jpg

The feeder bands have already clouded the sky, so there is little or no sun and drops of rain starting. The wind is not bad yet.

My house is boarded up, and inside it looks like it is dark due to lack of daylight.

Cars, boats and truck are parked where trees will not fall on them (I hope).

I still have to buckle down the greenhouse and the patio doors, but it is too hot to shut them up right now.

[Ann B.]

I don't know if this will work, but here is a link to one of the live cams located near the mouth of the bay (north).

http://weather.mgnetwork.com/cgi-bin/weatherIMD3/weather.cgi?user=KRG&alt=MGIMD_local&hwvURL=users/KRG/LIVE/daphne.html&hwvpagename=Infirmary+EasternShore+Cam&place=Daphne&state=al

[Ann B.]

Here is the live cam at the hotel next to Water Street at the mouth of Mobile River.

http://weather.mgnetwork.com/cgi-bin/weatherIMD3/weather.cgi?user=KRG&alt=MGIMD_local&hwvURL=users/KRG/LIVE/downtownmobile.html&place=mobile&state=al&hwvpagename=Adams+Mark+Cam

[Ann B.]

And here is our live doppler system. I am located a little below the left part of the 'M' in Mobile.

http://weather.mgnetwork.com/cgi-bin/weatherIMD3/weather.cgi?user=KRG&alt=MGIMD_local_doppler&place=mobile&state=al

New Orleans is on the lower left of the doppler.

[Ann B.]

We are now out of the projected cone of landfall!

They are telling us to expect 80-100 mph winds with gusts up to 140 mph. Still, that is not as bad as taking a direct hit by this monster.

The house is dark inside. The winds are calm at the moment, but it is sprinkling.

I hate to see my young 'weeping' pecan tree hit hard, but depending on how bad the winds get, this tree may or may not suffer. It is doubtful that there will be many pecans to survive.

Thought you might want to see a pic.

My 'weeping' pecan....
'

[Ann B.]

And here is a pic of the size of the pecans that are on this tree....

[Ann B.]

This is the beginning of late summer bloom season for me. Here is one that I did not plant. Some consider it a weed, and sure enough, there will be lots and lots of seeds if any of you want some.

I don't mind with this one. It is very pretty!

The cypress vine that took residence on my mailbox...

[Rebecca]

Ann,

While waiting for the daughter and family to eat lunch (I went over to help her get some of the plants she got from me into the ground) I was watching the Fox News channel and I am really afraid for the folks in New Orleans who have refused to evacuate and more so for those who are having to take shelter in the DOme, the shelter of last resort. I fear there will be a heavy death toll from this one People just aren't believing what they are being told, say they've heard it all before and it never got as bad as was predicted. They don't understand that this storm is the intensity of Camille and the size of Betsy. I saw the radar images and it is a monster and with water temperatures at 90 degrees in the Gulf, there's no chance Katrina will lose steam, but more than likely gain velocity.

I pray there won't be too many lives lost and that everyone who will be affected by Katrina is given the strength and guidance of the Lord to keep you safe from harm.

"May Angels Light Your Pathways, And God's Love Keep You Warm. "


Hugs,


Rebecca

[GLORY4HIM]

Hi Ann,

Wow, so you are out of the projected cone of landfall for hurricane Katrina! That is great news. We have been watching CNN closely since last night. I have been thinking of you all day since it was upgraded to category 5. I guess it was Friday when I logged on to the forum and saw your post that it was projected "dead center" your way.

So then, are you staying in your home? In the Water Street live cam (link you provided) it appears that many cars are all heading on the highway in one direction only.

My son and I just want you to know we are thinking and praying for your safety.

Andrea :)

[Ann B.]

Andrea,

It is indeed nice to be outside of the cone, but we still face being on the worst side of the storm.

I hear thunder, and it's going to get rough tonight, so I am going to hit the sack early and try to get some rest.

Thanks for the prayers and thoughts! We are at home, and we should be about as safe here as anywhere nearby.

No doubt I will be awakened in the middle of the night, and if we still have power, I will check for messages and let you all know how we are.

The phone has been ringing off the hook, but I think we have talked to everyone so all is quiet now.

Till later!

[Ann B.]

Whoops!

Just checked the forecasted path again, and we are barely inside the cone. We won't count that, okay?

Night ALL!

[jimlang]

Hope you and your family are all safe and OK.

[vonny53]

Ann, My prayers are with you as you ride out this storm. I watched some of it this morning on fox news. Stay safe my friend. Yvonne

[vicki]

Thanks Ann, for the pics. Never seen a 'growing' pecan before, only the ones you can buy and eat. :)
Stay safe it's not over yet.

[Rebecca]

From WKRG News 5, earlier today:


At 1 pm...NWS doppler radar in mobile showed the eye of katrina to be over southwestern lamar county in mississippi... Continuing to move north at 20 mph through 2 pm...Surface winds of 60 to 75 mph range over southeast mississippi and portions of mobile and washington counties of alabama. Wind gusts as high as 90 mph could occur during this time. Rainfall rates will range between 2 and 4 inches per three hours as the more intense rainbands from katrina continue to move over southeast mississippi and southwest alabama. Storm tides along the northwest florida coast range from near an estimated 9 feet at Bayou la batre to 5.5 feet on the east end of dauphin island. The tide level at The mobile state docks was around 8 feet around noontime. Reports of major flooding have occurred in downtown mobile and on dauphin island parkway.

Flash Flood warnings are out for many counties, so things are looking rough.

I've been trying to listen to live coverage on WKRG News 8, but not being failure with Ann' location it's hard for me to really know what's going on. I'm not getting the video feed, only audio and that isn't helping.

Latest is huge old trees that have been up-rooted. Dauphin Island is really hard hit. Power outages; 188,00+ are now without power (state wide, I think).

Downtown Mobile is getting buffeted rather badly, with water rising in the streets, nearly reaching the traffic lights, water is over the entrance and beyond at the Convention Center on Water Street, debris flying through the air. Downtown Mobile is in Zone 1; Ann is in Zone 3, which is much higher ground.

Winds still gusting form 60 to 75 miles per hours for at least the next couple of hours.


Keep praying! Our prayers did help keep New Orleans from having a direct hit. Praise the Lord for that. Sections of the New Orleans Super Dome have been blown off and people are being moved to "dry" sections within the Dome.


Ann, I know you probably can't see this, but know you and yours as well as all who are feeling the effects of Katrina are in our prayers. Stay safe!


Love,

Rebecca

www.wkrg.com is the link if anyone wants

[GLORY4HIM]

Yes, the growing pecan tree is an awesome sight. I had never seen one before. It really amazed me how large they are as they grow on the tree. Really neat.

Hope things are going well for you and your family.

[GLORY4HIM]

CNN is just now reporting from Mobile. The reporter was in the downtown core, approx. 8 blocks from the bay. He said 20 minutes ago, he filed a report in the street. Now the water has risen knee deep in that same spot that was fine 20 minutes ago.

I'm glad Ann is in zone 3 in somewhat higher ground.

Yes, you are correct Rebecca. The reporter said there is no power in Mobile, so Ann cannot read these posts at all.

[GLORY4HIM]

I just cannot believe all the destruction that is being shown on TV. It is just overwhelming. All those homes underwater due to the levee that broke in New Orleans, the homes swept away in Biloxi, the damages to highways and bridges, the lack of clean water.

It would be hard enough just to deal with the loss of power, and the discomfort associated with that. I know I take power for granted until I lose it, and the simple little things in life (like having clean clothes or a warm shower) become very precious.

May heart goes out to all that are displaced, lost homes, or loved ones, or simply cannot locate loved ones.

Does anyone know how long they are saying people will be without power where Ann lives? I know she said her school was being used as a shelter...had the fall session begun already down there? The more I think of it the more I wonder if this is going to be a long time connecting up the power to the Mobile area.

And those folks in the flooded parts of New Orleans. How long will it take to get the water out? Would those homes with water up to the rooftops be salvageable or will they have to be destroyed? Even if they could salvage them, all the gyproc/drywall would have to be replaced, insulation, etc. It just is unbelievable.

[tony b.]

All we can do is wait and hope.I keep checking as often as I can hoping for good news.
thanks,
tony b

[Tom]

If you do a mapquest for Mobile, AL and then move out, you can then find Dawes Rd in the southwest. Follow that along and find the little wide place in the road known as Dawes. Ann lives very near there I think, and it is not a place I would want to be. Even though they evacuated everyone north of I-10, Ann is a good bit southwest of downtown Mobile, and nearer the path of the storm.

We had heavy rain and winds in the 70 mph range last night and today. We lost power and phone for about 12 hours, but all is back on now. There were trees on the power lines and all accross the roads here. Just in our county we had some 40,000 people without power but I have no idea how many are still without.

Just keep praying for Ann and family.

[Dazed_Lily]

Looks to be maybe 10 miles from the bay.
Update on Alabama:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4823301
As Ann said b4 the storm hit, it is unlikely she would experience storm surge but most likely rain flooding(we've seen photos of her yard and how easily it floods when there is a heavy rain let alone a hurricane): http://www.landspro.com/forums/showthread.php3?s=&threadid=2748&highlight=flood
Most likely tree damge and powerlines down.
She certainly does not have electricity and may not for days.

Rebecca's link to local news again(check out the hurricane links-photo gallery and storm damage pictures):http://www.wkrg.com/

[Tom]

Just a quick note to let all Ann's friends know that she and her family are all OK. They are without power, and have no idea when that may be restored.

There was no damage to the house and very little to the greenhouse, but the landscape is another story, I'll wait and let her tell you about that. They have already started the cleanup in the yard. The schools are still closed, and no word yet when they may open again.

[Rebecca]

"If you do a mapquest for Mobile, AL and then move out, you can then find Dawes Rd in the southwest. Follow that along and find the little wide place in the road known as Dawes. Ann lives very near there I think, and it is not a place I would want to be. Even though they evacuated everyone north of I-10, Ann is a good bit southwest of downtown Mobile, and nearer the path of the storm."


Tom,

I really didn't want to hear this! I don't think Ann has even cell phone service right now and I have been worried sick about her as is. Please, if you or Tony happen to have her cell number, please try to contact her and let us know something.


The latest I've heard on New Orleans is not good, not good at all. They are saying that the entire town must be evacuated due to flooding. They might not have gotten the direct hit, but daylight showed a very serious picture unfolding. It looks like New Orleans is all but gone and Boluxi is gone and Gulfport is another sad story. This is just too terrible for me to even try to think about, let alone comprehend. The destruction is so wide-spread it is going to be a very, very long time rebuilding, and it could be months before power is restored to everyone.

I pray for courage for all who have been affected by this terrible disaster, directly or indirectly. We are all connected so if even one of us is in pain we are all in pain.

I pray the Lord will watch over all those people still awaiting rescue and that all who need to be rescued will be. Let all who can help in any way do so without hesitation and for those who can not help, physically or financially, let there be a way they are able to assist. Amen

Rebecca

Edited 8:58 EST 8-30-05

Tom, Thank you for the update about Ann, We must have been posting at the same time.

[vonny53]

Thanks for letting us know about Ann. I'm fairly new here but glad to know she and her family is ok. I'm watching the devastation on tv and I know its terrible. She's been on my mind as she is the only one I haven't heard about. Yvonne

[DaylilyDawn]

Chiming with my thanks also for letting us know Ann is Ok. I was very worried about all my friends that were in the storms wake. Two I have heard from that they are safe and now Ann makes 3.

[Ann B.]

Thanks, Tom, for figuring out how to call me and continuing to try until my phone worked. In fact, we didn't even know it was working again until Tom's phone call.

The house is fine. I need to repair the front door to the old greenhouse, but it's not that bad.

We don't have power, and probably will not for days to come, and I have to tell you that it is hot. We are supposed to get a cold front tonight which should at least cool the evenings some.

Gas is impossible to find, and I am almost out of gas for the generator. We may have to figure out how to siphon some from one of the vehicles. No one knows when the schools will open. Many took substantial hits losing entire wings. Looks like a short Christmas vacation again...

The weeping pecan lost several south facing limbs, but it faired better than I thought. It seems that the weight of the pecans kept the branches from whipping so bad.

The one remaining 75 year old pecan lost a lot of major limbs. They flew away from the house. Thank goodness.

My neighbor's 75 year old pecan came down across the fence, missed my house and porch by a couple of feet, missed the old gh by a foot, crushed the ladder to Hunter's pool and actually some limbs were down in the pool, but amazingly, no punctures and the pool lives. Just lots of limbs and leaves and pecans in the pool. I was able to remove much of that today, but there is still a lot more to get out.

The old eating pear tree is gone. The old pecan seedlng is down and barely missed the fence. The fig tree is down. The grape vine posts are leaning, but still loaded with grapes.

My yard is filled with pecans everywhere you step. They are too green to salvage.

The shrubs and roses are ripped to shreads, but they will bounce back.

Oh, the neighbor's downed pecan tree fell on my row of potted amaryllis and many daylilies. I don't know yet what the casualty is on those, but I am hopeful.

I don't know how often I will be able to log on. Perhaps every day, perhaps every few days. It depends on the gas situation. There were so many people evacuating from Mississippi and LA through here, and the tanks are mostly dry. There is no electricity to open most stations even if they did have gas.

Now, everyone is trying to get back home, and there are huge lines of people waiting to buy gas.

Wish me luck in the next week. It's going to be a rough one, but not nearly as bad as my neighboring states.

Please pray for the families of those who lost their lives and homes.

I'll be back as soon as I can...

Thanks for being my friends!

[GLORY4HIM]

Ann,

What great news to hear that you and your family are all right! I understand that the hardships are just beginning, (little/no gas, no electricity) but how marvelous that you and your family/home have fared so far.

What a relief to see your posting!..We are all glued to CNN and just cannot imagine anything like this.

Great job also to Tom for the phonecall and info for all of us about Ann. Great Great news!

[Rebecca]

Ann,

I am so relieved to be reading a post from you! Even though Tom had let us know you were all okay, I was still worried sick. Thank the Lord you were able to get connected this evening.

I'm sure there will be plenty of work for everyone when the rebuilding starts, even if it isn't in a trade they are actually trained to do.

Gasoline is already getting scarce around here and no one knows when the stations will get their next delivery so many, if not all will run out and everyone will be in a pickle. Then when it is available again I can just see the price skyrocketing. I see the price of a lot of things skyrocketing.

Ann, again, it is so good to see and read your post! (Deep sigh of relief).

Hugs and hugs and hugs,

Rebecca

[vonny53]

Glad to hear you are safe and the damage not super bad. Hope you are able to get some more gas. We've been watching all the news reports here on the storm. Take care. Yvonne

[vicki]

Ann and Hunter,
I am so thankful that you all are alright! Like the others I have been worrying and worrying. I also can not comprehend the magnitude of devastation that they are showing on the news! My thoughts and prayers are with you all and the thousands upon thousands affected by this.

[Ann B.]

I unplug the freezer in order to watch the news now and then to find out what is going on.

There are several gas stations open near me, but the lines are terribly long. Many are from LA and Miss, and I know they need the gas worse than we do. They have to travel further to get it which compounds the problem.

My heart breaks for these families that lost loved ones and everything they own. I feel so helpless. I guess everyone does.

Still, I feel that we are so lucky, and I am very grateful.

I'll try to log on again when I can. Phone service is awful and cable is still down.

Hanging in there and doing what I can....

[Rebecca]

Ann,

Yes, my heart goes out to all who lost family and friends as well as all their possessions; but more so for the entire Nation who will be feeling (and certain populations) suffering from the after effects of this disaster. Higher gas prices are only the tip of the iceberg, I'm afraid. :(

I feel for our President and prayer the Lord continues at his side to guide him through what still lies ahead.

Rebecca


"GOD BLESS AMERICA"

[Dazed_Lily]

I thought we at Landspro would appreciate the power of a growing plant:


Spindly Bush Saves Miss. Police Officers

By CAIN BURDEAU, Associated Press Writer1 hour, 5 minutes ago

For five hours, 14 members of Waveland's police department held on desperately to a spindly bush as they watched the town they swore to protect being torn apart by Hurricane Katrina.
Debris shot past them; tin roofs fired up into the air; a shrimp boat swept past in churning sea waters as they clung to the 8-foot-tall bush. Blasted by a storm surge some say was 30 feet high Monday morning, this town got some of the worst of Katrina.
Three days later, the anemic-looking, red-tipped bush in front of the police department has become a shrine to Waveland's men and women in blue. There's now a hand-carved wooden cross placed in the bush to highlight its role in a remarkable story of survival — a sign of hope as police go about the grim duty of recovering bodies and trying to help shocked survivors in the town of 7,000 about 35 miles east of New Orleans.
"You can see where there's no bark," said Lisa Parker, the chief's secretary. "That's where we were holding onto it."
Added patrolman Todd Blake: "The death grip hold."
Waveland took a storm surge Monday morning some say was 30 feet high. When water rose through the police station, about a mile from the beach, those inside punched through a window that had been covered by plywood and climbed outside. There they found water pouring through their parking lot.
They then formed a human chain through the swirling waters and howling winds with the plan to reach higher ground on a highway median in front of the station. But the sea surge was too strong, breaking up their chain.
While 14 of the officers, dispatchers and other personnel held onto the bush, the rest were being swept away until they were able to grab onto the station and climb up to the roof or onto trucks where they waited for the water to recede.
"There was a family with two children that was trapped in the waters," said patrolman John Saltarelli. "And we couldn't help them."
But the family was able to cling to a tall motel sign and walked away when the waters receded.
Then, the officers found their cruisers waterlogged, their communications dead, their guns soaked. Their station was a mess of dangling wires, mud and darkness.
"The best description I have is that it was tsunami-like," Saltarelli said.
Police recovered at least five bodies Wednesday. Authorities would not confirm a death toll, but Mayor Tommy Longo has told The Clarion-Ledger that at least 50 residents died.
All 26 members of the police department survived Katrina. Police are already making plans to transplant the bush for a permanent memorial when a new station can be built.
For Waveland's peacekeepers, there is a feeling of great gratitude amid the devastation.
They recount that a few months ago, an officer accidentally plowed into the bush with his car, but the bush bounced back. And, they said, the chief had been talking about chopping the bush down because it was ugly and obscured the view of the highway.
But he never got around to it.

[Ann B.]

That must have been a mighty strong bush!

Guess what!!!!

I have POWER! Real honest to goodness power, and this is only the fourth day!

The cable modem is still down, so I am on a very slow dial up. Gee, though! I can't believe that we actually have power. They say the temps are going to fall to 72 tonight and rise to 93 tomorrow.

I do believe I'll get some things done inside in the air conditioner!!!

Just kidding... At least I can come in once in awhile ot get cooled down.

Oh, Gee! We actually have POWER!

[DaylilyDawn]

We never know when we will lose power if it will be for minutes , hours or days when a hurricane comes thru. I have several hurricane lamps with fuel for them that came in handy when our power went out last year . We used a charcoal grill to cook our meal that evening because the power had gone out earlier in the evening. I am so glad that you are safe and that you now have the power back on. Now if the gas price gouging will stop.

[Ann B.]

Some of the price hike is real. Some of it is NOT! I was able to listen to Governor Bush about what they are doing to make sure that it is real.

This morning, it rose $0.50 at the few stations that were operational. That will probably last a few more days until the pipelines are reopened. Who knows...

Meanwhile, if I don't have to go to school, I won't be going very far.

We are facing some hard times, but somehow we always seem to figure out a way to get through them.

BTW, I actually have my cable modem back! It's the little things that add up when all of them are gone...

[3girls]

Ann and family--so very glad you are safe and relattively undamaged.

Watching the news has been traumatic! I just cannot imagine the helplessness of the people who have lost everything.

Prayer and money are needed desperately.

[tony b.]

Glad all of yall made it!
thanks,
tony b

[Rebecca]

Isn't the power of Prayer a Wonderful thing! Even God will fix the easy things first.

Ann, it is so very good to have to back with us and in one piece!

There will be a new bloom open tomorrow on your namesake and no thrips to mess it all up!


Rebecca

[shepp]

we have at least 1200 people from my work down your way 300 are from OHIO the rest are from applachian,kentucky ,texas,indiana,arkansas, and others.
they write back home and there reactions are posted online ,all of them say its the worse they ever seen. deplorable conditions most are sleeping in trucks nite after nite on military bases.
no food, showers .no drinking water.i hope they all stay safe.
glad you and the family are safe.
the plants will bounce back once again.
shepp

[Ann B.]

Thanks, all!

The weeks and months ahead are going to be hard for so many people! I feel so fortunate.

Shepp, you are right. The plants will perk back up and regrow. Those that don't can be replaced. It's not that easy to replace homes, and I do mean homes, not houses. Homes that families have had for many, many years. It's impossible to replace family members and friends. All of mine are safe, but some lost their homes. Still, they have a place to go and so many, many do not.

More shelters are being opened, and it seems that they are filling up so very fast.

What you see on the news is very real even though often I feel they focus on the theatrical rather than the reality. TV doesn't relay the heat, the smell, the discomfort, the hunger, the thirst and worst of all, the fear of the unknown futures. God bless all that are suffering.

They announced that our schools will not open until September 12th at the earliest. Some were flooded and will take longer to open. They are talking about setting up tents for schools for the displaced children. I can't imagine how that is going to work.

I've gotta admit that I just don't know...

Thank you for your prayers. We need them.

[Ann B.]

The sadness keeps pouring in, and that is hard. This afternoon, I took a break from cleanup and watched the news. It hit me, and I cried. Not tears of sadness, but tears of pride.

You see, some local people near Bayou La Batre decided to set up a drop off for supplies to go to Pascagoula, MS which is about 20 miles from me. Suddenly, despite troubles getting gas and many still without power, people were arriving with all kinds of bedding, washing machines, clothing, baby supplies, you name it. As I watched, two more 18 wheelers pulled up to volunteer to help.

Gee, I am proud to be an American! It's not just about what the government can do for us and how fast they can do it, it is about Americans and communities reaching out to help each other even when they themselves are suffering.

It's been a good day, but I am mighty tired and worn. Hey, guess what! I still have a few blooms despite it all! Little grapette is definitely a keeper. It bloomed the day after the storm and hasn't quit even though it was on the side of the house hit the hardest by winds. I do believe I will plant the seeds from those pods first.

[Ann B.]

Shucks, Shepp and others from Ohio...

I keep forgetting to tell you that there was a Salvation Army truck at the gas station less than a mile from my house two days after the hurricane. The station had no power and was not opened, so he simply turned around and left.

I couldn't help but notice that it said, "Columbus, OH" on the side of the truck.

Indeed, we appreciate the help from all over the country. It looks like many will be here for a long time. They said on the news this morning that some power crews are living at the state fair grounds. The power crew worker said it beat sleeping in their trucks.

And we thank you ALL!

[Rebecca]

I heard the last death toll estimate for just NOLA and died a little inside. The disaster was bad enough in and of itself, but the lives lost is absolutely heart breaking. I hope they are wrong about their estimated numbers.

Oh!@ I email my local ARC Chaptered and told them about the vacant apartment next to me. I am hoping they will contact the Landlord and talk him into donating or at least making it available for temporary housing. That would be grand if they could!

Rebecca

[Ann B.]

to take some pictures so that you could see a little of what happened here.

The paper shell pecan tree...

[Ann B.]

That's Ray's camper in the background of the last picture. He still didn't have power and water at his house so he hooked up to us. I am happy to say that as of a couple of hours ago, he has power and water (well).

There are still a few pecans, but they look a little beaten. Still, there are a few...

[Ann B.]

The gap in the fence after the neighbor's huge tree was removed from my yard.

[Ann B.]

Sue Salley's Purple Lady Banks Rose was protected from the heavy winds by the old pecan tree which fell just a few feet from it.

[Ann B.]

I moved as many pots of plants as I could get to before the tree was chain sawed down. There is another hole in the fence from one of many huge limbs. Here is part of what I could not get to...

[Ann B.]

The crushed daylily pots are bouncing back...

[Ann B.]

The old seedling pecan tree...

I will miss this one! (BTW, this is not my camper. It belongs to a friend at the Island.)

[Ann B.]

What is left of the fig tree...

Perhaps some of it will live and can be uprighted as Tom suggested.

[Ann B.]

The old eating pear tree...

[Ann B.]

The lattice trellis in front of the old well house...

[Ann B.]

The 'Five Kinds of Apple' tree (one of two)...

[Dazed_Lily]

Wow ! Where are you going to start ? Sorry about your peacn and pear trees(glad you have a second 5 in one apple). Maybe the fig is small enough to upright again. I know that trees have great restorative power but that's usually when the trunk is still upright. Sigh.
I chuckled over all your pots; I am so glad that I am not the only one!
I wish I had a fruit tree to send you. I did save a peach pit for fun the other day but I doubt that would help.
I have some baby lilacs and eastern red cedars(they would just bend in a hurricane). ;)
Thanks for the pix; they do tell quite a story.

[Ann B.]

Almost forgot...

I would really hate to see this one die. It is huge and loaded with grapes. I think we will have to build another arbor underneath it. I'm not sure.

You can see the fruit because what remains is hidden within the structure or leaves.

My golden scuppernong....

[Ann B.]

It's hard to take a pic without a flash....

[Ann B.]

The garage cat stayed hidden inside the garage all day and was leary to venture out. Animals somehow know how to take protection from the storms.

We went out often to check on her and make sure she was not scared. She didn't seem to be.

[Ann B.]

Cathy,

That is only half the pots that were in that area when the tree went down on them.

On top of that, there is another area where I have pots that is even larger than this one. My daylily seedlings were in a more protected area, but still subject to having a tree fall on them. They were just more protected from the north winds.

One of my epi's had four blossoms on it. I took them into the patio, but only one of the blooms survived. It may open tonight, and if it does, I will miss it. It has been raining, and believe it or not, we needed a little rain.

Please continue to pray for the coast just west of me. Devastation starts about 10 miles from here (both south and west).

My heart breaks for the sorrow and sadness. It is difficult to fight being depressed, but we are all trying very hard and staying very busy.

[Ann B.]

Despite devastation to many in the community where I spent my childhood - Bayou La Batre, AL.

There is a video clip in the following report which shows a damaged home and what it looks like inside after flooding. This is not storm surge, this is rising water from the bayou...

If you want, take a peak and you can understand some of the heart ache that is going on here.

http://www.wkrg.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WKRG/MGArticle/KRG_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1128767638388

[Ann B.]

If I seem a little down or quiet at times, please be patient with me. First H. Ivan, then Dennis, then Katrina and finally Rita (the worst of H.'s within a year's time has done of number on some of my gardening efforts. I just wish I had more time to deal with the problems and fix them.

I took a few pics, but some I will take later.

The after effects...

This is my golden Scuppernong. I don't know if it will recover, and I don't know how we are going to fix the support system. The posts are not rotted. They are in cement, but we had so much rain and so much wind, the whole structure just twisted.

Here is what it looks like today. Any suggestions on how to fix this problem?

[Ann B.]

As opposed to canning...

They tasted like a Bartlett, only they were larger.

There was no uprighting this one, but look at all the sprouts coming from the roots!

[Ann B.]

from my seedling pecan tree! It was here when I bought the place 20 years ago. It produced small, but yummy nuts and was loaded this year.

I will miss this one!

[Ann B.]

I still haven't figured out how we are going to fix the grape arbor, but I have been watching for signs of life and haven't seen any. Still, I hoped and almost daily, I've gone to the back quarter to check. Last weekend, I checked my neighbors. Theirs has leaves started to sprout, and I hoped even more....

For you see, these are supposed to be male/female plants. Their's does not bare fruit like mine has, but I think mine has been dependent on their's for pollen.

Yesterday, I noticed what appeared to be tiny little buds forming. Today, the buds are more visible, and guess what?

I found little bitty leaves sprouting! There is hope! There is hope!

But I still have to figure out how to fix the arbor. The posts are not rotten. They are in cement. The ground was just soaked for too long when the winds came. The top rails gave way because they are 1 X 4's. Gotta use heavier top rails next time, huh?

Wish me luck on saving this beauty. You have to realize that the main trunk on this vine is 6" in diameter. I have had it for a very, very long time and planted it as a little bareroot twig, so it is still my baby...