Hey, Hex Squad! I wished to achieve out and provide you with all an replace after Hurricane Milton swept by way of. Your messages on Instagram, Fb, and emails checking in on me actually warmed my coronary heart. Thanks a lot for pondering of me and my household throughout these back-to-back hurricanes.
I’m comfortable to report that Dave, the women, and I are doing nicely, regardless of each Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton pummeling the Tampa Bay space. It’s been a whirlwind, however we’re secure and sound.
Our House: A Secure Haven
Once we purchased our residence six years in the past, we selected a location 20 miles inland from the Gulf Coast, firmly located in a no-flood, no-evacuation zone inside the Tampa Bay space. Being risk-averse, I wished a spot that may preserve us protected, even when it restricted our choices on the time.
Across the time of my divorce, I invested in a brand new roof, and later, Dave and I added automated storm shutters for additional safety. Remarkably, our residence has weathered each main hurricane up to now 20 years with out sustaining any harm. The neighborhood lake, which you’ll be able to see within the photograph above, absorbed a major quantity of water after the storm, serving to forestall flooding in our speedy space.
Our Chosen Household
Whereas we had been lucky to be in a secure zone, a lot of our pals and chosen household weren’t as fortunate. We welcomed Mickey and his fiancé Dustin—together with their three cats and lovable canine—and our pal Cary along with his candy pup into our residence. In whole, we had 5 people, 4 canine, and three cats below one roof for nearly per week!
It was a full home, however I’m extremely grateful we might provide a secure haven for these we love. Sharing our area introduced us all nearer collectively, and the assist we offered one another made the difficult occasions extra bearable.
After Hurricane Milton Assets
- Milton Cleanup Hotline – 844-956-1386
- FEMA Registration – 1-800-621-3362
- Florida Emergency Hotline – 1-800-342-3557
- Habitat for Humanity – 813-239-2248
- Catastrophe Misery Helpline – 1-800-985-5990
I wished to share these after hurricane sources in case you wanted them. It’s regular to expertise emotional misery after again to again disasters. If you happen to need assistance, name the Catastrophe Misery Helpline.
Energy Outages and Flooding
The Higher Tampa Bay space continues to be grappling with widespread flooding and energy outages. Whereas Mickey and Dustin lastly had their energy restored yesterday, many Floridians stay with out electrical energy. Some communities are even dealing with boil-water advisories as a result of compromised water provides.
Flooding has affected quite a few neighborhoods round us, main to high school cancellations and unsafe driving circumstances on many roads. Despite the fact that our avenue remained dry, seeing the encompassing areas wrestle has been heart-wrenching.
My Favourite Half
Amid the chaos and uncertainty, my favourite a part of having everybody at our residence was the valuable high quality time we shared collectively. From becoming a member of Dave and me on our morning walks to cooking meals and watching films as a giant, blended household—it was heartwarming past phrases. The laughter echoing by way of the home, the impromptu dance events, and the deep conversations late into the evening turned a anxious state of affairs into an unforgettable bonding expertise. These moments jogged my memory of the significance of group and the way, even within the hardest occasions, we will discover pleasure and connection.
The Worst Half
The evening Hurricane Milton made landfall was actually terrifying. Listening to the storm’s relentless winds ripping at our residence was probably the most horrifying expertise I’ve ever endured. The howling gusts felt like they could tear the roof proper off, and the partitions appeared to shudder with every highly effective surge. Sleep was unattainable—I lay awake, coronary heart pounding, ready for the winds to die down even a little bit. It was a stark reminder of nature’s unpredictable energy, and it left me feeling each humbled and profoundly grateful when the storm lastly handed and we had been all secure.
Last Ideas
I’m frequently reminded of the energy and resilience of our group throughout these occasions. Thanks once more for all of your love and assist. Please preserve these affected in your ideas, and let’s proceed to look out for each other.