Three days of refuge with Dan!

[Vintage Pete]

This has been one of the most, if not the most crazy weeks I can remember in my nearly 38 years here in Florida. I'd seen a good number of Hurricanes visit Florida, some close, some far, some devastating (Andrew). But none came close to the size and power of Irma. packing 185mph winds for days on end.

I had spoken to Dan aka jdandy several days before its arrival, and he told me if I felt like I needed to leave, I was welcome to stay up there a few days.

I didn't want to intrude that way and had every intention of riding it out. But Saturday morning brought, with time to make a decision on whether to leave getting short, an ominous track forecast bringing Irma into Tampa bay nearly directly out of the gulf as a major (cat 3 or worse) hurricane. A scenario like that could decimate Pinellas County. Not only was storm surge a concern, but 120+mph sustained winds were a concern to me, since my home was built in 1984, before new codes went into effect in Florida following Hurricane Andrew (1992). So, after boarding up the house and a call to Dan, I was on the road.

As per usual, Dan and Marlene were fabulous hosts. You can't find better friends and it was a huge help to be with them through many very tense hours watching the storm's progress. Power went down in McAlpin around 8pm Sunday evening, and wasn't restored until around 8:30pm last night (Monday). Fortunately Dan has a generator that was run a few hours on, a few hours off. So while there was some minor inconveniences (No power in the studio!) things were still pretty comfortable.

The best news for Tampa Bay seemed to be emerging Sunday night, as a weakened (Category 2) Irma came ashore near Naples, and seemed to be on a straight northerly track. That would (and did) take it just slightly east of Tampa, sparing Pinellas County the devastating hit that was predicted. Nevertheless, the Florida Keys and Naples has suffered catastrophic damage, and the entire state has been affected. As Dan mentioned in another thread, it got pretty wild at Dan's place as well, as the northeast eyewall whizzed right through the area. Dan was up all night watching and listening (as I would have been at my house) and the howling winds woke me up more than once. The grounds around Dan's place are a mess, as Dan mentioned. Uprooted trees, branches and leaves everywhere, etc.

In spite of it all, Dan and I did find time to listen to some great sounds in the studio before we lost power, and did lots of audio chatting. The important stuff!

Seriously, given the potential for catastrophe this epic storm brought (and did bring to South Florida, especially), it could have been far, far worse. As to my home and neighborhood, there are a few uprooted trees, gutters ripped off, and so on. My home has no damage to speak of, only some minor water intrusion on my (recently repaired) flat roof in my Florida room. I believe this was caused by rains driven by very high winds coming from the north (as I would expect from the proximity and rotation of the storm). In the grand scale of things, this is nothing.

I have much, much to be thankful for, not the least of which is the friendship of Dan and Marlene.

[Joe]

Man, glad you guys are safe with little worries now, and the worst avoided!!

[jdandy]

Pete....... Glad to hear there was only a minor water problem in the Florida room. That's nothing compared to what was predicted and feared. I know it must feel good to be back home. We were happy to offer you shelter. As it turned out we still got a good taste of Irma's vengeance.

I found another large oak tree uprooted back in the northeast corner of my property. It's a big one with about a 10 foot root ball pulled up. What a mess. I'm thankful the house did not sustain any damage. It was a tense and frightening night. So happy it's over. I am still decompressing from the stress. Still no landline telephone or Internet.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using audioaficionado.org mobile app

[tweet]

Pete,
Thanks for the update. I'm thankful that you, Dan and Marlene made it through the storm safely with only minimal property damage. My family lives in the Cocoa area so I've been keeping in touch daily and thinking of all of you. I hope life for everyone in Florida returns to normal as quickly as possible.

[bart]

Dan & Pete, I'm very glad that you came through safe and sane!
Dan, wonderful that you hosted our buddy Pete!

[JemHadar]

Originally Posted by bart

Dan & Pete, I'm very glad that you came through safe and sane!

Dan, wonderful that you hosted our buddy Pete!

+10

[EfeTe]

Worst occasion to get together I know, but it is great to read that you both (and your significant others) are well. No records harmed either!!!

Dan -I am not known for throwing around admiration remarks but in your case it is just impossible to refrain one-self. You are one of a kind -the Incarnation of solidarity! And I am glad and proud to share any space, albeit online, with such great person. We Argies have this construction "buena madera" and you certainly are made of that.

[GaryProtein]

I'm happy everyone came through the storm in good shape.

[Canonicus]

What a kind and thoughtful gesture to extend to a fellow Floridian in need.
You're the BEST, Dan
If you need any help..in any way ..I'll work for a beer and smile!

[Doug Lax]

Dan = Class Act

Glad to hear everything is ok Pete