<p>I am the only one awake in my South Florida home, besides the dogs, and I am a bit nervous. We are in the midst of the hurricaine and since this one came at us from a different angle, the wind and rain are hitting the house in different way. The front door is shaking…it is only held shut by a little bolt and the strip of metal that it butts against on the threshold. My windows are bowing slightly, even though the shutters are holding tight! Every few minutes the wind and rain will let out a train whistle… I have no idea what it happening outside since we cannot see anything and cannot peek out (least the wind get inside and blow off the roof). It is a miracle that the power is still on…that goodness for a newer neighborhood with buried power lines. AND…the worst is yet to come! I am torn between waking up my husband for company and letting him sleep.</p>
<p>Here’s hoping the storm passes you quickly and you are ok with little or no damage! Keep us posted.</p>
<p>I am getting slammed. I live in Fort Lauderdale. Trees are falling down, but only one house that I see has significant damage. I was only able to go outside because the eye just passed over me.</p>
<p>TV coverage make this Wilma look like a nasty girl…apparently many people stayed and the winds were higher perhaps than you were advised. Be safe all of you, I hope you aren’t miserable for too much longer.</p>
<p>Do you still have power (or are you on battery?) I just heard 1.7 million people were without power. Hang in there. They say the west side of the storm is just as bad as the front side. I sure hate to see Florida get battered again!</p>
<p>We got back our power! We got power tonite about 7:30 pm and the phone is back on too! It has been quite a lesson in humility dealing with post hurricaine clean up and loss of power…all the food has rotted and must be thrown out…we haven’t showered in days…just splashes of cold water, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches…Having fun in sunny Florida!..</p>
<p>The University of Miami and most other area schools are remaining closed until Monday.</p>
<p>I was told to not expect power until nov 8. Do u have swimming pool to wash in?</p>
<p>Our power came back last nite…we have showers now. U of Miami extended their Early decision and early action deadlines until Nov. 15th for Wilma survivors. All schools remain closed until Monday…then we will see.</p>
<p>Today we have to finish picking up landscape debris, roof tiles are in pieces everywhere, the pool is green and full of broken tiles and leaves. The sprinkler system is disconnected…since the PVC line in the canal washed away. The fence is damaged from the falling trees. The refrigerators must be cleaned out…they stink from rotten food. The rotten food is sitting on the curb hoping for a garbage truck! Of course we have no cable TV and the satellite dish blew away so we are listening to area news on the radio.
Curfew is still in effect (7 pm- 7am) so must get local supplies in daylite…safer that way anyhow since most traffic lights are hanging by their wires. Don’t know why DD won’t use all this time to work on her essay’s!!!</p>
<p>Still without electricity here. We borrowed a generator and got the laptop and DSL modem hooked up, so I can at least feed my CC addiction. Power in our neighborhood may be out till Nov. 22. Schools are still closed, gas lines are still long but improving a little. I’m getting sick of food from the gas grill and the candles are burning low. Just thankful that S is only a junior and that we’re not in the thick of college apps, though his Wilma experience could make for the basis of a good essay.</p>
<p>What is it with these hurricanes!!??!!</p>
<p>My parents (ages 77 & 80) drove over on Friday and will stay with us here on Florida’s west coast until power gets restored to their home. The headline from Friday’s Sun Sentinel told the story : “We’re Fed Up”.</p>
<p>Yes the era of instant gratification meets reality. Restringing thousands of lines and replacing as many poles and transformers, etc. takes time folks. Get over it.</p>
<p>“Get over it.”
Just love hearing from the OOS armchair quarterback! </p>
<p>Life is starting to resemble normal here. I cannot complain. However, there are many, many people without food, water, and shelter down here and no means to travel to obtain these things. The lack of electricity can be dealt with more easily when the temperature outside is below 80 degrees and it is not raining on your damaged roof. We have been counting our blessings for almost a week now, but we worry about those less fortunate once the predicted rains and temperature rise occurs at the end of next week.</p>