Just wanted to let everyone out there know that we are fine. Our apartment survived Frances with just some water damage (soggy carpets that are now dry and smell like old sneakers). I must say, this has to be one of the most humbling experiences of my life. My husband had to work one of the many shelters here and took us all with him. Day one and two were okay. Not much to do in the private room they had set aside for Law Enforcement deputies and their families. Played board games with the kids, finally finished adding articles from 1991- 2004 into my scrapbook, and studied for my physics exam (yay).
Saturday night had to be the worst. The power went out and the building was just slightly lit by the emergency lights that ran off a generator. I never knew just how fast a building can heat up when theres 1300+ people laying all throughout the hallways, and no air conditioner. I helped out with some of the deputies as they tried to vent the building (while we still could) by opening certain doors at the same time. I was very surprised to see so much crap flying around outside but it sure did cool off that building. I finally laid down with the girls (12 & 8) to try and get some sleep, talk about mission impossible. As we lay there on our blow up beds we could hear all types of banging and freaky noises. Every few minutes one of the kids would just say mommy and then be completely quiet. I just told them all is well and God is with us. I truly didnt know if that roof was going to come off or not. Its never a good feeling when your just as scared as your kids.
We made it to morning and had to have a look. The noises we were hearing throughout the night were dozens of trees crashing down and the roof of the gym (right next to us) peeling away. The entire ordeal was very frightening but we made it out alive. Within a few hours we lost all water. So now theres 1300+ people with now electric and now no water (think"no toilets") and its pretty dang hot. It took about 12 hours for it to be safe enough to let people venture out to their homes. Some loss everything(including my sister), others never returned to the shelter. We had five full term women with us those few nights, all but one managed to keep those little babies inside (whew) This entire thing was an experience Im glad I got to go through (even if I didnt know it at the time)
Were all trying to pick up the pieces of our city and get back to life as weve know it. My heart and prayers go out to all that have been, are now, and will be shortly going through this.
Thank you to all who kept us close to your hearts and in your prayers.
Vickie & Darrel
Saturday night had to be the worst. The power went out and the building was just slightly lit by the emergency lights that ran off a generator. I never knew just how fast a building can heat up when theres 1300+ people laying all throughout the hallways, and no air conditioner. I helped out with some of the deputies as they tried to vent the building (while we still could) by opening certain doors at the same time. I was very surprised to see so much crap flying around outside but it sure did cool off that building. I finally laid down with the girls (12 & 8) to try and get some sleep, talk about mission impossible. As we lay there on our blow up beds we could hear all types of banging and freaky noises. Every few minutes one of the kids would just say mommy and then be completely quiet. I just told them all is well and God is with us. I truly didnt know if that roof was going to come off or not. Its never a good feeling when your just as scared as your kids.
We made it to morning and had to have a look. The noises we were hearing throughout the night were dozens of trees crashing down and the roof of the gym (right next to us) peeling away. The entire ordeal was very frightening but we made it out alive. Within a few hours we lost all water. So now theres 1300+ people with now electric and now no water (think"no toilets") and its pretty dang hot. It took about 12 hours for it to be safe enough to let people venture out to their homes. Some loss everything(including my sister), others never returned to the shelter. We had five full term women with us those few nights, all but one managed to keep those little babies inside (whew) This entire thing was an experience Im glad I got to go through (even if I didnt know it at the time)
Were all trying to pick up the pieces of our city and get back to life as weve know it. My heart and prayers go out to all that have been, are now, and will be shortly going through this.
Thank you to all who kept us close to your hearts and in your prayers.
Vickie & Darrel
