It was a week ago Wednesday, around 1:00pm, when Hurricane Ian first approached the coast of southwest Florida. In the aftermath, once again the coastal topography has changed.
Incredibly, rescue workers are still going through rubble on Fort Myers Beach, Sanibel Island, Captiva Island, Pine Island and Matlacha while recovery operations continue in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Arcadia, Punta Gorda and Port Charlotte. Approximately 50% of Lee and Desoto counties are still without power and water.
The closer to the SWFL coast, the more devastating the infrastructure is damaged. However, the inland areas were also heavily impacted by wind damage and historic flooding. Hurricane Ian left a wide swath of chaos in his slow and sizeable wake.
On a positive note, there are fewer helicopter flights crisscrossing overhead, which would indicate most of the barrier islands have been searched and residents rescued in one of the largest air mobilizations in Florida hurricane history. The flights seem more focused on delivering personnel, equipment and supplies for recovery efforts.
The rednecks and roughnecks also delivered a remarkable accomplishment today, opening a temporary bridge to Pine Island. A few days before Governor Ron DeSantis announced the State DOT effort to help build the temporary bridge, locals from Honc Marine were already in ‘git r done‘ mode.
Incredibly a week after Hurricane Ian took out the bridge connecting Pine Island to Cape Coral, the temporary bridge was finished and five semi tractors/trailers from Publix Supermarket were first to cross into Pine Island with relief supplies. {Direct Rumble Link} WATCH:
Matlacha, the small area between Cape Coral and Pine Island that encompassed the bridge, has been devastated. However, the ability to drive into (and out of) Pine Island is a major cause for celebration amid the blue-collar working-class community.
Pine Islanders are known for their grit and independence. The devastation on the island is large from Saint James City (south) all the way to Bokeelia (north), but these are hardworking and industrious people. They will rebuild and restore their community street by street, and the bridge will speed up that process. An exceptional outcome in only a week. Many joyful tears flowing.
Above picture, Today – Below picture, last Thursday
The result is stunning, but, well, then again…. that git r’ done sensibility is locally known to live on Pine Island. Honc Marine is also a local company that knows how to git sh*t done. Put those two elements together, get the hell out of the way… and well, that’s the result. There ain’t no gender confusion, wokeness or cufflinks in this tribe.
….Additionally, Governor DeSantis announced yesterday that the contract to begin repairs to the Sanibel Causeway was awarded. Equipment was mobilized last night, and there is already a team on the ground to begin repairs. The repairs to the Sanibel Causeway are expected to be completed by the end of the month. (link)
Jumpin’ ju-ju bones. If they can get roadway access to Sanibel completed within a month… that’s beyond awesome.
From the Governor’s Office:
There are currently 298,820 reported power outages. They have already restored power nearly 2.4 million accounts across the state, representing 88.92% of accounts restored since the peak. There are currently 11 fueling depot stations open statewide, and a mobile fuel truck has been deployed to Arcadia to support residents without access to fuel.
Additional programs that have been put into place to aid communities include the activation of the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program, the initiation of the Army Corps of Engineers’ Operation Blue Roof, and FDOT’s diligent work to construct temporary bridges into areas that are cut off from motorists.
First Lady Casey DeSantis announced that the Florida Disaster Fund has raised nearly $35 million since activation. To read more info, click here. To contribute, please visit www.FloridaDisasterFund.org or text DISASTER to 20222. Additionally, the First Lady has worked with the State Disaster Recovery Mental Health Coordinator Sara Newhouse to compile a webpage of resources to help first responders navigate resources for mental health needs post hurricane. To visit the site, click here
Mental health resources for individuals and communities are available at MyFLFamilies.com/HurricaneIan. Floridians’ health and well-being are a top priority, and the Department of Children and Families is reminding individuals that they are not alone. All Floridians impacted by Hurricane Ian can find someone to talk to today through the Disaster Distress Helpline by calling 800-985-5990.
Safe and found persons can be reported safe at http://safe.fl.gov.
State response efforts include:
Search and Rescue
- There have been 2,500 rescues made to date.
- There are more than 1,000 team members performing search and rescue.
- DCF has created a First Responder Support Line: 407-823-1657 – that all first responders throughout the impacted areas can contact. This line combines current resources into a single point of contact that will connect first responders with mental health professionals.
- Florida National Guard engineering resources were deployed to assist with route clearance in Pinellas and Lee Counties.
- The Missouri Task Force 1 Disaster Situational Assessment and Reconnaissance (DSAR) Team is deploying to Florida through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact to support urban search and rescue efforts and incident assessment.
- A Florida Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Team deployed to Central Florida to support state USAR Task Forces and incident assessment.
- Following Governor DeSantis’ authorization, Joint Task Force Florida has 5,050 personnel activated and is executing missions in response to Hurricane Ian. The Florida National Guard has supported a total of 247 missions.
- 27 POD sites operating and distributing food, water, and ice to local populations:
- 2,728 pallets of water distributed
- 2,331 pallets of food distributed
- 606 pallets of ice distributed
- 385 pallets of tarps distributed
- FDEM is working with feeding partners to open kitchens for impacted and displaced residents. More than 410,800 were served on Tuesday, October 4, and more than 936,100 hot meals have been served since volunteer kitchens opened.
- FDEM is coordinating with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to conduct infrastructure assessments of water treatment plants, wastewater treatment plants, and assisted living facilities.
- Through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC), more than 1,800 personnel from 26 states have deployed to Florida to assist in response and recovery efforts.
- FDEM has activated the State Assistance Information Line (SAIL) to provide an additional resource for Floridians to receive up-to-date information regarding Hurricane Ian. Residents and visitors can call this toll-free hotline at 1-800-342-3557.
- FDEM Recovery staff are conducting rapid damage assessments in Charlotte, Flagler, Glades, Hendry, Highlands, Putnam and Osceola counties to expedite available federal assistance for disaster recovery.
- FDEM has eight active fuel depots throughout Central and Southwest Florida to ensure first responders have the fuel they need to conduct search and rescue operations. An additional two public, mobile fuel depots are open in Arcadia and the Dunbar community to provide fuel for vehicles and gas cans for generators to impacted residents.
- FDEM is leading the State Emergency Response Team (SERT) for the Hurricane Ian response, with more than 350 SERT members staffing the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC).
- FDEM has received more than 4,500 resource requests for Hurricane Ian and fulfilled. Over 3,700 of these requests are currently being processed and are either en route or being mobilized. This includes the coordination of resources such as: trucks of food and water, generators and tarps.
- FDEM is mobilizing pet food and supplies for displaced pets, including: rabies vaccines, dry and canned dog food, dry and canned cat food, cat litter, disposable pet bowls and disposable leashes.
- FDEM is deploying the following resources for distribution to impacted areas:
- Coordinating to set up 4 barges to aid in the delivery of commodities in Lee County to Pine Island and Sanibel Island.
- Trailers for restrooms, showers, laundry, sleeping and sanitation to ensure the care of first responders in the field.
- More than 4,000 gallons of diesel to Lee County to power water plants that provide water to nearby hospitals.
- Drone teams to assess flooded areas.
- 500 traffic barrels to Charlotte County to safely modify traffic patterns.
- More than 400 bottles of oxygen to Charlotte County.
- 255 ambulances
- 200 trucks of food, water and ice
- More than 500 generators for traffic signals and other traffic needs
- 2 full service mechanical shops
- 500,000 tarps
- 375 kits for parents of infants and toddlers with critical supplies that will last for 10 days each
- Four mobile triage units to Miami-Dade County
- Five truckloads of blankets and five truckloads of cots to support displaced residents
- Coordinating the provision of meals for first responders staged in Orange County
- FDEM is in constant communication with all 67 county emergency management offices and state agencies to coordinate recovery actions and needed resources as communities experience storm impacts.
Power
- There are currently 298,820 people without power.
- Nearly 2.4 million accounts have already been restored across Florida.
- For a full report on current outages, click here.
- 42,000 linemen from utilities across the state are working 24/7 to restore power.
- 325 Florida Highway Patrol are transporting utility crews.
- 560 health care facilities have had power restored since the onset of the event.
- MORE
Lastly, on a personal note… I also have some good news. Jesus put a roof over my head today.
Literally, at my house today the crew leader for the roof repair team was a guy named Jesus.
How could I not forgive Jesus for poking fun at my carpentry (plywood cutting) and roof patching skills.
Jesus the roofer and carpenter. Big smile too.
Yeah, subtle as a brick through a window…. God is good and filled with humor.
Love to all,
~ Sundance
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Thanks for the first person reporting. Shared. God speed.
Sometimes God makes his presence known like a bucket of ice water over the head, doesn’t He?
Quite an impressive achievement to erect that temporary bridge so quickly. We were without power 15 days in the aftermath of Hurricane Isabel–vs FL’s impressive % of households with restored power.
That a literal Jesus showed up to put a roof over your head, SD, is lovely. It reminds me of the centurion’s humility when Jesus comes to heal the centurion’s servant: “Lord I am not worthy…that thou shoudst come under my roof”…We know that you are worthy. And loved by Him. Thanks for the inspiring post
Great report. In times of emergency when the law allows contracts are sometimes awarded with no competitive bidding to companies with a proven track record on a “cost-plus” basis with no competitive bidding. I’m wondering of Florida law has a provision for such and if so, is it being used?
If it is then expect the democrats and their press to start screaming fraud no matter if they have evidence of it or not.
They’ll scream because the correct ratio of preferred minority groups weren’t represented in the bridge reconstruction.
Exactly– I can see Charlie Crist now asking… “How many transsexuals were represented in that bridge construction?”
Someone the other day was commenting on pairings for politically correct tickets. He said, “Eventually you’re gonna need a deaf Eskimo!” I laughed at that.
LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And boy howdie did I need to laugh out loud:)
Bill Maher?
Also they’ll scream because at least a year of “environmental impact studies” wasn’t thoroughly performed first.
Amazing what can be done without red tape and bureaucracy gumming everything up for an eternity.
They’ll scream no matter what is done. Just consider it background noise. I no longer, and have not for some years, believe, or even listen to, ANYTHING a ‘Rat has to say. Liars is what they are and lying is what they do.
It depends on what the State of Florida’s procurement policies are.
Florida in no doubt has emergency procurement policies in place for just such disasters.
Such things as competitively solicited rates from contractors for services rendered already on hand.
Equipment rates are from the government’s Blue Book.
Materials, possibly on some form of cost plus basis. Same for labor rates.
We used to call it “Time and Materials”. I’ve heard it called Force Account, too.
All of this solicited before hand.
With something of this magnitude that could make things change.
John,
Spoken like a man with experience of these things. I worked for the Feds in a different life. I know that, if the matter is considered REALLY IMPORTANT by someone in high authority, ALL the red tape can be cut through in an instant and very large sums can be spent with only verbal authorization. I’ve seen it happen numerous times.
Thank you for such a detailed report and congrats on getting the roof done.
Excellent, SD. My roofing skills suck!
Apparently, so are mine… lololol. Just ask the experts. 🙂
Yeah, but I think you have a strong back and can run a chainsaw. We all have a specialty.
Sundance,
I do a VERY good job roofing. When I did my first roofing job, a professional roofer in my church came by to observe what I was doing and how I was doing it. He told me, “Mac, this is absolutely going to be a beautiful roof when you get done. However, at your rate of progress, you would starve to death working as a roofer.”
I noticed that (military style?) the truck waited until the truck on the bridge was completely off the bridge before starting to enter that bridge.
Safety first.
pretty sure they were informed as a temporary bridge it has a LIMITED weight load bearing of less than say 100 tons……most OTR do not want to end up in the ocean
I noticed that too. I figured it had something to do with weight on a temp bridge.
cross posted at https://freedomaustralia.freeforums.net/thread/2830/rednecks-roughnecks
It’s so amazing what has been accomplished in so little time. I imagine many folks look around before beginning their day more determined than ever. May God continue to bless and guide each of you.
Well, Joe & Jill have been a tremendous help and will soon get full credit from the MSM press.
While DeSantis was speaking yesterday to open the joint presser, Brandon took the time to roll up his shirt sleeves.
The DC guys who drop in always make sure that optic is there for the cameras.
It was fun though to watch Brandon have to stand up and listen to DeSantis give progress reports for over seven minutes before being invited to speak.
Biden’s statement, “No one f-s with a Biden was totally unnecessary.” Bully Brandon was very rude while the governor was speaking; in an arrogant and pompous manner, he was laughing, talking and appeared to be hitting on the pretty woman standing by others. He tried to siphon credit for the recovery accomplishments. Biden has no class.
Frankly Biden is unnecessary. Living among the get ur done folks down here in coastal Naples… he continues to look like a complete fool. Thanks SD for the Jesus story… heartwarming and so needed right about now. That’s your goodness coming back so deservingly.
Very unusual for Brandon to be hitting on post-pubescent females.
Ha,…. let’s just count the # of people currently FN with Fredo (I want Respect) Biden now, shall we:
DP,
BRAVO! That is one heck of a correct list!
maybe he was being honest, when he said “no one f-ks with a Biden, he meant no one will F a Biden”
Betty,
“Biden has no class.” That is NOT TRUE. Biden has a LOT of class. Problem is that it is all LOW.
While all the world is seeing Gov DeSantis ‘geten’er done’ in “Trump Time!”
I liked SlowJoe showing up after the fact,… cuz it allowed Gov DeSantis give his speech at the podium – with the “President of the United States” logo seal mounted on the front of the podium in front of the Guv.
I was Quite a powerful image that I am sure the WH Minder staffers were cringing about as Ron was delivering his message to Floridians.
Thanks, Dumbazz Joe.
Bob,
I hope you have a snorkel handy because that level of sarcasm is deep enough to be over your head!
State and local govt, not Federal govt getting tasks done.
Private sector construction business getting it done in record time. Federal Government would still be in planning committee mode
No, they would still be waiting for the environmental impact statements.
and discussing and fussing over diversity and equity crap.
Yeah all those redneck oppressors can come in handy when reality hits.
In a disaster, no-one in history has ever said ‘What we need right now is more politicians’. God bless to all Floridians.
Men at work.
Imagine the splodey heads in the White House.
So happy for the good news for Pine Island and surroundings! The miracle of hard-working men (and women?) putting up a temporary bridge to the mainland is a true gift for all. The non-woke, no BS people just git ‘er done!! I also smiled with you, Sundance, as you described Jesus on your roof. Beautiful! God is good!
Hurrah for the blessings! Giving all the glory to God!!
🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻😀😀😀
One week after a major storm and they have already restored power to over 90% of the outages in Florida. Meanwhile in Puerto Rico the number of outages is actually going up.
Democrats have run Puerto Rico into the ground for decades and will continue to do so.
I still remember PDJT appropriating over $60B to rebuild their decades-long neglected electric grid that collapsed after their last big hurricane for which the legacy media were more than happy to try to highlight his shortcomings in aid……when Slo Joe just went to visit pandering for votes the article I read mentioned only $40B sent to rebuild it…….but hey it is DC so $20B missing is not a big thing for them
Most likely, that’s the Big Guy’s precent
Probably in FJB’s bank account.
Puerto Rico is just an island version of Ukraine.
^^ This. I remember going there for some corporate work in the early 2000s. The corruption was EPIC.
Democrats need victims. Normal Americans do not.
And Democrats want to make PR a state along with DC to gain more Senators. Craven politicians.
Rico is a perfect example of how bad government just poisons everything else. I have worked with Puerto Ricans and some of them were great workers. Those were the people who had bailed on the island because they just couldn’t handle living in such a corrupt society anymore. I never met one who had lived on the island who thought their government was anything other than as crooked as it is possible to be.
The only comment I have is, good job to all involved!
The fortitude being shown to the rest of the nation is, that these people, are a great, non woke, hard working, nose to the grind sort of people.
Money cant replace what these individuals contribute to rebuilding.
Respect to all! Cheers!
“If they can get roadway access to Sanibel completed within a month… that’s beyond awesome.”
They can! The bridge over Manatee River was destroyed when a semi-truck exploded. A month later the bridge was built. It was a serious priority due to the fact I75 runs over that bridge.
It makes you think about just how fast and efficient things can be accomplished.
God Bless, Sundance. Stay safe and healthy.
Ian Sinks Florida ‘Dome Home’ Built to Survive Hurricanes. A house built from geodesic domes off the coast of Florida was designed to withstand gale-force winds and powerful storm surges but not sea-level rise
Not so much sea level rise as the current climate change fools would have you believe. It’s called building a home on a barrier island of sand. Barrier islands come and go. As written in the Bible, Mathew 7:26; “And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. Don’t fall into the BS.
Any attribution to climate change of the erosion of beach sand and or topography around coastlines is an indication of utter ignorance of the authors. Normal weather includes storms of varying intensity and causes shifting coastline shapes and has since the dawn of Earth.
more pics on this one.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2022/10/05/ian-florida-dome-home/
Great news on the roof repaired by Jesus, SD.
TY for all the updates.
Thank you for the updates. Response has quickly moved towards recovery efforts….that is an impressive list of accomplishments, for the region.
And such a beautiful message from heaven! You were truly blessed! If the roof carpenter’s father is named “Jose” or “Joseph”, I would be considering a career change into the church!
Thank you for taking time for the Treepers while you are busy with all that your must have to do. The rest of us truly have no idea of what it is like to live thru that. More prayers for all on the way.
This is good stuff. Thank you.
THAT’S THE America I know, that I love and that I SUPPORT.
WE are AMERICANS.
WE CAN DO it.
Our forefathers stormed Normandy…that GRIT still has a bit remaining in some generations. Thank God it does.
GO Americans…..
Screw this corrupt, worthless govt and politicians that have destroyed every fabric of being for this country and make citizens worthless and useless. Cradle to grave dependent on the govt tit.
And thougth DeSantis is a politician; he’s ONE OF THE FEW I hail as getting it done….
Such organization. 🙂
Sundance: this journal about Ian is a blessing to me, and I imagine everyone who reads them. It has been a testimony to the spirit mankind in the wake of disaster, and destruction. A catalog of grief, fear, exhaustion, frustration, tears, sweat, anger. As the journal continues the most important revelations are the blessings of God Almighty under stress. It is fitting to have Jesus replace your roof! He is our shelter, life, and strength. As I continue to pray for everyone I am also making a joyful noise and praising God for His presence in ALL things. Blessings.
The food banks in the MidWest have loaded the big rigs and they are on their way FL – you are NOT alone!
“Helping Hands”, the American Way.
Wonderful news!
An historical record of what a R governor has done in one week. FEMA isn’t list once in the immediate response/recovery effort.
Never forget. Save this list to be reposted when Ds lie about recovery.
FJB hasn’t even made an appearance in the state.
I really think RDS should tell him not to come, or if he comes, not to meet with him, particularly in any press conference. Leave him hanging by a thread – like he has done to Florida.
Ban him. At best, isolate him. FJB admin has purposely abandoned the FL recovery thinking they would sink the state and RDS with it.
Instead, it paved the way for extreme federalism. Florida sovereignty. Great leadership by RDS, particularly in the budget surplus allowing him to say state will pay, instead of matching funds from local gubmints. First Lady has done a great assist.
Regarding Sundance’s roof repair (from last week’s Bible lesson)
2 Chronicles 16:9
For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the whole earth, that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.
We are not just reading about the devastation/recovery of a hurricane.
We are not just reading about Sundance’s first-hand account, including his personal story.
We are – through God’s messenger, Sundance, seeing the work of the hand of the Lord through a person who is fully devoted to the Lord.
This story has many levels, but God’s story is THE story, and He sent His Son to make an appearance in Sundance’s life through Jesus, a roofer.
Why did God do this?
Because the purpose He has for Sundance, which Sundance is fully committed to doing (regardless of not having a roof) will not be thwarted by a mere missing roof, BUT God takes care of those who are fully committed to Him. This was the entire lesson in my Bible study lesson last week: 1 Kings 15: 1-24; 2 Chronicles 13-16. I might just have to share Sundance’s roof story next week. This example is how we relate the lessons taught in the Old Testament to our lives today. Perfect example. Thank you for sharing Sundance. God is watching over you and taking care of you.
And DeSantis wants to give up legetimate power for good in Florida to be a tool for evil in DC? If he is at a crossroads, I hope he thinks long and hard before committing to the left hand path.
Nope, he doesn’t.
So the question I have is how many times do we bail out hurricane areas? Especially those that don’t have a state income taxes and rely on federal funds to recover.
Retired Magistrate here: Well, how many times do we continue to bail out tornado areas, blizzard areas, ice storm areas, earthquake areas, fire damage areas, flooding areas, mud slide areas, sink hole areas, etc. etc. If you live in the United States you are going to live in one of those areas.
What happened to the people in Florida could happen to any of us that live in a state which is prone to the above acts of GOD. I think we should have compassion on the survivors because anyone of us could be a future survivor.
Well said!
What percentage of the people live in the desert?
How much of the real economy is generated in that vast area west of the longitude where Amarillo sits over to the longitude where California starts? Where are those federal taxes coming from anyway?
Depopulate the coastal areas and you lose the ability to export goods. Ports are essential infrastructure that support the hard work of people and businesses located inland. Without the ports, the inland folks lose access to markets. Should the eastern and gulf coasts be abandoned?
The flood insurance people in hurricane areas buy is through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). NFIP is part of FEMA. Homeowners policies specify coverage for additional living expenses / loss of use. NFIP policyholders access such benefits under FEMA programs other that their policies.
There are two companies that contract with the US government to provide benefits in declared disaster areas. One of those companies is working on three disasters right now. One is Florida. Another is Puerto Rico. The third is Missouri.
FEMA also has active disasters in for severe storms in Alaska and the wildfires in New Mexico. In addition, they have open wildfire assistance in other inland states.
https://www.fema.gov/disaster/declarations
My own question is when are we going to quit pouring money into wars in places most of the taxpayers cannot find on maps?
Since Ike was POTUS, I have never watched a war being financed in a place that I couldn’t easily locate on a map.
Your observation about the ignorance of taxpayers is valid but more naturally applies to defunding the department of “education”–
The demand to defund wars flows from intelligent taxpayers who know exactly where those places are..
When? Perhaps only when Donald J. Trump is again making our Nation’s decisions while sitting behind the Resolute Desk at 1600 Penn,.. and not before.
As often as necessary. Imagine if YOU were in their situation.
Have any Federal funds actually been disbursed? Seems to me, so far, the astonishing recovery work has been accomplished with Floridian funds, donations, and pure grit.
The debris removal component of these disasters are usually paid by local governments and quickly reimbursed by FEMA. Afterwards, there are audits to true up claims for dump tickets to the actual dump tickets themselves. The local entities are on the hook for graft or unverifiable claims for reimbursement. After Katrina, FEMA had contractors at weigh stations at some of the big landfills to facilitate the process.
Generally when FEMA contractors are out in the field, they show IDs for their contractor companies, not FEMA.
FEMA rolls out money, not especially people.
All true,… after Katrina, my older brother was emplyed and stationed at the designiated Land Fill to take the dump tickets and turn in his daily records for the Contractor Compay in Miami and FEMA’s review and confirmation.
His job had been cancelled by Katrina, so he was glad to have the work., and he had similar work experience for the SBA after the Northridge Earthquake in the San Fernando Valley in CA.
It was refreshing to hear Gov DeSantis announce in the first days how Florida state funds were already being cut loose, without obligation on the part of the counties–getting things moving immediately.
About state income taxes: Texas does not have a state income tax either. There is, however, a franchise tax the businesses pay.
We pay higher property taxes than some other places. Where I live, the blended property tax rate is $2.027901 per $100 valuation. Where I used to live in Houston the rate is $2.34657 per $100 valuation. This is after the state threw in money from the surplus for property tax relief.
Texas and Florida are not free riders. We just handle taxation differently.
I live in a Detroit suburb in Michigan. In August of 2014 our area was hit by a thunderstorm that deposited so much rain in a short period of time that our streets were flooded and sewers (both storm and sanitary) were overwhelmed. Manhole covers were blown into the air, and basements throughout the area were flooded. Interstate 75 was under many feet of water.
I was glad, for once in my life, to see FEMA help out those who were affected. For once, our tax dollars helped us out when we needed it. My basement was filled with more than two feet of water and sewage. The toilet in my basement was a fountain with water spraying a couple of feet into the air.
Almost everything that was touched by that water was destroyed, including my furnace and water heater. Both were on concrete curbs, but they were not high enough. I am on a fixed income, and FEMA provided enough dollars for me to at least replace my furnace and hot water heater. Fortunately my washer and dryer survived!
A local church sent a crew to help me clean out the mess of ruined items and wash the floor. I paid them, and was happy to do so.
Thousands of homeowners in my area were in the same situation. Piles of trash lined our streets, and the trash trucks worked day after day to remove it.
Our local government was absolutely no help to anyone. There was a class action lawsuit that paid a pittance to those who lost much more than I did, and many years later. It became starkly clear that our old sewer system was not able to handle any kind of stress. They have been gradually upgrading the system since that time.
So, you see, disaster can strike anyone at any time.
And the other 180 countries across the globe. Stop shoveling money out the door.
Gov DeSantis stated in his persser a couple of days ago that the the State of FL, the one with no state income tax, is running with a Budget Surplus currently and he is applying some of it to respomd to the needs following H. Ian.
Meanwhile, thanks to decades of profligate Dim over spending with No Fed Budget, only CRs now, the US debt is over $ 30 Trillion and there is No Surplus,……… printing presses or not.
Are you saying states with state income tax never ask for disaster relief from the federal government?
Just like the Governor’s response in Puerto Rico with Hurricane Maria. /sarc/
Make a joyful noise unto the Lord
Thanks for your keen eye, Sundance, and your delicious on-the-ground observations. Your posts are a wonderful record of community and Christian testimony. God works in mysterious ways. Godspeed.
Psalm 100
Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.
2 Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
3 Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
5 For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.
This shows how important it is to take back the local and state offices.
Again, can you imagine what would be going on if that other guy had won the FL governorship in 2018?
Saw your vid the other day Sundance, Saw part of my aunt’s home in pieces. Two things, the dairy queen we all ate at is still standing, and the sounds of the smoke alarms was eerily reminiscent of the sounds of September 11th before the towers fell
Thank you for your continued updates and strength SD.
ANYONE reading, it’s easy tp help. Just send 10, 20 or whatever you can to https://www.volunteerflorida.org/donatefdf/ (this is SD’s link above) and watch miracles happen for people who truly need it.
https://www.volunteerflorida.org/donatefdf/
We were just there in June! The hubs and I love that quite and quaint, blue collar, low key, laid back, fishing island. So glad to hear of the progress on the bridge. Just WOW! So happy for the residents that the bridge to home is open for them.
Sundance, also very happy to hear your personal good news too! God indeed is good!
❤🙏
Sundance, you are an inspiration. After your update from Day 6 I was pondering what to write and the words just wouldn’t come together. What the accomplishment of the rebuilt bridge shows is if the leader has the backing of his people sh*t can get done in the old American way. RDS has that support, imagine what President Trump could have accomplished if he had seen the support of the GOPe in the first 2 years of his term! Even the last 2 years would have been even more significant if he wasn’t fighting his own party.
I don’t think I despise the Dems/Commies near as much as I despise the traitors within the GOPe. It starts with the Old Crow McConnell, but there’s Paul Ryno. Then you have McCarthy who supported Liz Cheney until she shot herself in the foot so many times he was forced to renege on his support for her.
If the GOPe had a modicum of support for cleaning up the voting fraud we wouldn’t be going through 95% of this sh*t. Hurricanes can’t be controlled (unlike what the cult of climate alarmists tell us) but clean elections are entirely doable if the GOPe were remotely interested.
I look forward to your updates every day. Thank you.
Honc Marine might make use of the phrase, “We built that”, in future marketing.
These are the people who know how to build things and make things happen; it’s not surprising that they are habitually targeted for destruction by the people who already hated them and their kind.
Git ‘r done indeed.
The old adage is well spoken amid the git f’ done rubble rebuilders… “it’s easier to ask for forgiveness than permission.”
😉
No criticism of DeSantis today👍
NONE deserved.
The man is ACTION and CONSTRUCTIVE.
He’s UNLIKE typical govt agency or people that DO NOTHING and ‘are busy’ and accomplish NOTHING.
Even with the sketchy support that he has, he’s still twice the man and would be twice the president of anyone else that I can think of (under the age of 75).
Thank you Jesus for protecting Sundance.
Thank you Jesus for all that glorious “toxic masculinity” – strong, tough, men doing tough jobs, fearlessly.
God is indeed good.
Awful dusty in here today… glad you got your roof, Sundance.
You sure could use a batallion of SeaBees down there.
They are retired over there….
Damn right
The “Before” and “After” pictures look like two different bridges.
WHY do you think Baptist Men SERVE FOOD and support all those disaster needs?
It would take the govt 1 month or more to begin feeding or doing anything constructive.
PRIVATE..INDIVIDUALS…KEY to any success in USA, EVER!!!
I’ve served numerous times on feeding teams with Baptist. Feed thousands and thousands every day. Same for Samaritan’s Purse. THEY MOVE, they REACT and THEY DO. IMMEDIATELY.
Wait for the govt and perish.
And there are other relief groups, individually governed and maintained, and I don’t mean to not name them or give credit. I’m familiar with the 2 I named above. THE KEY: THEY ARE NOT govt agencies…they work and operate and function b/c good, solid, stout, American people with good hearts KNOW how to take care of their fellow citizens!!!!
My father was raised both Catholic and Baptist and the groups he sold his ice directly to (no gov involvement) in the main were Catholic Charities and The Southern Baptist, before The Red Cross. They would coordinate with him when the hurricanes first entered the Gulf and he would max out production (1oo tons/day) ahead of time to get ready for the demand, where ever it took place.
I read your last line and immediately Benghazi came to mind.
God Bless those heroes that tried to save and keep alive our fellow citizens (and others) that night. They risked their own lives to do what they were trained to do and knew to do, protect and save their fellow man.
Since the 1950s, countless times my father would deliver 18 wheeler loads of 10 & 50 lb bags of ice directly to the Southern Baptist Hurricane Relief Centers from TX to the Carolinas from his ice plant on the MS Gulf Coast and he sold it to them at just over cost.
We got it got there a couple of days after the storm had passed when it was needed the most and many times I ate their hot meals they served and was glad to get their food.
Thank you for your service, when it was most needed by those devastated by hurricane disasters.
Just as a side note, I know there are a lot of Mormons out helping anyone who needs it in the Fort Myers area.
Proof positive of what determination and hard work can accomplish. This is incredible. Take good care SD.
I hate to inject a “political” note into these article by Sundance but after Sock Puppet JoeBama’s cameo appearance blasted across TV Screens the past few days, it is worth noting the following:
The acronym above in the article FDEM = Florida Division of Emergency Management.
FDEM has been in action spanning back to weeks before the storm.
With ALL the horn tooting for Sock Puppet JoeBama’s cameo, one would have thought FEMA would also be blasted across the news, as well. FEMA so far seems to be MIA.
Last week Sock Puppet JoeBama admitted during a public interview and 4-weeks after the fact that the US Government had failed Puerto Rico, in disaster relief efforts.
The media did their best to taint President Trump over aid to Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria, even though PR’s problems were a result of failed local leadership and not President Trump.
So very happy to hear you are at least dried in. Thankfully no rain this past week.
As I look at the incredible before and after photos of that bridge, “You didn’t build that” takes on a whole new meaning of “contemptuous.”
Those photos — and the determined, skilled people who REBUILT that bridge — are balm for one’s soul.
I want to forever REMOVE that moniker from my brain.
That brazen sot of a man has NEVER built anything in his life and nor will anyone in his family.
And most that sit on capitol hill DON’T KNOW the meaning of work or achievement or success and have eaten from the govt trough their entire lives.
God Bless, Sundance. I search you out and read you every day. Unfortunately, even though I follow you and have on notifications, you’re just not showing up all the time.
Thank you for the update, Sundance. I think you will eventually be able to kluge all of this together into the seminal story on Hurricane Ian, the cleanup, and the recovery. God wants you to be part of this and I think I know why. Keep the updates coming, we need them because the media is doing its best to ignore the cleanup effort. They are too busy trying to help the Demcommie agenda instead. Everyone had better make plans to be voting those clowns out of our Government a month from now.
I see these stores of humane support and encouragement as the genesis of a good, uplifting short book.
No nonsense, git-er-done American exceptionalism.
God bless.
Have them contact Samaritan’s Purse and explain the situation to them. I would think it doesn’t make any difference to this organization whether the people own the house or rent it.
Love ❤ hearing how Jesus helped Sundance! That story reminds me when I broke down on my way home from working a retail closing shift. I called a towing company and said to myself how I really need an angel to help me! A short while later a tow truck named Angel Towing showed up! God is so glorious!!
Angels show up on occasion for YTG.
Used to do open mics. The one I was playing that night was across town, and the
lights started dimmin on my Ford Tempo. ( Been awhile). It stopped dead on Clairmont
Road, near 1-85. The night ad 2 angels. The first one was a mid 20s super nice hispanic
guy that helped me push the car into a McDonald’s parking lot.
The 2nd?
I waited for a MARTA bus. It was near 1 AM when they stopped running. I only had a
5 on me. No change. The driver waved me on. He asked where I lived, and the route
was out of my way. He was heading back to the bus barn. After the last passenger got
off, he asked me SPECIFICALLY where I lived. It was wayyyy off his normal route, way
past the bus barn. He dropped me off 5 miles out of his way at the edge of my subdivison.
Thanked the guy profusely, then he told me this.
“We’re getting a bunch of New Orleans shipped here, due to Katrina. And, a whole lot of
it is really bad. We’re having riders robbed left and right at bus stops, and you were just
up the road from a by the week hotel that is chock full of them. There’s no way that I’d
have left you standing out there late at night.”
You are not going to believe this but it was a Ford Tempo that broke down!😂😂😂
I know exactly where that is and those hotels.. A friend of mine was almost mugged there. I say almost because my friend was carrying a little persuasion and the would be thief fled with his knife into the night.