The Dirty Truth Of Devastation After A Hurricane
My heart aches for all those families who have survived tornadoes and, most recently, the devastation after Hurricane Helene. Readers who are residents in the states affected are emailing me about their trials after Hurricane Helene. Here’s the deal: We hear the news for days, weeks, and months, but not much after that, right?
I’ll break down some of the experiences my readers expressed they’ve had to endure; it’s not pretty. It’s hard to envision the destruction shown in the pictures we see on the news. How could these living conditions be experienced in our country? We can visualize these situations in third-world countries, but not the United States. I’m talking about Hurricane Helene today.
I learned some of these same thoughts years ago from readers when Hurricane Michael hit October 7-11, 2018. Today, the damage from Hurricane Helene is projected to be $100 billion or more.
Please be aware that some of these situations will slowly improve, but it’s hard to know when and to what extent. Some homes may be repaired at some point, but not many have been helped yet and thousands of homes will have to be rebuilt.
Devastation After A Hurricane
The old saying “we will rebuild” is certainly a view with hope, but it doesn’t apply here in the short term. Imagine your community, neighborhood, schools, grocery stores, and even restaurants gone. Your favorite shopping malls, parks, and memories of the community where millions live are different now and will be for a long time.
People are suffering greatly; they are shell-shocked, lost, depressed, and have no idea what their future may bring them.
Some families are just trying to get through the next day, living conditions are abysmal, and even the most unscathed are having trouble adjusting to this new way of life based on what’s happening around them.
Strict Curfew Hours
There is a strict curfew from 7:00 P.M. to 7:00 A.M. These times are being enforced so that conveyances can pass and looting can be controlled. Driving at night is too dangerous, and the curfew is in effect, so you need to plan.
Anyone caught where they shouldn’t be during these curfew hours is detained to confirm legitimate reasons for being there and they’ll be interviewed by police or security personnel with assault rifles. Some public sites and businesses are being guarded by said police and security personnel.
Roads Without Street Lights or Traffic Signals
In many areas, almost none of the roads have working streetlights or traffic signals. Several are broken or missing due to winds or rushing water, and many stop signs are missing, making travel even more dangerous. Because of the chaos in the cities, dead animals, dogs, cats, and even wildlife are all over the roads.
A recent heavy fog made driving even in the daytime dangerous, resulting in numerous crashes. Some of the first responders were also colliding in intersections. Roads were split and divided, and families couldn’t go anywhere.
Many of the roads are unpassable or too treacherous to drive on. Downed trees and downed power lines are tough to see at night. If, by chance, a tire is punctured on the road, there is no way to get it fixed unless you have the supplies to do it yourself. Most mechanic shops are closed, and you see broken-down cars everywhere on the roads. One family is using their emergency flashers to get through dark streets—so many flooded vehicles in the flooding waters.
ERs and Hospitals
The ERs and hospitals are overflowing with people and short on staff. The injured keep coming to the hospitals, and their EMS and Fire Departments are heavily tasked with rescue and recovery operations. When people are hurt, their options are limited, and many must bandage themselves the best they can with the medical supplies they have on hand. Some are using their first aid kits; that’s all they have right now.
Sometimes, the hospitals are flooded and closed, and medical personnel are trying to evacuate the patients. Please have a First Aid Kit. Or make one yourself. What’s in your first aid kit?
Pharmacies Closed or Partially Open
No one could report to me about the pharmacies, only that they are open just a few hours daily. They may not even be open if the power is out or they were too damaged to be able to open to the public.
Power is Sporadic
The power source is uneven and sporadic, and the power linemen are unsung heroes. They have done a phenomenal job trying to restore power in many areas, but their tasks are just starting. The magnitude of their task is incredible and encompasses several states. They have recruited power workers from several surrounding states, all working around the clock.
Lines, poles, transformers, and junctions must be replaced or repaired. Many areas are still dark for millions of people, and the few energy sources can be located by the sound of generators running nonstop.
Water Is Not Safe To Drink
The water situation is terrible; even with some running water, it’s unsafe to drink. There’s open sewage in many places; in some areas, sewage has run like rivers. Please be sure to stock bleach. Dry Bleach
Some Stores Are Open
Sam’s Club, Waffle House, Target, Publix, and Home Depot are slowly procuring supplies for some communities. Some are giving away food on food trucks to help the community.
Banks are Closed
Many banks and ATMs are closed and don’t work due to power outages.
Food Is Hard To Find
If the people don’t have canned food or home-preserved food in preparation, they will have to go to the feeding sites set up by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and bring the MREs home or to shelters to eat. Some of the feeding centers have limited hot meals. In most states affected the National Guard has been called in to provide disaster relief.
Pet Food is Very Hard To Find
They need pet food badly because it is unavailable anywhere unless someone has donated it to a human feeding site.
Cell Service is Spotty
A few mobile emergency hotspots are set up to provide coverage but are overwhelmed, and then the speed drops. Cell service is minimal.
No Cable Services Right Now
Currently, television is not available in many areas, if not all. Thus, it isn’t easy to get the news out.
Gas is Scarce
Gasoline is hard to find because the gas stations are severely damaged or destroyed. There are a few mobile fueling sites for first responders, but all others must travel several miles to find an open gas station. If the station has gasoline, it is being rationed. Just getting to an open station is a challenge.
Trees Were Down Everywhere
Tens of thousands of trees were felled by the high winds and severe rain. The damaged trees are splintered, and wood piles cover yards, roads, sidewalks, and the shoulder of various roads. In some cases, people are trying to burn the wood, and smoke will fill the air for days. Some are trying to keep warm by the fires and even cook their meals with the wood they burn.
One of my readers commented that items from homes and stores are floating down the river that used to be a road along with the rest of the debris!
No Mail Service
Most mailboxes are destroyed, and there is no way to deliver mail. Forget about FedEx, UPS, and Amazon deliveries; they have no place to provide boxes or mail.
Garbage Pick-Up
There is no residential pick-up, and spoiled food and human waste are piling up in bags in plain sight.
Be Cautious of Fake Restoration
Be careful with tree trimmers, roofers, handymen, water damage and mold companies, and other trade groups. Unfortunately, some ruthless workers will try to rip people off. Please check with others to make sure you are using reputable companies if and when the time comes to get quotes.
Looters
Of course, there are looters, thankfully the communities are doing their best to stop this.
Items Needed
Please check with the local police departments, churches, TV and Radio stations, Rescue Groups, and the American Red Cross to send the following items to the different areas as needed.
Paper Products
Baby supplies include diapers, wipes, bottles, formula, and diaper rash cream.
Menstrual supplies, like tampons, pads, and adult diapers.
Paper supplies, like plates, cups, bowls, plastic silverware, and paper towels.
Cleaning supplies, all types, especially bleach. Cleaning rags, mops, etc.
Baggies of all sizes are welcome.
Disposable gloves and trash bags, all sizes needed.
Misc. Supplies
Backpacks and sturdy tote buckets would be helpful for those who have lost their homes to carry their things. Ziplock bags with toiletries, space blankets, flashlights, extra batteries, camping lanterns, and camp stoves.
Animal Supplies
Hay, buckets, feed pans, halters, lead ropes, collars, leashes, food and water bowls for all sizes of animals, crates, portable enclosures like pens, and livestock panels. Empty 5-gallon buckets can hold water or food for several types of animals. First aid supplies are needed for animals and humans.
First Aid Supplies
Every type of first aid supply is needed as soon as possible.
Life Has Changed Forever
This truly is devastation after a hurricane. This hurricane is being referred to as a “once-in-a-generation” storm. No one asked for this; no one deserves this pain. This is a tragedy on a massive scale. This could have happened to you, me, or someone in our family. I can only try to visualize what has happened and what still needs to be done.
I can see many of the challenges being dealt with based on what is depicted on television, but not all issues are shown due to the delicate nature of the situation. I know these people need help. Someone emailed me and mentioned food and water are slowly getting through to many in need. May God bless those involved in this terrible situation. Please pray for all the families involved. May God Bless this World, Linda
Copyright Images: Hurricane Matthew: AdobeStock_123383082 by Guy Sagi, Hurricane Michael Aftermath AdobeStock_241872573 By Lisa
Thank you Linda! Our area took the brunt of damage from Hurricane Ivan in 2004, so we are familiar with the destruction, challenges and chaos after a major landfalling hurricane. But Hurricane Michael maintained Cat 3 status with winds well over 135 mph all across the Florida Panhandle and didn’t drop to Cat 2 with winds under 120 mph until in Georgia. The swath of massive destruction extends several hundred miles across at least 3 states and is over 100 miles wide in many areas. Ivan was a pansy in comparison!
Many of the smaller inland communities that were over 100 miles from where Michael came ashore suffered severe damage to roads, power lines, cell towers, barns , businesses and homes. Forests and crops are destroyed. Volunteers are working every day to clear roads, cut trees off homes and other buildings, tarping damaged roofs and walls.
The power crews are awesome and are getting power lines restrung as fast as they can across all the states that Michael visited. Even the most remote areas should have power within another 3 weeks.
Readers out of the area can donate online to several sites. I know most of the organized churches like Southern Baptist, Catholic Relief, Methodist or Lutherans for example, are funneling donations to hard hit areas. For readers wanting to donate for the animals in need, both Jeffers Pet Supply and Tractor Supply Company are set up for online donations.
For readers who are close enough to be able to donate physical goods, warm clothing, blankets, stocking hats, gloves will soon be needed. We’re going through our closets this week to see what we can pass along in the way of sweatshirts, coats, etc.
HI BDN, thank you for sharing the different churches that the readers can donate to help the people. Thank you so much for letting us know even more items they need. May God bless all who can help! Linda
Yes Linda, it`s not pretty, we had hurricane Erma last year, followed by a tornado minuets after in my area. I can`t tell you how thankful i was that i had a generator, food , water and other supplies.
98 % of Highlands County had lost power, some for several days. Terrible, yes, but only a drop in the bucket compared to what a grid shutdown would be.
Great information, you do a superb job getting information out to people, i hope they learn something from it, they are going to need it.
Thanks for all you do………
Hi Hearl, oh you are so nice with your kind words. I’m am just heartbroken for the people that have gone through these natural disasters. I’m glad you’re okay for now. I’m extremely concerned about having a grid down. Our country is so vulnerable and unprepared for one. May God bless this world. We MUST all be prepared for a major power outage. Blessings, Linda
Right on.
Re: Gas stations after the storm…they need electricity for their pumps to operate, so even if you find gas stations that are still standing, unless their electricity is back to normal their pumps will not operate; so unless they have their own standby generators (unlikely) they probably won’t be able to pump any fuel, even if their underground fuel storage tanks are full. And that’s really disappointing. For everybody.
To avoid disappointment, if there’s the slightest chance of your region being hit by a hurricane (or other event capable of causing power outages, e.g., snow-storms or wind-storms or ice-storms or tsunamis or floods or whatever), don’t wait…at the first warning, fill your vehicles’ gas tanks and your spare gas containers right away. There will already be a long line of cars ahead of you.
Hi, Sideliner 1950, I’m glad you brought the fact the gas pumps will not work without electricity. I have talked about that for years. Also, I went to three gas stations near my home a few years ago, and none of them have generators available to pump the gas if they lose power. We had a power outage some time ago, and it was an interesting sight to see yellow bags on all the pumps because the power was out and therefore they did not work. I will never get that picture out of my head. You nailed it on your comment about the long line of cars ahead of you. Just be ready, let’s get gas before we need it. Great comment! Linda
And when the power is down, forget about using a credit card. Hopefully everyone who reads your blog keeps small bills on hand. Best to pay with cash at the pumps, anyway, so your card doesn’t get skimmed.
Excellent points, thanks Sideliner and Linda!!
Also, cell towers get damaged and destroyed. So if you’re in an area with these problems, text rather than call. Short texts take far less bandwidth than even short calls and have a higher success rate.
With wishes for everyone’s safety,
Teddy
Hi Teddy, thank you for your tips, I LOVE them! Cash is king for sure, nothing works without power. Unless you have a generator which will work until it runs out of gas. I do have a solar generator, thank goodness. Linda
All of this is so true and good information. One thing it doesn’t cover is that is that agencies like FEMA and the Red Cross, oh they show up right after the hurricanes and aI’m sure other disasters, but for me the only help being given is what is being done while the camera crews are watching. Having just gone through Florence and still working on rebuilding, I can tell you, they deny helping most people who need their help the most. I point this out because you really do need to be prepared not just to weather the stop but to rebuild on your own with out the help from many of these agencies. Your neighbors, people like the Cajun Navy and church groups are the ones that are going to help get you through. Be prepared for long battles with the insurance companies because they will try to loophole and deny everything they possibly can. And once you do get an insurance claim check or manage to pull together your own funds, be careful who you hire and be patient with them once you do find reputable ones. They will have long waiting lists and everyone is in the same boat. Building supply companies will have run out of many supplies needed to rebuild and that will cause delays. Something as simple as being able to find a dumpster for the contractors to use during the rebuild will be hard to find. Being patient and kind will save your sanity and those trying to help. And while the government agencies and many of the charitable ones won’t come through for you, you will be amazed at how wonderful your fellow man can be. These disasters do bring out the best in many and bring people together.
Hi Christina, oh how I love hearing from you. We can watch on the TV but not really know all that you are going through before, during and after the storm. I’m glad you pointed out who came through to help you. We don’t hear those stories. It seems once the film crew is gone we don’t hear how the people who lived through the damage are really doing. I wish I lived closer I would love to come and talk to people to get the word out. My heart aches for you and all those involved in the disasters. God bless you, thanks for sharing. Linda
With the port strikes everything will be compounded.
IMO that’s by design
Matt,
With the port strikes come railroad delays as trains are rerouted to trucking centers instead of ports. Farmers won’t be able to get their grains to markets and prices of virtually all food products will rise. This is only the beginning.
Linda, I helped with recovery efforts after Hurricane’s Celia and Hugo, so I get where you’re coming from. Being prepared is the only way to be.
Hi Ray, I have helped with floods in Utah but never a Hurricane or Tornado. The people were blessed to have you help in the recovery for Hurricane’s Celia and Hugo. This one i read is a generational hurricane! WOW! It sounds like it’s worse than Katrina, we shall see. I have friends in Florida who have families who have moved in with them because their houses are flooded and condemned. This is such a mess, we must pray for all the families, and first responders who must help in the cleanup and going forward. God bless them Linda
Hi Matt, I wonder that as well, will K come in and save the day! I just ordered some canned fruit from Walmart to be delivered. Linda
This hurricane Helene has been truly devastating to so many. I have family members who have been impacted by the devastation. Not sure if they live in the actual path of the storm or on the outskirts but still impacted. One cousin posted on FB a list of things that she needed to get to be prepared for when the storm hit. I advised her to get prepared and stay prepared and not wait until a storm was imminent. She did say that she needed to do this. I also told her she needs to always keep her car/truck filled with fuel so she wouldn’t have to worry about gas lines or no gas at all. I told her to keep cash on hand in small bills for when the banks/atms are not working. We’ll see if she does all of this!!
I think the thing that amazes me the most is that people who live in areas where these kinds of storms occur (tornados, hurricanes, blizzards, etc.) are not prepared at all times. There might not be another hurricane of this magnitude for a very long time but all hurricanes are or can be life changing! All of these types of storms are unpredictable to some degree but being prepared is always critical.
Hi Leanne, I totally agree with you! This hurricane has been devastating to so many. So many families have lost everything. Businesses are gone. This storm seems more devastating than others I have seen on TV. I have never lived though one. One picture on TV showed groceries from a store floating down the flooding river of water. I would think most people would be somewhat prepared if they have lived there for years. One woman who is 80 years old said she has lived there (I’m sorry I can’t remember which state) for 60 years and they have never had a Hurricane like this one. All we can do is pray for all involved. It’s so sad. Linda
I live in Myrtle Beach, SC; we had mostly lots of wind & rain here last Thursday. By the next afternoon the sun was out & people were outside starting to clean up their yards, etc. This was NOT the case for inland SC & NC. Our small local church has been organizing help & food & taking it inland. They have already made one trip Monday & returned back home. Another trip is happening later today, I think. When I stopped by church this AM to deliver some more goods I bought & donated money for gas, our fellowship hall was stacked high w/ all kinds of donations from food to bottled water to diapers….just stacks & stacks of items. I’m sure other local & even larger churches are doing the same thing from here. We KNOW how to help others. These situations can help people see it’s a good thing & what Jesus wants us to do.
Hi Janet, oh my gosh, this is the best comment ever! It’s so good to hear people helping people. It will take days for the government groups or other volunteer groups to get there. May God bless you for your efforts. I’m so glad you shared your story. I still can’t get ahold of my friend in SC. I do know several cell services were out yesterday. I will try again today. Thanks again, Linda
Thank you, Linda. Yes, not only my efforts, but the efforts of many, many other people.
Hi Janet, it’s truly a blessing in your area. Linda
This kind of disaster seems extremely difficult to prepare for, especially if your house or even your town has been washed away. Imagine if all your emergency supplies are in you basement or pantry and have been washed away or made inaccesible because a tree has crashed into your house. What about critical medical needs, such as Insulin for diabetics. Could that find a place in your bug-out bag?
In this kind of situation I’m thinking an out-of-town escape may be the only temporary solution, perhaps another family member or close friend can house you for a while.
Anyone has other suggestions ?
Hi Kenneth, Insulin is for sure a scary medication to be out of. We must all have a plan B. I will stay in my home, but I live in Utah and flooding, fires would be the worst that could happen here. We did have a tornado a few years ago. But it’s the earthquake we are over due for in Utah that scares me. We will perish where we live. The “wave” will come towards our side of Salt Lake City, Utah. Being sucked into the ground would kill hundreds of thousands. I have no plan B. If I lived where Hurricanes and Tornadoes were prevalent, I would store food and water at a friends house and go there if danger was imminent. Linda
Hi Linda, FL did get it severely, but I want to remind people that Helene didn’t only affect just the Gulf Coast. Like Ian and Michael effects were felt miles inland. Ian affected much of FL coast to coast then regenerated off the coast to hit the South Carolina coast then moved inland to drop flooding rains over an area that was largely sea level with some spots a little below. Swampy areas over flowed into towns. Michael continued to rage as a Hurricane way inward, then caused severe flooding over a much wider and deeper area. Katrina was much the same. I remember at leave 4 insurance companies in FL were bankrupted by Ian. That means fighting the courts for years, until some kind of settlement is reached. Generally those shares in a settlement are far less than their insurance policy payout. A number of other companies moved out of FL and their customers had to scramble trying to find a new insurance provider at much higher rates. So many of the poorer residents can afford no insurance at all. Large areas of Southwest FL are peppered with lots that haven’t been rebuilt after Ian. Helene might not made Cat 5 like Michael, or a High Cat 4 like Ian (but not too far behind).However her wind field held together far inland (The Weather Channel recorded Cat 1 hurricane winds in Atlanta). But it was the relentless volume of rain in a huge area that did the worst damage. The high storm surge, coupled with the extreme amounts of torrential rains have caused tremendous damage to many Southeastern states. 2 dams were declared imminent breech, whole areas were evacuated, but they hung on by a thread, with flood water pouring over and around them. As of yesterday, the Weather Channel stated that most of the towns in western North Carolina cannot be accessed by land. The photos we’re seeing and contact with local residents are taken using helicopters. Roads are mostly gone, not damaged. Power, phones, fuel sources with be out for months potentially with Winter coming on. Not even those with enough money will get cable, landlines, or cell phone service. Nor rebuild until the roads can be rebuilt and reopened. Building supplies can’t get in there until they can be trucked in. That means water, sewage, and storm drains can’t be repaired, nor electric and utility poles. Heavy construction equipment needs roads and railroads to get in there, so no dam repairs can happen. The floods tool out and washed away homes. This isn’t just in NC, but but parts of GA, eastern TN, eastern KY, parts of West VA, and Western VA. There is some lesser damage in surrounding areas. As global warming causes more and more rapid intensification and extend their severe damages inland. It’s important to see the whole picture, everybody who suffers as a result of a hurricane. It’s a terrible tragedy in FL, but that horror extends hundreds of miles inland.to areas where most have little to no insurance, where flooding rains, overwhelmed dams, rock and mud slides, water supplies and flooded sewers, plus flash floods contained by narrow valleys that then gush with extra force across flood plains. Most major hurricanes and tornadoes flatten cellphone, radio, and TV towers get flattened, not just damaged. Transformer stations get badly damaged or destroyed, and of course utility poles get mown down and mixed with the downed trees and other debris. If any power stays on, the companies have to shut it down to protect victims, rescue workers, lines workers can work without danger from live wires. Cell service is unreliable. If I lived in the area, I would look into a battery powered satellite phone. Even here in New England, a Cat 1 Hurricanes, Blizzards, and Nor’easters, can knock power and everything else out for days.That’s not that common here, but it has happened more than one. Power within Helene’s damage area may not be restored for many weeks, even months, that has happened frequently, after major hurricanes. Power poles can’t be reset until the soil has dried out enough, that they will stay up right. Nor can they be replaced or repaired, until the bulk of the debris is removed or out of the way. I’ve been getting my information from TWC, the Storm Chasers Network, and Tropical Weather Networks on Facebook, and news footage from local and national station, I’ve seen uncensored footage that TV stations can’t run. The death toll is still rising. As debris from wrecked houses, mud and sand removed, they will find more. Estimates are that hundreds of people are still unaccounted for. Inland a deputy chief died when his cruiser flooded too fast,and a half dozen other EMS/Rescue Workers have died attempting dangerous rescues. Damages are expected to be well North of $100 billion for Hurricane Helene. The biggest threat is that the Gulf Hurricane is heating up, there is potential for 3-4 more Hurricanes possibly major, and more Tropical Storms, until late November. What if the areas hit already get another direct hit? Hurricane experts are worried. Right now my prayers are for all those that have suffered severely from Helene. But also that they are spared another hurricane for this year at least. There is also very serious damage from wind and storm surge, along the Western coast of FL. It’s just not getting much publicity. The causeway bridge to the off shore islands and was destroyed by Ian, was finally reopened in December is now again destroyed by Helene. The alternate causeway that survived damaged, was repaired with a week, was also destroyed by Helene. The off shore islands were heavily damaged. The storm surge was substantial, there was also torrential rain from the on shore Eastern side, so flooding. Helene was catastrophic far beyond the areas directly in front of her at landfall. This whole hurricane season has been unpredictable, so I hope the rest will be and guide any other hurricane away from all the areas that have already been severely damaged this year.%
Hi MaryAnn, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your comment. Here’s the deal we don’t hear everything so we need to hear it from friends like you. I’m shocked at what I’m seeing on the TV and I don’t live there. Thank you for telling us all the details. May God bless all those involved. The first responders, the families, the medical personnel, have got to be overwhelmed. Your thoughts make us more aware of how bad it is, thank you my sweet friends. Everyone please pray for all involved with Hurricane Helene, Linda
We took food and supplies to friends in Arcadia, Florida, after category 4 Hurricane Charley in 2004. One week later, National Guard was still there, in the tropical heat and humidity, distributing water and supplies. They were driving down each street. The emergency folks are not always covered by the media. The first responders go do their jobs. This is just one example. I’ve lived in South Florida nearly 50 years. And yes, the very best is to be as prepared as possible. In Andrew, a husband wife and large dog lost their roof. When the Hurricane was done, they had half a jar of peanut butter for the three of them. Everything else was sucked out of the house. Now I realize their survival was miraculous!!
So please plan, prep and do what you can.
Teddy
Hi Teddy, oh my gosh, half a jar of peanut butter. WOW! I’m glad they were okay. Stay safe, Teddy more Hurricanes are coming this week. Linda