The effect of Hurricane Gustav on my life. (Long)

[southernbelle]

[southernbelle]

P.S. I forgot to mention the "Named Storm" deductible being implemented in my area by the Insurance companies that most of us just found out about. This deductible is basically a percentage (from 2% to 5%) of the amount of your homeowners insurance for your home. In most cases, the deductible is more than the cost of the damages and it makes me wonder why we even have insurance in the first place. In my case if I needed repairs, my new deductibe would go from $500 to $5000. What a racket!!!!!

Just another way for the insurance companies to get over on us.

[AngelinaCat]

Hi Southernbelle: I am glad to see you're back. 'Hub and I knew you were in Louisiana, but didn't know where. So all we could do is pray and wait to hear from you. I sure am sorry about all the damage and all the loss in food and supplies.

While you were offline, member, NowImDownInIt, posted information about an entity called Angel Food Ministries. Wed have investigated, and have signed up.

Here is a link to what we found. It might be an option for you and your neighbors:

http://www.bkforum.com/showthread.php?t=28062

[AngelinaCat]

P.S. I forgot to mention the "Named Storm" deductible being implemented in my area by the Insurance companies that most of us just found out about. This deductible is basically a percentage (from 2% to 5%) of the amount of your homeowners insurance for your home. In most cases, the deductible is more than the cost of the damages and it makes me wonder why we even have insurance in the first place. In my case if I needed repairs, my new deductibe would go from $500 to $5000. What a racket!!!!!

Just another way for the insurance companies to get over on us.

Right. We have all, or most, of the insurance companies pulling out of Florida. Those that remain, you pay through the nose! It doesn't matter that you may have had your home for more than 20 years, and have never filed a claim.

[soleprop]

sbelle, i wish i could give you a hug and buy you lunch!

[WoodSprite]

sbelle, i wish i could give you a hug and buy you lunch!

Wish I could give you a hug and buy you a generator!

[PoorGrammyinBK7]

I have been wondering where you are and how you were, knowing that you were in that area! So good to know you are okay and no major damage. I am sending up prayers for you. Wish we could help monetarily but we are not exactly in the shape to do that right now.

I have experienced some of what you are going through - especially with the week-long power outages - no AC - ruined food and no generator. Well our neighbor had a generator and nearly killed us with carbon monoxide (we had left to drive north on a spur of the moment decision or we would be dead - long story).

So thank God you are okay and we are praying that Ike goes somewhere thats not very populated or fizzles out!!!

[arkienurse]

Thank God you are ok. And also I thank Him that my former Son-In-Law, who happens to have full custody of my oldest grand daughter moved his family to Texas this summer. They lived in Houma for 3 years. Course, they moved to near Houston and Ike seems determined to pay them a visit.

So sorry about the food. It would kill me to have to lose my freezer contents. I am seriously thinking of gradually building my stock of canned goods, as we got 5 inches here, and some areas of my county lost power for 2 or 3 days. We seem to get wind storms on a regular basis, so this is sounding like a good idea to me, especially after reading your post.

Again, glad you are ok SB. Hang in there.

[AngelinaCatHub]

Southernbelle: We received $26,000 worth of debt to the IRS, as they now are stating they are going to levy against us. They got the word we were Discharged, so now what?

Living in Florida, we know. Mrs. and I served volunteer duty with Hugo, as well as Andrew, to open food stores. I am a computer tech and made cash registers work in those days. I saw what a bad storm causes. It makes one house a patio while sparing the houses on each side. I never saw a place not damaged.

We here in upper east Florida, have been blessed. We went through three and one-half hurricanes in 2004, but they were fairly mild, all things considered.

While Mrs. was at the checkout lane at an Ace Hardware store, the Management announced: “four generators would be in tomorrow, and if anyone wanted to reserve one, take the CC info”. We were still good then credit-wise, and Mrs. pulled out her card and said, “add one to my tab.”

As we were without power for three weeks, I purchased three large batteries and three radiator electric fans, as the place was filled with mosquitoes, (Florida’s Bird) with no air. Everyday we powered up for two hours charging batteries, and chilling what we had.

Best to dump any food with question.

We wish you well and we go through your town twice a year for Elissa the 1877 tall ship and Galveston’s Dickens on the Strand. It is what Mrs. lives for and I bring a computer to the motel and work. That is, when I had the website to do. Things change. ‘Hub and Mrs.

[Frogge]

Southernbelle, you are in my thoughts... I hate what you're going through. ((HUGS)) to you.

[rfassett]

Praise God for all of His great and marvelous wonder! I also pray for your continued protection, Belle. And I do not wish that I could buy you anything, but I do wish I could give you a hug! I have also experienced the devistation that the power of a huricane can bring. Lived on Galveston Island (yes, Hub, Dickens on the Strand is one of America's best kept secrets - what a party) and sat through a light cat 3 storm whose eye went right over our home. The next one had indications that the surge was going to be 8 to 12 feet over the sea wall. We moved all of the furniture to the second floor, put everything that was important to us in the trunk of the car, put our two dogs in the back seat and headed north. We didn't slow down until we got to Waco. I moved way, way away from there 17 years ago. I do miss Dickens. I do not miss the huricanes. I hope each new day is better than the day before for you, Belle. Best of luck - and I will keep a prayful mind toward the next storm.

[JRScott]

Glad to hear you are well and your house took no damage. Sorry to hear about all the troubles. I hope Ike doesn't hit your area.

For food see if you can get some from local charities. With so many in need they might be running short. You might check local churches too to see if they have any means to help folks buy food.

[lrprn]

So glad you are ok, Belle! We were worried about you. Great to hear your house is ok , but so rough to lose your freezer and be without electricity for so long. Let's hope Gustav is the last 'cane this season to come anywhere close to Louisiana.

Take care and let us know what you and your neighbors need most that can be sent to you directly. We'll do anything we can to help!

[FLBK7]

Belle, I'm so glad to hear that you are okay after Gustav and that your home did not sustain any major damage. I'm in south FL and lost my house to Andrew in 1992, and had no electricity for 7 weeks and no phone for 13 weeks, because the entire electric and telephone infrastructure for our area had been so badly damaged that they needed to be totally rebuilt. Back then cell phones were a rarity, so communication was very difficult. We lived in a trailer on our driveway while our home was rebuilt over the next 11 months. It's been 16 years and I still haven't forgotten any of it. I never will.

You are in my thoughts and prayers. I really understand.

[AMISLANDER]

You're in my prayers & thoughts, too, from the West Coast of FL....we have been so fortunate here, where others have not. We know, any time, it can come our way as well. Keep your chin up...I went through the storms of 2004 and know what it's like to be without power for a day in the humidity...when it was overcast....

...To go for days without the power is a nightmare.