It was on the Monday before the storm that we decided to view the predicted path of Hurricane Ivan. A gut-instinct foretold of danger and we mentally noted that the time to leave had arrived. Thus, on Tuesday, we packed what few possessions we had and left Orange Beach, Alabama to move more inland into Pensacola.
Wednesday, 15 September, rolled around and there was a nervous anticipation as everyone topped off their preparations for Ivan. The looks on everyone’s faces were the same: “Do we have enough to withstand the post-damage of Ivan?”
The whole of Wednesday the traffic leaving areas of danger was congested as were shopping malls. All along the way to the safe-haven we drove past houses, businesses and the like that were boarded up and boarding up. Some decided to take the chance while others decided that no amount of preparation could be enough.
I did not really know what to make of all this as I come from South Africa where there are no hurricanes. All was strange and unreal to me. The chaos and fear went completely by me. In order to evoke real fear in a person a certain level of experience is required.
So the daylight came to an end and dusk settled in. There was no knowledge of how long there would still be power and phone lines available. The television showed the progress of Ivan entering Pensacola Beach and the waves reaching astronomical heights. Waves that were crashing over the boardwalk as well as waves that would make a surfer both envious and afraid. People were evacuating at a steady pace. Towns started resembling ghost towns in a thunder storm. It was evident that most wanted to stay and watch as the heavens unleashed all hell on earth but were far too afraid of the sacrifice it would entail.
We went onto the front porch to see how the storm was advancing and realized that as strong as the winds were, they were no match for what lay ahead. Now and again there would be a tornado warning, which is something I fear more than a hurricane. Still time seemed to lull and after dinner I decided to take a nap.
Our power finally cut off at ten thirty. The radios were brought out of the woodwork and all ears were glued to the simulcast. The speculation was that the eye of Ivan would enter over Mobile. The east-side of the storm would be on our side, which was not much of a consolation. At least it was not the eye itself.
Ivan took a bit of a turn and the radio reporter warned of the likely entry over Gulf Shores. The change was not exactly good news and hopes of our beach house in Orange Beach dissipated. All were waiting for Ivan to make his entrance.
When at last the eye of the storm entered over Gulf Shores, it was at one thirty and waves at the last buoy clocked in at forty-two feet. The report was that the hurricane was a strong category three/weak category four when it made landfall.
Shortly after the eye passed over Gulf Shores and the winds whipped around to blast from the North, the backdoor started to buckle under the pressure of the wind. At least a mattress was stacked against the outside of the door. A wise move as without it there would have been no chance for us. We tried to stack what we could find of substantial weight to hold the door closed, but to no avail. All that was going to keep the door from popping open and letting the wind rip the roof from the house was human force. Therefore, it was decided that turns would be taken.
My turn came and only then did I realize what I was up against. The door was shaking underneath my hands. The muscles in my upper arms and shoulders pounded with the constant strain. For the first time I felt afraid.
Four hours later the wind finally died down to the point where we
could sit down and keep the chair against the door with the mere pressure from our knees. Yet, the wind was still howling over the rooftops and screeching around the corners of the house.
At daybreak people were peering out of their doors at the intensity of the remaining storm. Conditions seemed favorable enough to be outside. Everyone was anxious to see what Ivan had left in his wake. Having been terrified at the mere sound of the storm we were eager to inspect the aftermath of a hurricane. Reports confirmed that Ivan had caused more destruction than Hurricane Erin or Opal and was the runner up to Hurricane Frederick.
Outside it looked as if the entire fall season had come and passed overnight. Only, there were trees and power-lines strewn across all creation. It looked as if a giant had walked on Earth and had nudged trees and billboards as if they were mere matchsticks.
A tree had fallen against our roof and explained the loud thud that no one had been able to place that night. The roof of the old van in the driveway had been peeled back like a sardine can. Across the road a rotten tree had split down the center and had splayed itself across the yard. There were trees on cars, houses and roads. The incredulity of it all made me realize that there was one thing that man will never be able to control: Forces of nature.
Houses were missing sections of roofs and some roofs were missing houses. It was a ruined jigsaw puzzle. Yet, as soon as everyone had completed their damage assessment chainsaws were whipped out and the neighborhoods became abuzz with life as the clearing began.
Our only link to the aerial view of the hurricane affected areas existed through the radios. People were running out of ice and drinkable water faster than a supply could be created. Those who had lost their houses were going hungry. And overnight, gas became gold. Some had, and most wanted.
Wednesday, 15 September, rolled around and there was a nervous anticipation as everyone topped off their preparations for Ivan. The looks on everyone’s faces were the same: “Do we have enough to withstand the post-damage of Ivan?”
The whole of Wednesday the traffic leaving areas of danger was congested as were shopping malls. All along the way to the safe-haven we drove past houses, businesses and the like that were boarded up and boarding up. Some decided to take the chance while others decided that no amount of preparation could be enough.
I did not really know what to make of all this as I come from South Africa where there are no hurricanes. All was strange and unreal to me. The chaos and fear went completely by me. In order to evoke real fear in a person a certain level of experience is required.
So the daylight came to an end and dusk settled in. There was no knowledge of how long there would still be power and phone lines available. The television showed the progress of Ivan entering Pensacola Beach and the waves reaching astronomical heights. Waves that were crashing over the boardwalk as well as waves that would make a surfer both envious and afraid. People were evacuating at a steady pace. Towns started resembling ghost towns in a thunder storm. It was evident that most wanted to stay and watch as the heavens unleashed all hell on earth but were far too afraid of the sacrifice it would entail.We went onto the front porch to see how the storm was advancing and realized that as strong as the winds were, they were no match for what lay ahead. Now and again there would be a tornado warning, which is something I fear more than a hurricane. Still time seemed to lull and after dinner I decided to take a nap.
Our power finally cut off at ten thirty. The radios were brought out of the woodwork and all ears were glued to the simulcast. The speculation was that the eye of Ivan would enter over Mobile. The east-side of the storm would be on our side, which was not much of a consolation. At least it was not the eye itself.
Ivan took a bit of a turn and the radio reporter warned of the likely entry over Gulf Shores. The change was not exactly good news and hopes of our beach house in Orange Beach dissipated. All were waiting for Ivan to make his entrance.
When at last the eye of the storm entered over Gulf Shores, it was at one thirty and waves at the last buoy clocked in at forty-two feet. The report was that the hurricane was a strong category three/weak category four when it made landfall.
Shortly after the eye passed over Gulf Shores and the winds whipped around to blast from the North, the backdoor started to buckle under the pressure of the wind. At least a mattress was stacked against the outside of the door. A wise move as without it there would have been no chance for us. We tried to stack what we could find of substantial weight to hold the door closed, but to no avail. All that was going to keep the door from popping open and letting the wind rip the roof from the house was human force. Therefore, it was decided that turns would be taken.
My turn came and only then did I realize what I was up against. The door was shaking underneath my hands. The muscles in my upper arms and shoulders pounded with the constant strain. For the first time I felt afraid.
Four hours later the wind finally died down to the point where we
could sit down and keep the chair against the door with the mere pressure from our knees. Yet, the wind was still howling over the rooftops and screeching around the corners of the house.At daybreak people were peering out of their doors at the intensity of the remaining storm. Conditions seemed favorable enough to be outside. Everyone was anxious to see what Ivan had left in his wake. Having been terrified at the mere sound of the storm we were eager to inspect the aftermath of a hurricane. Reports confirmed that Ivan had caused more destruction than Hurricane Erin or Opal and was the runner up to Hurricane Frederick.
Outside it looked as if the entire fall season had come and passed overnight. Only, there were trees and power-lines strewn across all creation. It looked as if a giant had walked on Earth and had nudged trees and billboards as if they were mere matchsticks.
A tree had fallen against our roof and explained the loud thud that no one had been able to place that night. The roof of the old van in the driveway had been peeled back like a sardine can. Across the road a rotten tree had split down the center and had splayed itself across the yard. There were trees on cars, houses and roads. The incredulity of it all made me realize that there was one thing that man will never be able to control: Forces of nature.
Houses were missing sections of roofs and some roofs were missing houses. It was a ruined jigsaw puzzle. Yet, as soon as everyone had completed their damage assessment chainsaws were whipped out and the neighborhoods became abuzz with life as the clearing began.
Our only link to the aerial view of the hurricane affected areas existed through the radios. People were running out of ice and drinkable water faster than a supply could be created. Those who had lost their houses were going hungry. And overnight, gas became gold. Some had, and most wanted.
However, soon the authorities began to organize and take control of the pending chaos. Due to the severe loss of electricity a curfew was set for 6 am while the pm curfew has jumped from 6 to 7 and finally midnight. Insurance companies were opening their arms over the radio waves. FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) was freeing up their resources and assistance to restore whatever normality possible.
Martial Law was instilled almost immediately as the National Guard started spreading. Military officers with rifles were keeping the public in check. I had seen nothing like it. Some grocery stores opened by the help of generators where power was not yet restored. The curfew was raised from 7 am till 7 pm and all stores were urged to close at 6 pm as to allow the public to be off the roads at curfew.When the first gas-stations opened chaos reigned. Cars were lined up for miles and the lines for free ice, water and MRE’s (Meals Ready to Eat) were unreal. 
The most beautiful benefit from Ivan was the first night without electricity when all were surely drawn outside to the spectacular star-lit heaven and no moon. It was truly breathtaking.
By Monday, 20 September, we finally regained electricity. It seemed as our strife was over to the greatest extent. A hot shower! What a wondrous luxury.
A week after Ivan hit there was a report that the remnants of Ivan had found its way back into the Gulf of Mexico and had reached Tropical Storm status. It was predicted that it would make landfall over Texas and the Louisiana border. This kind of behavior is unprecedented and one can only thank the powers that be that it is merely a Tropical Storm and not a hurricane once again.
A week after the hurricane struck, we were also allowed back onto Orange Beach, if only to view Perdido Beach Boulevard by a free trolley. The trolley departed from the City Hall and ran every hour but was not allowed to let any passengers off at any point. A police officer followed closely behind to supervise this. We drove from City Hall up to the Florabama and back. The trolley would make a stop on the road so that the passengers could view their houses to assess the damage. Our house is magically still standing to our relief.
The beach was the worst attraction. It had washed up right next to the road. The beach had never been visible from the road, but now it is. Dunes had been washed into a sandy mess. Our eyes were glued to the water, knowing that we would never again see the beach that we used to frequent. It is still not clear when residents will be allowed back onto the beach to go back to what is left of their houses.
As a foreigner that comes from a country where the authorities are incapacitated to deal with the reality of such conditions and would lack the resources from which to recruit. I appreciate the immediacy and effectiveness with which the chaos was managed. Although it will take months for most things to return to normal, the necessities have been taken care of. We have power and running hot water. And this is all thanks to the authorities that brought in power companies from across the nation and even as far as Canada to get matters in order. It is good to know that the states affected will not be crippled under such trying circumstances.
The most beautiful benefit from Ivan was the first night without electricity when all were surely drawn outside to the spectacular star-lit heaven and no moon. It was truly breathtaking.
By Monday, 20 September, we finally regained electricity. It seemed as our strife was over to the greatest extent. A hot shower! What a wondrous luxury.
A week after Ivan hit there was a report that the remnants of Ivan had found its way back into the Gulf of Mexico and had reached Tropical Storm status. It was predicted that it would make landfall over Texas and the Louisiana border. This kind of behavior is unprecedented and one can only thank the powers that be that it is merely a Tropical Storm and not a hurricane once again.
A week after the hurricane struck, we were also allowed back onto Orange Beach, if only to view Perdido Beach Boulevard by a free trolley. The trolley departed from the City Hall and ran every hour but was not allowed to let any passengers off at any point. A police officer followed closely behind to supervise this. We drove from City Hall up to the Florabama and back. The trolley would make a stop on the road so that the passengers could view their houses to assess the damage. Our house is magically still standing to our relief.
The beach was the worst attraction. It had washed up right next to the road. The beach had never been visible from the road, but now it is. Dunes had been washed into a sandy mess. Our eyes were glued to the water, knowing that we would never again see the beach that we used to frequent. It is still not clear when residents will be allowed back onto the beach to go back to what is left of their houses.As a foreigner that comes from a country where the authorities are incapacitated to deal with the reality of such conditions and would lack the resources from which to recruit. I appreciate the immediacy and effectiveness with which the chaos was managed. Although it will take months for most things to return to normal, the necessities have been taken care of. We have power and running hot water. And this is all thanks to the authorities that brought in power companies from across the nation and even as far as Canada to get matters in order. It is good to know that the states affected will not be crippled under such trying circumstances.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment