Hi there, Hex Squad! I needed to succeed in out and provide you with all an replace after Hurricane Milton swept by. Your messages on Instagram, Fb, and emails checking in on me actually warmed my coronary heart. Thanks a lot for considering of me and my household throughout these back-to-back hurricanes.
I’m completely satisfied to report that Dave, the women, and I are doing nicely, regardless of each Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton pummeling the Tampa Bay space. It’s been a whirlwind, however we’re protected and sound.
Our Residence: A Protected Haven
After we purchased our residence six years in the past, we selected a location 20 miles inland from the Gulf Coast, firmly located in a no-flood, no-evacuation zone throughout the Tampa Bay space. Being risk-averse, I needed a spot that might preserve us protected, even when it restricted our choices on the time.
Across the time of my divorce, I invested in a brand new roof, and later, Dave and I added automated storm shutters for additional safety. Remarkably, our residence has weathered each main hurricane prior to now 20 years with out sustaining any injury. The neighborhood lake, which you’ll be able to see within the picture above, absorbed a major quantity of water after the storm, serving to forestall flooding in our speedy space.
Our Chosen Household
Whereas we have been lucky to be in a protected zone, lots of our pals and chosen household weren’t as fortunate. We welcomed Mickey and his fiancé Dustin—together with their three cats and cute canine—and our buddy Cary along with his candy pup into our residence. In whole, we had 5 people, 4 canine, and three cats below one roof for nearly every week!
It was a full home, however I’m extremely grateful we may supply a protected haven for these we love. Sharing our house introduced us all nearer collectively, and the help we supplied one another made the difficult occasions extra bearable.
After Hurricane Milton Assets
Milton Cleanup Hotline – 844-956-1386
FEMA Registration – 1-800-621-3362
Florida Emergency Hotline – 1-800-342-3557
Habitat for Humanity – 813-239-2248
Catastrophe Misery Helpline – 1-800-985-5990
I needed to share these after hurricane assets in case you wanted them. It’s regular to expertise emotional misery after again to again disasters. Should you need assistance, name the Catastrophe Misery Helpline.
Energy Outages and Flooding
The Better Tampa Bay space continues to be grappling with widespread flooding and energy outages. Whereas Mickey and Dustin lastly had their energy restored yesterday, many Floridians stay with out electrical energy. Some communities are even dealing with boil-water advisories because of compromised water provides.
Flooding has affected quite a few neighborhoods round us, main to highschool cancellations and unsafe driving circumstances on many roads. Regardless that our avenue remained dry, seeing the encompassing areas wrestle has been heart-wrenching.
My Favourite Half
Amid the chaos and uncertainty, my favourite a part of having everybody at our residence was the valuable high quality time we shared collectively. From becoming a member of Dave and me on our morning walks to cooking meals and watching films as an enormous, blended household—it was heartwarming past phrases. The laughter echoing by the home, the impromptu dance events, and the deep conversations late into the night time turned a traumatic scenario into an unforgettable bonding expertise. These moments jogged my memory of the significance of group and the way, even within the hardest occasions, we will discover pleasure and connection.
The Worst Half
The night time Hurricane Milton made landfall was actually terrifying. Listening to the storm’s relentless winds ripping at our residence was probably the most scary expertise I’ve ever endured. The howling gusts felt like they may tear the roof proper off, and the partitions appeared to shudder with every highly effective surge. Sleep was unattainable—I lay awake, coronary heart pounding, ready for the winds to die down even a bit. It was a stark reminder of nature’s unpredictable energy, and it left me feeling each humbled and profoundly grateful when the storm lastly handed and we have been all protected.
Ultimate Ideas
I’m frequently reminded of the power and resilience of our group throughout these occasions. Thanks once more for all of your love and help. Please preserve these affected in your ideas, and let’s proceed to look out for each other.
Extra to See
