Tuesday, September 12, 2017

Did You Escape Irma's Destruction? Our Hurricane Diary

Hi there.

If you are in Miami or anywhere else in Florida for that matter, chances are you are still digging out after Hurricane Irma unleashed her fury this past week.

It's been a September like no other, though thankfully we were spared the worst of what the storm had to offer. Our hearts go out to everyone in the American Southeast and in the Caribbean who were not so lucky!

Here's a recap of what Anastasia Yecke (Founder of Healing Hands) went through recently:



September 5, 2017:

Take this, Irma!


























September 6, 2017:
 

We went back to Lowe's today and it was not such a tranquil place. Here is the line for plywood…






















September 7, 2017:


A little gallows humor, considering Miami is currently in the projected eye of the storm...


























September 8, 2017:


So we are pretty stocked up on supplies and water and are almost finished boarding up the house. 





















September 9, 2017:

This!

























 
September 10, 2017:

We REALLY roughed it last night. I mean, we barely managed to choke down a beverage that was 14 years old...!







































 

September 10, 2017. 9:29 AM:

Well guys, it looks like our power just went OUT-out now (it had been flickering off and on for the last several hours) so I think this will be my last post for a little while so I can conserve my phone battery. Luckily it is at 97% right now, and Erik charged some alternate batteries yesterday that we can use later on to charge them back up. So I will post again around 12:30 to let you guys know what's going on. We have the hurricane shutters up and have stockpiled plenty of food and water so we're safe - don't worry too much about us!

View from our front yard















September 11, 2017. 9:29 AM:

Some photos of the damage. While there are a LOT of branches down, there are also a few very large trees that didn't make it. Overall we were lucky and suffered only minor damage to our home.




















I made a homemade guacamole and Erik's aunt made some beans and rice. We enjoyed a simple yet yummy dinner.



 


















The front of our house this morning (it's the one on the left). I think the tree that fell is on our property, but it fell in the neighbor's yard. Luckily it did not hit any of their cars!



























Overall, feeling relieved....



September 13, 2017:

Two years ago, Erik and I were on one of our many weekend trips to the beautiful Florida Keys. We love the Keys so much, we even had our wedding at a private estate on Key Largo.
My heart is hurting now to think about all the damage and massive cleanup from Irma - not just in the Keys but also in other parts of the Caribbean. Not to mention in Texas after Harvey.

I encourage each of you to please make a donation in the coming days to the charity of your choice, one you feel will best help alleviate the suffering and destruction that has taken place in the last weeks. 

The one I have listed, Habitat for Humanity of Key West & Lower Florida Keys is one I have volunteered with in the past (here in Miami, not in the Keys) and I know them to be good stewards of funds received. But it is just a starting point for you to do your own research.
Thank you.


































Well, that's where we are at now. How did you fare during the storm? 

Do you have a particular aid organization you are donating to that you'd like to recommend? 

What else can people not directly affected by the storm do to help in Irma's aftermath?

Please let us know your thoughts in the comments.


Best wishes and here's one final thought for the days, weeks, and months to come.
























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