Author Topic: Grits (Read 421 times)

CurtissP-6EHawk · « **on:** September 17, 2004, 08:48:39 PM »

I know this is off topic but I wanted to make sure you got it.

How did you make out from the wrath of Ivan?

I lived on Old Spanish Trail off of Scenic Highway just south of I-10 (where the bridge calapsed) I hear there was massave damage on the beach and in the bay. I cant believe they dont show the true damage on the news. I get sick of seeing the silly weather channel coverage before the storm then nothing atfer its gone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BTW, let me know how the banner planes fared at Navarre if you can.
Hope alls well
Hawk

Grits · « **Reply #1 on:** September 18, 2004, 03:58:35 PM »

Thanks for asking Hawk, it was quite and experience since Dad and I stayed and rode it out.

My Mom and Dad's house, and my house are both OK, we are both over on Perdido Bay. I hindsight, we probably should have evacuated. The wind was bad, but the storm surge was worse, the water stopped rising about 1/2 inch below the threshold of Dad's front door, which is 12 feet above mean high tide.

The eastern side of the eye wall went right over the top of us and we are very lucky to have minimal damage, mostly from the 3-5 foot waves breaking on the side of the house. Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Perdido Key and Pensacola Beach, all the barrier Islands basically, is just huge destruction, all the barrier islands are breached in several places. I saw some of the east end of Santa Rosa Island, but I did not actually see the Navarre Bridge so I dont know much about that area.

Anyway, I'm OK, but we probably wont have power at my house (I'm on Dads computer running off a generator now) for a week or two.

Reschke · « **Reply #2 on:** September 18, 2004, 04:50:16 PM »

Good to hear Grits. My dad works down in the Gulf Shores area building houses and he was told not to go to the area for about a week so the home owners could get claims in and such. I know that the Florabama got wiped off the beach completely and I know a few other places down there got hit hard as well. Our friend came up here (Birmingham) on Tuesday night and she is staying here all next week. Her house on Lee St. is fine but without power.

CurtissP-6EHawk · « **Reply #3 on:** September 18, 2004, 05:30:35 PM »

When I lived there we went through both Erin and Opel. Erin did nothing more than take down trees and power for a day or two. Opel basicly whiped out the sand dunes and flooded areas inland. After Erin I flew my 1937 Fairchild 24 up and down the beach and took some video. I lost the Fairchild between the hurricanes, engine failure and put it in the trees, but purchased the Opel video. If they offer an Ivin video, let me know, I would like to buy one.

CurtissP-6EHawk · « **Reply #4 on:** September 19, 2004, 01:41:57 PM »

Grits · « **Reply #5 on:** September 20, 2004, 08:34:10 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Reschke
I know that the Florabama got wiped off the beach completely

Its not gone, but that rumor has been around. The three main buildings are still there, but water washed all the insides out. I heard there were liquor bottles on the road a half mile in either direction. Heck, the way that place smelled it needed a hurricane to wash out the inside.

Slash27 · « **Reply #6 on:** September 20, 2004, 07:12:24 PM »

Heck, the way that place smelled it needed a hurricane to wash out the inside.

Maybe the bathroom floors are finally clean.

Reshcke, any news on the beach house I told you about?

Reschke · « **Reply #7 on:** September 20, 2004, 09:09:38 PM »

Not really but according to the guy who owns Live Bait there was "considerable damage" to all the condos and houses around it and they had about 6 feet of water inside the place. I will see if I can call him again tomorrow and see what else he has.

Slash27 · « **Reply #8 on:** September 21, 2004, 03:55:40 PM »

We just found a pic of it online. Its doesnt "look" too bad so far. One of the outside staircases is gone. I just have a funny feeling the bottom floor has 4 feet of sand in it.