Salina, Barb, and KatieG., I thank you all for your thoughts and prayers.
Thankfully, we didn't have nearly anything like they predicted. Right now the wind is picking up a little, but I don't think it'll get past 35mph gusts. Yesterday, they warned us that it'd be more like 70mph around 10pm. They said Ivan moved really fast and did most of the wind damage before getting so far north to us.
I've seen the awful footage of damage in -
Mobile, AL
Gulf Shores, AL
Pensacola, FL
Panama City Beach, FL
Destin, FL
Biloxi, MS
Some of those places will have to rebuild the beaches, as well as homes and other property. The sand was blown in as far as 3/4 of a mile inland, and has covered long stretches of Highway. Some beaches where sand should be, look like small rivers. Bridges have collapsed, piers washed/blown away,..
I guess you've seen the news, so I won't go on.
There was major flooding in areas around Birmingham, AL. A park was flooded so much that the picnic tables were completely covered. You couldn't see the swings, and the jungle gym/slides were halfway under water. I watched a live report of a man being rescued from his truck down the street from the park. It was strange to actually see the water getting deeper; covering the hood of the truck, and knowing that it wasn't a movie or re-enactment.
We still have rain falling, and we're under a flood advisory until 6am. The street in front of my house was holding quite a bit of water earlier, but now it's gone down a lot.
Well, I just wanted to let you know things are okay.
I still haven't heard from family and friends in Florida or Mississippi, but hopefully I'll be able hear something tomorrow.
Thanks again.
