A Community Digest of current information, news and stories from the hamlet of Chumuckla, Florida.
Friday, July 15, 2005
Mulat - Tinsley back in
FROM JOHN Platt in Houston:
Reportedly, Jon&Helen, Dorothy&Jack and Diehl are ensconced in a church somewhere on the Mulat Highway. Even though I have two Mulat/Avalon Beach "natives" (Kathryn & Toni) in
the house (in Houston) at this time, this is the only geographical information that I can develop to give to you.
THIS IS TYPICAL of post hurricane. Nobody knows where anybody is. A rare cell phonecall sometimes brings an update (vic).
Thursday, July 14, 2005
Post Storm - Ranger
THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR PRAYERS (PHOTO ABOVE)
WE ARE BACK UP AND RUNNING TONIGHT. WE GOT POWER AROUND
FOR DAYS WE WERE WITHOUT PHONES AND POWER, EXCEPT FOR GENERATOR. I HAVE BEEN WORKING ON TEARING DOWN THE REST OF THE PATIO AND CUTTING TREES. WE HAD TO CUT OUT MY SON CAR SO HE COULD GO BACK TO
SO LONG FROM SUNNY
THE RANGER’S
Wednesday, July 13, 2005
Post Dennis - Navarre
Post Dennis - Milton
Physically they (Rebecca, Jerry, the moms, the kids) are all doing fine. They do not have power and don't expect to for several weeks because Dennis caused lots of lines to be down. Jerry lost the fence he replaced from Ivan. His mother's house had some trees hit it and he working on getting that fixed before the next storm hits. The other mother(Annette) had trees thru her apartment(roof, bedroom and bathroom). There is a crew working to fix that damage to the roof and such. I know there is more, but, I don't remember. He will be sending out pictures if he ever gets the chance.
More Post Storm Report 7-13
Tuesday, July 12, 2005
More Damage Report 7-12
helping him asap. I'll try to keep you informed.......
From Tom Carter (Tom Carter Photography)... We are blessed! Stayed in the trailer in the barn. Heard the howling winds. Louder this time. Lost 13 trees in the yard. Much damage to many businesses and homes. The telephones, amazingly, are working here! Got power back last night! Power lines down all over. Keena and Travis have a tree, which we had tried to save since Ivan, on their roof. I think we will be able to get it off without much damage. Am on a dial-up. Pics later. Like to hear from you. How did you do during and after "Dennis"? Send short messages, please. TomCarter@mchsi.com
Monday, July 11, 2005
Report from Atlanta on Mulat Folks
PS FROM VIC: The reports now coming in more on damage to surrounding area. The NW quadrant as usual gave severe damage especially at gulf waterfront properties all the way to Appalachicola (the bump on the panhandle). However inland strikes of the eye wall and close winds took out some great old trees and barns and altered the landscape as did Ivan 10 months ago. See Yahoo News for more description and photos. The little town of Flomaton at the corner of FL and AL has taken the eye of both Ivan and Dennis! As bad as Dennis was.. most people are very glad it was not as bad as Ivan. Winston N. has been muttering under his breath at every downed tree at the farm in Chumuckla. I think he already has enough firewood for a lifetime.
RT Sunday PM a Word of Thanks
Sunday, July 10, 2005
Faye in Gainesville Reports on Chumuckla
She said the high winds lasted about forty five minutes. At one point the rain was blowing sideways and so hard that they could not see their cars that they parked in the front yard. I don't know about Grandmother's house. Donna and Bobby headed for the mountains. I hope the magnolia and the house is still standing. Have you heard from your mom? Dealing with no electricity and the heat will be difficult in the days to come.
1645 Jason Reports on Mulat
1630 Pensacola done - Chumuckla still in it
Navarre Beach
Some big blast of wind are coming thru now - watched tree limbs traveling up the street now. Watching stuff blow down the street. Several trees down in back. Sure hope Milton will be ok. Our power went off for good at 3:00. Watching out the back and side window.
Navarre Landfall at 1520
Pensacola - Milton 1430 CST
LANDFALL about 1400 EST
Just Prior to Landfall at 1100CST
Jeff Miller Reports on FOX
(THIS FROM VERMONT - Jean Rabe, who edited my book) Just saw Jeff Miller (R) on FOX news, speaking from your hometown in Chumuckla. He is staying in his home. Hope your family will be safe. (Jeff Married my cousin Vicky). He lives in Chumuckla, about a mile Souith from our family farm. Maybe the pines behind Jeff's house will slow down the hurricane before it hits Mom ... (sure). Chumuckla.net (see link) has links to Jeff's Congressional Office. Very helpful links there to work throughfederal assistance etc. Plenty of help will be needed, I am sure of it.
REAL WIND SPEED IS HIGHER IN NE QUADRANT
Vic, Dennis 45 min from shore as i write. God Speed to your friends and family. The winds of 140 on the east side are actulay 158 with gists to 176. Thats because on the right side of any hurricane or rotating sphere for that matter, you add the foward speed to the actual wind speed and that gives you te real wind . Dennis winds 140/ Dennis forward speed + 18 /Dennis net wind speed in northeast quadrent 158. (this from Weatherman TonySelimo in NJ .. aselimo@sussex.edu).
Gainesville, GA Report on Pace
I appreciate your emails! This storm is making me very anxious for everyone in the area. It is not looking good. Kittye said Leo and Mavis are with your mom. Kittye and Kurt are with Mom and Dad. (next door to my Mom - see earlier post from her cell call) Kurt says this is the last hurricane he will go through. I don't blame him. I wish I could have convinced everyone to come up here (Gainesville, GA). Of course, it looks like it may come our way as well. Kate came in from New York yesterday. Kimberly and Kevin were in Panama City until late Friday night. Dennis put a bit of a damper on their vacation. Kristen and Spencer are going to the Hotel Monoco(Kristen's employer) if things get bad in New Orleans. (From Cousin Faye in Gainesville - notes in () are Vic's).
.....The Pensacola Beach Blog just shut down. sure to lose power anyway and they needed to get out. See link from this blog.
1230 Navarre - FWBeach
M. and family are huckering down at house in Milton. Talked to my brother who evac. To GA - told to bring pletty of gas and a 2nd generator. Folks now understand we are going to have a strong blow come through. Appreciate your thoughts and prayers - I pray everyone in the path of this will stay safe. Current weather - still light to moderate rain w/ some stronger gust. This is RT in FWB.
1215 near Leesway Blvd Pensacola
Noon-SAT from Chumuckla
From Bogia - up Escambia River
Jordan Ellis
Back on Track to Perdido Bay - 10AM Sat
Chumuckla Report 8AM Sat
Pensacola Beach Blog
"Best local web site for storm info
Those outside of the immediate Pensacola area who will enjoy uninterrupted electric power over the next several days may want to follow local storm info as it unfolds via internet radio at WUWF-FM. This National Public Radio (NPR) affiliate did a phenomenal job of covering Hurricane Ivan last year, first by simulcasting with Pensacola's WEAR-TV and other local commercial radio stations, and then by carrying on by itself when other media went down for the count."
R&V gone to PCS Shelter
R&V from Pace have evacuated to Pensacola Christian College. They expect the roof to go this time. Packed up clothing, but left contents of the house. Sale still not finalized - Corps of engineers met with them a couple of weeks ago, and buyer asked for another extension. I wonder if it will ever end.......//.(from Sister of R, in CA).// (Note from Vic) This is a case of an aged couple on a pioneer homestead that has problems selling because of EPA wetland issues. The wetland itself developed extensively only after the state highway department built up the roadbed in the 1940's, damming up a wet weather creek. The state made the wetlands and now penalizes the owners who need to sell it and resettle their lives in another home. After Ivan, they had to repair the old home and now it looks like they may have to repair again ... all this when after the sale is complete the home will be demolished. I wish you could sue the state for being stupid. And the EPA will not fine Hurricane Dennis for any of its damage to the environment. Go figure.
Saturday, July 09, 2005
Poet from Jacksonville
Is too easy of a rhyme
To know what his true goal is
Will take a little more time
He’s all wrapped up in a ball
And sometimes fast then he’s slow
Everyone just stands around
Just wondrin’ where he will go
Do we run away and hide?
Or stand fast and hold our ground?
The truth is fairly certain
We wish he wasn’t around
He has our attention now
In the Gulf waters so warm
Dennis seems like a nice name
For such a hurricane storm
Go on show us what you’ve got
You have our attention now
It’s early in the season
Not Mother Nature’s last bow
By: MJ Trenkler
(Jernigan Kimbrough descendant - in JAX)
From FW Beach 9PM CST Saturday
Please pardon any typos etc. I'm typing with my thumbs on my blackberry -Everyone here is shaking their head in nervous disbelief that this is happening again in less than a year!!! This is the same headshake (along w/ a corporate groan that went through the living room when the family was watching TV the other night and saw Jim C. From the Weather Channel brodcasting from P'cola Bch.) Mom just finished talking to some of the family in Waynesboro, MS - they are already reporting a tree down etc. You can hear the occasional gust - guessing around 30 mph now. It is now dark - at least this one will come through in daylight vs. Ivan's night time visit. I have 33 pics available on my Palm. Sorry it takes so long for me to type.RT .. in Fort Walton Beach.
Tommy's Sister, Penny is Stubborn!
3. TOMMY in Tampa: Well, as I said, "we are a stubborn lot." Sounds as if Penny, Paula (her daughter) and Tasha (her granddaughter) and Hunter (her great grandson, Tasha'a son) are going to hang at the homestead. I do not know what LeeRoy does for a living, but Jerry is retired from the Milton Fire Dept and works for an ambulance service. The reference in the last sentence refers to our son-in-law who is a paramedic/firefighter locally. Just last weekend on Sat he witnessed a motorcycle accident (he was off duty) and stopped to help the victim, and on Sunday at church an elderly man passed out in the parking lot, and there was Brian on his knees giving mouth-to-mouth. All in a days work (he was off duty Sunday also) though it is comforting to have his skill sets in the family, as I would probably pass out at the sight of blood.
2. PENNY, Tommy's Sister in Milton: What ya talking about??????????We took the last one serious. We'll let u know as soon as it's over. Thanks for the phone call. U guys take care too. Paula, Tasha, Hunter and I will be here. My friend and her daughter will probably be staying with us too. All of our husbands are working. Jerry has to go in about 10 tonight (Sat). LeeRoy about 3 in the A.M. and my friend's hubby is offshore. That's what happen's when you're in medical and law enforcement, as you very well know. Well take care and I love you. Penny
1. TOMMY, earlier from Tampa: I am with Clara Joyce Joiner---I still don't quite get the whole "blog" thing. I was just looking through the Chumuckla site, and read where Mrs. Burgess died-I assume that would be Robert (Bob) Burgess's mom? Robert and I went through all 12 grades together. We did a lot of our grocery shopping at Mrs. Burgess's store (never at Carnleys), but for really big occasions at Barnes in Pace or Piggly-Wiggly in Milton. I have tried to reach Penny and Jerry regarding Dennis but have not reached them. She swore after Ivan that she would not ride out another one, but we are generally a stubborn lot, so we'll see. I do feel badly for the folks in the Pensacola area-Dennis is not going to be any kinder or gentler that Ivan.
Dennis about 5PM Saturday 7-9-05
This is Dennis at about 1700 CST Saturday. It is a gorgeous hurricane, if you like the looks of a hurricane. Look at that eye! It is so perfect. Of course, that means it is forming up faster and faster and building energy. It is a killer. My cousin who is in Milton with her Mom and Dad just talked to me. She said the outook is grim. The summer heated water is feeding the storm and it is dead on track for Pensacola - Perdido Bay. This is worst case for Escambia Bay since the biggest surge will go right up that bay on the East side of the storm. FEMA is already in place for this one. Most evacuees left yesterday and the roads were relatively clear today (Saturday). She told me FEMA already has 350 trucks full of ice parked and waiting to drive right in with relief and there are 300 trucks of water parked in out of the way roads to the North and East. Communications is a world improved since Ivan. Still .. it looks like a repeat of Ivan and for many people who put in repairs, the whole effort will be wasted. 2100 EST: RT just reported by blackberry from FW Beach. First spat of rain moving in now. Leading edge rain bands, he guesses. See photo above. FWB is just to the right of Pensacola about 20 pixels. It seems like more if you drive down Hwy 98. KEY INTERNET LINKS.
Mobile Reports in
We're hunkered down and have secured everything that needs to be....Mike's a bit winded, but doing OK. Will be in touch later. SUSIE CARSWELL (Mike and Susie in Mobile)
Skeeter and A STUMP IN TIME
NOAA TRACK for SATURDAY
Saturday track from NOAA. This is looking at least AS BAD as Ivan. Tide will be at a high when it hits and Pensacola Bay is on the EAST side of the EYE meaning a surge up the bay like last time but maybe worse since it will be high tide.
DENNIS - Jerry Ranger in Milton
DEAR FOLKS
WE ARE GETTING READY TO BE HIT BY HURRICANE DENNIS; WE ARE GETTING EVERYTHING READY AND WILL BE RIDING THE STORM OUT AT HOME. MY MOTHER AND MOTHER IN LAW WILL BE AT THE HOUSE. MY YOUNGEST SON WILL BE STAYING AT MY MOTHER HOUSE WITH KURTIS (JOLENE SON). THE HOUSE'S ARE BOARDED UP AND GENERATORS ON STAND BY. THIS WILL BE THE FIRST TIME IN YEARS THAT I WILL NOT BE AT THE SHERIFF'S DEPT WITH THE INMATES. LAST YEAR THE ROOF CAME OFF AND FILL UP WITH WATER. THEY JUST PUT A NEW ROOF ON AND I HOPE IT HOLD FOR THEM.
WE WHERE LUCKY WITH IVAN, BUT THIS ONE I BELIEVE IS GOING TO DESTORY A LOT MORE. I WILL TRY TO LET YOU KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON WITH US AFTER THE STORM IF THERE IS ELECTRICITY AND PHONE LINES UP. LAST TIME IT TOOK WEEKS TO GET OUR POWER UP AND RUNNING AT THE HOUSE. I HAD ONE GENERATOR AND MY SISTER SEND ME ANOTHER ONE. THE OTHER PROBLEM WAS NO GAS TO RUN THEM AFTER COUPLE DAYS. WE HAD TO TRAVEL AWAY FROM THE AREA TO GET SOME GAS. THE GAS STATION HERE IS ALREADY OUT OF GAS. BUT I DID GET ABOUT 50 GALLONS STORE UP AND MOST OF THE VEHICLES ARE FULL OF GAS. WE HAVE A LOT OF MRE TO EAT FROM THE LAST HURRICANE AND SOME WATER. I WILL HAVE MY CELL PHONE ON AND I HOPE THE TOWERS ARE STILL UP AND RUNNING. THE NUMBER IS 850-293-1140. THIS WILL BE THE LAST E MAIL UNTIL THE STORM HAS PASSED. WISH US LUCK
JERRY AND REBECCA RANGER
JOYCE RANGER
ANN MCCULLOUGH
Friday, July 08, 2005
HAM RADIO NOTES FROM MULAT
Tell Mary Jo that if she knows any radio amateurs, they might be able to get "Health and Welfare" info from the stricken area after the hurricane. If it hits us, I will be off the air because I don't have reliable emergency power, plus, if it's like IVAN, I would be lucky to find out how people are. Plus, Helen will kil me ifI'm out in the radio room
And I decided not to buy a generator because, I have a small one and it's the devil to keep them running when you never use them. Maybe I should go crank it up. Otherwise, she will get more broad based reports than we will if we are really in it.
I use the NOAA web site www.noaa.gov to get the info on the hurricane without the commercial hysteriacal spin the news media adds. NOAA is the agency originating the info everybody else is spinning.
Right now we could get a Cat IV!!!!! But, the probability of it hitting anywhere from NO to St Marks is about the same. We just happen to be in the center of the band. Ivan showed us that a hurricane can side-step just before landfall, anyway.
(This from Jon Tinsley in Mulat)