6 Years Ago Today

[dreamflower]

I was so relieved that Hurricane Irene was not worse, and yet even though it was not as horrific as predicted, it's more than bad enough for all the people facing power outages, downed trees and flooded streets.

As I do every year on this day, here is a link to my Hurricane Katrina Diary

If you are wondering what some of those people are going through right now, it's a sample.

Comments

[claudia603.livejournal.com]

*hugs you very tightly*

I can't believe it's been six years. Do you still dream about it?

[dreamflower]

Oh yes! The dreams bear little resemblance to the actual experience, but there's no doubt what it is.

[claudia603.livejournal.com]

yep, I know exactly what you mean about dreams that are about a trauma but don't seem to resemble the actual event.

[slightlytookish]

*tight hugs*

[dreamflower]

((hugs back))

[addie71.livejournal.com]

*hugs*

[dreamflower]

(((hugs back)))

[rabidsamfan.livejournal.com]

I'm already hearing people grumbling that the officials hyped it, and that they shouldn't have shut down the transit systems, etc., but me, I'm glad they did things like cancel baseball games and otherwise remove reasons for people to wander around out of doors more than a block or two from home.

For crying out loud, even a small hurricane is a hurricane, and it isn't the wind, it's the water that does most of the damage. And in terms of water, Irene was huge!

[dreamflower]

You know, I've been hearing lots of people saying "Oh, they were just panicking over nothing". But I say "Better safe than sorry!"

You are right: a hurricane is a hurricane. And if you are one of those people directly impacted by one, Cat. 1 or Cat. 5, if your home's been demolished, or you're having to get by for weeks with no power, you are in the same predicament.

And Irene *could* have been just as bad as they feared. If the officials had not dealt with it the way they did, it could have been just as bad if not worse, than Katrina.

[pandemonium-213.livejournal.com]

I'm already hearing people grumbling that the officials hyped it, and that they shouldn't have shut down the transit systems, etc.

You won't hear me grumbling! I don't think Commonwealth officials panicked at all. The MBTA was prudent in shutting down the buses, commuter rail and the "T" on Sunday. I mean, the subways historically are known to flood during heavy rains. It's a given. And on Sunday morning, sure enough, a tree fell across the Green line tracks (not sure which line).

The Boston TV channels, OTOH, were a bit irksome at times. Their forecast (sometimes shrill) for metro Boston didn't exactly jibe with the more measured forecasts of Intellicast and Weather.com. Nonetheless, there was plenty of damage, much like what one would see during a northeaster. Fortunately, and I do mean fortunately (after I saw photos around my neighborhood of Boston), we just had a repeat of leaks in the third floor ceiling around the chimney (nothing major, but something that must be addressed...again) and lots of twigs and little branches around the yard that rampagingfrodo (my son) has already raked up. Thanks to our French drains in the basement and sump pump, the basement stayed nice and dry.

The flooding in Vermont though. OMG!

[rabidsamfan.livejournal.com]

According to today's Metro, the T crews removed 100 trees from the tracks. I'd have much rather been home than stuck in a subway car without electicity or a bathroom while I waited for the track to be cleared...

What is a French drain? I'd love to tell my landlord!

[pandemonium-213.livejournal.com]

One hundred trees on the tracks. Can't say I'm surprised but... o_O

Wikipedia has a nice entry on French drains. Ours was apparently installed several years ago by the owners before last. It runs around the interior perimeter of our basement foundation, which is made of granite. Any seepage from the stone runs down into the French drain and is carried off to the sump pump, which has a sealed battery as back-up power.

[shirebound]

I'll never forget that diary, and how desperate we all were for news of our dear friends.

[ansostuff.livejournal.com]

*holds you*

I always think of you when I hear about hurricanes or when there are bad storms here.

[cairistiona7.livejournal.com]

*hugs* May we never have to experience that level of destruction again.

[pandemonium-213.livejournal.com]

Your Hurricane Katrina Diary is so sobering, and since we have made our acquaintance, I have read it on the anniversary of the storm. Your entries put a very human face on the experience. It's a testament to grit and strength.

I still wonder if the rest of the nation fully comprehends what happened to the Mississippi coast, given that NOLA received the bulk of the press coverage.

For some of us in Irene's path, the storm was no more than an incovenience, and not so different than the northeasters we New Englanders endure with a tough pride of sorts. But for others, it was devastating.

[aspenjules.livejournal.com]

I just read through your Katrina diary. I don't remember if I read it before, but I don't think so.

Wow. That's really all I can say is wow.

And I also (like some others have said) started crying about the time the off-duty marines showed up and was pretty much teary the rest of the way. So grateful for all the wonderful people who donated free burgers and other food, water, goods, help. I remember wanting to... but just not knowing what to do. I think we donated to Red Cross for it.

*hugs*