Well, Isaiah came and went and we survived.
Despite a few branches hitting the roof, no damage was done to the house. We lost at least six big trees in the backyard, the backyard fence is now toast, and a portion of the back porch was taken out -- all in all, not a big deal. Everyone is fine, including animals. We lost power at 7:05 Friday evening and it just cane back at 8:00 tonight (Sunday), although it is flickering a bit. We are under a boil water watch. At least one gas station and a couple of stores are open so we can get food (much of the stuff in the refrigerator may have to be tossed). Roads are clear; the one tree that fell a cross our street was cleared up by Saturday afternoon.
Jessie lost a couple of trees and part of her back yard fence. The shingles were blown off the roof of an old she on her property, but her roof is in good condition. She got power back late on Saturday.
Erin got her power back about three hours ago.
Kaylee and Amy are still without power. They lost a couple of trees and one window shutter.
Mark, who had to face the storm the the Gulfarium, which is directedly on the Gulf, is doing okay. Mark is very laidback and nothing bothers him, so the storm could have done absolutely no damage or could have destroyed buildings and exhibits, freeing various alligators and reptiles and sharks and manatees and other wildlife, and Mark would still say it's no big deal and handle it, so who knows?
Christina, a local police dispatcher, was on twelve-hour shifts for the duration. During the storm, the police station lost its power, its generator, its water (thus no working toilet, yuck!), and all communication devices and had to resort to using pen and paper, while her partner passed the messages on to the police on duty via text. Several police cars were in accidents and one firefighter broke his arm when a branch landed on him. Everything was back to what passes for normal on Saturday, and Christina was able to shower at the police station earlier this evening.
Saturday morning, Walt Senior was in extreme discomfort, so Walt took him to the hospital where he was finally released early Saturday evening; on his way back home Walt Senior bought me a cup of coffee (with the power out, he wasn't able to make his morning two pots of coffee). Saturday, Erin, Trey, and Jack began clearing some of the mess in the back yard and on the roof; we're now able to walk a good portion of the yard; a professional tree service will have to deal with the rest of it. It's also heartwarming to see many of our neighbors out helping each other.
So, in short, all is fine. It could have been much worse.
Being without power and locked out of the internet, I don't know how much damage Isaiah (and, yes, I learned how to pronounce the name) has done since making landfall. It will be interesting, and most likely saddening, to find out.
