I received this email from my sister and have loved talking to her through her experience with the Hurricane. Her biggest lesson from the big hurricane three years ago was to have cash. With the storm warnings this time around they went to their bank and pulled out $1000 in cash to have on hand. With earthquakes we don't get a warning so Jerry and I are going to try to add cash to our kits over the next several months along with updating them during General Conference this year. I think Jeremy's kit contains diapers and 2T clothes. Anyway, I thought you would enjoy her perspective on the hurricane...
Dear Family,
We have survived hurricane Ike!!!!! Our house had no damage. Our little cover for the fireplace was the only thing that blew off and we found it when every one had a bath in our ditch in the front yard ! We had great fun and got great pictures !
We run generators to keep food and have lights at night, although this is a very costly way to survive. We estimate about 200-250 dollars per week. We received the new today that they expect us to have power my the 26th, only 2 weeks after the storm hit. Great news because the early reports were that we would be without power for a month!
Paul Sr. bought me a washboard ( no anger please, it was actually my request) I wash Paul Sr., mine and the babies clothing and have taught the kids to wash their own. Another great learning experience for the kids. Our girls aren't getting survival skills at girls camp anymore, so I am thankful for the opportunity to teach them what I learned.
5 days following the storm Wal-mart is open running on generators also. No dairy, meat, frozen foods. We will try later to upload photos that Tiffiny and I took of the bare shelves of bread, canned meat, veggies, and fruit. Pictures of mile long car lines waiting for gas, only gas stations with generators had gas. People 50 -100 in line with gas cans trying to get gas. Paul Sr. and I drove a 160 mile round trip for milk, eggs, ect. that we know will be at least another week coming here. But so grateful to have such rare commodities.
FEMA stations offering food, water, ice in the first few days were 2-3 hours in line and 2-3 miles long. Dustin, Paul Jr., Tiffiny and Amber, and Michael are currently volunteering 4-6 hours shifts at our local FEMA station.
Our ward is going out tomorrow with a cleanup crew to offer cleanup assistance to as many people they can find who need it. All the younger kids are going with Paul Sr. to do that, while the older kids work at the FEMA station.
We are most grateful for our leaders who have counseled us to have 72 hour kits, used ours. People trying to prepare before a storm hits are hours in line with empty shelves and unable to get basic supplies to survive 72 hours. 3 days prior to the storm we steered clear of Wal-mart. We instead filled our tanks of gas and filled one 55 gallon drum of gas for the first few days of generator use. When that ran out we had to travel 100 miles to the nearest gas station. Filled two 55 gallon drums and are currently still using that. (By the way, that was a scary ride home, because you know if any accident happens, BOOM say goodbye, which by the way I did not think about until after we had the gas.)
We have been blessed with beautiful weather and cool nights, a very unusual occurrence following a hurricane. We are blessed with children who have enjoyed there time off school and see everything new we are doing as a grand new adventure. We are so grateful to Heavenly Father who spared our home and roof and spared our children living in a shelter. We have scripture study outside under the tree and it is such a peaceful time that following the return of power, we hope to continue doing that on beautiful days.
Thank you for your prayers, concern and love. We are REALLY enjoying this time as a family !!!!
Allison
Jeremy had his first official back to school night last week. It was so cute to see him with his friends and to meet the parents of the kids he plays with. I finally met the infamous "Kyle" who we hear about all the time. Sometimes Kyle's name is taken in vain around our house or used as an insult if Jeremy is mad at us. The best I can figure is that Jeremy has a like/hate relationship with Kyle. By the way, Jeremy is not short for his age...the kid on the left has two parents who are over 6 ft tall - I think the dad is around 6ft 6in tall!
