After spending the week hunting up scarce drinking water and non-perishable foods Ron, Jordan, Mushu, and I headed the mile or so up the street to ride out the storm with Nana, Poppop, Paris the cat, as well as their friends N & M and their cat Callie. We arrived Saturday, September 9th around 7pm. The winds started picking up late Saturday night. We were supposed to be taking an almost direct hit from a category 5 hurricane. For the next day and a half there was prayer, games, storytelling and some resting going on. Irma’s track kept changing, she shifted to the east, then to the west. Where was she going to go?

Thankfully for us, Irma lost steam over Cuba and headed further east than was anticipated. It was still a powerful storm but here in Bradenton, we wouldn’t be feeling the worst of it. At 9:45pm on Sunday, September 10th we lost power. Thankfully we never lost cell service so we were able to watch the track online. All night long the winds and rain raged. I have lived in Florida for 37 years and I have never experienced anything close to this kind of storm. It was scary. We were blessed with some sleep. Thankfully power at my in-law’s house was restored by 8:15am on Monday morning.

Our house wasn’t quite so lucky. Our power went off at 5:52pm on Sunday. As of this writing (2:00pm Friday 9/15/17) there is still no power at our home. The electric company estimates we will have power back by midnight on  9/22/17, a week from now! We also lost the Jacaranda tree in my back yard. It twisted and fell onto the roofing over our bedroom. Friends in the neighborhood texted me pictures. Thankfully, there was no damage to the roof!

Ron, along with some friends from church, has gotten the tree off the roof, and some of it has been chopped up and put out front for removal. Ron has been working for about 4 days and the tree is about 1/2 done. We don’t own a chainsaw so this is quite the tedious task.

I am so thankful that we were spared from the worst of Hurricane Irma and her destruction. I am thankful all of my family came through with minimal damage. I am thankful that I have a place to stay that has air conditioning, internet, and water because many people do not. I am thankful for all of the linemen and everyone else working so hard to restore power to the millions of people in Florida who lost it in this storm.

There are 74 homes in my neighborhood still without power. Our next door neighbor is oxygen dependent. The other day she ran out of full tanks. Ron was able to bring his dad’s generator over and hook up her oxygen machine and a room air conditioner to keep her alive and make them more comfortable. Of course, we lost a refrigerator and freezer full of food, but we will survive.

Please pray for everyone who has been effected by Hurricane Irma. Many are much worse off than we are. The 90+ degree temps make living without power very difficult.

The post Hurricane Irma Aftermath Update appeared first on The Mom Maven.

photo from The Weather Channel

Today we are in hope for the best, prepare for the worst mode. You see, Most of the state of Florida is only about 150 miles wide. Currently, Irma’s hurricane force winds reach out about 45 miles out from the center and tropical storm force winds reach out about 140 miles from the center. So, we will have at minimum tropical storm force winds and at the worst, a category 5 hurricane which will surely be devastating.

What We Are Doing Today to Prepare for Hurricane Irma

• Check plywood and screw supplies to board up house
• Get sandbags for garage door
• Get water, at least 21 gallons
• Get non-perishable foods
• Get dog food
• Keep making ice and filling zippy bags with it, this is when I hate not having an ice maker
• Charge all battery packs for phones
• Gathering medications and getting refills for those running low

I hope and pray we are spared but I have a feeling we won’t be. I am seriously considering evacuating to my best friend in West Virgina but I am hearing from friends further north in Florida that the interstate is already packed and I think being stuck on the interstate would be worse than being stuck at home, but I am just not sure.

Hurricane Preparedness Information

Florida Hurricane Shelters

Pet Friendly Shelters

State of Florida Hurricane Info

The Weather Channel

Hurricane Protection Tips

Hurricane Protection Myths

Please be safe. Remember to stay off of flooded roads, turn around don’t drown. Check on elderly family, friends, and neighbors, make sure they have a plan in place. I will update here and on my Facebook page as I am able but know that my focus is on the safety of my family and friends.

The post We Are Preparing for Hurricane Irma appeared first on The Mom Maven.