September 02, 2004
Hurricane Blogging
Home Depot was a nightmare. I got there about 20 til 6 a.m. and there was already a line. No plywood, no flashlights, no batteries, no water, no generators, no Tapcons. They had NADA. They allowed us in and had us stand in line to wait for the plywood shipment, which, depending on the 8 a.m. hurricane advisory, would be shipped to the location where it would be needed most. The place was a madhouse and there were at least 200 or more people in line for the plywood that probably wasnt coming. As we stood in line a guy came up to us and asked if we were waiting for plywood. When we said yes he handed us a business card and said he had a warehouse full of plywood and was right around the corner. "How much," I asked him. He said 25 bucks a sheet. They sell for about 18 at the HD. Not many people took him up on the offer. Price gouging is supposed to begin AFTER the hurricane. Those are the rules.
Of course, this is Miami and I am Cuban. I called my dad who called his pal at the Cuban-owned lumber yard and voila, we now have the 3/4" CDX plywood we need. I scrounged around in the shed and found enough Tapcons to be able to anchor the plywood properly. It's a good thing I'm a pack rat when it comes to tools and hardware.
At 5:30 a.m. every single gas station that I passed as I drove to Home Depot was full. People standing in line for gas ala Jimmy Carter's America. Supermarkets around here are out of everything. Ice cannot be found anywhere around here.
This will probably be my last post for the day as I have to head over to dad's and get them ready then come back home and do my house. I already have my necessities: beer and cigarettes.
To all those Florida bloggers out there: if you are reading this you are procrastinating. Get your asses off those comfy chairs and away from your keyboards and get them in gear. Frances looks pretty ominous and she is BIG. The whole state is gonna be under her spell. Seriously, get your asses going.
Pray for us, folks. Looks like we are gonna need all the help we can get.
Posted by Val Prieto at September 2, 2004 08:15 AM
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» Hurricane Francis Update from The Laughing Wolf
Well it seems Chris Muir is having to evacuate now. I think he would be well advised to go hook up with Boudicca or Tammi (still in her old/temporary blog digs) when he pulls out. I wish they would all... [Read More]
Tracked on September 2, 2004 08:19 AM
» In The Storm's Path from Smoke on the Water
I have much to write about, and damn little time in which to write it. Florida braces for yet another cataclysm, your prayers and support for all in the storm's path are vital. My folks seem to be in as [Read More]
Tracked on September 2, 2004 09:42 AM
» Models converging and other Frances stuff from Eye of the Storm
Joined the congregation poring over the latest super-ensemble output. [Read More]
Tracked on September 2, 2004 01:48 PM
Comments
You and your family have been in my thoughts for two days now. If it gets to lookin' *too* bad, you know you guys always have a free room and board in Atlanta. No kidding. You have my phone number!
Posted by: kelley at September 2, 2004 08:38 AM
...or free room and board in Jacksonville.
Looks like we're in for a bad one. Lord help us.
Posted by: j.scott barnard at September 2, 2004 01:11 PM
What Kelley said. You'll have to come to Washington state, though, to take ME up on my offer.
We have beer and cigarettes, too.
Take care, eh? I'll leave the light on for you.
Posted by: Emma at September 2, 2004 01:39 PM
Praying for family, friends,you and your family. Stay safe.
Posted by: Kathleen at September 2, 2004 02:34 PM
My thoughts and Prayers go out to you and your own Val.
Good luck.
Posted by: Rtfm at September 2, 2004 04:26 PM
Looks like it's going to sit there and dump rain... maybe you should take all that wood and make a raft! ;)
Stay safe...
Posted by: Kathy K at September 4, 2004 05:04 AM
