Paging Critt Jarvis/Attn Regulars: Rumors That Wilmington, NC is inaccessible and may be facing food shortages.

greenspun.com : LUSENET : TimeBomb 2000 (Y2000) : One Thread

Since I have been without power for two days for what was a minor weather event in Raleigh, I haven't been able to monitor media reports. However, two acquaintances have informed me that Wilmington, NC, is still inaccessible from flood waters. One acquaintance claimed that if the situation doesn't change soon, then food shortages could become a reality.

Any info. appreciated.

-- Puddintame (achillesg@hotmail.com), September 17, 1999

Answers

Critt said he was taking his family to Henderson at 0600 Wednesday moerning. My neighbor spoke to a friend of hers who lives in the Wilmington area and had evacced to Henderson; he told her that due to flooded and washed-out roads the only way in to the area is from Henderson; it is impossible to get there from the Triangle. I heard on the news that 88 roads are impassable due to water.

-- Old Git (anon@spamproblems.com), September 17, 1999.

I guess food could be delivered by boat, or plane. I am praying for all of the people in that area.

-- Carol (glear@usa.net), September 17, 1999.

Puddintame,

Sent an "e" to Critt, asking him to check in when he's able. The TV flood coverage is certainly cause for concern... for everyone caught in that deluge.

*Big Sigh*

Critt, thinking of you and wishing you and yours... well.

Blessings to all,

Diane

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), September 18, 1999.


Hello All,

First, generally speaking Wilmington is okay. Flooding from more rain than our built earth can absorb/divert is causing "isolated failures".

We are safe, back at home. All neighbors are safe, too. Most cleanup is pine boughs and loose debris. This is my neighborhood only.

The lower areas, especially the Cape Fear River Basin, are at high risk. Water was already coming across the HWY 74 eastbound lanes beginning at Whiteville as we returned.

There are many "lessons learned" here. "Bugging out" and "evacuation" deserve a different set of considerations. I want to take some time to sort out the good, the bad, and the ugly before I say much more.

Thanks for your concern and attention to our needs. I'll post to this thread again tonight.

Critt

-- Critt Jarvis (critt@critt.com), September 18, 1999.


Critt,

When recovered and sorted please expound on your experiences and lessons. Experience is worth more than any book! Hope things are well for you now.

-- Moore Dinty moore (not@thistime.com), September 18, 1999.



The Charlotte Observer has extensive flood coverage today.

www.charlotte.com

-- Roland (nottelling@nowhere.com), September 18, 1999.


See also Raleigh News & Observer (there's much more at the site):

http://www.news-observer.com/daily/1999/09/18/nc00.html Saturday, September 18, 1999

Floods strand thousands

Homes are wrecked; death toll climbs to 10 [and I can guarantee you that the death toll would have been far, far higher had many people not evaciuated--OG]

Gov. Hunt pleads for use of private helicopters to assist in rescue efforts as Tar, Neuse rivers continue their inexorable rise.

By BOB WILLIAMS, JOHN WAGNERAND BARBARA BARRETT, Staff Writers

Rescuers used helicopters and boats to pluck hundreds of people from rooftops and trees Friday as surging floodwaters left by Hurricane Floyd carved much of Eastern North Carolina into islands. The flooding cut off much of the state east of Interstate 95, slowing rescue and relief work. Convoys of military vehicles and utility repair trucks rushing to help with recovery efforts found their way blocked by new lakes.

More than 250 roads were closed Friday, including long stretches of I-95 in the north and I-40 in the south. Transportation officials warned motorists to stay away from the stricken counties. "Eastern North Carolina has suffered devastation like we've never seen before," Gov. Jim Hunt said after surveying the areas by helicopter Friday. "The storm has left us with floodwaters unprecedented in our lifetimes. Lives have been lost, people have lost their homes, and we're rescuing people from rooftops and stranded vehicles." State emergency officials on Friday confirmed 10 deaths caused by the storm, and four people are missing and presumed dead. The official death toll may grow; two men were missing in Duplin County after flood-related incidents in Wallace and Kenansville. "That is all we know until the river goes down,'' said Dorothy Cavanaugh, Duplin's director of emergency management. Thad Bryson, the state's search and rescue coordinator, estimated that 1,500 people were stranded on rooftops, atop cars and in trees as dawn broke Friday. With more flooding expected down river on the Neuse and Tar in coming days, he said he was certain additional people would find themselves "in great danger." By midday Friday, more than 750 state, local and federal officials had mobilized into rescue teams, which were getting to people by helicopter, boats and, in a few cases, Jet Skis. "Our job is to make dang sure people get out of there," Bryson said. The teams used three dozen helicopters, including some borrowed from National Guard armories in Florida, Tennessee and Georgia. Additional resources -- including 100 boats -- were being flown in. Hunt made a plea for use of all private helicopters in the western part of the state.

[more at the URL listed above]

-- Old Git (anon@spamproblems.com), September 18, 1999.


Whew! Glad you're okay, Critt. Will love to hear your differential comments.

Rest and relax first.

Diane

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), September 18, 1999.


A Brief Unfolding of Events - Part 1

Friday, September 10

For me, it is a normal workday. Dispatching UHAUL equipment, making reservations, renting storage space. The pace is a typical Friday scurry. Just before lunch, a customer and Chuck get into a conversation about a monster hurricane out in the Atlantic. They both laugh nervously, finishing their chat quickly.

It's my fourth summer in Wilmington. We've taken three direct hits. Shoot, Dennis sideswiped us a couple of weeks ago. What are the odds of that bastard coming this way?

Saturday, September 11

It is a business as usual Saturday. Plenty of equipment, just enough customers. Rent, rent, rent. After the crowd clears, I pull up the Water Vapor Map to see what's going on out in the Atlantic.

Well, I don't see anything coming that might push it out to sea. It's too big. Somebody somewhere is going to get hammered.

Sunday, September 12

It is a routine Sunday. A few rentals, mostly returns. A day to catch up on the week's backend paperwork. After lunch, I get three or four calls asking about availability of equipment. "If we have to leave the beach..."

No one makes a reservation.

( Nada, nada, nada... I've got a really cool week lined out... nothing's going to happen... I'm in denial )

Monday, September 13

We are busy today. The reservation process is skewed. Everyone is trying to rework their move around the possibilities of disruption . I spend most of the time answering, "What if I need to yada, yada, yada...?" Most of the people are fence sitters, can't decide to reserve or not.

"Sir, if you want this truck for Wednesday, you need to reserve it right now."

"Well, I'll call tomorrow if I need it."

The ones who didn't get a truck for Hurricane Dennis have no problem making a decision. They get their equipment now.

Okay, what do we have here? A high probability, high impact weather event. Been there, done that. Looks like I'm going to do it again. Hi, Ho! Ho, hum. Hari Aum...

Tuesday, September 14

For Hurricane Dennis a few weeks ago, UHAUL faxed us a best recommendation for hurricane rentals. It didn't work for the customer then, I won't even acknowledge its existence if I get somethging like it today. This is our show, me and the customer.

Tell the truth, and tell it fast.

"South of here? Yes, sir. I believe it's still projected for Charleston, but it's a 500 mile wide weather system. No matter where it goes, we're going to get a piece of it. If you want this truck, you come get it right now."

By 2 pm every piece of equipment is rented or reserved.

"I called you about a 26 foot truck this morning. Can I come get it now?"

"What name is the reservation under?"

"I didn't reserve it then. Do you still have one?

Self-organization works best within trusting relationships. I can't always get there with a first time caller.

Underneath, far below the consciousness that let's me do this work today, I'm pissed. I've had to cancel my plans to attend the opening of the Arlington Institute's Fusion Center Thursday night. I'd have rather had Santa Claus drop coal into my stocking than miss meeting these people.

Tuesday night, September 14

School has been closed for the rest of the week. Joseph and Marjorie are ready to go to Aunt Pat's. Amy and I aren't talking about tomorrow.  Feelings denied, words not spoken.

The voices inside, "Staying or leaving? Stay... Go... No way. No way what? We've got plenty of time. We'll figure it out tomorrow..."

We stayed for Bertha, we left for Fran. For Bonnie, I stayed and she left with the kids. Whatever we do, we'll do it together.

Wednesday, September 15

Through the night, I am restless. But enough sleep comes that I miss what's happening outside. Out of bed at 6am, I find our yard is under water.

What's wrong with this picture? This is what the water looks like AFTER a hurricane.

We make a false start in leaving, returning to the house to repair a windshield wiper. At 10:15 am, we're on the road in earnest.

And,

So are a lot of other people.

(to be continued...)



-- Critt Jarvis (critt@critt.com), September 19, 1999.

Interesting commentary, Critt. Waiting for the next installment.

-- Puddintame (achillesg@hotmail.com), September 19, 1999.


Ditto Critt.

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), September 19, 1999.

Moderation questions? read the FAQ