| Wilma Vacations in the Keys |
Cat 3 Hurricane Wilma arrived mid morning on the 23rd -24th of October 2005. This is a journal of notes I kept by candlelight. Day after October 24th 2005. We waited,we prepared.Most of us here stayed for one reason or the other. I have a cat and 5 birds.I have no finances to evacuate.Like many here I live pay check to paycheck. After this years storms...Dennis,Katrina,Rita it seemed so RIGHT to stay and wait our fate. The Grotto of Saint Mary's protects us,that and the Barrier reef. This was different. On Sunday afternoon almost everything was closed.With the help of my neighbors I installed my barricades on all windows on my first floor apartment. At 12:30 am on the morning of the 24th electric is out.The winds are getting more gusty.Looks like we may get hit hard. I stayed up all night. My birds did not make a sound,errie. A radio station in Miami ( IOD) Scott the man of our moments kept us sane.Our ONLY connection. Phones went south in the afternoon,still out of service,but I am online,something I haven't figured out yet. I am drinking a melted ice creme root beer float. My headset is playing my relaxation cassette. It is hard to relax It s still very windy,a violent night here,my apartment shook from the onslaught of wind and rain. The entire parking area is underwater. Trash bins are tossed and turned,wires down. I lost two barricades,ripped off from the force of the wind. I started cleaning debris from the front of the apartment.Swept apartment and cleaned the windows,removed remaining barricades.It s a lovely day,cool breeze blowing. I am reading after a very Kool shower,relishing the fact that we do have water. I spoke with family early this am before the phone lines quit.I am going to try and save to move closer to my daughter in Deland,Florida.The storms here seem to be escalating and I am alone. I know someone IS watching over me and this gives me a calm and peaceful feeling. I have decided to do more of what I am doing now. Basic survival does that to you I suppose. Today is Tuesday the 25th 2005. Today would have been dad's 83rd birthday I have felt his presence this day. All candles are lit in preparation of the coming darkness upon our city. Generators buzzing,persons talking in quite whispers,children playing. I awoke this am with Minnie (Cat) sleeping practically on top of my head. I am eating cold cuts and taking extra vitiamins. I have moved all perishables to the freezer.Another day without electric and all will be lost. For dinner I had iced tea (still have ice,I was prepared :) A bowl of cereal with instant milk (Powered).I used cold water from what I had frozen. Also a apple,yogurt and a hard boiled egg. There is a boil all water scenario now. The birdies are singing. Bless this day. The weather is beautiful.Blue skies and cool breezes. Great sleeping weather.This is good because we have NO AC :) I took my moped out of the apartment today and after riding through the complex found a patch of dry land. I rode into town and was shocked. many roads still under water and impassable. I took pictures on my advantix camera. I went to see the hardest hit area's and persons lost everything on there first floors when the storm surge of 4-6 feet undulated them. The apartment where my daughter used to live had 5 feet watermarks on the wall. Everything is still boarded up and the city is talking about Fantasy Fest???? Key West High is the designated HUB.Red Cross is on the way. Across the street here a Cuban Cafe has Hot Cuban coffee and pastries. A Lifesaver! Candle light,insense burning is so comforting but my candles are all melting~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |
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