Hello Everybody from Hurricane stricken Lumberton, Tx

[lbelle1214]

Well, we stayed @ home thru the disaster and weathered the western eye wall of the hurricane. Scarriest thing I've experienced yet. CNN, Geraldo and all the crew were here televising supposedly "during the storm". All I can say is only to believe half of what you see on national TV. There is no Cameron, Louisiana left. Our town of Lumberton is devestated, however, unlike NO, we did not suffer the flood damage. There is no electricity (temp today 97, heat index 110), no water, no sewage, no means of communication out except for a local clear channel radio station (www.klvi.com) which has been able to communicate with people that have cell phone service and by radio for those who were prepared enough to have batteries. Physicially we all made it thru fine. Every pecan tree in our 5 acres have been laid to rest...the only trees left standing were the 2 100 yr old+ oaks...but they have very few limbs left. We had some roof damage, water leakage, lots of wind damage....lost one dog due to heat exhaustion. We prepared with everything we could prior to the storm. But nothing can prepare you, even if you think you are, for something of this magnitude. They told us before we left, that if we sheltered in, we would be stuck and on our own. Although it's only been a little over 48 hours since the hurricane passed thru, military troops, every DPS officer, every police officer, FEMA, Red Cross.....everyone you can imagine was on their way to help. But it was the neighborhoods, the hometown people that have pulled together, helping each other, getting thru these first couple of days that have been amazing. I'm sunburned, blistered, dehydrated, tired, hot, irritated....but blessed. We've cleared trees from roads to get people out of their houses in rural areas...brought supplies to those needing it, because you cannot leave if you are sheltered in.....so we have to take care of our own. My husband and I have come to my son's house in Baton Rouge for tonight for one day of normalcy before going back to our hometown. There is no gas....no electricity to pump it, even if you had it. No water, unless you were fortunate enough to have a well....we have a septic tank, so if you went to the bathroom....you had to make sure you filled to reservoir tank to flush. No air-conditioner (funny how used to the creature comforts you take for granted). If you were lucky enough to have a generator, you could run a fan to make it tolerable. There is so much I want to tell ya'll....

[Nixxxed]

I'm so glad you're OK - I was really worried when I saw CNN broadcasting from Lumberton. I thought, "OH CRAP!!!" They wouldn't even bother going unless it was pretty bad.

Best wishes! I, for one, am here to listen if you need to talk!

"Water is life, but ice is civilization."

[dissention]

Glad to hear you're okay.

[ontheEdgeof17]

Glad you're safe!

Sorry to hear that everything around you is a disaster. Keep your head up and let us know if you need anything.

[Dreammms]

Glad you are okay!!

[sara1998]

So glad to hear you are OK. I'm sorry about the devistation, but I will keep you and yours in my thoughts. Please keep us updated, and if you want to tell us so much... then do so. I'm sure a lot of us will listen!

[lbelle1214]

Well, Beaumont is under lockdown....you can't get in unless you're part of the disaster relief or response team...the military is there, locked and loaded...there has been only 5 incidents of 'attempted' looting. They've told everyone in Jefferson, Orange, Hardin counties, Calcasieu and Cameron parishes that if you return home, you're on your own. There are so many people trying to get back in to see the condition of their property (you can't blame them), but are only coming home to conditions that are next to impossible to exist in. There are no hospitals open...no 911 service, most all land line phones are down....it's like we're isolated from the world except for this one radio station with 5 guys who have been transmitting nonstop since Thursday to provide info to locals. But the national channels are only scratching the surface and sensationalizing the minor events. Yeah, when CNN was showing Lumberton, that was 1 block from my house. They estimated that it would probably be at least 3 weeks to a month before we have power, then after that they could restore cable and communications. So, I'm reporting (venting) now while I have the chance. I don't know when I'll get to come back. Heading back home in the am because as soon as the hospital gets the fuel to kick in the back up generators, water and sewer, we'll reopen....and we'll all be there. The funniest thing about this situation....I collected all my kids pictures....then spacebagged all my FM/Stevie collection and locked them in Rubbermaid containers, grabbed my jewelry and dogs and slept on a mattress in the hallway on the interior of my house. Funny....what your priorities are....

[wondergirl9847]

Thank God you are okay!! Hope everything gets back to normal for you soon.

[Livia]

Glad you're okay! So sorry to hear about your dog, that's making me get all verklempt.

Hang in there!

[GypsySorcerer]

Glad to hear you're okay. Keep us updated; we're here if you need us.

[strandinthewind]

Hang in there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[lbelle1214]

And you know one of the things that pissed me off the most????? I had my Cable box set to record Lindsay's soundstage on Sat night!!!! Damned hurricane.....and now Stevie on....and I can't watch?!??!! This is horse sh$!

[strandinthewind]

Originally Posted by lbelle1214

And you know one of the things that pissed me off the most????? I had my Cable box set to record Lindsay's soundstage on Sat night!!!! Damned hurricane.....and now Stevie on....and I can't watch?!??!! This is horse sh$!

There is only soooo much one can take

[gldstwmn]

Best of luck to you. I'm sorry to hear about your dog.

[catinthedark]

Glad you're okay, but so sorry to hear about your doggie.. Good luck on this other side of the storm.