Author Topic: Category 4 Hurricane Irma  (Read 40318 times)

PurpleAlligator

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Re: Category 4 Hurricane Irma
« Reply #100 on: September 11, 2017, 04:49:04 PM »
My longan trees were loaded for a nice fall crop but I lost 80% to 90% of the fruit. The trees survived mostly with some loss of limbs.  My 2 to 3 year old jackfruit didn't fare well as you can see this is the red morning and Excalibur red.

House came out fine. All in all I was fortunate as many around me lost a large percentage of their trees.










Saltcayman

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Re: Category 4 Hurricane Irma
« Reply #101 on: September 11, 2017, 06:35:27 PM »
We had a couple tornadoes come thru and rip apart some huge centuries old trees.  We had at least 15" of rain and the canals are full so parts of my farm is under water as it cannot drain out.  My house and barn made it fine.  Several trees have been pushed over.  Electric is out but I have a whole house generator.  Hopefully the water will drain off soon or there will be some die off .  Scary storm that wouldn't stop.  I hope everyone else is at least as lucky as I feel


Wow.  Glad you are safe!!  Hope the water drains quickly!

Saltcayman

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Re: Category 4 Hurricane Irma
« Reply #102 on: September 11, 2017, 06:39:42 PM »
Irma was a direct hit on my place in the Turks & Caicos.  There has been no communication with the island as of yet. Hoping and praying that the 16 people who rode the storm out there are ok.  No idea how my trees fared but I will update when I know.  My best wishes to all of you who are still in Irma's path.

Glad to hear you are ok.  Are you on island or some other location?

I am in New Jersey.  I found out the people on island all survived. Communication still cut off so no specifics on damage yet.  Good luck to all of you in Florida who have just weathered Irma!! 

Tropicdude

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Re: Category 4 Hurricane Irma
« Reply #103 on: September 12, 2017, 12:07:26 AM »
News from home ( Hollywood Fla  east of Downtown )   My big 45-50ft Valencia Pride is leaning over, roots and all,  one branch on the house,  but no damage.   So this tree is a goner ,  family going to try and get someone to remove some branches to lighten the load on the side its leaning, to alleviate any possible pressure on the house.   still no power in that area as of Monday night.

My other smaller trees are all ok, even the recent Cotton Candy.  from what I am told.   no flooding in our area. 

I notice some of the regulars on forum, are not commenting so either no power, or evacuated,   hope everyone is fine. and little damage. 
William
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achetadomestica

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Re: Category 4 Hurricane Irma
« Reply #104 on: September 12, 2017, 12:47:07 AM »
Came home from a shelter close to LaBelle Florida to find a huge mess. My road has power lines down
across the road in 3 places. The kid's trampoline was in the pool, not a scratch on the fence. Half of my back lanai
is laying about 100 feet to the side of my house and squashed a St Rita fig, I never liked that fig anyway. It always
seemed to drop it figs before ripe. It was laying up against a LSU purple fig which should make it after a good prune.
One side of my screened porch is gone also. I have a $20,000 hurricane deductible, I figure the damage will be $19,995.

So where do you start?

I can't imagine getting power for at least a week? I came home at 7:30 am and my neighbor had already cut the path in.
It was impassable before. I have a 30 foot oak down in the corner of my property and about 5-6 trees down on the side which
crushed my fence.  What a sight! My 9 year old boy just started crying when he saw the mess. I wish I was allowed to cry.

Well I got the trampoline torn apart and put to the curb, and I got about 25 trees staked and pruned. I lost a St Rita Fig,
a Silas wood sapodilla that snapped off right at the graft and a seedling loquat that was about 15 feet high that had produced
a couple crops of average tasting fruit. I would rather put in a LSU Black for the St Rita and I had wasted tons of real estate on
that yearling loquat which I can now plant 6-10 annonas my newest favorite fruit. The silas wood I have another in a pot or I
could put my potted Sabara jabo next to the other one. All my sugar apples and atemoyas were lying on the ground or leaning
heavy. I staked them and pruned heavy and removed any immature fruit. I hope they survive?  I got allot done but I really
wanted to evacuate. It should be easy driving out of the state? I also had tons of help from my wife and 12 year old son.
I have a name of a company to fix the lanai I can call hopefully before 10,000 people call and I hope the garbage company
will pick up yard waste on Wednesday I think I will have something this week for sure, My family is safe and I hope yours
is too!

 

buddyguygreen

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Re: Category 4 Hurricane Irma
« Reply #105 on: September 12, 2017, 02:30:01 AM »
saw 90-100 mph gust, The winds lasted for over 12 hours, Passion fruit were being hurled all over the place, most bananas i had to cut in half, papayas and avocado are good, Inga took it like a champ, same with soursop, amla broke at its base but it can grow back from the roots other than that all good here. Can't imagine the damage down south.

zands

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Re: Category 4 Hurricane Irma
« Reply #106 on: September 12, 2017, 07:28:03 AM »
For me not too much damage. A sapodilla tree was semi up rooted that I have to put upright. But fallen tree branches to clean up after.  After 5 minutes of on and off, the power went out on Sunday just before noon. It came back on Tuesday at 3AM. During the 2006 hurricane for Ft Lauderdale area the power was out 11 days.

Three construction cranes were blown over in Miami and one Foot Locker store was raided and emptied. Brickell Ave was under water.....its the main drag in Miami.
« Last Edit: September 12, 2017, 11:44:02 AM by zands »

roblack

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Re: Category 4 Hurricane Irma
« Reply #107 on: September 12, 2017, 07:58:56 AM »
Best wishes to everyone for a speedy recovery.

We evacuated to GA. My sister's 40 ft pecan tree is all busted up and half of it is laying on the fence and ground, as the storm followed us all the way north of Atlanta.

We really don't know how any of our fruit trees and other edibles are doing. 2 neighbors told me the house looks good, and that none of the big trees in the front yard went down. We just had all the big trees trimmed, thankfully. No word on the backyard yet. My neighbor across the street has a few trees down, so anything is possible.

Power is out still.

Lucky and grateful.

What is the word on the roads and gas? We had a very difficult time finding gas during our evacuation.  Gasbuddy app helped a lot. Wondering about the trek back home. Getting a trailer hitch and cargo carrier put on the vehicle today, going to haul extra gas of our own just in case. Feeling like the Road Warrior.
« Last Edit: September 12, 2017, 08:01:59 AM by roblack »

Tropheus76

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Re: Category 4 Hurricane Irma
« Reply #108 on: September 12, 2017, 08:35:10 AM »
We sat it out like most of our neighbors. Power went out at 10pm and hasn't come back on. Two large pine trees fell and narrowly missed my house in a V with the house in the middle. I have a few trees that need to be staked back up from their lean but couldn't do it yesterday since there was a heavy wind all day, which at least made cleanup a little cooler, and most of the areas they are in are flooded. My Key lime was uprooted by the wind, I am going to try and put it back down and see if it lives. Got absolutely mauled by ants while working yesterday, they were on every frikkin branch it seems. My eastern grove is under several inches of water with all 30ish trees affected. Hopefully that will not last long. My lychees are also under water, one being knee deep, they will probably love it.

All in all, I need a bigger generator for my well, a better chainsaw for downed trees, and gotta figure something out on the stove since its a gas stove but somehow requires electricity to work. grrr. Hopefully we get power back today.

BajaJohn

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Re: Category 4 Hurricane Irma
« Reply #109 on: September 12, 2017, 08:50:53 AM »
So sorry to hear about all the damage but glad to hear people are OK. I hope we hear that everyone and their homes came through the storm OK and that gardens/groves are recoverable.
For what it's worth, Odile partially uprooted my 20' high coconut a few years back. I supported it with ropes and used a come-along to haul it upright again, then kept it supported for about a year. It is solid again now and just went through Lidia without a problem. Not sure if it is possible with a 50' mango tree TD, but maybe something to think about.

Tang Tonic

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Re: Category 4 Hurricane Irma
« Reply #110 on: September 12, 2017, 09:03:18 AM »
Checking in from St. Croix.

Wow, we really dodged a bullet here.  Only experienced tropical storm force winds.  All my trees and plants made it.  A couple 3 year old dwarf cocos blew over but I staked them back up and hopefully they will be alright.  A huge Moringa branch fell on my seedlings but miraculously none got smashed! 

However, our neighbors to the North: St. Thomas, St. John, British Virgin Islands did not fare well at all.  St. Marten, Barbuda, St. Barts did even worse.   Its almost complete devastation over there.  Unlike the mainland where you can evacuate and supplies can be brought in post-storm very quickly, we don't have that luxury here.  You can only prepare as best as possible and hope the storm spares you and your property. 

We saw her sitting at 17.2 deg N and moving straight West.  St. Croix is at 17.7 N.  We started getting really nervous.  When the storm was about 200 miles away, it started heading WNW.  This put it at about 18.1 or 18.2 when it was due north of us which is pretty much right over our sister islands. 

Was talking with my wife's dad on St. Thomas before the eyewall hit and he was very worried and saying he couldn't hold the sliding glass door closed much longer.  Then we lost contact.  It was about 24 hours later before we confirmed he was alive and ok.  Somehow the little fiberglass home my wife grew up in on St. Thomas came away unscathed. 

The aftermath has seen a lot of people come together to help each other out.  But the situation is desperate.  The islands need food, water, supplies, etc.  President Trump is visiting in a few days and has pledged relief.   Unfortunately the media hasn't given us much coverage even though we are US citizens.  If anyone is interested in donating money, clothes, or anything else please let me know.  Those impacted by Irma in the Caribbean really need all the help they can get. 

I could go on and on about the stories of both during the storm and after.  Some are what nightmares are made of.  Some will make your heart swell with compassion for the good that is still present in humanity.  Its a very strange time for us here in the US Virgin Islands.  British Virgin Islands are even more devastated.  My heart goes out to all of them. 

Tang Tonic

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Re: Category 4 Hurricane Irma
« Reply #111 on: September 12, 2017, 09:06:32 AM »
Irma was something else, our neighbor islands saw 185 mph sustained winds with gusts to 225 mph.   :'(

Mark in Texas

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Re: Category 4 Hurricane Irma
« Reply #112 on: September 12, 2017, 09:12:02 AM »
Irma was something else, our neighbor islands saw 185 mph sustained winds with gusts to 225 mph.   :'(

I can't imagine that!  Curious, do you ever get tired of hurricane threats?  I did.  After living in Corpus Christi and going thru a bunch over 44 years......the fear, preparation and then aggravation/cost of the cleanup and no electricity for weeks, being a shelter manager when called upon.....just got damn old. 

Family and I took the eye of a devastating hurricane that didn't get much attention in 1970, Celia.  The anenometer blew off at the Port A. airport at 165 mph and reports had gusts up to 223 mph.  Designated Cat. 3?  Bullshit.   ::)

God's speed for a quick recovery to all affected by this monster.  :-\
« Last Edit: September 12, 2017, 09:14:54 AM by Mark in Texas »

behlgarden

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Re: Category 4 Hurricane Irma
« Reply #113 on: September 12, 2017, 10:39:00 AM »
dang 185 MPH!!!

If I was forced to live in areas where we get hurricanes like this, I would build it out of structural CMU/Concrete only with 10 feet raised foundation as well. even then windows could blow up under such pressure.

ScottR

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Re: Category 4 Hurricane Irma
« Reply #114 on: September 12, 2017, 11:18:08 AM »
I hope all a speedy as possible recovery from this hurricane. :(

shinzo

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Re: Category 4 Hurricane Irma
« Reply #115 on: September 12, 2017, 11:30:28 AM »
dang 185 MPH!!!

If I was forced to live in areas where we get hurricanes like this, I would build it out of structural CMU/Concrete only with 10 feet raised foundation as well. even then windows could blow up under such pressure.
I have always wondered why in the US many (the majority?) houses are built with wood or light materials even though you have many natural risks (hurricanes, tornadoes). In my country, even with the low revenues/habitant all the houses are built with concrete (and we don't have extreme climatic events like yours). Is it cost? or is there other advantages of light buildings?

Mugenia

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Re: Category 4 Hurricane Irma
« Reply #116 on: September 12, 2017, 12:04:38 PM »
Dinero and efficiency.

JonathonForester

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Re: Category 4 Hurricane Irma
« Reply #117 on: September 12, 2017, 12:18:18 PM »
dang 185 MPH!!!

If I was forced to live in areas where we get hurricanes like this, I would build it out of structural CMU/Concrete only with 10 feet raised foundation as well. even then windows could blow up under such pressure.
I have always wondered why in the US many (the majority?) houses are built with wood or light materials even though you have many natural risks (hurricanes, tornadoes). In my country, even with the low revenues/habitant all the houses are built with concrete (and we don't have extreme climatic events like yours). Is it cost? or is there other advantages of light buildings?


Actually, all houses built post hurricane Andrew in the mid 90's up have strict structural requirements .

Tropicdude

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Re: Category 4 Hurricane Irma
« Reply #118 on: September 12, 2017, 01:51:07 PM »
dang 185 MPH!!!

If I was forced to live in areas where we get hurricanes like this, I would build it out of structural CMU/Concrete only with 10 feet raised foundation as well. even then windows could blow up under such pressure.
I have always wondered why in the US many (the majority?) houses are built with wood or light materials even though you have many natural risks (hurricanes, tornadoes). In my country, even with the low revenues/habitant all the houses are built with concrete (and we don't have extreme climatic events like yours). Is it cost? or is there other advantages of light buildings?

Many modern homes use cement blocks for outer walls, and wood for roof,   there is some advantages to this,   one is of course cost,  but the other is insulation.  most homes use central air-conditioning,  we use gypsum board instead of mortar to cover the inside walls,  we put insulation between the two.  the steep roof, ( attic ) is also filled with insulation,  this saves a lot on heating and cooling costs.

Also should state that in Earthquake prone areas,  a wood roof is somewhat safer.  I mention this because here in the DR.  we use all cement everything,  walls, and ceilings,  roofs are just poured cement,  no insulation, so if you put your hand on the ceiling on a sunny day you can feel the heat.   in an Earthquake these flat slabs, can fall on you.    but of course the benefit is, being strong against winds.

After Andrew,  I was working down in Homestead, and noticed complete neighborhoods, mostly destroyed, but then right next to it you see another neighborhood, almost untouched.   why?   construction code, and techniques.  its not so much whether the roof is wood or not, but how it is built.  look at Key West , they got the brunt of the storm, and you can see many wooden homes intact,  not all wooden homes are created equally.
William
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Tropheus76

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Re: Category 4 Hurricane Irma
« Reply #119 on: September 12, 2017, 02:20:32 PM »
In FL, good luck getting home insurance if you don't have a concrete brick home. My bank wont even mortgage a wood frame. I think most if not all the homes in my neighborhood, some of whom date from the 60s are either brick or stone and most are covered in stucco. Tile roofing is by far the way to go. I think if I ever get rich I am building a castle with modern amenities. That should survive with no problems. And have a big courtyard for my fruit trees.

Future

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Re: Category 4 Hurricane Irma
« Reply #120 on: September 12, 2017, 04:51:24 PM »
Checking in from St. Croix.

Wow, we really dodged a bullet here.  Only experienced tropical storm force winds.  All my trees and plants made it.  A couple 3 year old dwarf cocos blew over but I staked them back up and hopefully they will be alright.  A huge Moringa branch fell on my seedlings but miraculously none got smashed! 

However, our neighbors to the North: St. Thomas, St. John, British Virgin Islands did not fare well at all.  St. Marten, Barbuda, St. Barts did even worse.   Its almost complete devastation over there.  Unlike the mainland where you can evacuate and supplies can be brought in post-storm very quickly, we don't have that luxury here.  You can only prepare as best as possible and hope the storm spares you and your property. 

We saw her sitting at 17.2 deg N and moving straight West.  St. Croix is at 17.7 N.  We started getting really nervous.  When the storm was about 200 miles away, it started heading WNW.  This put it at about 18.1 or 18.2 when it was due north of us which is pretty much right over our sister islands. 

Was talking with my wife's dad on St. Thomas before the eyewall hit and he was very worried and saying he couldn't hold the sliding glass door closed much longer.  Then we lost contact.  It was about 24 hours later before we confirmed he was alive and ok.  Somehow the little fiberglass home my wife grew up in on St. Thomas came away unscathed. 

The aftermath has seen a lot of people come together to help each other out.  But the situation is desperate.  The islands need food, water, supplies, etc.  President Trump is visiting in a few days and has pledged relief.   Unfortunately the media hasn't given us much coverage even though we are US citizens.  If anyone is interested in donating money, clothes, or anything else please let me know.  Those impacted by Irma in the Caribbean really need all the help they can get. 

I could go on and on about the stories of both during the storm and after.  Some are what nightmares are made of.  Some will make your heart swell with compassion for the good that is still present in humanity.  Its a very strange time for us here in the US Virgin Islands.  British Virgin Islands are even more devastated.  My heart goes out to all of them.

Thank you for the detailed assessment.  Who you are makes all the difference in media coverage.  In Sierra Leone, where my wife is from, they just had a mudslide a few weeks ago that killed over 1,000 people...for example.

Can you suggest any efficient, legitimate ways to contribute - financially or otherwise?  Too many big organizations take donations with just a trickle reaching those who need help. 

ras954

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Re: Category 4 Hurricane Irma
« Reply #121 on: September 12, 2017, 08:13:50 PM »
Lauderdale here - Somebody mentioned re-bar for stakes...it worked... lots of defoliation but a few small trees still upright...  thanks for the tip.


zands

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Re: Category 4 Hurricane Irma
« Reply #122 on: September 12, 2017, 09:58:59 PM »
We sat it out like most of our neighbors. Power went out at 10pm and hasn't come back on. Two large pine trees fell and narrowly missed my house in a V with the house in the middle.

All in all, I need a bigger generator for my well, a better chainsaw for downed trees, and gotta figure something out on the stove since its a gas stove but somehow requires electricity to work. grrr. Hopefully we get power back today.

Count your blessing on those pine trees! There must be some work around for your stove. That electric starter is there so you don't have to burn a pilot light like in the good old days. I suppose your can turn the gas knob but gas will not flow unless the electronic ignition is working? For safety reasons? But still your stove is unusable without electricity which is ridiculous. There should be a simple way to bypass the electronics.
« Last Edit: September 12, 2017, 10:00:39 PM by zands »

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Re: Category 4 Hurricane Irma
« Reply #123 on: September 12, 2017, 10:54:18 PM »
We sat it out like most of our neighbors. Power went out at 10pm and hasn't come back on. Two large pine trees fell and narrowly missed my house in a V with the house in the middle.

All in all, I need a bigger generator for my well, a better chainsaw for downed trees, and gotta figure something out on the stove since its a gas stove but somehow requires electricity to work. grrr. Hopefully we get power back today.

Count your blessing on those pine trees! There must be some work around for your stove. That electric starter is there so you don't have to burn a pilot light like in the good old days. I suppose your can turn the gas knob but gas will not flow unless the electronic ignition is working? For safety reasons? But still your stove is unusable without electricity which is ridiculous. There should be a simple way to bypass the electronics.
Most gas stoves have piezo electric starter (sparker). Gas should still flow. So you can light it with a lighter.
PS Glad everybody's house so far in reports is still up!
Oscar

Seanny

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Re: Category 4 Hurricane Irma
« Reply #124 on: September 12, 2017, 11:36:52 PM »
Lauderdale here - Somebody mentioned re-bar for stakes...it worked... lots of defoliation but a few small trees still upright...  thanks for the tip.

Rebar is easy to get, easy to pound into the ground next to the trunk. It gives iron to the tree.

I prefer fiberglass stake. It lets the tree flex so the tree develop better trunk.