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09/23/2005: "Safe In Washington"

Well, we made it. We're at my mom's house, and I just got full internet and email capabilities, and I almost feel normal again.

The trip was long--six days straight of 12 hours in the car. We normally plan out our trips, but this time we didn't have time, so we just drove until we were too tired to drive anymore, and stayed where we could find a hotel. We had to stay in some scary ones a couple of times, but we made it here just fine. I wish we'd have been able to stay with everyone who generously offered us a room in at their home, but since we were pretty much playing our route by ear, we didn't get a chance. But I do want to thank everyone who offered. People have been so amazing.

And if you ever get a chance, eat at the Mackenzie River Pizza Co., at various locations in Montana. We stop there every time we drive through Missoula, and the food is fantastic. And this time through, they paid for our meal and gave Brennan a big bag of warm, fresh cookies.

So now we're here, and I'm watching Rita with a sick stomach. We already know that water is pouring through our damaged roof, and that everything that was still in the garage (some of the few things we salvaged) is gone. We'd killed the mold, but now it'll be back with a vengeance. But really, Rita can't do much more to us than has already been done. In fact, at this point, damage can only help as far as insurance claims go, since this time any damage won't be flood damage, but wind and rain.

What makes me nauseous with a deja vu feeling is watching the preparations everyone else is going through for Rita. I feel for everyone in its path, and for everyone stuck in evacuation traffic. It's kind of interesting how the evacuation is getting so much attention; I've done the exact same thing three times, and I'll bet you never saw my car stuck in bumper to bumper traffic for 15 hours, or saw all the cars I passed that had run out of gas. It's scary to travel with your kid and pets and not know if you are going to get where you're going because gas is low. And forget stopping to eat--if you didn't bring food and water and something to pee in...you are screwed.

I'm praying for everyone on the road right now. It's a horrible experience, and honestly, I'm glad it's getting so much attention.

Anyway, now that we're settling in, we're trying to get things taken care of. Brennan just started school, and we're working up an itemized list of everything we lost so we can present it to the insurance company--not that it'll help much. They are still insisting that storm surge isn't covered. We're hoping Rita will spawn a tornado that'll take out the rest of our house, because at least that would be covered.

We've also learned that we'll get no help from FEMA. Since we'd just paid off all of our debts except the house and Bryan's car, they think we can afford a loan to rebuild our house. So the only help we'll get from them is a 5.5% loan, which won't help at all. Sure, we'll have money to fix the house, but even if we can sell it, we'll then have a 50k loan to pay off, and no place to live.

But the bigger problem is getting the house repaired at all. There simply aren't enough contractors and builders. People in Florida STILL haven't gotten their houses repaired after Ivan a year ago. In fact, only about 20k houses were damaged in Florida hurricanes last year...and most aren't fixed. In Mississippi alone, there were 200,000 destroyed or damaged. It could be YEARS before we can get someone to fix our house. In the meantime, we'll be paying a mortgage, rent, a car payment, and for a FEMA loan.

Now, let's say we CAN get the house fixed in a reasonable amount of time. We still won't be able to sell it. Not only will no one want to buy a house that had been flooded, but there won't be anyone to sell to. There is no work in southern Mississippi to bring people. The casino and fishing industries have been destroyed. So has the shipping industry. The military has all but left since Keesler is unusable, and the navy base will be closing. So there will be no one moving to the area to buy houses. Even if people do move to the area, our neighborhood was completely destroyed. Who would want to buy a house where all there is nearby is damaged houses and no people?

But...

It's not all bad. Because of the auction, we have money available to get started on paying for inspections and performing our own repairs (crash course in installing drywall and fixing roofs, anyone?) I've been trying to put our thanks into words, but honestly, it's beyond my capabilities. I'm going to have to try, though, because as things settle down here, I'm going to start writing out thank you cards. I'm going to have several days of grateful tears ahead of me.

For now, please know that my family is grateful for all the help, offers of help, donations, and encouraging messages we've received. You have all made a huge difference in our lives. We feel so blessed and lucky, despite how rough things have been.

We'll have pictures soon to show you just how rough things got around our house, but I do have a few now of the area near our house.

This is one is of a gas station nearby. This one is of a house at the beach where we used to go. And this one is self-explanatory.

Take care, all.

Replies: 25 brave souls responded

on Friday, September 23rd, Danica said

Larissa, we're keeping you in our prayers. I'm glad you're safe in Washington.

on Friday, September 23rd, Emma said

So glad you and your family arrived safely, Larissa. I'm so sorry about the shitty situation re. the house, but I'm glad the auction will help you get started. Everyone involved in it will be thrilled that it's making things at least a little bit easier on you. Hugs, and take care!

on Friday, September 23rd, Jaq said

Glad you and famiy are safe and sound, Larissa. Bummer about FEMA and all the new debts. You're all healthy and safe. ((hugs))

on Friday, September 23rd, Jean said

Glad you made it safely. Montana's a great state. I loved living there 23 years ago, but I haven't been able to get back there (I think that was before the pizza place's day, though).

My brother's doing a good job of learning the dry wall process. I'm scheduled to bring him underlayment to help him redo his floors over Columbus Day weekend. If he's gotten underlayment by then, I'll get the next item on his list that he needs. He was lucky--he "only" had 22 inches of water in his house.

You probably know MS is doing a class action lawsuit on the insurers, and with your hurricane insurance, you might have a better chance than many of that paying off for you.

I've been watching the Keesler home page. From what I can tell, they're still working in earnest to reconstitute the place. Every day more services are back on-line. It will take some time, but the area will come back--and it's going to take lots of workers to make it happen. I believe there will be a market.

Hang in there.

on Saturday, September 24th, jennifer said

So glad to hear you're safe and with your family -
Take care,
(((((((((((Hugs)))))))))
Jenny

on Saturday, September 24th, Michelle said

Wow is all I can say. I can't believe the devastation you guys must be going through. Hugs and prayers that it will all work out!

I'd agree that doing the repairs yourself is the quickest way. Drywall isn't too hard to do (I helped my parents when I was 15). Hang in there!

on Saturday, September 24th, Teresa said

Hey Larissa - glad to hear you all made it safe and sound. Many big ((((((hugs)))))).

Teresa

on Saturday, September 24th, Sasha said

I'm so glad to see your words again, and to know you're safe.

I'm still praying for you, and all in the Gulf area.

on Saturday, September 24th, Cheyenne McCray said

Hi, Larissa,

My heart just keeps breaking for you. Every time I see pictures and hear more news I tear up. I'm sorry I haven't been around. I killed my blog about 6 weeks ago, trying to reorganize my life, and finally went and started a different one, so I'll be around more.

I'm so sorry you're having to go through all of this. Giant Hugs to you and your family.

Chey

on Saturday, September 24th, PJ said

(((HUG))) I'm happy you and yours made it safely to WA.

on Saturday, September 24th, Bonnie Vanak said

Larissa,

I'm so glad you made it safely to Washington and you are getting a bit settled. You should consider taking all you've been through and writing it down for a magazine article or even a non-fiction book. Your story, among thousands of others, is one of courage, persistence and determination amid disaster. Hugs and prayers to you and your family. Bonnie

P.S. If you do repairs yourself and need electrical advice, email me. DH is a licensed master electrician, plus he is very handy with repairs. He will probably be volunteering for Habitat for Humanity in Florida. They may be building pre-fab homes for those affected by Katrina and shipping to Mississippi, Louisiana, etc.

on Saturday, September 24th, Emma S said

Glad that you're safe and fairly settled. It's good to see you back in blogland again.
(((Hugs)))

on Saturday, September 24th, Lynn M said

Glad to hear you arrived in Washington safely. After all you've been through, it must be a tiny relief to know where you'll be spending the night and the next and the next.

Okay, this may be a really dumb question, but I'll ask it anyway. Since the insurance won't cover the cost of your home and it would be nearly impossible to sell it, what would happen if you abandoned it? I mean, let the bank forclose on it and have the whole mess. Is that ever done by people in this very same situation? I honestly can't imagine what else you could possibly do.

It's all so unfair!

on Saturday, September 24th, Kathleen Goode said

So glad that at least you have a safe landing place for the moment and a chance to recover a bit. I agree with the suggestion that your write up what you and your family are going through - both the hurricane and the first year after. Meanwhile, your blogs help us all understand what it is like and you are inspiring people to help. My teen is now raising money for the red cross after what she read about your family and I have started a quilter-to-quilter project. I hope that your future is full of brighter days.

on Saturday, September 24th, Amy said

So glad you're safe and with family now. I hope you can find some semblance of feeling settled there for a while, although I imagine that will be difficult.

Take care of yourselves!

on Sunday, September 25th, Steph T. said

So good to see you back online.

on Sunday, September 25th, Joely said

Larissa, I'm so glad you're safe, with family, and back online. Hearing about your house and FEMA and insurance makes me so angry. I wish there was something more we can do. If you think of anything, please let me know!!!
((((((hugs))))))
Joely

on Sunday, September 25th, Tori said

I'm glad you arrived safely. Hugs on the continued problems with the house.

on Sunday, September 25th, Teresa said

Glad to hear your safe. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.

on Sunday, September 25th, Larissa said

Thanks, all--I'm VERY relieved to be someplace where we can relax a little and not have to live out of a suitcase.

Jean, we put our names in with the lawyer working on the class action lawsuit. We're hoping something will come of it. We did everything we needed to in order to protect and insure our property, so hopefully that'll count for something.

Lynn, I'm not sure that letting the bank foreclose on the house would be a good move. But then, neither would bankruptcy. I really don't know what we'll do. I think we're going to have to take it day to day and see where we're at when Bryan is due to transfer next year. No matter what, this all really sucks.

Bonnie...wow! Thanks so much! We'll most likely be emailing you eventually. Our house definitely needs electrical work, especially since the water came up over the electrical panel and everything.

Kathleen, that's so neat about your daughter, and how cool on the quilting thing! I'm glad I can give people some idea about how things like this affect people. It's weird, because I used to watch disasters on TV and think I could understand what the survivors were going through, but now I know that living through it is so much different than watching it on TV. It's certainly put things in perspective. I don't know if little things that used to bother me will anymore. I suppose that's a good thing.

on Sunday, September 25th, kacey said

Larissa, so glad you're settling in and your son has the stability of school to go to each day. That's good.

Sorry about the insurance situation. Hope that Mississippi can push some of the insurance companies into paying. The whole thing sucks. Hang in there.

on Sunday, September 25th, Cece said

Larissa so glad you're safe and you made it. Lynn asked my question for me, but I understand taking it a day at a time. You'll remain in my prayers. Take care.

on Sunday, September 25th, Lydia said

Good news is--Mississippi's attorney general is suing a number of hurricane insurance companies for refusing to pay up after the hurricane. Hopefully, yours is on the list. My advice is to sue. They know they can't win if it went to jury. They'll have to pay up.

Good idea starting the repairs yourself! If you wait, it really will be a total loss.

Take care!

on Sunday, September 25th, Shesawriter said

Larissa,

It's good to hear from you. I'm glad you're getting things together and I just hope the load lightens for you, sweetie.

Hugs and kisses,

Tanya

on Thursday, September 29th, glenicepowell@hotmail.com">glenice said

Larissa--I am so glad to hear you made it!!! I have been in Canada all week teaching a class, and this is the first time I have had time to breathe, so I thought I would check to see if you made it! I am glad you did! I am sad you could not stop but I totally understand...I had some stuff for you and Brennen but no worries! I am sure I can help someone else! But please if you do still need clothes for Brennen let me know I have a son a couple years older...I would be happy to send them to you...
I can hang drywall, but boy it is hard work!! The key thing that I learned is to make sure and use a wide spatula for the seams...that way you don't see them as bad, and it is easier to texture and cover them.