Whew, was that one close! The killer tornados that came thru Central Florida were historical in their destruction and death.
The one that destroyed so much in New Smyrna, Florida, causing millions in damage, missed us by only 5 miles to the north!
If any here can spare a dime, please send it to the American Red Cross or like minded orginizations for relief to those that have lost EVERYTHING! God Bless. Glenn

 

I do feel sorry for the people in Florida that experienced the tornados. But after Katrina, I gave quite a bit, and now going on 2 years later we still have thousands of La. evacuees in Houston, with their hands still out, for continuing free rent and utilities. Like it is Americas responsability to keep paying them. They have ruined it for me for ever giving again to problems like this.

 

I have done work in both states and Florida knows how to recover from disaster. Louisiana is in the dark ages. I might add, I from there and not proud of it anymore.

Good to hear you made it out fine Blue.

 

talk to the u.s. government about blowing millions in iraq and not rebuilding it's own damn nation.............. why pay taxes anymore.....


why are there larger churches and larger prisons being built when schools are closing and poverty is increasing


b

 

I agree. But I do not agree that after 2 years, these Katrina people in Houston, think it is their God given right to keep getting handouts. There is plenty of work in La. . Let them go back and work for their money.

 

true.... if lazy asses are begging..... a firm back hand will help out

b

 

Glad to here you came out untouched.

 

Here in S Florida, we were hit by Katrina first, and then a year later hit by Wilma, and a few years before hit by Andrew and others I can't remember. Besides life coming to a standstill before and after each event, you still deal with the damage. I was fortunate enough to do all repairs without help.
The people I feel sorry for are the ones from Katrina that can't use their house any longer and have been denied any insurance money because it wasn't wind damage, yet you can clearly see parts of their house in the tree tops in the back yard.
The actions of the insurance companies is criminal and seems to duplicate another Enron while real people suffer. Imagine everything you own gone and your years of premiums giving you nothing in return.

 

It will be interesting to see what the insurance companies do in the next 5 years. I bet it's going to get harder to get coverage for certain things as the co's start taking into consideration the hard data regarding the planets climate changes.

Please don't chime in with " ah, those damn tree huggin global warmin freaks are at it again".

I'm old enough to remember a time when If you we're applying for life insurance, "do you smoke?" was not one of the first questions you were asked. bottom line is cash money!!

 

Interesting MY A$$.

We've already been through that last year. The rest of the country probably isn't aware of this. Allstate asked the state for a 100% increase each year because of Katrina and Wilma and I think they only got 75%.
We have rental houses, so it hits us you know where. A place that used to cost 1500.00 now has a 6500.00 premium, if you can get it. People that have mortgages are screwed. They have to have insurance.
Regularily companies like Allstate and State Farm just announce they are cancelling 40,000 policies in 30 days. Too bad. If you buy a house to rent today, there is no way that you can do better than loose money every year due to prop taxes and ins and values. That business is just gone. Shortly people won't even afford to rent here. It's all "creative accounting on the part of the insurance companies.

The amazing part is that Florida is around 10th on the list of likely getting hit. So be forewarned, it's coming to all coastal communities.

 

Ive been a loyal Allstate customer since the late 70's and they suck! Just for the record, Allstate has bent me over for the past 3 years on my Homeowners policy! No claims and they still are doing it to me. Don't get me started about thier lousy auto policy and the accident forgiveness BS. They may forgive but they sure don't forget. My youngest kid totaled his new Honda Civic last Jund and thanks to the accident forgiveness program, my rates have incvreased another $200. ! Try and call their customer service number after your agent goes home.. You get someone in INDIA.. Yeah yeah yeah, all the big companies are doing that crap!

 

Glad you're ok man!

 

guess there's a price to pay to live in paradise.

 

Thanks Jughead, 69camfrk, shafrs3 and Budman78 for the acknowledgement over my safety. Good to know some people still care.
I was SHOCKED to see asking for a little help for the people here brought such 'cold' and 'could careless' answers. For the most part, there is QUITE a difference between those who still have their hands out in La, and those very old 'salt of the earth' retired folks just trying to exist on social security here where it's warm enough for them to not hurt so bad. They live in those flimsy trailers 'cause that's all they can afford on their retirement, many who are now alone because of their other spouse already passing on and kids who could care less. They moved here when they were a bit younger and planned for taking care of themselves in their declining years, only to have the greedy insurance companies, rising land prices and taxation strip them of the ability to even pay for their place AND food from what they get.
Yes, it's a shame. BUT some of your responses to their needs shows the lack of caring for others that's so prevelant in todays society. It's all about "ME". Shame on you! Some day you may find yourselves on the other end. Look into your hearts folks. Many of those old men here were the same 'young' men who fought for and gave us the freedome we have! It's wrong to just let someones mother or father die in the cold weather we've had this past week because there is no home or electricity. Hope you all enjoy your nice dinner tonight as you sit and watch TV in your safe, warm expensive home.
I guess I've lost a few forum 'friends' now, but I have seen the faces of these people this week and know what's right! I, for one, have sent my few retirement dollars to try and help. God will do the rest! Glenn E. Smith U.S.N. retired

 

and glad everythings ok glenn

 

Thanks Sunspot. I know you've had your own set of problems over on the west coast also! Good luck and hope 'The Big One' never comes your way. Glenn

 

Glad you were ok. I can't imagine living through that kind of destruction, especially at the time of night it happened.

 

Yeah. We, because we live right where it happened, are getting all kinds of 'personal' stories of the misery and fear they went thru. One 17 year old girl was found under a big tree still in her bed under the tree. All they could see was her hand sticking out. We get to see some of the old folks staring blankly at what was all they had, now in a scattered pile of rubble. The look of hopelessness in their eyes would tear your heart out if you could also see it. Glenn

 

when I was in High school a good friend of mine took me in as I had no place to stay. Couple of years ago his mom moved to Florida hoping for the "great oppurtunity". A storm hit and they lost everything. Worst part was when FEMA took the temporary trailer on a weeks notice. I've shipped a lot of stuff to Florida.

 

God bless you Sunspot. It takes going thru that stuff or having a person close to you having to 'start over with nothing' to help you understand. My experience was back in the 70's, but I'll never forget what it was like to have no home or much more than the clothes on your back.