9/29/24 UPDATE
Thank you for all your calls, texts and messages. We so appreciate your concern.
The dogs and I spent the last two nights in Kissimmee with Ryan and Ashley. The island did open yesterday to those with a re-entry tag, drivers license, or other proof of home ownership. Our neighbor was in traffic, 5 miles, for an hour and 45 minutes as everyone had to go through a check point. Water and power were both restored by 4 pm. We are under a boil order. Scott continued to work on cleaning up and I started filing insurance claims for our vehicles!! He was very grateful for air conditioning and a hot shower.
This morning I picked up some contractor garbage bags and styrofoam coolers then headed to the grocery store. A very nice bagger at Publix helped me load my car and coolers. Then the dogs and I headed to Anna Maria Island.
The causeway from Bradenton to the island was covered in sand and gravel. Natural debris was piled high along the causeway and there were 5 sail boats washed up.
Thankfully we did not have to wait at all to get onto the island. Entering the island the beaches are closed and there is sand everywhere on the roads. As I drove to the house I passed homes and businesses that were actively cleaning up. There is furniture, appliances, etc. lining the streets. I was very grateful to see Scott, as were the dogs! First thing I did was clean out the refrigerator and freezer. It is amazing how many condiments we had!! Next up was helping Scott take large items to the street. Let me tell you a mattress can absorb a lot of water!! We hauled 2 mattresses and box springs to the street, along with furniture, electronics and other debris. We are both tired and sore.
Tomorrow Scott will go back to work and I will do more cleanup and try to find a wet shop vacuum as ours is fried. I will also be calling our homeowners insurance, our WiFi provider and an electrician. As many of you know we have just started an addition to our home so I expect to hear from our contractor on what the next steps will be.
We are very grateful our living space is on the second floor as those with one stories are totally wiped out. My heart goes out to those impacted by Helene.
