Wifey B: We drove through much of Broward and Palm Beach counties today and others we were in communication with covered the rest. Things really looked pretty good with just a few buildings with moderate damage and streets to be cleaned.
However, we were driving mostly on major roads and not deep into residential areas which I know had greater damage from trees. Shopping centers and such don't have many trees. Palm trees did well. Some others not as well.
Miami for us tomorrow as we waited as they wished today. When we do go, we won't be much in areas they're doing recovery work.
We just sit in shock at how lucky we were and terrible sadness for others not as lucky.
A little lightness in the midst of the dark. Near Oakland Park traffic was nearly stopped but then we figured out that it was just the right lane. There was a quarter of a mile line to get into McDonald's.
Several were responders such as power crews, military, etc. That's one of the things that is critical for the workers in Key West is food and water. I heard the FPL guy say today their crew will need 50,000 meals a day. Those who were working in that McDonald's, rushed to get it open, were doing a huge favor for people.
I think each day we're a bit like roller coasters with ups and downs. You are happy when you see good but you know there's bad down the road. it was great to wake to winds reduced to around 20 mph, 30 mph gusts, but all that lost the minute we pulled up television and saw other areas.
The other frustration, no one's fault, just a frustration that's natural is communications. Just like sitting here worrying about Janice, we've got a long list of people we've tried unsuccessfully to contact. Most have called in or texted and we've been able to retrieve the messages but it makes you realize there are all these people that you don't know even where they are, what they've endured and we're only in the three counties that came through pretty well.
We're on the way back home now and tonight we'll do lighthearted fun stuff at home. No hurricane talk at home until morning.
A note of hope to others. They were able to start on power restoration in Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach today. It's not a lot but they've restored some today. Perhaps a couple hundred thousand in all. That means when they can hit your area, they will start restoring. They're in the minute they can be. Amazing to think of 19.000 utility workers. At least to us it's good to see the number without go down some. It's now under 2 million for the three counties. Ok, that sounds horrible, but that was an accomplishment.
I know parts of the recovery will be like a three ring circus and a collection of clowns running things, but through it all there are a lot of dedicated individuals working on it and I'm very thankful for them.
