Mississippi Update
I spoke to my brother tonight. His house is one mile inland from the Mississippi Gulf Coast in Pascagoula. He had 22 inches of water in his house. He has telephone, water, sewer, electric, and cable TV (but no internet yet) back in service. He didn’t have mud to shovel out. He’s pulled out carpet and padding. He’s shoveled up the particle board someone put beneath the carpet padding. He’s in the process of cutting sheetrock off the wall approximately 4′ up from the floor. He was able to salvage one bed to sleep on and all his major appliances (except the clothes dryer). He bought a new computer a few weeks ago, and it was spared. In a few weeks, when he’s ready, I’ll stock up on sheetrock and anything else he decides he needs that’s likely to be in short supply there and run it down to him. For now, he says he’s fine.
He’s lost many things, but he feels quite fortunate. He’s alive, has a roof over his head, a job, and an ability to recover from this. He knows many are much worse off. Thanks to each of you for your good thoughts on his behalf.
I can only say, wow.
It’s amazing that he would feel “fortunate” after going through this, but it just goes to show the misery the storm caused.
I don’t know how he’s managing without internet, but I’m glad to hear that he’s fine.
Well, having to drag the bottom half of the sheetrock off your walls after having to pull up all your floor coverings while trying to recover use of your primary transportation so you can get to work and keep income flowing in so you can afford to replace/repair the things insurance says they don’t cover renders internet less important, I think. 🙂 It’s all about perspective. (But I’m pretty sure you were kidding, Ronn.)
Glad to hear he’s doing well! Tell him to make 100% sure the wood is dry before replacing the sheetrock, though . . . last thing he needs after this are mold issues from covering up wet wood.
Later
Thanks, Jim. I’m sure that’s one reason why he doesn’t want the sheetrock for a couple weeks.
I’m glad he’s okay! Sounds like he’s right near Larissa – her husband’s base is in P., I believe.
She spent the weekend ripping out sheetrock and drywall too. And she keeps saying the same thing about her husband still having a job too…
The two towns aren’t far apart. Larissa had a lot more water in her house–they were closer to ground zero than my brother. In fact, had I been stationed at Keesler like I expected, I probably would have rented a place not far from where it sounds like Larissa lives–it had a reputation as being a good town to live in, and it was close to the base (before the bridge disappeared).