We personally came out of it unscathed, though many all around us weren't so "lucky". Rivers are still rising, wind is still blowing some. We are in a corner of the state which doesn't get the severe flash floods that the southern and western parts do. I just got an email from a friend that this morning they are evacuating parts of her village as "her" river hasn't crested yet.

Glad we aren't planning to go anywhere, as there are many detours and town roads closed. Officials are asking people to continue to stay off the roads unless they really have to be somewhere. Still many without power.

My friends about 10 miles up the road had tree and flood damage; a very scary night for them, but no one hurt. I feel bad for them, as they are just hanging on financially and insurance will not cover the damages.

Thanks for checking in, B2Y. I'm so relieved that you're safe. I'll say a prayer for your neighbors that didn't fare as well.

I'm just now hearing of flood damage in the village of Jamaica VT, where my Dad grew up and I spent many happy summers. I'm told that four houses were swept away.

Oh, B2Y, I'm so sorry to hear that. Does the Red Cross assemble in towns hit by disasters? I wish there was something I could do to help. It's a helpless feeling to watch all this damage and destruction on the news and not be able to do anything immediately to help. I do pray for everyone affected by this.

My heart goes out to those suffering the effects of this storm. I'm so pleased that you are safe B2Y but sorry to hear about your neighbours.

We're no stranger to disasters like this one here in Australia, and I remember how strong 'your' support has been for us. I can only hope that our govt steps in to help in some way.

My own thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who lost their lives and with those who have lost their homes and belongings during the hurricane, and now with the floods.

Since I live in Florida, I feel nothing but dread during hurricane season. The hurricane shutters get put up and all provisions are stocked. I am thrilled if it turns out to be just a tropical storm. I don't care if the shutters are put up and taken down 10 times as long as there is no hurricane.

I lived through hurricane Wilma. I had only been living here for 17 days when it struck. We couldn't get meat or perishables from any grocery store for nearly two weeks. All of the traffic lights didn't work. Trees were down everywhere. Hundreds of thousands were without power. We couldn't get gas for our cars.

It was terrifying. It looks and feels like the world has been turned upside down. Wilma wasn't even that bad for a hurricane. Two more months before we can breathe easy down here.

Nothing makes you feel as powerless as a natural disaster.

That's a great way to look at it, JL. No matter how much preparation you do the avoidance of a natural disaster is always good. Those provisions aren't going to go bad. Just consider yourself more prepared for the next event. And use the time to count your blessings that you were spared.

I used to get that kind of excitement about "the adventure" of a storm coming. I remember preparing for the worst, but at the same time, looking forward to the adventure and excitement around what might happen. Mind you, I was always cognizant of the danger and the fact that it was real people and their livelihoods being impacted...but you just can't help somehow being excited about it even though you know it was wrong.

What cured me of that feeling was riding out Hurricane Wilma when she hit Cozumel as a Cat 4 and stayed over us for 2 full days. We spent 48+ hours huddled in a hotel bathroom as the eastern eye wall of that storm tore Cozumel apart. We could feel the hotel shuddering as waves hit the ground floor. We could see water sloshing in the toilet and our gatorade bottles as the building rocked. I actually got slightly seasick at one point just laying on the floor in the dark and trying to sleep.

The worst was hearing the hotel coming apart outside and having water start coming in under the door. Since that time, I don't look forward to storms anymore. Hurricane Ike was a baby compared to Wilma, we were 50 miles inland from where it hit, and it only lasted about 8 hours. But I hated it. I laid there trying to sleep and was reliving the whole Wilma experience in my head. I may get that excitement for an instant thinking about the storm, but then I remember what it was like to go through it and the feeling disappears.

Hi Sally. We're doing OK. We lost a part of the roof, but otherwise, we came through OK. Unlike most of the Richmond area, we never lost power. Some of my classmates and teachers are still without power.
As for the storm itself, I have never felt anything so powerful and sustained. It was like a train that never passed. The house was actually moving in the wind gusts. There are trees down everywhere and a guy in the next block has a huge maple sitting on his truck. We did very well. I cannot now imagine what a category 3 or 4 storm must feel like, but I know I will never purposely be in the way of one!
I hope you are having beautiful weather like we are (now). I wish summer was like this all summer!
Take care,
Chris

came thru storm well in Va Beach, others not so well. Since I am a disaster specialist I have been working 18 hr days (going on day 14). Close to falling out so am taking today off to rest.

Glad just about all came out with nothing more than a mild feeling of letdown. Rember forecastig is part scientific models& formulas added to logic based guessing. A difference of just 10 mph, 1' in surge or exact landfall can make all the differnce. Sort of like an educated form of nailing jello to the wall. Better to be safe & prepared for whatever else may come your way than to be sorry. Mother Nature is a very fickle woman.

God bless all, know I am here for you if you ever need help recovering or making sense of the insurance/assistance system post disaster.