Francis and Florida

My brother and my sister who both live in Florida have survived natures latest attacke on their state. My Brother lives in Port St. Lucie, just minutes away from Stewart, where Francis first hit land.

They had prepared for about 3 days for her arrival and decided to ride it out at home rather than seek shelter else where..They had a house built just a few years ago and had hurricanes in mind when they did..The extra protection provided enough that they came out of this with only very minimal damage, unlike some of their unfortunate neighbors.

They are very disheartened over the fact that within a week they very possibly might be facing yet a third hurricane as Ivan seems to be heading for them.

They want to sell their home and move back north. It is just becoming to much to deal with all these hurricanes.

My good friend Shauna and her family who live in Port Charlotte, got hammered during Charley,they lost their roof, master bedroom and severe water damage. Last Thursday with Francis starring everyone in the face, Shauna and family gave up hope, got in their car and came to Ohio. She says they will stay here until getting the all clear from Ivan, then return home, get their house fixed up, put it on the market and then return to Ohio for good..

I wonder how many other people have the same ideas? I wonder what these hurricanes will do to property values? I think alot of folks are going to be leaving Florida so there might be many houses and mobile homes for sale. But then one has to wonder just who might be interested in buying a house in Florida?

My Sister spent 2 nights in a shelter again this past weekend. Personally I wouldn't live in that state if someone gave me a home there..I tried a few years ago to live there and lasted 5 months..I was bitten by a "brown recluse spider" while there. It was the sickest I have ever been in my life. 5 years later, I still have ill effects from that experience.

Anyway, I'm very happy my family fared as well as they did during this recent nightmare, and, I'm very sorry for the less fortunate ones...My Prayers go out to everyone that lives there, lets hope that Ivan blows himself out before reaching land.