Hurricane Ike Details - Devestating... (BTmomma) Need Prayers!!!!!!

Like others have said, you do not need to ask for good thoughts.

We have been thinking about you and praying. I hope you don't give up to depression, you are young and you need to give support to the older. Thank God you and your family are alive and well. A big hug!

You and your family and all of the people who lost so much are in my thoughts and prayers daily.  I am in San Antonio, not far from Waco, if there is something I can do or help you with please email me.  I know you must feel like it is some nightmare that you can't wake up from.  Be strong and know that people do care.

Our thoughts are with you and your family.

Oh, wow.

My boss always tells us that if it's something you can buy, you can replace it, but where do you even begin when everything is gone? I completely sympathize with you and your family.

My uncle lost his house during Hurricane Rita, and his daughter's house flooded again for Ike. Many of my students live in lower Terrebonne Parish, and Ike caused serious flooding down there because the water was still high from Gustav. I'm not sure how many students we have who are without a home right now, but I do know that our school has made sure they've had their basic needs met (and then some.)

You're in my thoughts.

BTmomma, I totally understand.  Keep your head up.  You will make it throught this.

Our beach house is on the Bolivar Peninsula.  The beach house is still standing, albeit with 3 1/2 walls, and less a roof.  Highway 87 is gone, completely gone, as if it never existed.  I got in Sunday using 4wd.  I went door to door, such that that was, looking for survivors.  Today, after officials surveyed the west end of the peninsula, those of us who did make it in, were asked to leave, & told that the state would likely opt not to rebuild.  They said that buyouts would be their most likely course of action. 

Officials are having to use google maps pics before the storm to try to figure out where everything was.  The grocery store, that was said to be housing 200 people from the storm, is no longer there.  They "think" that they know its location, because they found 4 aisle markers.  They haven't found the people yet. 

My grandfather built that beach house.  I have been going there my entire life.  I cannot fathom never seeing it again.  It is just not something that I can come to grips with right now.

Here's a slideshow of the Bolivar peninsula.

http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/gallery?section=news&id=6392473&photo=1

So BTmomma, when I say that I know how you feel.  Just know, I really do know what your going through.  (((Hugs)))

I AM SO VERY VERY SORRY.  LIVING ON HE COAST DURING HURRICANE SEASON IS ONE WORRIOME TIME.  THIS IS THE ONLY TIME I REALY WATCH THE WEATHER STATION.   I LEARNED WITH BRETT BACK IN '99 THAT IT CAN BE NOTHING ONE DAY AND A CAT 3 CANE 2 DAYS LATER--RARE, BUT IT HAPPENED WITH BRETT.  YOU JUST NEVER KNOW.

WE WERE SO LUCKY HERE.  EVEN THIS FAR AWAY AN ON THE "GOOD SIDE THRE WAS FLOODING IN A LOT OFAREAS.   BUT NOTHING LIKE WHAT HIT YOU.  AND WE KNOW ALL ABOUT THE MEDIA  COVERAGE OF GALVESTON AN HOUSTON.  GO BACK TO KATRINA AND NEW ORLEANS.  IT GOT ALL THE COVERAGE.  BUT MY NEIGHBOS'S MOM LOST HER HOUSE AND EVEYTHING IN IT IN GULF PORT MISS.  SHE LIVES UP THE ROAD NOW.  WE JUST DIDN'T HEAR ABO THOSE PLACES AND THE LOSS THERE.  I HEARD SABINE PASS IS UNDER WATER ALSO.

 ALL I CAN SAY I KEEP YOUR CHIN UP.  ...AND I AM SO SORRY. AND PRAYERS ARE SAID FOR ALL AFFECTED BY IKE

 I am so sorry for your family and have them and everyone in our thoughts. I'd been pretty much glued to the weather channel, through Gustav and Ike, as one of my brothers and his family live in Louisiana. Fortunately, they made it through with little damage. But so many others....just such devastation for so many.

Sending good thoughts to all 

I am so sorry that you are having to deal with this.  My three siblings in Houston and Tomball lost power for 5+ days and one had a tree on top of her house, but that is nothing compared to your family.

Sorry I didn't see this earlier.  I was working Red Cross volunteer shelter work and then came down with a respiratory bug.  Maybe I can get back to the work tomorrow.

Be sure that all of your family applies for FEMA aid at www.fema.org.  Double check all info and have someone else proofread because you will have to call in (or email or visit) to make most changes/additions later and the phones are jammed.  A few of the fields can be modified on line - address, phone number, bank info.

After going to fema.org, click on "Apply for Assistance" (on the line just below the big FEMA letters).  Read through the info in Step #1.  Read or at least note the info available in Step #3.  Then click on "Apply Online" in Step #2.

You should now be at the "Individual Assistance Center".  Click on "Register for Assistance".  You will need a SS# and the name(s) of your home/rental insurance company (if any).

The documentation that says that you can use the SS# of a minor child may be correct, but as of Wednesday, it did not work in the on-line system.    We tried multiple times, so I hope you don't have that issue.

Keep reading and answering questions until you complete your application.  I can't give more info on this part.  I spent most of my time setting up userid's for checking on applications.  Be sure to print a copy of your application.

To set up that userid go back to the "Individual Assistance Center" and click on "Review Your Application".  Then click on "Create My Account".  Fill in the information and specify the userid you would like to use (e.g. abcde3791).  Be careful of upper and lower case.  If you entered something like your birthday incorrectly in your application, use that same incorrect info here.

It will ask you for a temporary password (be careful of upper and lower case) and for an email address.  The latter can even be a Yahoo email account.  The email you get will contain your initial PIN number.

Again go back to the "Individual Assistance Center".  There will be two of them in your history. Depending on which one you get, click on "Review Your Application" and then click on "Login Now".  --OR--  Just lick on "Login Now".

Specify your userid and your temporary password.  It will then ask for your initial/OLD PIN number.  Enter the PIN from your email.

Next you will ask for that PIN again (don't ask me why) and it will ask you to create a new PIN/password of your choosing.

Now you have a userid and a new PIN/password for viewing your application online the next time you login.  Don't forget them!!

You can contact FEMA at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or by email at FEMA-Correspondence-Unit@dhs.gov or at a Disaster Recovery Center (http://www.fema.gov/assistance/opendrcs.shtm).  Have a copy of your application handy.  In an email note your "case"(?) number.  Sorry, but I don't remember what that info is actually called on the application printout.

Applicant's Guide to the Individuals & Households Program (available in English and in Spanish) - http://www.fema.gov/assistance/process/guide.shtm

What Happens at the Inspection? - http://www.fema.gov/assistance/process/dis_assis_process.shtm

What Can I Spend the Money On? - http://www.fema.gov/assistance/process/expense_assis.shtm

I Want to Have My Case Reviewed Again - http://www.fema.gov/assistance/process/case_review.shtm 

Lots of prayers going out to you and all the others in the area.  The husband of one of the ladies I work with is approx 80 mile north of Beaumont as we speak, headed south with men and equipment to help restore electric in those areas.  He is reporting back to us about the devistation and the wonderful brave people that they have met so far.   Keep your head up!  We will be thinkng of you!

hi all...

thanks for all your good thoughts... we finally got power back at our condo last night and we have been working our butts off at my parents and grandparents house this last week... DH took a week off work and so did I and we were covered head to toe in mud just ripping up carpet and walls and throwing everything away.... my grandparents literally lost everything... yes some things can be replaced but some things cannot and all of those things were lost as well...

yes there is insurance but the mental and physical strength it takes to get through this crap is unreal... and my condo is okay... yet i still am here for my family and its still tough...

DH's dad lost a beach cabin at Crystal beach... it was completely wiped out...

We are still working really hard... insurance companies are staying on top of things THANK GOD! Just still keep us in your prayers... its been hard knowing what my family is going through.... sucks... can't wait for hurricane season to be over...

oh and FYI - the found a dead BEAR in my grandparents neighborhood... WHERE DOES A BEAR COME FROM IN SOUTHEAST TEXAS???? haha... no idea!!!!!! freaky!

So glad to hear that your electric is back on.  As of last night my friends hubby said they had gotten a lot done yesterday, WalMart has electricity as of last night where ever he is.  He said that will help many now they will be able to get food and cleaning products.  He said he was worn out as was most of their crew but they are very happy to be able to help get things back to some type of normal for those of you in the area.   I had heard this morning that they are opening schools in Houston.  That sounds like a good thing. 

Still lots of prayers coming your way!  Just remember: This to  shall pass   How fortunate that your family is so close and able to help each other out.