Be Prepared

Be Prepared

Submitted by Tully on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 2:46pm

Since Amba's post means it's not a secret or anything...

Pat's house has received the structural equivalent of a Michael Myers axe-lobotomy from Gustav, courtesy of a goodly-sized (ex-)tree. His friends and neighbors are salvaging his belongings for him and doing what they can to limit the water damages that come along with such a hit. (It pays to have good neighbors and be on good terms with them...) Pat's in Minnesota for the RNC and can't do a thing about it right now.

I will post no more without Pat's explicit permission, but I'm pretty sure your good thoughts and prayers are welcome. Remember that this can happen to anyone--you don't need to live in hurricane country. So keeping an emergency kit packed is not a bad idea. Nor is getting some basic applied disaster training from, say, your local branch of CERT. If you're willing to help when disaster strikes, you should learn HOW to help so that you're part of the solution, and not a well-meaning part of the problem.

Be careful out there.

UPDATE: With Pat's permission, this is what I mean by a structural Michael Myers axe-lobotomy....

OUCH

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Absolutely. Your in my prayers Pat. Stay strong.

Submitted by Rafique on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 2:59pm.

"In the world you will find tribulation, but be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world."

John 16:33

Thank you, everybody...

Submitted by Pat on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 3:53pm.

Thanks for posting the note and picture, Tully. (Sorry to let Amba "scoop" our own site!)

I've been on the phone all day figuring out a way to get back, starting the insurance process, getting data on the damage, and finding out about my dog.

The good news is that my dog, Sadie, is safe. I spoke with someone at the vet's office; they had somebody there with the animals throughout the entire storm, no trees hit them, and Sadie is safe and sound.

I've managed to find a way home on Thursday.

Many thanks to everybody for their thoughts and prayers.

Well, I could have posted,

Submitted by Tully on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 4:01pm.

Well, I could have posted, but you didn't indicate it was for public consumption. But when Amba posted it needed a note.

I'm just glad all the damage is property, and not persons or pets.

PS: That's one SOLID brick wall! I hope the roof trusses are still solid enough that a crew can get the chainsaws to work fairly quickly. Once the top of that tree is lightened up it can likely be pulled back off the house and back into its hole, if it didn't shift too far. It'll be stunted and funny-looking for some years, but could well survive--and it won't blow over again anytime soon after being topped.

My feeling precisely...

Submitted by Pat on Wed, 09/03/2008 - 2:00am.

Actually, once I got the pictures, I felt better... finding out is infinitely better than not knowing. Others have suffered far worse than this and recovered just fine. I am very blessed with many family and friends (and the best puppy in the whole world).

Giant Tree. Strong Walls

Submitted by RW Rogers (not verified) on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 4:46pm.

WoW, Pat! Hope the damage within is minimal despite appearances. The exterior is bad enough. Glad no one was hurt - looks like they might have been had you been home.

Oh my goodness

Submitted by Walrus on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 3:54pm.

That's much worse than what I imagined. Now I'm doubly glad he wasn't in the house.

The Walrus Said

Ditto. Glad to hear everyone is safe.

Submitted by Rafique on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 4:08pm.

"In the world you will find tribulation, but be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world."

John 16:33

How 'bout this: First Annual

Submitted by theobromophile on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 4:05pm.

How 'bout this: First Annual Stubborn Facts meet-up will take place at Pat's house, for a rebuilding-and-dragging-off-big-trees party?

Very glad that you, your family, and Sadie are okay. Houses (and lawns and trees) are replaceable; y'all are not.

Wow

Submitted by c3 on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 4:42pm.

I'm glad you're safe.
Chris

Damn

Submitted by Rich Horton on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 5:33pm.

That is a tough tough break. Its good to know that all of your most precious things are safe.

Good to hear from you

Submitted by Pastor_Jeff on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 7:14pm.

and know that you're safe. Thank the Lord you weren't at home when that hit. You are in our prayers here. God bless.

The pictures were just

Submitted by SimonsWife on Tue, 09/02/2008 - 7:55pm.

The pictures were just shocking. I couldn't believe it. But I'm so glad you & Sadie are safe. Wish we could do something to help other than pray & send good wishes.. :/

echo

Submitted by bucyrus on Wed, 09/03/2008 - 9:14am.

Pat, truly sorry about your misfortune, and I hope that the impending aggravation is bearable and not too all-consuming. I'm also cheered to hear that the damage is confined to property, and I hope that none of your prized possessions, the irreplaceable ones whatever they may be, have been ruined.

Boy those trees look heavy. Even though I am a big gardener with many plants, trees, and shrubs that bring me pleasure, I'd be reluctant to give any such tree a 2nd chance to topple on my house. That's a nice suggestion that Tully makes, and one that only the owner can make. But I confess that the first idea that springs to mind for me is fire wood. :-)

OR maybe, given your dabbling with woodworking, a project is in order. It would be fun to say "oh, and here's a table I made from the tree that crushed my house."
_________
I have often said, and oftener think, that this world is a comedy for those who think, and a tragedy for those who feel. -Horace Walpole

Um, I've seen the other

Submitted by Tully on Wed, 09/03/2008 - 9:30am.

Um, I've seen the other pictures, and he's not going to have any lack of firewood for a while. That's not the only tree down, it's just the one that did the major damage. And topping it will provide plenty as well. Nor will it grow UP again much after being topped, if it lives. What would be really nice is if it doesn't take a cherry-picker and full crew to get it off of there.

yup

Submitted by bucyrus on Wed, 09/03/2008 - 10:49am.

I want to be clear that I'm not questioning what you are pointing out. I know the price of such equipment can be really high, and cost will certainly be a factor for whoever's paying.

My general thinking (and this is obviously my own mileage) is that while ideally you'd try to avoid having trees big enough to smash your house near enough to do so, that's not always remotely practical even if you happen to agree with the initial precept. And it's not even a "precept" if the trees were there first, LOL!

One worry though, is that at least some of the stronger roots that used to hold this tree in place may have been severed, in which case, if the tree does topple again, it is likely to fall the same way unless measure are taken.

Again, absolutely not questioning what you are pointing out. It's indeed a shame when a big beautiful old tree falls, and any owner is well-served to consider how its absence will change the character of the yard. Besides, Pat's the only measuring stick who matters here, and some folks like shade more than others.

If it happens to be an oak tree though, I won't mourn its loss. Between the acorns and the late leaf drop, you can have 'em.
__________
I have often said, and oftener think, that this world is a comedy for those who think, and a tragedy for those who feel. -Horace Walpole

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Absolutely. Your in my prayers Pat. Stay strong.

Thank you, everybody...

Well, I could have posted,

My feeling precisely...

Giant Tree. Strong Walls

Oh my goodness

Ditto. Glad to hear everyone is safe.

How 'bout this: First Annual

Wow

Damn

Good to hear from you

The pictures were just

echo

Um, I've seen the other

yup

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