I haven't updated since I was able to have other distractions lately. Its been almost three months and I still haven't been able to start on the kitchen, yet. My insurance company sent me a check for $15,000, but that will scarcely cover the $30,000 worth of damage that was done.
I haven't really been able to cook a meal at home since the storm. My diet has been suffering as a result of it. I will be sharing my Post-Hurricane survival tips in the comings days and weeks.
Since the weather has finally started to turn, I have been using the wood burning stove in my shop as a primary source of heat. I haven't returned to using the interior of my home for much of anything except sleep, shower, laundry, and potty. The upside of this is that the majority of my bills have plummeted. Everything except my phone and internet. It is constant no matter how much you use.
I also learned that you can save a ton of money if you have a hot water heater. Every morning, I wake up at 6am, turn the knob on my gas water heater to on and go back to bed. In 30 minutes, at 6:30am, I get up and take a hot shower. Once I'm done, I go back and shut the knob to vacation (or down) and effectively turn it off. The water stays hot enough for my evening shower and doesn't run all day long! My gas bill went from $38-$85/mo to $7.87 last month. Of course, I can't use my stove, but still! If you have an electric water heater, you save money by having an electrician install an electric timer.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Friday, September 19, 2008
Sycamore comes DOWN!
Hey guy & gal!
The sycamore was brought down today. So sad to see it go.
Waited in line for 45 minutes at Gateway today. Got a tarp for my house and one for my shop. Its supposed to rain today. Didn't want another flood in the house.
I did get a really incredible photo of what we're guessing is a banana spider. He's taken up residence on my a/c by my back door. It hasn't been on in over a week. I guess he's safe for now. Check him out. I call it "spider love".
kevin
The sycamore was brought down today. So sad to see it go.
Waited in line for 45 minutes at Gateway today. Got a tarp for my house and one for my shop. Its supposed to rain today. Didn't want another flood in the house.
I did get a really incredible photo of what we're guessing is a banana spider. He's taken up residence on my a/c by my back door. It hasn't been on in over a week. I guess he's safe for now. Check him out. I call it "spider love".
kevin
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Hurricane Ike the next day
This video is from Saturday, but power has been intermittent here at best. This is around 10 am after Ike had passed over (for the most part). It shows some of the damage & strangeness in Beaumont, TX.
The Sycamore
I am apparently obsessed with this sycamore tree. I found out it is used in guitar veneers, furniture, butchers blocks, and flooring. I think I may try to get this machined into usable pieces.
I am figuring I can make cabinets to replace the ones I lost, a dresser for my bedroom, a matching four poster bed, and perhaps even hardwood floor to make up for the floor I will inevitably have to replace. I may continue this blog as recovery continues. Its not just a quick thing.
I got the tree off my kitchen with help from the good people at Coastal Pools and my neighbor. Its amazing what a tractor and a Stihl chainsaw can do to a huge oak tree in just a few short hours.
Here is an image of the moon Tuesday night.
I am figuring I can make cabinets to replace the ones I lost, a dresser for my bedroom, a matching four poster bed, and perhaps even hardwood floor to make up for the floor I will inevitably have to replace. I may continue this blog as recovery continues. Its not just a quick thing.
I got the tree off my kitchen with help from the good people at Coastal Pools and my neighbor. Its amazing what a tractor and a Stihl chainsaw can do to a huge oak tree in just a few short hours.
Here is an image of the moon Tuesday night. Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Kevin's house updates
I have edited a few more photos from the tree that fell behind my house. It was around a 100' foot tall sycamore. It was beautiful and glorious with white branches that stretched toward the heavens with opening arms. Now, it resides sideways in the most unfashionable of positions.
Apparently, sycamore is a wonderful wood for interior furniture, veneers, and guitars. I would love to reduce this loss into something beautiful. I will be willing to share this incredible tree if someone can help make it into blocks for butcher blocks, sheets for furniture, tops for tables, and possibly legs for chairs and tables. I really can't bear to see this tree go to waste.
The oak that fell on my house has already been designated for firewood for the wood burning stove that heats the shop and for smoking wood for the BBQ. Yum!
I really wanted to put an incredible tree house in the sycamore. That'll never happen now. I just didn't realize that by wishing for a tree house, it might get reinterpreted as wanting a tree ON my house. Ah well...
Enjoy the fading beauty...
Apparently, sycamore is a wonderful wood for interior furniture, veneers, and guitars. I would love to reduce this loss into something beautiful. I will be willing to share this incredible tree if someone can help make it into blocks for butcher blocks, sheets for furniture, tops for tables, and possibly legs for chairs and tables. I really can't bear to see this tree go to waste.
The oak that fell on my house has already been designated for firewood for the wood burning stove that heats the shop and for smoking wood for the BBQ. Yum!
I really wanted to put an incredible tree house in the sycamore. That'll never happen now. I just didn't realize that by wishing for a tree house, it might get reinterpreted as wanting a tree ON my house. Ah well...
Enjoy the fading beauty...
Here comes the calvary!
Just yesterday, I went by the house to check out how bad its become. The smell is INCREDIBLE!
Cooley went and bought a 7000 watt generator because he was tired of living without A/C. As much as I hate the Sam Walden line of stores including Wal-mart, I do appreciate the television, wireless internet, hot water, and A/C.
Entergy showed up in full force yesterday as linemen from all around the country staged at Parkdale Mall. It seems like it will only be a matter of days instead of weeks until power is restored.
I've already seen power around Roger's Park, downtown Beaumont, 105, and others. Market Basket, Kroger, and HEB have gotten back online and are servicing the area. At least in Beaumont they are. Numerous gas stations have also been open for business and gas lines have shortened dramatically. I would be really surprised if the local economy isn't kicking in just a few days.
If you are needing reconstruction, I recommend you call Herrin Homes, Inc at 409-755-0430. If you have a pool problem, contact Coastal Pools, Inc at 409-880-5723. Both companies are not interested in doing estimates, only work. In this time of crisis, estimates only slow companies and add unneccesary costs. Please keep in mind that companies do you a favor when doing a quote for free and it is customary to give this company your business when insurance money comes in. If you intend on doing the work yourself, please do the right thing and give the quoting company some money if you decide NOT to use them. Its the right and honest thing to do. Don't steal. This economy will be hard enough for all of us.
Click on the photo above to get a full view of all the activity at Parkdale
Cooley went and bought a 7000 watt generator because he was tired of living without A/C. As much as I hate the Sam Walden line of stores including Wal-mart, I do appreciate the television, wireless internet, hot water, and A/C.
Entergy showed up in full force yesterday as linemen from all around the country staged at Parkdale Mall. It seems like it will only be a matter of days instead of weeks until power is restored.
I've already seen power around Roger's Park, downtown Beaumont, 105, and others. Market Basket, Kroger, and HEB have gotten back online and are servicing the area. At least in Beaumont they are. Numerous gas stations have also been open for business and gas lines have shortened dramatically. I would be really surprised if the local economy isn't kicking in just a few days.
If you are needing reconstruction, I recommend you call Herrin Homes, Inc at 409-755-0430. If you have a pool problem, contact Coastal Pools, Inc at 409-880-5723. Both companies are not interested in doing estimates, only work. In this time of crisis, estimates only slow companies and add unneccesary costs. Please keep in mind that companies do you a favor when doing a quote for free and it is customary to give this company your business when insurance money comes in. If you intend on doing the work yourself, please do the right thing and give the quoting company some money if you decide NOT to use them. Its the right and honest thing to do. Don't steal. This economy will be hard enough for all of us.
Click on the photo above to get a full view of all the activity at ParkdaleSunday, September 14, 2008
Hurricane Ike - the aftermath
You've already seen a few of the photos, here's some of our damage. Of course, it pales in the comparison to the devastation our fellow Texans in Galveston witnessed. The loss of life from refusal to evacuate will be tremendous, I fear. It is only an inability to correctly assess our own mortality that keeps us from making good decisions like leaving a storm damaged area.
Me personally? I have enough food to last for at least a week and a half. I'll be tired of peanut butter and crackers and will probably be willing to kill for a steak, but the experience will deepen my understanding of humanity and his depths. The knowledge I'll gain from this will far outweigh the agony I may suffer. This is the logic I used.
I knew there existed the possibility of damage to my home and accepted it. It turns out there was damage and I've accepted it. While not fun, I can't change it. It would have happened whether I was here or further away.
Since I have stayed, I have family and friends close to me to assist and assist me. As I'm typing this, I'm quite comfortable in a small living room with several couches, fans, an air cooler, a generator, satellite cable on an LCD TV, and DSL internet connection. You see, we also prepared.
I am grateful for the friends I have to share this hurricane fallout with. A best friend of mine for 12 years and the little sister of another of my best friends (of whom I'm going to be best man in his wedding), Cooley & Christen are offering additional support.
I hope you think not of us as lunatics as much as curiosities of the human psyche. What makes a man choose the paths he does which can prove to be a more formidable challenge than taking the easier path with less troubles? I believe these are the things that forge a man. These are the things that bind humanity. These are the horrors that define us.
Cooley has tried to prepare me for the next few weeks as rations run short, food runs out, water becomes scarce, gasoline becomes a hot commodity.... I've heard reports of gas selling at close to $5 a gallon elsewhere in the country. Is that true?
Is anyone listening?
VIDEO: Cooley shows Saturday morning Ike "aftermath" 9:00am
Me personally? I have enough food to last for at least a week and a half. I'll be tired of peanut butter and crackers and will probably be willing to kill for a steak, but the experience will deepen my understanding of humanity and his depths. The knowledge I'll gain from this will far outweigh the agony I may suffer. This is the logic I used.
I knew there existed the possibility of damage to my home and accepted it. It turns out there was damage and I've accepted it. While not fun, I can't change it. It would have happened whether I was here or further away.
Since I have stayed, I have family and friends close to me to assist and assist me. As I'm typing this, I'm quite comfortable in a small living room with several couches, fans, an air cooler, a generator, satellite cable on an LCD TV, and DSL internet connection. You see, we also prepared.
I am grateful for the friends I have to share this hurricane fallout with. A best friend of mine for 12 years and the little sister of another of my best friends (of whom I'm going to be best man in his wedding), Cooley & Christen are offering additional support.
I hope you think not of us as lunatics as much as curiosities of the human psyche. What makes a man choose the paths he does which can prove to be a more formidable challenge than taking the easier path with less troubles? I believe these are the things that forge a man. These are the things that bind humanity. These are the horrors that define us.
Cooley has tried to prepare me for the next few weeks as rations run short, food runs out, water becomes scarce, gasoline becomes a hot commodity.... I've heard reports of gas selling at close to $5 a gallon elsewhere in the country. Is that true?
Is anyone listening?
VIDEO: Cooley shows Saturday morning Ike "aftermath" 9:00am
Kevin climbs a tree
Yesterday, we drove by my house with a chainsaw and ill intentions. There is a tree on my house, and I intend on removing it. Unfortunately, my lineage does not include lumberjacks, merely carpenters. I can put it together, but I'm not going to try and move 2 tons of oak tree. Just not a good idea.
I did, however believe myself capable of removing a few simple limbs from my carport. My nickname used to be squirrel. I KNOW how to climb trees.... I just had on the wrong shoes!
VIDEO:Kevin attempts to dislodge a branch.
I did, however believe myself capable of removing a few simple limbs from my carport. My nickname used to be squirrel. I KNOW how to climb trees.... I just had on the wrong shoes!
VIDEO:Kevin attempts to dislodge a branch.
Hurricane Ike watch - In the eye
Here is a video from yesterday after we lost power. Cooley takes his Chevy 4x4 out into the storm again.
VIDEO: Cooley takes the truck out in the Hurricane to see whats happening.
VIDEO: Cooley takes the truck out in the Hurricane to see whats happening.
Hurricane Ike carport story
It was a bit of a wild night. Around 3 o'clock, I had to go to bed, but Cooley stayed up and did a few more videos. That Panasonic SDR-S10 is just about perfect for these storm shoots. Its water resistant, just not very good at night.
VIDEO: Kevin tells what just happened to the porch cover
VIDEO: Kevin tells what just happened to the porch cover
Ike Makes Landfall
I'm finally getting a chance to update the video you missed out on in since yesterday. Enjoy!
Here's video of Cooley braving the storm.
Here's video of Cooley braving the storm.
We got wireless!!
Cooley hooked the wireless router to the generator, so now we're back in business!
We were out for about 8 hours. Hope you didn't miss us too much.
After I'm done uploading everything, we're going to take a tour of the town and see what is open and bring you some photos and video of what other people are experiencing. I don't see this getting better anytime soon. If you're gone, stay that way. Its not going to be pretty and I'm not just talking about my face :)
AT&T cell phone service continued working throughout the storm. Verizon was intermittent but is now back up. 3G service for iPhones is currently down also. Sprint was down and may remain so. Same for T-mobile. No new word on if they're working again.
We still have water, but have been asked to conserve it. My bathtub and Cooley's have been filled to help flush the toilet if necessary. Please know that running water should be out soon for Beaumont.
I've also heard rumor that officials may be trying to force out people by shutting down essential services and forbidding companies to open for business. That could prove quite detrimental to the economy in this area.
kevin
We were out for about 8 hours. Hope you didn't miss us too much.
After I'm done uploading everything, we're going to take a tour of the town and see what is open and bring you some photos and video of what other people are experiencing. I don't see this getting better anytime soon. If you're gone, stay that way. Its not going to be pretty and I'm not just talking about my face :)
AT&T cell phone service continued working throughout the storm. Verizon was intermittent but is now back up. 3G service for iPhones is currently down also. Sprint was down and may remain so. Same for T-mobile. No new word on if they're working again.
We still have water, but have been asked to conserve it. My bathtub and Cooley's have been filled to help flush the toilet if necessary. Please know that running water should be out soon for Beaumont.
I've also heard rumor that officials may be trying to force out people by shutting down essential services and forbidding companies to open for business. That could prove quite detrimental to the economy in this area.
kevin
Saturday, September 13, 2008
More updates
Interior damage to my kitchenOkay, so it seems that sewer has been shut off. If you're thinking of coming back, don't. If you're already here and know of anything open, please let me know. I did hear that Lucky Liquor on College claimed they would open today power or not. Don't know if that helps. lol
We thank you so much for keeping us in your hearts and prayers. Your comments encourage us and let us know we are doing something people are interested in. We will be updating until its over and a semblance of normalcy has returned. Either that or people stop coming here. We're up over 5000 hits and this page just started YESTERDAY!
Thanks again.
Please leave comments of store openings if you know of any.
Around noon, the scavengers showed up to collect all the tin blown off the roofs and carports. This tin may be yours!
Finally able to post
Well, we definitely lost power last night. Completely. I was able to get an update off to this website this morning concerning what we knew about our situation.
Now I have photos and updates.
It looks like all of Beaumont is without power. Lines are down everywhere and so are trees and limbs. There seems to be a lot of wind damage and minimal flooding.
Elsewhere in the area, its a different story. Most of Bridge City is under water. West Orange has 2' - 3' feet of water. Up to 4 million people in this region are without power. Well, their homes are at least.
My house ended up with a tree through the kitchen. The photos are coming. We'll be updating the video once we have a better or faster or more efficient connection. Right now, I'm updating in the truck under the carport with a phone line run from the house. My power is coming from a power inverter in the truck. I told you we'd find a way!
Umbrella in a Hurricane
I don't really have to explain this one. Or explain how stupid it was to do in 70 mph winds. Or tell you not to try this unless you are suicidal, mental, or quite possibly both.
This post for you, Grant.
Video: Cooley's Umbrella in a Hurricane
This post for you, Grant.
Video: Cooley's Umbrella in a Hurricane
Friday, September 12, 2008
Welcoming the Eye
Here we are again, sports fans!
More video of the craziness.
VIDEO: 1am update before landfall
More video of the craziness.
VIDEO: 1am update before landfall
Everythings going out
We have one building with power still on. I hope its the one I have been hijacking. Please leave comments. Call it an epitaph.
Found this on the Weather.com website. Its their interactive radar. Ummm..... we're in Beaumont. In a truck.
Kevin out.
Found this on the Weather.com website. Its their interactive radar. Ummm..... we're in Beaumont. In a truck.
Kevin out.
Pressure change headache
Wow. I can feel it now. The pressure completely changed and I feel almost like I'm being strangled. My sinus are compacted and I'm getting a headache.
Yep, the winds are picking up more, now. I hope that pressure change isn't indicative of some greater catastrophe.
Bout to lose power.
Yep, the winds are picking up more, now. I hope that pressure change isn't indicative of some greater catastrophe.
Bout to lose power.
Oh my God!
The gusts of wind are hitting the truck and making me think it might flip over. My pulse is racing and my heart is thumping. This is STUPID!
EDIT:
Cooley: I'm not scared and I don't care. I'll walk around in this. I want some of that crazy wind to come and I'll walk around like some native. I'm not scared.
EDIT:
Cooley: I'm not scared and I don't care. I'll walk around in this. I want some of that crazy wind to come and I'll walk around like some native. I'm not scared.
Do you believe in bad omens?
Cooley's trip odometer is currently reading 66.6 miles as we sit here trying to update one final video. He's taking a picture.
VIDEO: Kevin battles the rain & loses
This appears to be the calm before the storm. That REALLY bothers me.
Cooley's Devil Odometer. We're going to die.
VIDEO: Kevin battles the rain & loses
This appears to be the calm before the storm. That REALLY bothers me.
Cooley's Devil Odometer. We're going to die.And the rains come down!
Okay, I dried off, and I have to admit my mother would be pretty disappointed with my recent actions. Getting drenched in hurricane force downpours and updating a website around midnite while jacking a signal from the neighbors that still have power isn't exactly her idea of a good time. Guess it good that its mine, huh?
Well, the truck is shaking and I'm trying to upload another video for you to enjoy. Thanks for stopping by!
VIDEO: Cooley shows a lull & reports on flooding
Well, the truck is shaking and I'm trying to upload another video for you to enjoy. Thanks for stopping by!
VIDEO: Cooley shows a lull & reports on flooding
Power's Out, but we're still on!
I simply love hijacking a signal. Hopefully it holds. Transformers are blowing. Gotta upload quick!
What a WIND!
Yep, the rains REALLY picked up now. Its dumping BUCKETS. I'm talking about feet per minute! We're getting a little anxious here now. A little giddy. A little humbled. A little scared.... hold me.
VIDEO: Kevin with early Ike Watch before landfall
VIDEO: Kevin with early Ike Watch before landfall
This is blowing UP!
Thanks for all your views! We didn't know this would prove so popular when we started it. I just uploaded a statcounter five minutes ago and we are already above 30 page views! Incredible. At this rate, we'll have 1000's in just a few hours. Let's go viral, baby! New video coming soon.
UPDATE: Still have power and dish came back.
UPDATE: Still have power and dish came back.
Wind Update
Seems like our friend Ike has gotten a little angrier here. Just read on NOAA.gov that Beaumont is guaranteed to have up to 70 mph sustained winds. Not good. There go a few roofs and carports. Hope you didn't have any. Oops. There go the lights fluctuating.
We're probably about to lose dish cable. Good thing we have hand crank (leave the easy pervert joke alone) light with disco function (video later) and battery powered television.
Till then.
CORRECTION: Just LOST dish.
We're probably about to lose dish cable. Good thing we have hand crank (leave the easy pervert joke alone) light with disco function (video later) and battery powered television.
Till then.
CORRECTION: Just LOST dish.
Last time for lights, baby!
Update!
Here come the rains.
It finally started raining. Sounds great outside. Having a little trouble with the video converter, but I think we got it. Thanks to all of you offering your support for two morons making the best of a stupid decision. We really appreciate it.
Please, please, PLEASE tell your friends about our little corner of the internet. Don't let our deaths be in vain!
Here come the rains.
It finally started raining. Sounds great outside. Having a little trouble with the video converter, but I think we got it. Thanks to all of you offering your support for two morons making the best of a stupid decision. We really appreciate it.
Please, please, PLEASE tell your friends about our little corner of the internet. Don't let our deaths be in vain!
We're in the news!
Hey, check out these links! Thanks to local news for acknowledging the small guys.
A mention on Beaumont Enterprise.com
A link on KFDM.com
Thanks again! Please leave comments & take our poll. Tell EVERYONE about us poor idiots.
kevin
A mention on Beaumont Enterprise.com
A link on KFDM.com
Thanks again! Please leave comments & take our poll. Tell EVERYONE about us poor idiots.
kevin
Potential problems of a Hurricane
Here is an example of why you lose power in a hurricane:
Plant arching.
Plant arching.
Hurricane Ike sunset
Okay guys & gals,
New update. No new news. Just waiting for this baby to make landfall. Our brethren in Galveston have my prayers as well as my empathy. No sympathy here, cause ya'll shoulda frikkin' left. Still, I can't help but empathize on what you're going through. You stupidly didn't leave like me. I empathize with you.
In the meantime, enjoy wind. Watch the video.
New update. No new news. Just waiting for this baby to make landfall. Our brethren in Galveston have my prayers as well as my empathy. No sympathy here, cause ya'll shoulda frikkin' left. Still, I can't help but empathize on what you're going through. You stupidly didn't leave like me. I empathize with you.
In the meantime, enjoy wind. Watch the video.
4:45 and windy as ell...
Ike Watch 2008
I've arrived at Cooley's. Its just a few hours away from the 8 o'clock curfew. I hope all you hardcore party goers know you'll get pulled over and ARRESTED if the police catch you out. It would be really bad if you add a DWI to the mix. Just saying.
It would appear I was wrong about the water shortage. Beaumont WILL NOT be shutting off water at 8 pm. You should still fill your tubs with water, though.
Enjoy the first of our video reports. Brought to you by the good people at Mythical Forest Studios.
I've arrived at Cooley's. Its just a few hours away from the 8 o'clock curfew. I hope all you hardcore party goers know you'll get pulled over and ARRESTED if the police catch you out. It would be really bad if you add a DWI to the mix. Just saying.
It would appear I was wrong about the water shortage. Beaumont WILL NOT be shutting off water at 8 pm. You should still fill your tubs with water, though.
Enjoy the first of our video reports. Brought to you by the good people at Mythical Forest Studios.
Hurricane A Cometh!
Well, woke up this morning to find out that Mr. Hurricane Ike is heading right towards this area.
Now, I live in Beaumont, Texas which is about 60 miles east of Galveston. The news is predicting Ike to land this evening. Local city governments have ordered mandatory evacuations of coastal areas and low lying areas. They are predicting 10-12 foot storm surges that could inundate the local cities of Port Arthur, Groves, & Crystal Beach.
As of noon CST, we are having some incredible cloud coverage with really fast moving clouds. I heard on the news that they have closed most overpasses in anticipation of 40-60 mph Tropical Storm Force winds.
I am moving my base of operations to my co-patriot Cooley's house. He has a generator and multiple charging points for the computer.
I have many methods of being able to track this storm including photos, video, & text. I will be bringing you as up-to-date information as I have available as often as possible. Please leave comments as other than this, we are going to be bored as hell!
This photo was taken five minutes ago. At noon.
Yours,
Kevin Herrin
Now, I live in Beaumont, Texas which is about 60 miles east of Galveston. The news is predicting Ike to land this evening. Local city governments have ordered mandatory evacuations of coastal areas and low lying areas. They are predicting 10-12 foot storm surges that could inundate the local cities of Port Arthur, Groves, & Crystal Beach.
As of noon CST, we are having some incredible cloud coverage with really fast moving clouds. I heard on the news that they have closed most overpasses in anticipation of 40-60 mph Tropical Storm Force winds.
I am moving my base of operations to my co-patriot Cooley's house. He has a generator and multiple charging points for the computer.
I have many methods of being able to track this storm including photos, video, & text. I will be bringing you as up-to-date information as I have available as often as possible. Please leave comments as other than this, we are going to be bored as hell!
This photo was taken five minutes ago. At noon.Yours,
Kevin Herrin
1 pm and holding.
I just heard that as of 8pm this evening, the city of Beaumont will be shutting off water & sewer services. All residents are advised to fill a bath tub or two with water to flush toilets, wash your face, brush your teeth, etc. This joins the city of Groves and Port Arthur in water shut offs.
I just traveled to my job to pick up some more ice. 75# of it, sponsored by Coastal Pools. Gonna head to Cooley's in a few minutes. Here's some photos I snapped on the way.
From top to bottom:
A lone evacuee trying it on foot
Walmart ghost town
Dowlen and Parkdale mall
Dowlen & Eastex Freeway
TIME: 1 pm
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
