Experiencing admin | 18 Sep 2009
Hurricane Ivan-5 Years Later
This week marks the 5 year anniversary of Hurricane Ivan. Ivan landed in Gulf Shores, Alabama in the middle of the night (why do hurricanes always hit land in the middle of the night?!) putting Pensacola on the right and dangerous side (in terms of storm surge, winds, and tornadoes) of the hurricane. We had decided to stick it out at home because for awhile it did not look like this hurricane was going to be as dangerous as it was. The hurricane looked like it was going to veer off in another direction and did not seem like it was going to maintain its speed and strength. We are not in a flood or an evacuation zone. We cleaned out the hall closet, which is where my 4 week old stayed in his bouncy seat and the rest of the family spread out in the rooms with internal walls. We were well-prepared. One thing I have found living in hurricane central is that not everyone prepares! They wait until the last minute to purchase supplies, etc. I grew up in California where we always had an earthquake supply kit, so hurricane supplies come second nature! After Ivan hit, we stepped out to survey the damage…
Ivan is often overshadowed by Hurricane Katrina, which we all know hit a year later and devastated New Orleans. However, Ivan did its fair share of damage. Casinos were severly damaged, the neighborhoods and schools near to and far from the water were all but wiped away. In Pensacola, the beach homes had storm surge that filled the first floors. They were scraping mud and sea life from their homes for weeks. There were trees in homes and on top of cars. The homes on the hospital grid got power within the first two or three days, but a lot of the city didn’t receive power for several weeks. Water was not potable and schools were out for about 4 weeks as families put their homes and lives back together. There were bridges to main parts of town that were no longer passable so getting anywhere took hours. You couldn’t go anywhere because the city was on a curfew. Even if we had wanted to, it took awhile because a giant oak tree had to be cut out of the road before I could leave my neighborhood. My family was very lucky compared to some of our friends and aquaintances. We were lucky enough to only sustain about 15,000 dollars worth of damage to our house but with a 27 day old son, things afterwards were trying on us. Our house has no cross breeze so while we had no power, we camped in the front yard. I pumped breast milk in the car using the car adapter. We boiled the bottles to clean them. Luckily, we had enough diapers and formula because stores didn’t open for a long time. I was amazed at how quickly the community banded together. After 5 days, we finally gave up and sat for hours to get out of Pensacola to head to Jacksonville, Florida to visit friends for about 10 days. On the drive, my heart swelled whenever we drove past an emergency or construction convoy headed back towards Pensacola to help out.
What does this have to do with travel? Since the major hurricanes hit, these cities have been trying very hard to put themselves back together. Tourism was down in the beginning but it is picking itself back up again. Restaurants and attractions, both new and old, are thriving. If you are planning a vacation in the United States, may I suggest a trip to the beautiful Gulf Coast?
With Pensacola’s rich history (you did know that we were technically the first settlement 450 years ago but a hurricane wiped it away so St. Augustine is considered the longest continuous settlement, right?!?!), Mobile’s Mardi Gras, Gulf Shores beautiful beaches, Biloxi’s casinos, and New Orleans amazing food and culture, you can find something for everyone. If you are coming our way, give us a holler…we will give y’all the grand tour!
Thanks to Debbie at DeliciousBaby for hosting Photo Friday. Stop by to check out other Photo Friday posts!
on 18 Sep 2009 at 8:37 am 1.Glennia said …
I went to Louisiana a month after Katrina, so I saw some of the hurricane aftermath firsthand. I think you’re right, there were a number of others before and since then that left communities devastated that really didn’t get much attention. The Gulf Coast is one of our national treasures, and I think we should support that region’s rebuilding it’s tourist industry. Thanks for the reminder.
on 18 Sep 2009 at 8:53 am 2.maria said …
I can’t even begin to imagine what it must be like to live through a hurricane or a natural disaster that wrecks your home, let alone with a 27 day old baby! thank goodness you were prepared with supplies.
The beach in the last picture looks very inviting, with beaches so beautiful I am sure tourism will pick up again very soon.
on 18 Sep 2009 at 9:01 am 3.Sarah V. said …
Oh my gosh. I can’t imagine going through something like that, especially with a baby.
Which beach is that in the last picture? Looks lovely!
on 18 Sep 2009 at 9:23 am 4.Bridget Smith said …
How bittersweet that we are remembering two very different anniversary’s today. I’m so glad you wrote this post. It is so true about tourism and how it can reinvigorate a region that has been hard hit. I lived in Santa Cruz after the earthquake and it was amazing to see the transportation in downtown. Tourism played a major role in that transformation. If I ever get brave enough to take all the kids on a plane. I’ll keep your hometown in mind.
-Bridget
on 18 Sep 2009 at 11:21 am 5.Amy @ The Q Family said …
Great post!!! And I admitted I didn’t know about Pensacola’s history as being the first settlement.
Your post really hits home for me. We lived in West Palm Beach during the peak of hurricanes year and we got some damage and lived through what you have described as well. However, our experience is nothing comparing to what you guys had been through.
And yes, I would love to go back to visit the Gulf Coast again. New Orleans, Pensacola, Gulf Shores are all on my to-do.
on 18 Sep 2009 at 3:32 pm 6.Travel With Kids said …
Great post. I’ve not been to this area for many years (certainly not since the hurricanes hit), but would love to return. And many thanks for mentioning my blog as part of Travel Blogger Tuesday.
on 18 Sep 2009 at 9:31 pm 7.Lorraine said …
I like this post – it provides detail and context, and leaves us on a positive note suggesting a visit to the Gulf Coast. What an incredible story about caring for a newborn during a natural disaster – unreal. Thanks for relaying this.
on 19 Sep 2009 at 6:20 am 8.Dominique said …
Wow…it seems to take so long to come back from big disasters like this.
The white sand beach does look lovely…just the kind of place I’d love to just walk for hours
on 19 Sep 2009 at 1:31 pm 9.Carolina said …
Thanks for sharing this story, and you’re right we don’t want to expect disaster but life and nature happen. Good reminder to prepare for these things.
And I’ve got the Gulf Coast on my radar for a vacation sometime in the next few years.
on 20 Sep 2009 at 9:06 am 10.jessiev said …
i’ve been to mobile’s mardi gras, years and years ago. loved it! you’re right – these natural disasters do much more than physical damage. those photos are incredibly sad.
on 20 Sep 2009 at 9:47 am 11.Sharlene said …
I lived through days without power and services after the Northridge Earthquake in California and I can’t even imagine doing it with a newborn. It is amazing what wind and water can do to an entire community. Mother Nature will always have the ultimate say in life won’t she?
on 01 Oct 2009 at 7:58 am 12.admin said …
Glennia-The Gulf Coast truly is a treasure!
Maria-It was trying but brought us closer together as a family!
Sarah V.- That beach picture was taken on Pensacola Beach, FL…some of the most beautiful beaches for sure!
Bridget-Throw em all on the plane…they will have a blast!
Amy-Definitely come visit us soon!
Travel With Kids-You’re welcome!
Lorraine-Thanks so much!
Dominique-You could walk for hours and hours and see something different in every spot. It is wonderful!
Carolina-If you come this way let me know! We will give you the grand tour!
JessieV-Nobody does Mardi Gras like Mobile!
Sharlene-So true…Mother Nature sees to have the last word!
on 11 Apr 2010 at 9:48 pm 13.Melissa said …
I was in Florida for Ivan. I can’t believe it’s been 5 years! I was in South Florida. We did not incur a lot of damage, although there were a lot of blown out windows. What I remember most was everyone’s power being out. The entirety of South Florida was blacked out for a few days. It was insane!