Comments on: 28 Years Ago Today

By: Chuck Cage

Chuck Cage — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 14:11:02 +0000

Slade: Nope, the lathes and mill were fine, as were most of the large tools. Small items were the most at risk, though many of them were still present — though often tossed into some weird places. Large items were the least likely to get “carried away,” but large furniture tended to end up broken or otherwise damaged.

One of the big surprises was how much was recoverable with some hard work. Like I mentioned, we recovered almost all our personal items, though we never did find the roof. Everything above the ceiling was gone.

Troy: Many people share the kind of attitude you’re talking about — we just don’t see it on TV much because it doesn’t make good “news.” We saw a lot of the good and bad side of humanity in the days immediately following the storm. There was looting. Many people slept on their porches with a shotgun to prevent that sort of thing, and everyone quickly learned to a) wear bright clothes, b) don’t go out at night, and c) announce yourself loudly and don’t step on others’ property until you’ve received a response. But we also saw a lot of people helping each other.

By: Slade

Slade — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 09:00:49 +0000

Wow! That kind of stuff always happens to other people, right?

Ummm, so what about the lathes? Did they disappear?

By: Troy

Troy — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 16:13:12 +0000

Wow. I am blown away. Thank you for sharing this. I am struck by the level of detail that you are able to convey, I’m sure this will always be a very vivid memory. I’m also inspired by the attitude of your family. The sense of ownership, you didn’t ask for it but it was your trial. Accepting the situation and dealing with it, and from the sound of it making it better. It is very motivating. It’s a wonderful attitude that I feel we are very much lacking in today’s self absorbed America.
I LOVE THIS SITE, I read it EVERY DAY!!! Thank you.

By: Jim D

Jim D — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 21:25:25 +0000

Thank you for sharing. You remind me of the tornado in Edmonton, Alberta about the same time. We were spared but 27 people around us lost their lives. My wife and I spent the next three weeks helping a group started by some welfare recipients collecting and distributing everything from furniture to toilet paper to those who needed help.
My most vibrant memory is of the Mayor who came in with a photo crew, grabbed a cart from a worker, had his picture taken holding the cart and then left.

By: Scraper

Scraper — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 20:21:01 +0000

Thanks for sharing. Hearing a first-hand account always puts a different perspective on things. Glad to know everything worked out in the end.

By: TimG

TimG — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 19:27:05 +0000

Thanks for sharing, always good to learn from other’s experiances.

I’m glad you guys made it alright and have learned a good deal from that experiance yourself.

Tim