Hurricane Charley was a fairly fast moving storm. I think that fact probally saved some of us from more damage. Some were left with something, others nothing!!!!
An erie silence greeted us as we ventured out side. Charleys devastation was overwhelming !
Broken trees and branches were in the road and all over our lawn. Large spidery roots protruded from fallen grotesque trunks. Our floating dock lay on the grassy bank, supported by two Malaluka trees. Crumpled pieces of metal lay strewn about the ground. The arbor and picnic table had been crushed by a huge pine. Another broken tree lay in the center of our utility shed. Shingles from over half our roof were everywhere, sofit and fascia had been ripped away.
The twisted TV antenna hung at an odd angle attached to the house by only a thin strip of metal.The pipes to our well had been broken by falling objects. Part of our back lanai had been pierced by a large branch.
Our daughter and her family who live next door, came out to survey Charleys destruction. Their back lanai had sailed over their house into the palmettos across the street during the raging hurricane. The furniture remained as it had been placed on the lanai.
There was a large hole in their roof, many shingles were missing.
A twisted metal lanai door lay wedged high in a pine tree across the street, serving as a grim reminder of the hurricanes wrath.
We all hugged each other, thankful to be alive and unhurt. A massive clean up job lay before us, and I wondered how we'd ever get it done.
As the sun began to slide beneath the horizan, feelings of isloation and
dispair overwhelmed us. We were together, yet alone. We wondered what tomorrow would bring.
