I talked to Cliff a short while ago and he is okay! Part of his
brother's roof flew off about 2:30 a.m. EDT and a large pecan tree at
the end of the house next to his brother's bedroom crashed down but
thankfully went a bit away from the house, missing it by 5' or so. His
brother was asleep in the room at the time, and Cliff said if the tree
had hit the house his brother wouldn't be here today. Other trees on
the property also came down, but none struck the house. Cliff said the
sound of a roof ripping off is one he will never forget. This damage
was done by a tornado that roared through their neighborhood.
He said the area looks like a war zone. Hundreds of thousands are
without power in Pensacola and Mobile (Ala.) alone, and estimates by
power companies are up to two months for it to be restored. In
Pensacola, the water and sewage treatment plants have been shut down due
to damage. Cliff saved water in every container he had, and estimates
he has enough for two weeks. (Those who do still have water service
have been told to use bleach in it or boil it due to contamination.)
The hospital where his daughter works lost the roof off the ER
department, which then flooded with about 18 inches of water. His son
took his family north, and they're in Atlanta today (I reached him
before talking to Cliff). They are trying to return to Pensacola today,
if roads are passable and they can get through roadblocks, which are set
up on every road leading into the city.
Cliff was preparing to go home when we talked, so it was a short
conversation. He was still very shaken by events of the past 24-36
hours but deeply thankful to be alive and uninjured. Trees are down
everywhere and other debris is also on the roadways, but he is
determined to get home. I warned him (okay, so I'm a mother hen at
times!!) to be very careful of downed power lines on the roadways. He
also will check on his son's home and a friend's, who fled the area to
be out of Ivan's reach.
Cliff asked me to express his deep thanks to everyone for their prayers
- they do work! He also asked that you keep his family and everyone
else in the storm's path in your prayers as it will be a long, hard
recovery.
shirley
:)