Monday, September 22, 2008

More Ike damage reports from Phil and Dot Welch

More from Dot and Phil Welch about their loss in IKE.

i Lee & David, D/21 Bridge and Billie:

Here is our first report about our situation. I was getting withdrawal pains from the computer and all my murder mystery shows. I am doing much better now that we have electricity in Houston.

We finally got electricity on Friday evening 19 September in Houston and then it went out about 9:00 a.m. Saturday. Our home in Houston has roof and fence damage. Lots of food in refrigerator and freezer had to be throw out. Wet carpet and ceilings from the roof damage.

We had whole trees, limbs, leaves and have put them out on the curb. We have 3/4 of an acre of property and all of the front is covered with debris. Ice was the main issue with us -- you couldn\'t save anything because of no ice for three days and then one bag per person. No lights and phone service was hard to get working.

Our cell phones ran out of juice and I finally found a CVS that had extension cords and adapters. So guess who stood there in front of CVS (as a homeless person)? Yes, it was me. I was so afraid, but really enjoyed getting some telephone service and visiting with my fellow neighbors.

We went to Galveston (Jamaica Beach) today 20 September 2008 about 11:00 a.m. and had to go through at least four check points to get into our subdivision. It was so heartbreaking to see all the boats, cars, ruined restaurants, gas stations, buildings and devastation that Ike did to Galveston.

We were allowed one hour to look over the property and clean out the ice box and refrigerator. Everything down on the first floor was like a toy and I have no idea where some of our items are. It was a 10-15\' surge which crashed in our downstairs utility room (door missing) and it turned over the refrigerator, ice box, plants, chairs, fishing poles, life jackets, etc. We still cannot get into the room without help.

We have two 30-40\' trees in our front yard that have caught about eight ice chests, chairs, canoes, small boats, doors, furniture, life jackets, etc. The trash in the front yard is about 12-14\' high. The downstairs is a complete disaster and we lost a rod iron table and chairs on the second floor, not to mention all of the white railing is gone from the second floor deck. Anything that was on the first floor is gone, dead or maybe stolen. It is like wait a minute, something is missing. No railing, no dock, fish cleaning table, deck, fishing pier and boards missing which have been lifted and are in the water somewhere or in someone\'s yard. We also had siding and roof damage.

The deck has so much trash and debris that you really can\'t tell what damage has been done. The boat dock and sling for the boat is torn up as is the decking around the deck and boat slip. Everything on the first floor has been wiped out and garbage, debris, trash, etc. is there. To me it is a total disaster and we may be without water, lights, gas and phone service for maybe 2-3 months. The sand, dirt, trash is at least a foot high, so walking is really hazardous.

Most of the 30\' palm trees have been damaged by the salt water and we have lost most of our other Hibiscus, roses, Hawaiian, pineapple, orange, lemon and saga plants to mention a few.

Please keep us in your prayers.



----- Original Message -----
From: Lee Price
To: Dot Welch
Sent: Saturday, September 13, 2008 7:11 PM
Subject: Are you ok?


Dottie, Just checking in with you and Phil, I\'ve seen the devastation on tv, I know you must be busy but please let me know that you guys are ok.

Love Lee

Shirley D. Heald on 9/22/2008 9:26 PM