Hurricane Sandy in Cocoa Beach: The Frankenstorm

Why Frankenstorm? Hurricane Sandy is a monster Storm. The high winds and waves washed sand onto coastal roads in Port Lauderdale. Click the link, I was there last August and I saw on the news that the road was covered with sand and ocean water. That is unusual that the water surge goes to the streets. The storm left power outages across the area and left many traffic lights out of order. Hurricane Sandy is the largest hurricane in Atlantic history with a maximum gale-force wind diameter of 930 mi or 1500 km. That is so wide, almost a thousand! As of today, I saw on the news that Orlando International Airport has so many cancelled flights from Orlando to Northeastern United States. That should be the case! Safety First! Hurricane Sandy is a wicked storm and I hope everyone will be serious about the warnings. These are photos taken last Friday at Cocoa Beach Pier, Florida and our beaches felt the impact even though Sandy was miles away.

My husband and I went to Cocoa Beach to see the 12 ft waves which was reported by the local news. The Cocoa Beach Pier parking lot was FREE that day and surprisingly, the Pier was crowded. We went all the way to Mai Tiki Bar at the Pier's end. This place is 800 feet over the ocean making it a spectacular spot to view the big waves from the Atlantic Ocean. See the photo above.

I took this photo from the Boardwalk area. This is the East side of the Pier. It was raining and very windy. I can't use my ubrella because it could flip over easily. The wind gust is so strong. No one dared to surf because of the red flag warning and rip current warning. In Daytona, I saw on the news, one man jump and surf despite the warning. I bet he was alright.

The photo above was taken on the WEST side of the Pier. It really looks scary. The waves are coming so strong and pounding the pillars of the PIER. I was standing at the back of the Tiki Bar facing the ocean and taking the pictutures of the big waves. I can feel the place shaking every time the waves crashing the stilts.

We are one of the curious 20+ onlookers at Mai Tiki Bar about 1PM. Usually, this area has an entrance fee but, it was free that day. The Atlantic Ocean Grille and Marlins Bar and Grill are busy with diners too. Anyway, here is my husband posing a souvenir photo from Hurricane Sandy.

I bet this man is reporting his video in youtube hehehe.

Here is Brevard area, we have beach erosion and we have no major damage. I thank God for keeping our place safe from Hurricane Sandy. I pray that the people up North are ready to brace the impact of Frankenstorm.

Hurricane Irene

Hurricane Irene is currently pouring heavy rains in Puerto Rico right now! And as it moves closer to the US mainland, Florida can be on it's path. Now, the entire state is on alert on the weather report. As for us, we will not take it for granted. We are heading to the grocery today to stack up our pantry for hurricane supplies. My husband was here during Hurricane Charlie which hit Orlando and did severe damage. So, Floridians are not taking anything for granted especially about Hurricanes! I pray that this Hurricane Irene will not hit the US mainland.

Hurricane Shutters

Before the Hurricane Season last year, my father-in-law bought a new hurricane shutters for all the 9 windows in the house and the three doors. It was really a wise idea because his property had so many tall trees surrounding the house. If there is a strong wind gust and picks up a bark of a tree and hit the window, it will be dangerous. Having the exterior shutters means a worry-free during stormy weather and a deterrent from this type of dangers. He ordered an accordion type of shutters for easy access for him. The price is expensive but, the quality is really good. It can hold up to a hurricane type of wind. When we are inside the house and a storm is coming, we had no worries at all. The shutters protect us from any flying objects that hit the window. Without the shutters, glass windows are vulnerable to break when branches of trees slammed to it. If you have a glass window all over your place, secure your property with shutters. There are so many types of shutters available online. Through the link that I posted here, check out the website now. Scan their collection of shutters and this company will ship them to your door.

Hurricane Ida

According to the weather news, Hurricane Ida was downgraded to a Tropical Storm early this morning. The storm is expected to weaken but the Tropical storm warnings are in effect from Grand Isle, Louisiana to the east of Aucilla River in Florida. At the middle place is where we live and our place is a direct hit. Some of the schools here were already closed early in the morning and some had an early dismissal after lunch.I am just waiting for a phone call from my supervisor if we have to report to work. The storm is expected to have a landfall anytime tonight. We should be expecting sustained winds of 30 to 50 mph and gusts of 60 to 70 mp so; I really wanted to stay home. It really depends on the announcements given by the Gaming Commission here in Mississippi so; we have to wait. In my place though, the storm is not bad at all. The storm band is not as bad as Fay or Gustav last year while I was in Florida. That was scary for me and this storm is nothing in comparison.

Fourth Anniversary When Hurricane Katrina Hit Mississippi

I saw some of this devastation when we travel in Highway 90 from Metairie, Louisiana heading to Mississippi last March. It still looks like a ghost town especially in the Gulf Coast area. It is really sad but, the good thing was that they are rebuilding their city. Because of the vast area of destruction, they can only do so much. They will be back, i know they will. That storm hit Mississippi on August 29, 2005. View this personal video from hurricanetrack channel.

The Old House

This is the old house of my father-in-law. My husband's home for so many years. It was August 29 2005 when Hurricane Katrina hit Florida, Mississippi and Louisiana States. The water level reached at the ceiling of the house. Everything inside washed out. Cars was destroyed too. My Father-in-law and his wife evacuate to his daughter's place away from the shoreline. Just click the pictures to see how devastating that storm was. Everything inside the house was destroyed. What was really heartbreaking was all the pictures and memories too were washed out to the sea. I visited this sight few days ago. It was really the best. The community is nice, big houses and his property was really huge. The back area has swimming pool and as you can see, the water level left a mark above the roof top. The pool was filled with dirt water and debris. Their two cars swept by the current. If you visit Mississippi right now, towards the Gulf Coast, there were still ruins left by that storm.

There was no single item in the house that can be salvage. All the childhood pictures of my husband were gone too. My sisters- in-law kept a few so, I have glimpsed of the handsome face of my hubby when he was younger (Smile). Can't believe I married a Hollywood star...LOL!

The backyard of this house was huge. Pool and a Dock Area for his boat. That was really a huge boat. I think I will enjoy living in this place than where we are right now. The property was surrounded by the bayou/lake and the Gulf of Mississippi. You saw the view before in some of my posts. The place here is nice. Overlooking the water. Fenced. With private boat dock. Well, the boat was also gone into pieces. They got insurance anyhow for everything but, not worth it. The memories they created in this house is too precious. My father-in-law don't want to go back because of what had happened. Every year, people living in these states listen to warnings and take it seriously.

Remembering Katrina

June is the start of hurricane season. Hurricane Katrina is one of the worst hurricanes that hit the US and in this area, the water surge is as high as 35-37 feet. The tree at the top of this hill has a washer nailed to it showing the water level of that hurricane. No wonder that all the houses here are swallowed to the sea.

That is the same tree and I put the red mark to show the water level. If you click the picture, there is a red plastic nailed on the tree showing the water level of the surge coming from the sea.

This is a street few miles away from Front Beach. But, if you click the picture, there is a tiny mark on the post, that is the level of water.

The water in this area is as tall as this man in the picture.

that is the caption...

the water level

playground is submerged in water

This is the little town going to the beach.

The busy highway and that is our cousin on the motorcycle, our guide on all those places.