None of this is funny but when I talk to my mom, I always end up laughing at the way she tells the story . . but I don’t let her know I’m laughing.
When they first evacuated before the storm hit, they went somewhere near San Antonio with my niece and her family. I think they stayed there three or four nights. That was probably five or six hours from home. Once the storm passed, they were able to get a place near Houston, which put them closer to home because they still were thinking they’d get to go home soon. They stayed there a few nights, then got a generator or two (not a whole house generator) and went back to their home. There’s a mini-split a/c and a bathroom in mom’s sewing room that’s in a separate building so they were going to stay in there. During the first night, the a/c wasn’t cooling. My dad thought it was because he had too much hooked up to one generator but the next day they decided to call an a/c guy out.
In the meantime, the power came back on at my grandparent’s farm so mom and dad went up there and stayed a few nights. The a/c guy went to their house, said the mini-split needed something, fixed it . . for $190 my mom said. They stayed at the farm for another night or two and decided they should go home and live with the generator and mini-split. That was Tuesday. I talked to them yesterday and they were back at the farm because the mini-split again quit working during the night.
So . . mom and dad went to San Antonio, then Houston, then Lake Charles, then north Louisiana, then Lake Charles and now back in north Louisiana. I’m sure they just want to be home. That’s what I’d be wishing for about now . . and probably about 10 days ago.
I feel really bad for everyone in that part of Louisiana – especially the elderly, and people with children. It’s bad enough for adults to be having to eat MREs but I’m sure kids are getting really tired of that and having no TV or computer.
Mom said they’re still saying four weeks til they get power back. I think everyone is going to be really lucky if they have power back in four weeks.
Teri says
That’s a lot of traveling. Glad to hear they are doing ok.
Dottie Newkirk says
We have cousins in Leesville and their electricity came back this week. No internet services though. The power companies have been (and always do) hustle to get things reconnected as quickly as possible. Big kudos to them.
Nelle Coursey says
WOW that is a lot of moving around. I am so sorry they are all having to go through this. It is never a good time for anything like this to happen. Thank God they do have places they can go and be safe. Hope your uncle and his family are also doing well. I guess we can say they are lucky this is all they have to worry about.
goonyburd says
Are they up here by me?? If they need anything, you can let me know, or they can let me know!
Judy Laquidara says
Yes, just around the corner from you. 🙂
Susan Nixon says
It’s definitely a big mess, but it could have been even worse. At least they have places they can go, thank goodness.
laurie a says
Oh my goodness with all that moving around I would forget where I was! I hate to wish time away, but I will be happy to put paid to 2020.
Judy Laquidara says
I think a lot of people agree with that feeling.
Joyce says
I hope they can move back home soon. Last night our local news had a piece about a casino at Lake Charles that they have back online enough to use as a spot for all the power company workers to stay. They said they were hauling in water from Texas every day to keep the showers and toilets working. I thought about your son and the work he’s been doing in that area.
Judy Laquidara says
It was probably either L’Auberge or Golden Nugget. Chad has been staying at L’Auberge and they are on generator power and getting water from water trucks being hauled in. He’s been staying there since the storm except for the first 3 or 4 nights when they stayed all kinds of places, including one night in their truck.
Cindy F says
I was thinking about your parents and Louisiana. We had a huge wind event here in Utah (called it an inland hurricane as we had some gusts 100 mph and strong winds all day) earlier in the week and our power was out for 4-5 hours. This was Tuesday and some people here are still without power. They called in folks from Nevada to help the power company and try and get everyone power by tomorrow. That’s 5 days….I can’t imagine that long and Louisiana has been without for so much longer. I hope the end is in sight sooner rather than later.