In order to maintain communication with our family and friends we have been asked to keep a running report of what is going on. We will try to make updates as news happens and as long as we are able. Thanks for keeping us in your prayers! (Newest Reports are on top and age as they go down)
Wednesday, September 14, 201
Monday, September 11, 2017
Wednesday, September 14, 201
- We have been told that Highlands County was the second worst hit county in Florida. There are many damaged homes, downed trees and extensive damage to the power system. Schools will be out for at least a week in this area.
- Thank you for your continued prayers. Please see our Facebook page for further updates. You can find it at: www.Facebook.com/poefolks
Monday, September 11, 2017
- 5:45 a.m. -Wow, what a night! I never want to experience any stronger winds I thought the roof was going to fly off. From what we can see with flashlights we have a lot of trees down in our yard we have a big cleanup but thankfully it looks like our house is ok. We are still having 45 mph sustained winds with higher gusts. Curfew in place until at least 11:00 a.m.
- Lost track of when but right as power went out we got in laundry room. It is scary hearing the howl of the wind. It sounds like a jet roaring.
Sunday, September 10, 2017
Saturday, September 9, 2017
- 9:10 p.m. -Cellphone service is out. The radar looks intimidating right now.
- 9:00 p.m. -114 mph wind just recorded in our county. Rain looks like a pressure washer.
- 8:40 p.m. -Radio says 100 mph winds getting close. Our cellphone service is going on and off.
- 8:20 p.m. -Sheriff's Office just texted that the leading edge of the eye-wall is entering the southern part of our county. So it's almost time for the worst part. Pray for an uneventful passing. Oh, and our power is still on!
- 7:50 p.m. -Wind gust of 81 mph just reported in Sebring.
- 7:30 p.m. -If this is only 70 mph gusts I don't want to experience anything more!
- 6:30 p.m. -Winds are extremely strong. The sound is unnerving. We have limbs down, neighbors mailbox blown out of the ground, lots and lots of rain. Power still on, but out all around us. Thankful that the storm is weakening.
- 5:00 p.m. -Hurricane Force winds have arrived in our county. The eye is still 120 miles from us and we will be on the strongest side of the storm. We still have power!
- 3:00 p.m. -Thanks for praying we are still doing great. We are having very minimal effects so far. We still have power!
- 11:30 a.m. -Perhaps the "calm before the storm" is deceiving us. it's raining pretty hard here, its breezy, and reports are coming in of tornadoes and some roads flooded. Yet, it seems pretty minor here so far. We pray for those along the coast. They now say our peak winds will be tonight about 10:00 p.m.
- 9:15 a.m. -Local news reporting a tornado 25 miles to our west. Our girls are hearing from friends nearby that they have lost power. It's too early for that! We'd usually be about ready to start Sunday school now. We sure will miss our church friends today!
- 8:45 a.m. -Now we have hard rain and its blowing sideways. Hard to believe the storm is so far away. Eating a hot breakfast while we still can!
- 7:45 a.m. -We are in good shape at our house. It's raining hard now. Local police report water flooding some streets but not in our neighborhood. We slept well!
- 5:15 a.m. -Its been raining all night but the heavier rains have started. It's raining hard enough now to wake us up. The storm continues to take a more western track so we may miss the worst of the winds.
- 12:15 a.m. -We are currently under a tornado watch. It is raining and the heavier rain bands seem to be getting close. The wind has picked up a bit. We're headed to bed now. We probably better sleep while we can! Thanks for your prayers!
Saturday, September 9, 2017
- 9:45 p.m. -If the forecast is correct we could see tropical storm force winds for more than 24 hours. They continue to send out text messages urging folks here in Highlands county to head to shelters if they do not have secure homes.
- 7:30 p.m. -It is surprisingly breezy already. We just watched a video online of white caps and crashing waves on Lake Jackson already and the winds haven't even picked up. More ice made, laundry is also all done.
- 5:00 p.m. -We just got word that students of our online Spanish Masters program begin their first day of classes in their newly founded Bible seminary today in the Dominican Republic. We are so thrilled to see this next phase of missions taking place. Now the nationals are qualified and excited about training their own people! What a blessing that they were spared the destruction of this hurricane at this important time. Some good news for us during the storm.
- 4:15 p.m. -We just heard that some local evacuation shelters are full and secondary locations are being opened. It is good to hear that people in vulnerable houses and low lying areas are heeding warnings. Elizabeth is taking advantage of the winds to do her afternoon running before the rains start.
- 4:00 p.m. -We have now filled our huge rolling recycle bin with water for emergency use. We've placed sand bags around a side door that is a little lower than the rest. We have also added extra bracing to our garage door just in case. Everything we own that is rechargeable is now full charged and ready to go. Water bottles are frozen to keep perishables cold. Those photos they suggest taking for insurance are all taken.
- 3:00 p.m. -We ventured out of our house for the last time. We needed to stop at an ATM to have some cash on hand for after the storm. Now almost everything is closed. Many homes and businesses are boarded up and secured. All of the billboards in town have been taken down as well as many store signs. The clouds have rolled in and the breeze is now constant and steady.
