[Key: Memoir in Times New Roman, Travel Journal in Arial]
Aug. 1, 1995: Marco Island - Pensacola
Because of a “tropical depression” forming near the coast of South Fl., and after a lot of soul searching, we decided to leave the island and head north. We coordinated our plans with Mike + decided we’d spend the night in St. Pete with Mary + Bill R. As we neared their area, however, Erin was headed near them in the direction of Tampa Bay, so we opted to drive on to Pensacola, and Mike + Donna stayed in Pembroke Pines.
As we neared the Panhandle we felt relieved to be in safe haven – we thought.
Ryan, who’d accompanied us on this 11-1/2 hour journey, helped us unload the van + we took comfort in our storm-free home + crashed early.
Aug. 2, 1995 Pensacola
Although we kept in touch via radio + TV of Erin's progress, we left early in the morning for NAS, feeling safe taking off to show Ryan parts of Pensacola. We had lunch at the Ready Room + showed Ryan the air museum, then returned home via downtown + East Hill to show him the old homes + influence of British, Spanish + French architecture in the lovely old homes.
Keeping our eye on the storm, we prepared for a possible hurricane by making several casseroles, drawing water, getting candles, batteries, etc. - ready just in case. We discussed with Ryan the worst scenario we could expect, relaxed + watched some Letterman shows, he designed more homes + we had a fun evening.
When we retired, we felt comfortable with the latest reports on Erin’s expected hit sometime Thurs., - possibly La. – not Pensacola!
Aug. 3, 1995 Pensacola
At 6:15 am we awakened with the startling TV news – Pensacola was Erin’s target + we could expect her arrival about 9:30.
More preparations were made. The propane stoves were uncovered in a stack of boxes in the garage. We moved Ryan out of the guest bedroom + moved the collection of old pitchers away from the window. (They were part of mother’s collection + we wanted to keep them for children + grandchildren.)
We busied ourselves drawing houses (Ryan), cleaning, reading, + all the time watching weather reports.
At approximately 9:45, when I just finished boiling water for a second cup of coffee, we lost power + put the battery operated radio to work. Don Parker was a Godsend because he stayed with us via WCOA for the rest of the day. These are the highlights from this point on throughout the day.
10:25 - Erin approached downtown Pensacola. The eye is 30 miles wide. Sheriff’s admin. bldg. reported blown out windows + computer damage.
We were pummeled with branches + tree limbs + the cover of the chimney making a crashing sound, but we had to wait until the “eye” reached us because of the high winds, to go check on the damage. For a period of about one hour it was calm +”seemingly” over. Then the winds shifted + came from the SW instead of the NE where they originally were. They clocked them at 94 mph.
12:20 – The eye passed over Pensacola. Power lines were down throughout the city. Many trees were downed in Summer Lakes.
I made phone calls checking on the Ls, Ls, Ys, and Genie, next door. Everyone experienced similar losses as we.
When the storm was over, Ryan + I took a walk in the neighborhood. We met new ones who’d just moved in across the street – a German couple, a pilot named Neils + the family who’s name I didn’t get. (They lived in town + bought H’s house.) Some roofs were damaged, but mostly trees lost were the extent of damage.
Hemet B called from Alaska around 8 o’clock. He’d been worried about his home across the street + hadn’t been able to reach the realtor.
Roberta B called from Wis. + we kept in touch with Bob + Gen throughout the day. It was difficult getting calls through.
Bert heated the tuna casserole on the propane stove. Then we talked to neighbors + came inside because of the light rain.
We played cards with Ryan by candlelight. Then all of a sudden, “Hallelujah” the power came on + we were back in civilization.
3-4-95
Mike arrived about 11 am from Tallahassee to pick up Ryan. They helped Bert carry off some of the large branches.
The clean-up has begun throughout Escambia, and from what we’ve seen on TV, read in the paper, and comments from people in town + from Mike who came across the bridge on I-10, we’re very, very lucky to have minimal damage!
