Hurricane assesment (calling gyroheads)

[Heron]

I woke up to the terrible news about Charlie's destruction path.
Many of our gyro friends from Florida live on that general area.
If you know their status please report here!
Hopefully they are all ok . . .lets pray and help!
Heron

[RICK MARTIN]

Hey Heron,

Thanks for checking in. I know it looked like we were going to get smashed, but it was amazing. It was like we had a guardian angel watching over us (I'm in Bradenton which is just below Tampa Bay on the west coast). Through the whole thing we felt like we were in a protected bubble. Even the bands missed us. A friend had moved in for the night and by 6:30, when it became obvious that the worst was over, we had about 8 people over here playing music and partying. We did lose power for about an hour but that was it. And it was a day off from work.
I've been watching the news this morning and obviously other areas were not as lucky. The Punta Gorda area looks really bad. I haven't heard from any of the the other forum members but I'll be watching closely to hear how they are doing.

Now we'll have to watch the next one "Earl".

Thanks again for checking in.

[Heron]

Too many are dead! :(
By the reports they decided not to leave and ride the storm out . . .bad decision!
Heron

[Rotornut]

Catfish, MJ, Trinity Fared Good. Thanks for thinking of us down here. MJ :)

[Heron]

M.J.
a couple of days ago I was thinking, my friends up there are not going to fly this weekend, too much wind and rain . . .never expected to be this bad!
Glad you are all ok! :)
Heron

[Chuck Irby]

Has anyone heard from Russ, Ernie, Connie and Mike??

[GyroRon]

they were north of the storm I would assume they are all ok. Catfish and Mj were in the worse place to be as far as our forum members go.

[MikeBoyette]

We are Ok. We were very lucky. The storm made the infamous right turn and saved us. I am worried about guys from Punta Gorda and Wachula. Has anyone heard from Mike Stinnet? If his Cardinal was at the Punta Gorda airport it is probably destroyed. I feel so bad for those affected by this storm. I am not sure if any of you have heard of the Bock singing tower in Lake Wales. According to the news it was destoyed.Too much damage, too much death, 15 people so far. I saw pictures of downtown Wachula all of the store fronts appear to be damaged, I don't now about the airport. I'll call Dave Sease, He and Greg Spicola hanger their gyros there I hope they were not destroyed. God bless us all

[Russell]

Chuck Never worry about me in a storm I am usually at work. And it is the safest place in Florida. (for everone else I work at a Nuclear Plant)
We didnt get as much as a stiff breese. Thank God for that!!!!
Russ

[Chuck Irby]

That's good Russ. I'm glad it totally missed you. I knew you would be safe at work, but I was concerned for your family, house, gyro, scooter, etc..

[Heron]

I hope they are all well.
Lots of people came this way to scape the storm, they are going back now, heavy traffic on the Turnpike.
What a mess !!
Several contractors that I know are renting airplanes to survey the damages, someone's disgrace turns in to someone else's bounty. Life goes on for the living!
God bless all!
Heron

[Russell]

Mike how did you Dad make out???
And did you hear anything from the guys with gyro's at Wauchula??? I did read the other post about the homes and town. The walmart in town even made the local paper.(part of the roof was ripped off)
Very Sad Russ :(

[Rotornut]

Well Davie Seace called us yesterday to tell us that our Club Trailer in Wauchula and the Shower shower had sustained lots of Damage! Catfish and I went up today our Storage shed is no longer, Gone destroyed! Our Shower trailer is on its side and will take a crane to lift it as it is laying on the roof of what is left of the storage shed, and leaning on a fixed wing craft of B&B. The DC 3 that BB had sitting in their lot got carried off in the wind and is laying in the cow pasture upside down ruined.

I was Crying, all our Fly-In supplies almost all gone. Davie and Greg saved the electric boxes and we salaveged all we could. But now we will have to replace lots in order to hold BD Days 2005. Signs gone, tents gone, tables, chairs so much that we depend on to set up for BD Days.

The President and Governor both Bush, landed in helicopters at the Wauchula airport today while we were there, we watched them unload from the helicopters and get in Ford Expeditions with a convoy in tow. They went to survey the towns of Wauchula and Arcadia. I feel for those living in Desoto and Wauchula, so much damage no power, no phones, no stores, etc.

I feel like I should be helping, we did help at the airport Davie, Greg and Catfish helped get some hanger doors off, lots of aircraft damage. Poor Gregs gyro is ruined it got slamed hard, Davies gyro faired well. The Oak trees took a beaten not sure they will survive.

We have thoughts of moving to FOF for BD Days but to see the Wauchula Airport in such a shape I was moved. This is Home to me. Davie got the airports Water line fixed and fixed the major back up Generator for them so he was the Hero so to say today.

Our Tables under the oak trees are gone broke all apart. So sad of a day for Sunstate Members. Catfish and I never gave a thought to moving the storage trailer or shower trailer as we thought it was hitting us and we were home trying to pick up so much and clean up for it, that we forgot to think about the trailers in Wauchula. Sure DO MISS BUD O'NEAL He would of Remember this. Still Much to learn being President.

To Sunstate Members we are so sorry that we did not think to have these trailers removed to a safer spot. And know we have Earl to look forward to! Geeez.

Greg will post some pics that he took today at a later date. Very Sad Day for Catfish, MJ, Davie and all Sunstate Members. MJ :)

[GyroRon]

Sorry to hear the news MJ. I wonder if there is anything some of the other PRA chapters could do to help Sunstate???

[ymmv]

I'm very sorry to hear of your losses.

What a cheery day this is.

[automan1223]

I know how it feels to be hurricaned over. I have been beaten by almost a dozen storms the last big one being Isabel last year. It ruined my ROC visit. But these are the facts living in rural eastern NC. It is getting old having to clean up, having your business take a beating before everything returns to normal. For a hurricane to jump a few cats is unusual and deadly. Hurricane Alex gave more of a blow as it was developing than Charlie. Its been raining on and off for 4 days now. I hope everyone is ok in our gyro community. Curious that the president landed at wachula. I guess it was a low key enough place. Who knows some federal bucks might help out but it will take some time. 2 years after floyd they were still handing out money to victims.

Keep us posted.

Jonathan

[MikeBoyette]

Hey MJ,
How about giving us an address where,those of us who don't have the time or expertise, can send a donation to help our club out of this situation. I for one have enjoyed Bensen Day's at Wachula and would hate to see it moved. I would be willing to put up a hundred bucks to start it off. Maybe we can get the stuff that was destroyed replaced in time for BD's 05.

[gyromike]

MJ,

Since I can't come down to help out, put me down for $100 too.
Let me know where to send it.

[Rotornut]

At this point it will take alot of Hard Work and Dedecation of Sunstate Members to raise the money we will need to replace the supplies used for BD Days. My Heart Aches for the people living in Desoto and Wauchula, so much Loss.

To cry over Sunstates loss seems small to the Familys left Homeless.

We will all have to Pull Together in order to Pull of 2005. MJ :(

[Rotornut]

:) I am over joyed ! Sunstate could use the help if offered. Make Checks out to Sunstate Rotor Club and we will put it in our account and hopeful replace all we lost. Catfish and Davie are checking on building a shed for the club to replace ours, we have to have it in Wauchula due to this is where we use all our flags, stakes, signs, tables, electric boxes, rope etc. I lost all my papers for BD Days and already have the printer seeing what she has on her disk for the club and what is missing.

Mail Any Donations to Sunstate Rotor Club PRA Ch#26 / 21971 N River Road, Alva, FL 33920.

Most Phone and Electric lines within the 5 countys here are still off and on. No school today or tomorrow. Courthouses closed, most major goverment closed.

Now to watch our for EARL! MJ :)

[Rotornut]

We wont know if it will work till we get it off the airplane and trailer. Will keep you posted.

It was a one of a kind, cannot replace it. Steve Krouse built it for the club and never build another.

Richard and Davie seem to think depending on how it gets down and how hard, if the plumbing and gas lines, walls will be ok or not.

Gotta go help my elder neibor with her down trees and yard work. Will check in later. MJ :)

[Heron]

Good to hear our people are ok!
Damages will be fixed, material will be replaced and Bensen Days will grow stronger from this event on.
All new and more people to help, lets do it!
Heron

[PW_Plack]

Hey, guys, if you don't want to make a straight donation, what if we all just joined Chapter 26? Would it not be fun to see a local PRA chapter with 700 members?

I, for one, would enjoy their newsletter for a year!

(On the other hand, I'd hate to be whoever folds and staples the copies and licks the envelopes and stamps...)

MJ, what does membership cost, and do we get a newsletter? If it's available by e-mail or at a web site, I'd join and waive the mailed hard-copy delivery to save Sunstate the overhead.

[Rotornut]

$25.00 a year dues for Sunstate. Newsletter 8 times a year. We love to get new members. If Charlie Presnell was here he would tell you my biggest dream was to have many many members in Sunstate PRA Ch#26. The more in the club the better the fly-ins are and more help with BD Days. MJ :)

[RICK MARTIN]

I'm in Bradenton. Let me know if there is something I can come do for you guys.

[Rotornut]

Rick, We are trying to organize a group to go up Saturday to try to save the Shower Trailer. It is our Fly-In weekend in Labelle some will show up there and others in Wauchula. Will try to keep you posted later in week.

Thanks for all our Familys Support and Help. MJ :)

[GyroRon]

Please save the shower trailer. I will be quite stinky with no shower for a whole week next spring whenever BD05 is held.

[greg spicola]

Here are few pictures

[greg spicola]

There's a hanger door on my Gyro :eek:

[greg spicola]

Catfish and Super Dave and MJ :(

[greg spicola]

Davie and whats left of the Sunstate shed :(

[greg spicola]

MJ Catfish and Davie trying to rite the shower :o

[greg spicola]

Did I say theres a hanger door on my GYRO! :eek:

[GyroRon]

Greg thanks for the pics. How bad is the gyro hurt? Looks like it isn't too bad. Make it a open machine, you will like it better that way! :)

the shower trailer looks ok if it can be lowered onto it's wheels easy. The club storage trailer looks bad and so does that hangar row.

Would love to see pics of the trees and the DC-3 in the cow pasture. Hate to say it, but I would have paid money to see that big plane picked up and carried away. I love the plane and wouldn't want it getting hurt - I love DC-3's they are one of my fav fixed wings - But just to see such a big plane get picked up and blown away would be a sight to see.

[ymmv]

Well, no DC3s, but we did see a flying barn the other day....

[greg spicola]

Ron I have not had the time to realy go over my gyro with a fine tooth comb yet but but it deffinitly could have been much worse the body caught most of the weight of the door but it bounced back after we got the weight off of it the mast & rotor head went thru the hanger door and I had to take the head off and upper control rods off to get it out dont know if the mast is bent but it dose not seem to be :confused:
Here's the DC3 about 200 yds from were it was.
Greg

[Rotornut]

Thanks Greg, Show them the poor oak trees. They took a beaten. Greg is now the offical "Photograher" for Sunstate Rotor Club. Davie really helped out at the Airport all weekend hats of to Sunstate VP Davie Seace. MJ :)
PS/ Greg you could of omited the pic of me crying!

[greg spicola]

I did get to meet the Gov.Seemed like real good guy Im glad I voted for him!
Here's a picture of him and the old Oak tree in the back ground.
Sorry MJ but I had to capture the emotion! :(

[Heron]

M.J. I would be surprised if you did not cry, you love our club more than anyone!
Thanks to all of you for your efforts.
Thanks Greg for the pics. Sad moment . . .:(
HOpe the Governor looks our way too!
Heron

[GyroRon]

The tree looks hurt. I assume Our oaks are just as hurt? The plane is really hurt! May I hope they had some kind of insurance. Old DC-3's are worth alot of money.

[barnstorm2]

This is very sad.

Greg, please keep us posted on the gyro damage. I will send a check off for Sunstate recovery.

I will miss the spooky DC-3 coming through the fog in the BDays mornings. Do you know yet if the shower can be fixed? I am extra concerned as I may be staying in Rons tent again next year.. :eek:

[Heron]

We can set up military showers for next year if not possible at all to replace our stuff.
that's and idea, lets have a boot camp of sorts?
Heron

[Harry_S.]

Bad, bad, bad. I can't believe that massive Oak was stripped like that.

What a loss !!!

[ymmv]

Harry, when I went driving around that area, those were among the saddest things, those ancient oaks lying on the ground everywhere. There were stands of pine that you could tell from half a mile off had been trashed, and they were a shame; but the great, lone pasture oaks, ripped up, were sadder.

[greg spicola]

Hello Tim, wright now I think the only damage to my bird is the pod but I havn't looked to close at it yet plan to do that saturday.
The shower is pretty banged up though, but we were not able to get it off the remains of the shed,we are going there sat or sun to complete the salvage.

[Rotornut]

Any Sunstate Members reading the Forum. This is the third weekend of the month so our monthly fly-in is this weekend. We will be going up Saturday to Wauchula to see if we can save the showers. If you would like to come up and HELP Great, if you want to go to Labelle for the monthly fly-in ok, as I am sure there will be some flying! MJ :)

[RICK MARTIN]

I don't want to get in the way, but I can be there Saturday if you need me.

[Rotornut]

Rick, Please do come over to Wauchula, around 9am or 10am. No way can anyone be in the way. We need all the help we can get. Davie Seace or VP, and Greg Spiccola, Catfish, Myself all will be there. Look for us back behind B&B. Thanks a Bunch, MJ :)

[Hognose]

I wrote a story on the storm on Aero-News, and had some more stuff, including pictures I grabbed off the web, on my blog (hoglog.com). Sad to say another DC-3 got wiped out, N22RB was one of the machines that used to fly the "Vintage Air" luxury-retro flights to the keys and had then been used for sightseeing flights around Orlando. Like the DC at Wachula it was flipped over, but it was also beaten against some hangars.

The good news is it had just been sold and the new owners got their insurance finished just a few days before the storm.

Hundreds and hundreds of aircraft are destroyed, and as Heron, MJ and others have pointed out, that's nothing compared to the loss of life, of homes, etc.

Still, people'll bounce back. They always do.

cheers

-=K=-

[RICK MARTIN]

MJ,

I'll be there and will try to bring two others. What should I bring in the way of tools or equipment?