Helene Aftermath in Our Neighborhood: If anyone had been hurt in this, I could never have posted these photos. [View all]
The three children had upstairs bedrooms; their young parents had the downstairs master bedroom. During that horrible night of September 26/27, almost two weeks ago now, the parents woke up to sounds of the storm and the house creaking (or was it the 100 year old water oak next to the house giving an urgent warning?). The parents went upstairs and brought the children down to a safe room. Moments later the huge oak fell and split the house in two.
This house is a half a block away from us; we back up to a common alley. When the storm was over, that alley was one of the hardest hit streets in Greenville, South Carolina. There are still a few neighbors who back up to the alley who do not have power. Our power was restored Sunday night. But who cares about power when our neighborhood has so much to be thankful for!
The young couple had bought this old house about a year ago, after the elderly couple who had been there for ages both died within a month or so of each other. Our house is about the oldest in the 'hood at 119 years (1905). The proud new owners spent about six months having restoration work down, then moved their family in last Spring. It was their dream home. It was a happy day!
I've thought hard about it, and I think that had any of those children, or their young parents, or the entire family been killed .. I would have to move away. I'm not sure I could do my twice-daily walks down the alley behind this house had the worst happened. Even the thought of it makes me sad beyond belief, and I am normally the quintessential happy person.
This too shall pass, as did hurricane Helene. But if you are anywhere near the path of Milton, get the fuck out. We were lucky. But Tampa will be mostly gone on Thursday morning. Count on that.
Greenville, SC post-Helene .. date of photos October 5, 2024
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