i just spoke to him earlier today...! The hurricane went RIGHT OVER him; he and his family stayed in a shelter in some school in their neighborhood. His house is still standing, although there's damage beyond his comprehension... He said there are boats in peoples' front yards, blown over from the marina nearby... They have no water and no electricity; he hasn't taken a shower in two days... He says they project not having power for another 3 weeks... He rode around in a friend's pick up truck or some sort of SUV after the storm and eventually got a flat tire from all the debris scattered around... He parked his car a good ten feet from disaster; other cars were totally demolished... Said he can't even describe the damage he's seeing... He said the local authorities have been riding around, finding bodies... Some of the roads are totally destroyed... Then he told me he was just happy that he, his family and friends were alive... He's in good spirits when everything around him is in ruins... This isn't the first time he's survived a hurricane. He told me to tell everyone that he said hello; hopefully he'll be back up and running in a few weeks... We're all pulling for you, Matt...
*whew* That's a sigh of relief. Matt's one of many F-Chatters, amongst others I've the privilige of "meeting" and giving a damn about, and in turn, whom I've been holding my breath for. I mean that in a good way. You guys don't stink. That much. Seriously - This kind of "event" - whether it's upwind or downwind of where it's coming or going or come and gone keeps me awake at night, no matter how many miles away it is. I can only imagine the devastation - so thoughts are with one and all.
Its great to know that he and his family were not hurt. That is THE most important thing. Hurry BACK MATT!
