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Frank Boettcher

On Wed, 06 Jun 2007 12:46:17 -0500, lid wrote:

Phantman:
Somehow a video just can't capture what it was like in person.

Frank:
I thought the rendition was somewhat mild compared to what the actual
had to be.

Looks like they popped out to 14th street for the shots of Salloum's
building and AG Edwards before the $#!t really hit the fan, then
retreated to the third floor of the garage for the worst of it. The
parking garage is well protected from wind by the Bank building (which
is why they chose to be there I would think).
I've been through numerous hurricanes but never tried to film one.
It'd be very difficult. Things happen so fast (something's there one
split second and gone the next) it's difficult to predict which way to
point the camera and when. Not to mention just trying to survive the
ordeal. You need to be looking every which way at once or get smacked
upside the head with a flying dumpster or something.

Joe:
When he is standing back filming out from the garage the wind
looks like a tornado more than a hurricane. 110 mph winds is nothing
compared to the way those winds looked IMO.

Maybe the video can give an idea of the average winds and what it
feels like to wait it out from a well protected perspective. After
all, the storm lasts for hours sometimes. But it can't really show the
worst of it. There's nothing like actually seeing your neighbors'
houses disintegrate or the sound of your own roof coming off or the
incessant slamming of massive debris against your walls, to really
give you an understanding of the power out there ripping your world
apart. It's practically impossible to capture on film.

Frank:
With regard to the tidal surge, my Mother-in-law's place
in Bayou view had seven feet of water in the house. She lived on
Poplar Circle

I might know her. I knew quite a few people over there. My mother
lived a few blocks away. She lost her home too, same situation from
Bayou Bernard. She says she loved living on the bayou. She just didn't
like living *in* the bayou ;-)

Probably do, kind of small townish in that area. Not going to mention
her name on an unmoderated usenet forum, nor should you put your
mothers on, but more than likely they know each other.

Frank:
Backs up to Brickyard Bayou so her flood damage a result of the
backwaters that were pushed up.
Joe:
That the whole argument in the insurance suits that the flooding was
wind related.

The argument goes: Damage from wind driven rain is covered (no
argument there). Damage from a bus, blown into a house, is covered (no
argument there either). Therefore, damage by wind driven "stuff"
should be covered whether it be wet stuff or dry stuff.

Frank:
But the declarations pages clearly state "rising water from any source
or cause"

Point being: The tidal surge was "wind driven" stuff, not "rising"
stuff ("stuff" in this sense being a technical term).
Frankly, I think the insurance companies will prevail if they stick to
their guns. This isn't the first time these semantics have been hashed
out in court. But the first major case was settled before going to
the jury. News media claimed a big win for the home owner. So that's
one down, 79,999 more to go.

I'm sympathetic, but don't see the long term
solution being turning the tort lawyers loose on the insurance
companies.

I agree. Hurricanes are survivable here. It's a matter of adjust,
adapt, and expect to be smacked now and then. Being ready and planning
ahead is not all that difficult.

Frank:
And the volunteers are still coming.

And a whole new industry has arisen known a "Voluntourism" ;-)
We love voluntourists. Bring cash OR credit cards! :-D

Yeah, I know what you mean. any influx of outside money is a good
thing.

Catholic Charities provided the "superintendents" for our crews. We
showed up fully equipped and experienced with tools and skills for
insulating, dry wall work, electrical, carpentry, etc. The Supers
were ecstatic. They could turn us loose and go babysit the college
kids that were giving up their spring breaks to help. Enthusiatic,
but needing very close supervision.

The house I worked was in Biloxi owned by an 80 year old widow. Felt
good to help her, she needed it. I could throw a stone to the house I
lived in as a kid, two blocks north of Division, at the intersection
where Hugo's used to be, Porter if memory serves. Turns out we had a
connection. Her nephew was my next door neighbor for a while and is
Godfather to one of my sons. Worked there several days before I found
that out.

Frank

Rick