Here There and Everywhere

Isaiais: Lasting Impact

If you flew in to Pensacola today (Pensacola “International” Airport, because one time a plane en route to a Caribbean country had to land here in an emergency) you would look around and say “why is there still so much debris lining the road?”

The answer is: It just goes on and on. The big debris trucks are on their second and third rounds. The electricity guys have to keep going around and fixing things that were less damaged than the urgent outages. The insurance companies are lowballing most adjustments and FEMA is turning down just about everyone. It’s amazing how much insurance doesn’t cover. We had a very expensive “Act of God” to take care of, and we are among the luckier ones, with no water damage and no damage to our residence.

Hurricane recovery is a slow, ugly process.

The busiest roads are clear. Most of us have electricity. Many have air conditioners and water heaters that were hit by surges during the storm and will have to be replaced. Many are dealing with homes that need urgent repairs to be livable – you know, small things like a roof that’s been penetrated, or insulation in the walls that was soaked, or floors that were ruined by standing water. Some have adequate insurance. Most do not.

The experienced ones who can afford to wait, do so. Prices just after a storm fly sky high. Non-local storm chasers come in looking for a fast job. Some accept a down payment and disappear. Some do shoddy work. Occasionally, you find really good, honest people who will work with you and give you your money’s worth.

These are the lessons of Hurricane Isaiais.

November 6, 2026 - Posted by intlxpatr | Bureaucracy, Community, Cultural, Detective/Mystery, Financial Issues, Florida, Hurricanes, Living Conditions, Quality of Life Issues, Work Related Issues | Hurricane Isaiais