Post Storm & Return Home - What will we find?

Having waited for more traffic lights to become operational and checked our local Publix was open (or so said the Publix website), we made our way home from Lakeland to the Gulf Beaches today (Wednesday) midday.  What would we find??

Well the journey went remarkably well.  There were a few Road Rangers out helping motorists with broken down vehicles.  The Interstate was very clear - only a few leaves on the side and one piece of plywood in the road for our whole 50 mile (just over 1 hour) journey. And the plywood didn't even cause a problem.

Many Interstate lights had been lowered on their poles and were still down. About 50-75% of the high billboards were torn beyond legibility.




It was good to see utility trucks out working. This one near Dinosaur Land, a distinctive sight on the I-4 approaching Tampa.

We drove through Tampa and then onto the Gandy Bridge making good time. See all the traffic (not) ???

Gandy Bridge

One driver was really concerned about finding petrol- see the car on the left with the red plastic containers on his roof?

no traffic light junction

Just a single intersection had no traffic lights on the way to our barrier island, but it was well staffed by police. Glad they got some cover from the sun too! A few bent lightpoles along the way as well.

At last our drawbridge and home - to the right in the bay a small boat has sunk at the Yacht Club.

look right now for sunken boat

Driving south on Gulf Blvd. at 150th Ave

But on the island at 150th and Gulf traffic lights are out of action; thankfully the police have it well under control.


Publix and Winn Dixie supermarkets still have no power supply and hence are closed. Should have bought those groceries en-route - aw well.





And at last we are home! All looks well and the electricity is on; out front the pole repair of a few weeks ago survived the winds, maybe better it went out before Irma hit and was repaired last month?

Irving is busy cleaning up and seems only a little sand blew in the under building parking area.

Cars are all OK!

We removed our things from
our balcony putting down the hurricane shutters. A little sand got in under the shutters so time for a clean-up (picture right is for my snowbird neighbours).



So how's it looking out at the beach? Lots of sand blown about . . .

even the leaves coated in sand

Seems we have uncovered a bit of the beach groynes and lowered the dunes a little, but otherwise just fine!

The few sea turtle nests that remain at the end of this season have been re-staked and there are some interesting shells on the beach (even more on Shell Key - to see visit Sea Turtle Trackers on Facebook here).

Even the crabs are back enjoying the beach along with a few intrepid tourists bathing in the sea. Yesterday and today were almost Florida autumnal - below 85F (29.5 C) and not too humid. Sadly for those without electricity, Thursday onward is forecast to go back to typical hot, sticky summer weather in the 90s (32+ C).

We in Tampa Bay were so so fortunate! Hubby and I are updating our hurricane plan based on this 'trial run.'

crab hole - so much sand!

tide lines in the sand

was 7 now 9 exposed groyne pillars