As many of you know, Hurricane Irene swept up the east coast on Saturday afternoon and evening, bringing lots of wind and rain along with it. Sadly, our neighborhood didn’t fare very well with high wind gusts slamming a bunch of giant trees down on power lines, roads, and even homes.
Thankfully, our house was spared. But many of our neighbors and friends weren’t so lucky. It broke our hearts to look out from our patio to see that a tree in our neighbor’s yard had fallen onto their home (it easily could have hit ours if it fell in the other direction).
Thankfully although they were both home with their two dogs at the time, no one was hurt. But parts of their house are flooded and shattered, and we’re so sad for them – and anyone else whose family or house has been affected.
When it came to what we did during the storm, we just hunkered down at home between 6pm to midnight when the winds were at their worst. And after hearing/seeing a few large trees come down on our block we decided to sleep in interior rooms, just to have a bit more protection in the event that something fell on our house (since our basement is below grade, we worried it could flood – which is why we opted for interior rooms over lower level spaces). Clara slept in the hallway in a pack and play (since it was insulated by rooms on all sides)…
… and John and I dragged the not-as-heavy-as-ours mattress from the guest room into the kitchen (which is also in the middle of our house).
Thankfully our basement didn’t flood and although we have a bunch of branches and debris to clean up on our yard (along with a few larger tree limbs in the back) we feel incredibly fortunate.
We’re still without power along with what we hear are around 800,000 other Richmonders (ours went out around 5pm on Saturday, so we’re on our third day without it). We’re hoping to have it restored soon, but realistically know that it could be a few more days or even one to two weeks (a statement that they just released alludes to the latter of those timelines). A number of trees on the power lines in our neighborhood means that it might be a while for us, so our blogging schedule may be a bit irregular until our area is back up and running. We also might not be able to keep up with comments, facebook, and twitter as much as we’d like (since you know we’re usually so chatty), but we do have plans to stop in with the afternoon giveaway as usual, and hope that everyone else who is dealing with any sort of storm repercussions is doing ok.
Oh and we felt compelled to check on our first house and were so relieved to see that it appeared to make it through. Although there was a huge tree on the house across the street. Scary stuff.
Between this and the earthquake on Tuesday, we’re ready to be done with natural disasters for a while – especially since it’s rare for either of them to affect Richmond so much (the last major storm in our area was Isabel in 2003, and most Richmonders were without power for about a week). Let’s hope we’re back up and running sooner than that. Luckily a few of our relatives do have power and enough food/water to go around. In fact here’s Clara on Sunday morning after the storm passed and we headed over to Grammy’s house, where there’s power, glorious power (which seems to be a rarity in our city). We joked that all of the chaos drove her into the arms of her cousin John…
… where they watched a video together and had a grand old time.
Thanks so much to everyone on twitter, facebook, and here in the comments who checked in on us this weekend. You have no idea how much we appreciate the love and send it right back atcha. And for anyone else who was affected, we’d love to hear from you about how you’re doing.
Aya M says
Shew! Glad everyone is okay. A lot of us are without power and cleaning up damage and debris here in NC, too. So thankful Irene lessened to a Cat 1, instead of making landfall as a 3. Could have been so much worse!
Rachel Ray says
I feel your pain! We are in Alabama and when the tornadoes came through we didn’t have power for 5 days! It was so rough! People were waiting in line for gas for hours! I myself spent 3 hours in a gas line just so I could get enough to get us through if there was a shortage! Stay cool y’all
Maky says
Scary stuff but all that matters is that the four of you (and your families and friends) are ok. Homes you can rebuild, lives not so much :)
Hang in there – I bet you’ll find ways to make the power-less time more entertaining than most!
Lisa Riley says
Glad to hear you are all safe and sound! My family and I were also very lucky to have missed fallen trees (we’re south of Boston) and we didn’t lose power. Again, super, super lucky!
Kim H says
So glad to hear YHL is unharmed after the hurricane!
I noticed the tape outlines in the kitchen, are you thinking of replacing your table?
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yeah- that’s a big long story that’s partially written (I hope to finish it when we get power back). Just considering a few built-in options there.
xo,
s
Melissa says
this is sad. i thought about your family all weekend! I wondered how you were doing after your facebook post :) glad you are all okay-i wouldn’t know what to do whatout your blog!
Rachel says
Oh, I’m so glad you guys are OK. I thought and prayed for you and countless others.
That’s so unfortunate about your neighbors. I’m glad they weren’t hurt.
Pip says
Thanks for sharing pics and your updates. My heart goes out to those who’ve lost so much. But strangely – I was worried about your recently ORB’d letterbox and mr squirrel – who seem to have made it through ok!
YoungHouseLove says
We are amazed at what made it through and what didn’t – it’s just all so random. A gorgeous home on our street who just completed an entire second story addition got slammed by a giant oak. Such a sad time for our neighborhood. But the homeowner had such a great sense of humor about it. She said she’ll just rebuild it again and joked that she was glad it didn’t hit her new kitchen.
xo,
s
Erin says
Nature definitely doesn’t discriminate. For me, scary situations like this serve as a painful reminder about just how temporary this earthly stuff is, how we can spend all our lives making our homes beautiful, but at the end of the road (and sometimes sooner) it’s not ours to keep or take with us. Kinda makes all of my decorating seem in vain.
Beth says
I’m so sorry that you had to go through this disaster, but glad that you are all safe!
I don’t mean to be a debbie downer, but it starts to make a person wonder what is up with all these natural disasters lately…the earthquakes and tsunamis killing thousands in Japan, droughts in East Africa where millions are starving, the stock market dropping drastically which is making people worried about the world economy, terrorist attacks, major flooding that has taken place in the midwest and beyond, earthquakes all over the place, etc… :(
melissa says
Glad you are ok! We’re waiting out the storm on east coast in Canada (PEI).. things just starting to get windy here this morning..
YoungHouseLove says
Stay safe Melissa! A lot of family and friends up in NY said it was still pretty strong! Thinking of you.
xo,
s
Julia @ Hooked on Houses says
Oh, wow, those are some major trees that fell. Very scary. So glad to hear you guys are safe and sound, and so is your house!
Vanessa says
So glad you are all okay. This is very scart stuff, but I am happy to hear your neighbors are okay and you have family to stay with. Take care!
Barb says
Reporting in from Dover, NH where the hurricane came through also. Lots of wind and rain and tons of debris in the yard. Clean up today will entail raking and picking up lots of branches like your yard. The problem in NH is that the rivers are overflowing and lots of towns are under water. I feel so bad for those people.
Power was never lost…just kept flickering on and off. We are lucky with that.
The neighborhood had some trees on houses but doesn’t seem as bad as your neighborhood.
Like you…I am done with Irene. The sun is out today and it is down right chilly out. Out I go to rake. Glad you are all fine. Clara with cousin made me smile. What is it about that child that always brings smiles to people’s faces? She is a dear one…
B.
Rory says
That’s good to know. Dover’s my hometown, though I live out west in Denver now, and I haven’t had a chance to talk to any family yet (I just know they are okay). I used to live right by Tuttle’s Red Barn, though I hear it’s been sold now. Glad to hear there isn’t too much damage!
Ashley says
Oh my word, craziness! It looks like half of your shingles are gone! I grew up in Bahamas and I feel like we had to replace those things every other hurricane, glad you’re all ok!
YoungHouseLove says
Our roof actually made it through (well, as far as we can tell)! It’s funny that it looks two-toned like that though. That’s a long shadow from the sun playing tricks. So strange!
xo,
s
Amanda says
Wow! Glad you guys are ok! I’m in Virginia Beach, and we have limbs and debris to pick up, but, luckily, we still have power. Looks like your neighborhood got it a whole lot worse than ours did. Stay safe (and cool)!
Susan says
So glad you are okay! Sounds like your area took the brunt of it! By the time Irene got to Brooklyn, it wasn’t too bad – particularly in the higher areas (where we are). Most of the trees that would have been affected were knocked down it last year’s tornado so it wasn’t too bad. Hope your power comes on soon!
John says
Happy to hear to you did ok with the storm! We did a lot better than we thought we would… didn’t even lose power.
Pam Tucker says
So sorry you are without power. I know that gets old after a while. Glad you did not flood or have any trees fall on your house.
Laura says
So glad y’all are OK. I’m in Birmingham where the horrific tornadoes came through on 4/27 of this year. We were also w/o power, but so fortunate as several hundred folks lost their lives. A devastating storm really puts things in perspective–and really makes you realize that your things are just “things”. Glad you guys are OK.
Elizabeth says
Good to know you’re all okay! Stay safe!
Paulina says
I’m so glad to hear that you guys are ok!
Rebecca @ the lil house that could says
Our experience was similar to yours, though our basement flooded and our power is on this morning! We slept on the floor of our office because the trees and tornado warnings were incredibly scary :(
annabelvita says
Super glad you guys are ok. Try to enjoy a couple of days without the internet as much as possible… Lots of love xx
Ashley Stinson says
Glad you guys are safe!!! I know how scary that night must have been with a little one.
Kit Lang says
Good grief – so glad you were spared although, like you, I’m sorry for those/wish I could help those who weren’t.
Can’t beleive you’re still blogging in the midst of it – you win Blogger(s) of the Year award!
angel p says
wow…the house in the 3rd pic was super lucky. We were right in the path of Ike a few years back and when we were able to get out in the morning all the trees around us fell parallel to our house. We were sooooo lucky since there were at least 5 down within about 100ft of my house. We had no damage at all but many of our neighbors did not do so well. The good thing is we had a giant neighborhood picnic and everyone brought over all the food from the freezers that was gonna go bad and the bbq pits were all set up. It was a great day to meet everyone even if the circumstances weren’t ideal. I’m glad you are all ok. Hopefully you won’t have to go 13 days of no power like we did. After about day 11 you start to lose your mind just a little bit. LOL.
Shannon says
Oh, I’m so glad you’re okay, but that is so sad for your neighbors! I almost cried when I saw their house, but at least they’re safe!! We’re in upstate NY where it wasn’t too bad. What a storm; so thankful it’s over!
Megan says
Oh, that’s so sad. As a Floridian, I know this all too well. I’ll keep your neighbors in my thoughts.
Jess says
so glad you made it through ok, and hope you get power back soon! your neighbors are lucky to have some DIY-gurus nextdoor… perhaps a “john and sherry help fix up the house nextdoor” post will be coming our way eventually?
YoungHouseLove says
Haha- his wife did joke that once they repair the damage they could use “some decorating help…” – you know we’d jump right in!
xo,
s
Janice says
I’m so glad you are all OK, but so sad for those who weren’t so fortunate. Here in New Brunswick, Canada, it was a lot of rain & wind, and hopefully the wind will diminish in the next few hours. High tide around noon should produce some big surf, so looking forward to seeing that (safely). Sherry – I hope your Mom’s home wasn’t damaged. How about John’s folks beach house?
YoungHouseLove says
We still don’t have any word on the beach house since that area was evacuated but we’re hoping for the best (we have heard that the actual beach was really hurt by the storm – washed away and stuff). As for my mom’s home, thankfully it’s ok. They’re dealing with lots of flooding up there though – but hers was spared. My poor grandma lives in Millburn, NJ (where entire areas are underwater) but thankfully she’s ok!
xo,
s
Janice says
Oh, your poor Grandma. The flooding is devastating whole communities.
YoungHouseLove says
I know it’s so sad! Hoping they get some relief soon!
xo,
s
Kristin @ Ogo's Love Nest says
We lost power around the same time as you and are still waiting to be restored.
I’m glad that with all the chaos we could get on YHL and start our Monday’s with some normalcy! (if you don’t count the cold showers and coffee-less start to the day)
Our house was spared too and we’re so thankful! Have a good day and *crossing my fingers* for both of us to get power soon!
Kristen @ Popcorn on the Stove says
Glad you’re all safe! We had a similar experience to you guys – lots of trees were uprooted and leaves everywhere. My parents’ house’s basement flooded and lost power. Our apartment (which is in a zone A for NYC) was fine – still had power and everything. The only thing we lost was hot water. Thankfully, everyone is safe but still scary!
Di says
Glad you weathered the storm decently!! I thought it was bad we didn’t have power for 27 hours (we are on Long Island)!
Thank God for Nick Jr. No-Sew Crafts & Scooby Doo on the iPad.
Good Luck! My thoughts go out to all those who had it worse than my family….
Tina says
Glad you all are safe. While it is sad to see all the trees down, I’m thankful its just trees that are down, not more people missing/gone. Good luck with the lack of power–so glad you have family near-by you can crash with to enjoy some A/C and lovely hot water.
Jill says
We got really, really lucky in Alexandria – essentially no flooding, and no major fallen trees in our entire neighborhood. We have a half-dead oak tree in our yard and have had a few estimates from tree surgeons to take it down – I want to have that done as soon as possible now! *breathes sigh of relief* So glad you guys are safe and sound, and that no one was hurt in the houses with major damage.
Laura says
Good Luck Sherry & John. What a horrible weather week for you two. Glad to see that your home wasn’t hurt in the storm. I turned off the news for the weekend, and had no idea how bad it had gotten in your area. My in-laws are in MD, about 45 minutes from DC & they are okay too. What a crazy storm. It has to be the only storm that has had such a drastic effect on the entire coast. Here’s hoping that your clean up goes smoothly, so you can get back to work on what you WANT to do!
Sara says
Glad to hear all is okay! Clara is adorable in those photos!!
Miranda says
Glad to hear that you made it safely through the storm. Take care!
MJB says
Clara lounges like a grown up! Adorable photos of the kids… good way to end a sad post.
Jordan G @ The Happy Homebodies says
I’m glad to hear that you guys are ok and didn’t suffer much damage. I was thinking about you as I watched the news coverage. Sending good thoughts from Dallas…
Hazel says
Long time reader and first time commenter, but I just had to say I’m so glad you all made it through alright. Hope everything gets back to normal for you soon.
Maile says
Glad to hear you all are okay! I’ve been thinking of y’all all weekend…
Have you been able to keep using cloth diapers? When we moved into our house we didn’t have a washer and dryer the first 2 weeks and the laundromat we went to made them stinky, so we had to use disposables and it made me so sad. :(
Anyway, sending extra hugs your way! Take care! xoxo
YoungHouseLove says
Oh man, that stinks! We’re 15 months in and still using the same dozen cloth diapers we bought before Clara was born and love it! We actually published an update post about them here. Of course as part of our “hurricane preparation” we picked up a few bags of disposable diapers (just because we were warned we would likely lose power for days and even a week if this storm was anywhere near the strength of Isabel in 2003). So glad we did! We’ve been using them for the last three no-power days, but can’t wait to get back to cloth!
xo,
s
Jessica J says
We got hit pretty hard here in Norfolk (Ocean View area) but thankfully got power back on late yesterday. I was amazed at how quickly they managed it because just driving around our neighborhood there were at least 10 trees down on power lines and houses. We’re so thankful to have only lost a few shingles (and my sunflowers in the garden). Happy to hear you guys are alright! :)
Mandy says
I hope power comes back for you guys sooner than later!! I am outside of Baltimore, and we were really lucky to not get hit very hard by the storm. Lots of strong winds and heavy rain, but no damage and our power never even flickered, but we have a lot of friends who don’t have power in the area, so we are lucky.
Glad to see that you and yours are safe and sound :)
DeeDee says
Hi there! I’m normally a lurker to your wonderful blog, but I just wanted to say I’m glad you and yours are ok and survived without too much damage. Here’s hoping they get your power back on soon! HUGS! :)
Katie @ Chai Thoughts says
So glad you guys made it through. Really sorry about your neighbors, though. Irene was such a crazy storm.
foo says
glad you and your family are all ok. I’m so sorry for you neighbors and for anyone who sustained damage to their homes. I’m sure it’s a very helpless feeling, but, I’d rather it damage my house than me or my family.
Stacy says
Glad you guys are ok. I figured your neighborhood with all the big old beautiful trees would be hit bad. We drove down to The Fan yesterday via Monument Ave. and they got slammed also. Dozens of massive old trees down with lots of them landing on row houses. We faired pretty well in my neighborhood (sorta Near West Endish). We only lost power for 4 hours (thankfully located on a grid with a hospital and a major intersection) and no trees down though we have one that is suspiciously leaning at a 60% angle that was not leaning on Friday.
Hears hoping y’all get power sooner rather than later.
YoungHouseLove says
Oh that’s so sad! We haven’t driven through The Fan yet, but can only imagine how sad that is to see.
xo,
s
Ashley says
So sad! I live a couple blocks from Monument and can’t believe how many of the trees came down. Saw so many cars and houses affected when we got out yesterday :(. John and Sherry, so glad you all were safe!
Mary K says
Glad you’re ok! My sister and brother-in-law were living in Alexandria when Isabel came through, and my sister was pregnant with their first little girl. At some point during the hurricane, they decided they loved the name Isabel, and they ended up naming her after the hurricane! It suits her though. :-)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, that’s pretty funny!
xo,
s
Laura Jinkins says
So glad to hear you came through without serious damage. We experienced the same relief when Hurricane Ike hit the Texas coast in 2008. While we were without power for 3 weeks, our house suffered no damage … many of our friends in our community were not as fortunate. So the “inconvenience” of being without lights after dark was really not that big a deal. (And having a gas stove is excellent, because you can still cook!)
Robin @ Our Semi Organic Life says
I think we’re not far away from you guys (on the southside) and we got our power back last night! Only 1 side of the street though :/ It was 28 hours without power for us. Hope that sends good vibes to you since I know how much it sucks to be without power.
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks! John’s sister’s power was restored this morning so we’re being cautiously optimistic! There are still some trees down on lines (and some lines just down in the middle of the road) so we don’t want to get our hopes up – but we’re definitely hoping!
xo,
s
KathyG says
I couldn’t believe you guys didn’t leave with all those trees around there! I live on TX Gulf Coast, very familiar with hurricanes. Alicia back in the day taught me about hurricanes.
I just assumed you were ‘gone’ on Friday and not telling anyone for the normal security reasons. People really have to live through one to see and feel how dangerous they really are. :-(
Like I used to tell my son when he was a teenager/college kid and we left him in charge of the house – he would always tell me that he’d take care of things, he’d protect the house, and I’d say “I can replace anything any-thing here-except you…just protect you”.
Storms teach us that the only really valuable thing is life. Glad everyone is ok. But next time – LEAVE! :-)
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks for the tip KathyG! We weren’t in an evac. zone and didn’t really have anyone telling us that it would hover or be that bad! I think it took us all by surprise – but next time… yeah, we’ll be outta there!
xo,
s