Hurricane Matthew has strengthened to a Category 4 hurricane and is headed toward the FL coast. Much of the US eastern coastline is under hurricane warnings with evacuations being issued.
The Annual Magnet Conference was in progress in Orlando this week, but has officially been closed this morning due to the approaching storm. Two staff from the allnurses team are among the thousands trying to leave the area. You can imagine the chaos.
If you are among those stranded, please give a shout out here. This can be a place to post your Matthew-related information.
Specializes in Home Health, Mental/Behavioral Health.
Yesterday was very busy. I'm an er nurse and because the roads were passable again, for the main thoroughfares, we had an influx of people. I had at least three very lucky chainsaw injuries (nearly could have been worse), a lineman with a significant face Lac, and several cooking injuries because many are without power and resorted to improvising with gas or traditional grills.
And because power is out, many knew or suspected their doctor would be closed the next couple of days, so they came for med refills, other urgent care stuff. Pharmacies had limited availability so we gave a lot of take home packs of meds. Exhausting.
Holy cow. Thanks for all your hard work and sacrifice during this rough time!
Eastern NC has gotten smacked very very hard by Matthew. Some areas got 16" of rain in under 24 hours, and our ground was already saturated. People still do not have power, roads have been washed out, and homes are underwater. I don't know how much media coverage this got but recovering is going to take a very long time. I worked all weekend and took all kinds of backroads to get home to my family (I live 50mi from work). When we started driving around today we were shocked at how much water is still standing around and how far over its banks our local river has flooded. We didn't drive into any of it because we aren't stupid but it was really shocking how much water is still there. It is going to get worse before it gets better as all the water from points west heads this direction and keeps going to our neighbors further east.
Specializes in Home Health, Mental/Behavioral Health.
Eastern NC has gotten smacked very very hard by Matthew. Some areas got 16" of rain in under 24 hours, and our ground was already saturated. People still do not have power, roads have been washed out, and homes are underwater. I don't know how much media coverage this got but recovering is going to take a very long time. I worked all weekend and took all kinds of backroads to get home to my family (I live 50mi from work). When we started driving around today we were shocked at how much water is still standing around and how far over its banks our local river has flooded. We didn't drive into any of it because we aren't stupid but it was really shocking how much water is still there. It is going to get worse before it gets better as all the water from points west heads this direction and keeps going to our neighbors further east.
I've followed coverage provided by the "Weather Channel" and have seen the flooding in NC. The damage being done by this hurricane is just unbelievable. I'm praying for all you east coasters that you and your families stay safe.
Yikes. I'm going there tomorrow (for 2 weeks) to volunteer with the Red Cross. In Greenville, NC. I am looking forward to helping though. Being in between jobs is tough and I want to create structure to my day.
I live right next to Shadow and was stranded at work for 3 days with lots of confused people and about 18 hours without power. We made it work and slept in shifts. My facility fed us and paid us around the clock. I'm very blessed.
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
Eastern NC is still very much hit hard. Some of the rivers have started to recede and recovery has just started for people in those areas.
Please consider donating to relief/recovery efforts.
I can only imagine the heartbreak of facing your home, your belongings after a devastating flood. My heart goes out to all of you. (And a donation as well.)
I can only imagine the heartbreak of facing your home, your belongings after a devastating flood. My heart goes out to all of you. (And a donation as well.)
Thank you so much! It means a lot to know that people around the country are reaching out and thinking of those who were so directly impacted. My house and neighborhood are fine, but people 5 miles down the road from us weren't so lucky and their homes were destroyed.
My son's middle school is collecting personal items - towels, toothpaste/brushes, underwear etc. - to be donated to an elementary school in the next county. That school was completely submerged and everything inside destroyed, so teachers and students no longer have a school to go back to. Many of them also lost their homes and belongings in the flooding as well.
I just got back from NC...working in Greenville, Princeville, and Tarboro. Most of my time was spent in Greenville though. Some of the stories I heard, and the damage I saw were so awful. Princeville doesn't have a fire station anymore. Seeing the bent garage doors, and all of their belongings thrown onto the grass, with only the American flag hanging from the roof was something I've never experienced. They set up temporarily at a gas station down the street (which was also damaged). God bless the first responders who are living in a tent there ready to take calls.
Working as a nurse in the shelter was really rewarding. I got close to a lot of my clients, and really got to know their families. Most of my work was finding medications, replacing eyeglasses, and being a listening ear/shoulder to cry on.
On All Souls Day (tomorrow), I will pray for the 23 lives lost in NC. One of those lives was in our shelter. Thank God I did not actually witness the event. I didn't know his name, but I know his face. Way too young...
Sorry went rambling just now! I just really hope people continue to donate or help. At this point, donations to local organizations to help the displaced families is crucial. As far as I know, there is only 1 shelter still open in the Tarboro area. They will have to leave eventually, and donations will help them get back on their feet.
BabyFood26
203 Posts
Holy cow. Thanks for all your hard work and sacrifice during this rough time!