Photos of Isabel's Wrath ~ Before, during and after. September 18, 2003, Newport News, VA More descriptive text to follow at a later time. Power back on September 25, 2003, 2:00PM There are no words to describe what we have been through this week. Bob Haymaker sent the 1st two photos below. That is a visual that does not even come close to suggesting the sound. I took some photos during the beginning of the savagery that began September 18, 2003 and then following. We lost everything in the refrigerator and freezer. Even this loss lacks expression to the sights and devastation all around. The stench from the trash containers on our block (just emptied today) carries all over. People were pulling together, but no help anywhere. Some were able to venture out and find a little ice. It astounds me that there was not one single Dominion Power (or any other from any State) in sight all week long. Then today, one pickup and a larger truck pulling a trailer with cable passed through ~ they made (the same ones) several passes and then, not long after, the lights came on. Then not long after that a white bus from some church came by with food. After a week with no suggestion of encouragement they were nearly laughed at by the neighbors. Someone yelled, "We have power now!" I reckon some will still need the food. As for myself, I've no appetite. Too little too late. It is difficult right now for me to express any of it all in a civil way . . . after some time I shall make a stab at describing some of what happened here. Warm regards and thanks for your prayers! Bob & Glenda ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* PS CLICK ABOVE FOR TEXT ONLY

This is our proud ~ our 4 firemen and their trucks. Isabel hit Thursday, September 18, 2003 and this photo of our mighty rescue arrive on scene on Wednesday, September 24, 2003. Hoop, hop Hooray! Then, as you can see ~ The headline on our local yokel newspaper reads, FEMA under fire! It is not FEMA, or President Bush that is at fault. We heard nothing from our locals for nearly a week. I reckon they went to France to escape Isabel! This photo above is as is all over Newport News. I sat on my front porch for most of the week, day and night, and never saw any kind of local government representatives ~ Fire, Ambulance or Police for 5 ½ days. Then one lonely policeman. The Police are, though, to be commended for doing a fantastic job of traffic control ~ standing out in the middle of these crazy streets and directing traffic! Thank you NPN Police!

I have to wonder ~ Did it ever occur to Ms Mayor Mamie Locke or City manager George Wallace that they would have had a much better chance of hearing from officials -- Fed Government or otherwise, not to mention all the local citizens -- had they been in their respective offices rather than standing out in some parking lot or maul looking for free ice? It is simply disgusting. Everyone is standing around waiting for someone else to do the job. One more observation: When you hear your 'local yokals' on TV (Wether) telling to watch their stations because "WE CAN SEE THINGS THE OTHERS CAN'T SEE", pay none of them any mind. They will be off the air if anything happens, nature or terror, . . . or you will have no power to turn them on. It is "look out for yourself!" What a turn off . . .












































































































































































































































































































E-Mail Me Here: Bob Craig