Hurricane Katrina Housing HELL
|
Logged in as: Guest
|
NOTICE: We are no longer using this forum for discussions. Please follow the links to the new forums.
Catastrophe Central-The Adjuster's Forum : Community Center- Forums
New Site Registration : New Site Login
Login  | |
|
Hurricane Katrina Housing HELL - 8/30/2005 11:33:04 PM
|
|
|
JimF
Posts: 1323
Joined: 4/19/2004
Status: offline
|
Post temporarily removed by Poster to review for compliance with the CADO website owner's guidelines to insure that generally accepted Free Speech provisions of law are not violated by exceptions to free speech recognized by American law, including obscenity, defamation, breach of the peace, incitement to crime, "fighting words" and sedition.
< Message edited by JimF -- 2/17/2006 11:56:32 PM >
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Hurricane Katrina Housing HELL - 8/30/2005 11:44:14 PM
|
|
|
Steve F
Posts: 8
Joined: 5/4/2004
Status: offline
|
Jim,
I agree completely and personally I am considering purchasing a travel trailer.
I have never owned such a vehcile or even been camping for that matter.
Can we have a discussion on this topic?
I have a Suburban 4x4 and was wondering what I should be shopping for?
How about some idea where I can park it when I get there? Will all the RV facilities be full as well as the hotels?
Please provide as much info on this topic as possible.
Thanks!
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Hurricane Katrina Housing HELL - 8/30/2005 11:51:06 PM
|
|
|
JimF
Posts: 1323
Joined: 4/19/2004
Status: offline
|
Post temporarily removed by Poster to review for compliance with the CADO website owner's guidelines to insure that generally accepted Free Speech provisions of law are not violated by exceptions to free speech recognized by American law, including obscenity, defamation, breach of the peace, incitement to crime, "fighting words" and sedition.
< Message edited by JimF -- 2/18/2006 3:28:34 AM >
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Hurricane Katrina Housing HELL - 8/31/2005 12:03:08 AM
|
|
|
Wes
Posts: 622
Joined: 4/19/2004
Home base: Deerfield Beach, FL
Status: offline
|
What are opinions that the expense of this unusual housing situation needs to be on the shoulders of the insurance company. Even shelter for the relief workers let alone displaced residents is going to be impossible. Perhaps it is time for some docked cruise or military ships for housing.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Hurricane Katrina Housing HELL - 8/31/2005 12:04:41 AM
|
|
|
ClaySheffield
Posts: 66
Joined: 4/19/2004
Home base: Daphne, Alabama
Status: offline
|
I purchased a pop up camper last year, & I have had great luck with it. I have noticed several on Ebay, but not sure if that would be the best place to buy one. Pop ups are one of those things that really need to be inspected. I purchased an older model after Charlie hit, and it only lasted me three weeks. The cable system broke, and it would have cost more to repair than the thing was worth. Was lucky and able to trade it in on a new one.
With the addition of a generator, you could be pretty comfortable in one... as long as you are able to find a place to mark it. I know that there were several generators left at the Home Depot in Dothan, AL as of yesterday.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Hurricane Katrina Housing HELL - 8/31/2005 12:08:40 AM
|
|
|
jmccarty
Posts: 10
Joined: 8/21/2005
Home base: Cedar Park, TX
Status: offline
|
I have a 38’ motorhome. Based on experience at NASCAR races, I can live self-contained (with generator) for about 10 days. At that point, I become like the rest of the population – no drinking water, toilet backing up, and out of gas for the generator.
I can live real well for those 10 days, but then I need a place to refill some fluids and dump others.
When I say “self-contained,” I mean just that. If the cellular phone towers are up, I have phones and internet access in my “home” office.
I have the motorhome on a lot advertised for sale because I prefer a fifth-wheel since I can pull it with my Ford Super Duty, but can’t pull the Ford Super Duty behind the motorhome. (Hmm, maybe I had better go get it anyway.)
Bottom line is that motorhome, travel trailer, or fifth-wheel – pretty soon you need support yourself.
_____________________________
Have a great day!
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Hurricane Katrina Housing HELL - 8/31/2005 12:09:41 AM
|
|
|
Wes
Posts: 622
Joined: 4/19/2004
Home base: Deerfield Beach, FL
Status: offline
|
For anyone looking to take a generator with them if you have a Pep Boys auto parts store near you they carry a large selection of very reasonably priced generators. Can't vouch for the quality but one of the brands is a respectible Coleman Generator.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Hurricane Katrina Housing HELL - 8/31/2005 12:16:51 AM
|
|
|
JimF
Posts: 1323
Joined: 4/19/2004
Status: offline
|
Post temporarily removed by Poster to review for compliance with the CADO website owner's guidelines to insure that generally accepted Free Speech provisions of law are not violated by exceptions to free speech recognized by American law, including obscenity, defamation, breach of the peace, incitement to crime, "fighting words" and sedition.
< Message edited by JimF -- 2/18/2006 3:29:09 AM >
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Hurricane Katrina Housing HELL - 8/31/2005 12:18:18 AM
|
|
|
Kelley
Posts: 109
Joined: 4/19/2004
Home base: DFW to WF, TX
Status: offline
|
We purchased RV years ago in case this day came. We know we possible will not have electricity and generator will not last a long period, it is propane.
We will use propane to run refg., it will be quick cold showers and no A/C. We will take small generator and screened in room w/ floor, lawn chairs and folding tables. We will use generator to power computer, recharge cameras and maybe cell phones if they are usable. My little portable generator is 4 stoke & will run for 7 hours on gallon of gas.
I will carry a couple of extra gas cans so when we stop to fill up (right after robbing the bank) we can have a little extra gas and will try to keep on full can at all times.
I don't care to sleep on cots or sleeping bags and way to old to do the car thing. It will cost major dollars to move RV over w/ these fuel cost but it is still cheaper than the room rate.
I am making arrangements before leaving home for family members to truck stuff to us every two or three weeks if need be. They can bring can good, extra paper, storage building to put up and lock up items from the looters, extra bottles of propane.
We took time today to have our propane guy to refit a couple of 10 gal propane bottle for the liquid propane. This will give us a little emergency propane and extend out use time by about 5 days.
I will check into satellite like internet tomorrow.....
Mom always said... where there's a will there's a way. For those of you who know me personally you know I don't know how to be a quitter. I find a way, make a way or stay on the phone I can find someone who can.
Adjuster friends have kept me swamped the last 3 days helping to put things together for them. In the 20 years I owned my own business I learned how to let my fingers do the walking, know how to beg and ask for help.
If you need a small affordable generator email me.... tag "generator" in the subject and I will send you info. 1200/1000 W unit for under 200.00 and ships out reg fgt at 40.00. The units come out of DFW and there is a limited supply.
kele1@prodigy.net
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Hurricane Katrina Housing HELL - 8/31/2005 12:49:03 AM
|
|
|
jmccarty
Posts: 10
Joined: 8/21/2005
Home base: Cedar Park, TX
Status: offline
|
If someone could find a really large parking area, they could get rich.
I go to every NASCAR race at Texas Motor Speedway along with nine other guys in six motorhomes/fifth-wheelers. We “circle the wagons” and create our own little village. We rent a community porta-potti that is serviced daily and of course each RV has full bathroom. One of the guys rents a diesel powered generator that we all hook up to. It runs all week and we have never had to refuel it, so I don’t know how long it would run before it went dry. The porta-potti and generator expenses are shared. When they are split 10 ways, my share is usually covered by bringing a few extra 12-packs of Bud.
There are services provided by vendors that will bring fresh water ($20 for a fill-up or 50 gallons, whichever occurs first), septic tank trucks that will empty your tanks ($20 - $25), and propane trucks. I carry 40 gallons of propane so I don’t know how much that costs.
Anyway, if someone (or some claims service company) were industrious enough to have a huge parking lot, they could really provide a useful service by emulating the folks at TMS. You would need a parking lot or heavily graveled lot because of all the coming and going. If you’ve ever been to TMS when it rained, you know what I mean.
With that village setup, we could probably stay indefinitely. We limit it to a week (two weeks at Daytona 500) because, after that, we need to detox from all the Budweiser.
_____________________________
Have a great day!
|
|
|
|
RE: Hurricane Katrina Housing HELL - 8/31/2005 12:55:44 AM
|
|
|
katadj
Posts: 692
Joined: 4/19/2004
Home base: New Hope, PA
Status: offline
|
Jim has it correct, as usual. The housing will be taken up by the million or so displaced residents.
The living space normally consumed by the Red Cross, FEMA and electical and tree workers in concert with we adjusters does not exist. We have to devise alternate ways to ply our trade, when the time to do it presents itself.
Those who "rush in where angels fear to tread" are going to be sorely disapointed and regret it. The NationalGuard, Local and State police, Emergency Services workers and those involved in life saving activities do NOT need 2000 "adjusters" mucking up their plans.
We cannot get to the losses yet. The IA firms don't have the losses yet. Mississippi is without power in 80% of the state. New Orleans is a war zone. The telephone/fax situation is hardly existant. The internet flew off into cyberspace.
With respect to Jim's initial posting, In '92 for "Andrew" I had a 40' Motor Coach and pulled a suburban. After retiring in '93 I came out again for "Erin" in 95 and used the same 40 footer and vechile and did so all over the US for the next 7 years.
Becoming claustrophobic living in 200SF the Bus was sold in '02 and the usual Motel, apartment,condo, house rental became the norm.
Today I sure wish i had the bus in the driveway. Alas, that is not the case , So alternatives present themselves.
1) Buy a travel trailer 30-34 Ft and tow in behind the Yukon.
2) Buy or rent a self contained Motor Home or Bus.
3) Buy or rent a house someplace within 100/150 miles from the work area.
4) Buy or rent a houseboat, and stay in a smaller working area.
My preference is to be totally mobile, self contained and self sufficent. So choice #2 will have to be employed. With this setup, we can hookup at an available RV park, or boondock in a parking lot. Have a self contained office with wi-fi capacity to transfer files and be able to locate/relocate as needed.
Each will choose and endure to their own preferences and hopefully not suffer in the extreme.
This gig will last 2-3 years and there will never be enough people to do it all, and what if?
GOD speed to all, and please exercise the highest degree of safety and compassion for these victims of mother nature.
_____________________________
"Excellence often first appears as error. It is only in retrospect that wisdom emerges from ignorance and success from failure." Abraham Lincoln
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Hurricane Katrina Housing HELL - 8/31/2005 1:16:38 AM
|
|
|
larryfast
Posts: 10
Joined: 3/22/2005
Home base: Haltom City, Texas
Status: offline
|
I spent 6 weeks in a tent at the begining of Ivan last year. My first investment in January was a self-contained motor home.
-Larry
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Hurricane Katrina Housing HELL - 8/31/2005 1:55:52 AM
|
|
|
cdlynes
Posts: 41
Joined: 4/19/2004
Home base: North Atlanta Suburbs, GA
Status: offline
|
Well, I almost bought a motor home today, but hesitated... I may yet. But not today. But my vendor of choice called and asked me to go to FL as they are being slammed with claims there, and you know we cannot get in to the Gulf area yet. So I am headed for Miami in the morning for what will I hope be a fruitful experience. They have power and vacancies in Miami.
I will not sleep on the floor of a tent for 65% of fee. I will not eat cold chili in a can for 65% of fee. I cannot imagine climbing roofs and dodging gators then not taking a shower for ?? days for 65% of fee. Sorry. I guess I am getting old. I also will not drive 3 hours one way to scope losses, then drive 3 hours back for 4 hours sleep. Handling half the number of claims I could if I could be nearer. Camping is fun, but not while you are working. Before I get to Mississippi, I will have either a motor home, or a trailer with some comforts like a shower and some cool air. And maybe even rent a bed out. Check you guys out later. Good to see you are all spirited and willing to go.
< Message edited by cdlynes -- 9/12/2005 9:15:35 PM >
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Hurricane Katrina Housing HELL - 8/31/2005 2:11:06 AM
|
|
|
cdlynes
Posts: 41
Joined: 4/19/2004
Home base: North Atlanta Suburbs, GA
Status: offline
|
I must say, I lived in Charleston during Hugo, and used my motorbike to service my claims. Nobody I visited did not have a ladder already set up. My home was hot and the water was undrinkable, no shingles on my leaky roof and it rained almost every day.
When I was at Homestead for Andrew, I slept in a tent on a high school football field. With a thousand other emergency workers. Common showers trucked in by the Natl Guard. MRE supplied with a smile. Low expenses, but burned out real quick, especially doing estimates by hand with the company's price list.
Northridge, I stayed in a hotel leased by the Cat vendor, cut rate per day rent. Until I went to church and someone volunteered a rented room with a bath and kitchen privileges for a third of the cost. It pays to take an hour on Sunday morning to collect your head and get your heart in the right place.
Cut to last year, I missed the whole year of 2004, contracted in California taking down the old Mission Ins. Examining 18 year old claims. But was reimbursed for all my lodging expenses plus a per diem.
I agree with JimF, this is one CAT that we will have an exceptionally hard time finding shelter. Even an RV will get very small after a couple of weeks. I suggest we work together and help each other out. CADO is the perfect forum to do that.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Hurricane Katrina Housing HELL - 8/31/2005 7:22:27 AM
|
|
|
jimmudge
Posts: 2
Joined: 8/30/2005
Home base: Duluth, GA
Status: offline
|
I have a motor home & plan to go down in a couple of weeks after the claims start coming & the companies have some semblance of order. I certainly hope that all of the companies review their fee schedules so that we can net a decent living out of the hell we are going to have to endure. My biggest concern is having internet access in order to forward & receive claims. I have heard others talk about Wi Fi in their RV or thru their cellular phone. Does anybody have any info on these services & how I can go about signing up.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Hurricane Katrina Housing HELL - 8/31/2005 8:43:26 AM
|
|
|
murray
Posts: 7
Joined: 11/28/2004
Status: offline
|
http://www.woodalls.com/
I use the above site to find campgrounds/RV parks. Also I "right click" an area on the DeLorme map and left click, "Find travel point of interest", "then miles", and check "camp and RV parks". The DeLorme is not always correct in their list because sometimes daycare centers show up. Woodalls will require you to register, but no cost. In my past experience, FEMA will start to bring in campers, for temp housing and use the same parks. I think FEMA will not bring in "temp housing" as long as there is no power. I use Wi-Fi when the park has it and I also use "Express network" from Verizon wireless cell service, for internet, all is depending on cell towers or power. I have a Motorola, Model 120 phone, I purchased the "mobile office kit" ($70) and activate the "express network". The cost is about $80 per month and if you have a phone that is internet ready, there has not been a contract.
Murray
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Hurricane Katrina Housing HELL - 8/31/2005 9:36:08 AM
|
|
|
JCwik
Posts: 26
Joined: 8/31/2005
Home base: CopperState Claims Management Services
Status: offline
|
Good Morning All! I am personally investing in a travel trailer to pull behind my Ford Super Duty so as to keep my "office" with me while in the field (remember: there will be looters who may be interested in your personal effects as there are and will be some very desperate people). I am also bringing a diesel generator to supplement the propane in the travel trailer so I may go where needed, quickly. I think keeping our group together in numbers (a.k.a. "circling the wagons") is also an excellent idea! I too do not anticipate there being adequate accomodations available given the number of displaced persons.
Does anybody have an ETA? I am looking at a week or possibly two for my arrival so that basic services may be returned as well as not to create an impediment to the rescue/recovery effort which should take precedent at this time in my opinion!
_____________________________
John T. Cwik
CopperState C.M.S.
Tucson, Arizona
"It's not enough that we do our best; sometimes we have to do what's required." Sir Winston Churchill (1874 - 1965)
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Hurricane Katrina Housing HELL - 8/31/2005 12:15:08 PM
|
|
|
linloy
Posts: 175
Joined: 5/30/2005
Home base: Oklahoma and Florida
Status: offline
|
We have been working out of our 32' Motorhome since September of last year. During Ivan work we purchased a 100# Propane Tank that we hook up to RV. Have Generator that runs everything else. Have extra fuel tanks for RV and vehicles. We have made it just fine with the two of us and 3 dogs. We have 2 offices set up in the Motorhome. Oh we also purchased a Dog Pen and Screen Room (not all in one lol) However, we are looking to go to a 5th Wheel later but will have Generator put in it and offices in seperate room. Can't quit working long enough to look for one (not complaining). We believe RV is only way to go. Oh, did I mention we are also towing our 2 personal watercraft. Never in a million years did we think they would be used for adjusting (lol). We are hoping to stay where we are now but if they move us, they move us. Since we are Flood Adjusters, anything can happen. It appears Back to Basics....will surely cause some of us to rethink our priorities. Good Luck to all and take care, be safe.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Hurricane Katrina Housing HELL - 8/31/2005 2:31:23 PM
|
|
|
yumadj
Posts: 71
Joined: 4/19/2004
Home base: Yuma, Arizona
Status: offline
|
There is one million homeless. Certainly, every available room within 500 miles is going to be taken. Fema Tent Cities will appear in every major shopping parking lot. The carriers should get in on the act and take what measures are necessary to secure vacant land for adjuster dry camping. The "village" idea is intriguing. Cross your fingers regarding wireless coverage, they are having serious problems now. Be ready to just walk in your discs to the claim center. Right???? Good luck everyone.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Hurricane Katrina Housing HELL - 8/31/2005 6:14:06 PM
|
|
|
FloridaBoy
Posts: 98
Joined: 8/15/2004
Home base: Ft. Myers, Florida
Status: offline
|
I would not be in a big hurry to head for the Gulf. New Orleans is going to be a nightmare and there are valid health concerns in the area. I recall driving from Ft. Lauderdale to Homestead during Andrew. Very draining to say the least.
A tip of the hat to you if you can camp in a tent and operate a mobile office. At least the weather will be cooling off.
There will be a lot of claims in the path of Katrina.
|
|
|
|
!! You are viewing a post in the forum archive.
NOTICE: We are no longer using this forum for discussions. Please follow the links to the new forums.
Catastrophe Central-The Adjuster's Forum : Community Center- Forums
New Site Registration : New Site Login
 New Messages |
 No New Messages |
 Hot Topic w/ New Messages |
 Hot Topic w/o New Messages |
 Locked w/ New Messages |
 Locked w/o New Messages |
|
Post New Thread
Reply to Message
Post New Poll
Submit Vote
Delete My Own Post
Delete My Own Thread
Rate Posts
|
|
User Agreement | Privacy Statement| Contact |Copyright 1995 - 2006 CatAdjuster.org. All rights reserved.
0.312
|
Printable Version
