Matthew the Hurricane

They tell you exactly where you can go.....and exactly where YOU CANNOT GO...

We take the back roads....through tiny little towns...

Houses and churches pass by in a BLUR.........

that's an evacuation sign.....sorry so blurry! LOL

When the lanes are reversed....everybody goes the same way.........

Trying to get to safety........as the waves start getting bigger...

we watched as the storm moved up the coast and wreaking damage all along Florida. Then...we knew it was headed right for us. 

We took refuge in Columbia, South Carolina.

What's that old saying?

The sunset reflected in one of the tall buildings:

We've been so lucky the past years!! This time we were not going to be so lucky.....

Sometime in the middle of the night, I startled awake to pitch black nothingness. It was so eerie and quiet.....everything was OFF and the darkness was that kind where you couldn't even see your hand in front of your own face. There was no power on. The kind of dark where you scramble to find your flashlight...and knock it down in your panic and lose it! LOL

 Many trees fell all over the state that night. Here's one of the biggest I saw:

I wish my photos weren't so blurry--but the little news-girl was running around getting her scene set up and working...I tried not to get into her way.

Wow! you don't really realize how big and deep those tree roots go that anchor the big trees! Until you see one ripped up.

Even though we did evacuate, there were trees down everywhere by us.

We stayed another day because most of the power was out in Charleston.

 Here's some pictures of going home day:

Packed. Very slow going.

Many families, dogs, cats, on their way home.

Our thoughts and prayers are with all affected by this tragedy. So many have been injured or lost homes, their transportation, even lives. Thank you to the many who called, texted, and emailed to see if we got out safely. The encouragement, prayers, and virtual hugs helped so much. Packing up your self and your pets and not knowing what you are even coming home to is nerve wracking, to say the least. We are so thankful for a safe journey, and even FINDING a hotel room---everything everywhere was SOLD OUT clear upstate by Tuesday night or so. 
We arrived home to a safe and whole house with no damage, just alot of limbs scattered on the yard. Our power was ON! So thankful for that as so many still have no power. Our daughter lost everything in her refrigerator as their power was out for days and only restored late today. Still, we are thankful. Groceries can be replaced, lives cannot.
A few more quick snaps of areas all over:

the utility crews are doing a great job for us!

Right now it looks like the flooding is particularly bad in Lumberton, North Carolina.

A big thank you the power and utility workers who have arrived from all over to help get us back running. And to all the firemen, policemen and women, EMS workers, first responders, National Guard, rescue teams, Red Cross, shelter volunteers and any and all who have taken precious time away from their own families to come help!

Those are the heros.