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Hurricane Sandy

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  • Member since
    August 2009
  • From: Borlando Fla home of the rat
Posted by TREYZX10R on Wednesday, November 21, 2012 5:18 PM

Len nice score on the kits! I work for a utility as well and it was rough doing 12 -14 hr days and coming back to a dark ,hot house. I hope you get a chance to relax and build a bit,cheers Trey

  • Member since
    July 2007
  • From: Southern New Jersey
Posted by troublemaker66 on Wednesday, November 21, 2012 4:32 PM

Hey All,

Finally pretty much settled into our rental..a.k.a...our "winter home" ( as my wife likes to call it). I`m going to our flooded out house to get my modeling gear this weekend, hopefully..."Ma Bell" has us working 12/7`s till further notice. Liking the $ but I`m burnt with all the other crap that`s goin` on.

Anyway....I was picking my Son up this morning out in Mt. Holly ,NJ., and noticed a sign in a strip mall "Hobby Shop"....an old time killer one! This guy had anything you could think of and then some! I saw it on the way to get him and stopped so I couldn`t stay too long but the 1st chance I get, I`m takin` some of that ot money and goin` nuts in there...lol. I think the name was A.I.R. Hobbies, on route 38...receipt says Lumberton, close to Mt Holly.  I bought two kits, a Revell UH-34 helo and an old but sealed Monogram F-8 Cougar..been trying to get that one on Ebay but kept getting way to pricey...paid about $20 for each...not too bad!

Len

Len Pytlewski

  • Member since
    July 2007
  • From: Southern New Jersey
Posted by troublemaker66 on Sunday, November 18, 2012 9:29 PM

TREYZX10R

Len the craziness with adjusters is mind boggling ,hang in there!  Back to basics brought our outdoor cooking skills up while we waited for 3 weeks for power and not having a tv going really made us do something unique,like actually talk to each other. I hope you are at least comfortable in the rental and get things back to 'normal' asap.Keep the spirits up ,cheers Trey

Thanks Trey! Things are leveling out now, still don`t know the verdict on the house...renovate or knock down. Once I get the word on that, I may be able to relax. I actually got to watch Boardwalk Empire tonight...woohoo!

Len Pytlewski

  • Member since
    August 2009
  • From: Borlando Fla home of the rat
Posted by TREYZX10R on Sunday, November 18, 2012 12:34 AM

Len the craziness with adjusters is mind boggling ,hang in there!  Back to basics brought our outdoor cooking skills up while we waited for 3 weeks for power and not having a tv going really made us do something unique,like actually talk to each other. I hope you are at least comfortable in the rental and get things back to 'normal' asap.Keep the spirits up ,cheers Trey

  • Member since
    July 2007
  • From: Southern New Jersey
Posted by troublemaker66 on Saturday, November 17, 2012 6:00 PM

Thanks Joe and Pyrman! We are about 90% settled at the rental. Just had a few guys drop off some bedroom furniture and a trundle bed....finally have a bed to sleep in. It`as the simple things in life...Whistling...and Sandy really put us back to the basic`s...lol.

Len

Len Pytlewski

  • Member since
    May 2005
Posted by pyrman64 on Saturday, November 17, 2012 3:37 AM

Len: Glad to hear you & your family are ok and have gotten decent accommodations.

Joe: Good to hear you've power back on.  Hope your family gets well soon. I recommend herb tea with a lil lemon juice, tsp of honey and a shot of whiskey...soothes the throat and helps with the sleep. Sleep

We had rain for a week, here in Central Ohio....was about to start building an Ark Captain

Greg H

"There is many a boy here today who looks on war as all glory, but, boys, it is all hell." Gen. Wm T. Sherman (11 April 1880, Columbus, Ohio)

  • Member since
    February 2012
  • From: Olmsted Township, Ohio
Posted by lawdog114 on Saturday, November 17, 2012 2:54 AM

Len, I just read this thread and my heart goes out to you and your family.  I'm glad you're all safe and are fortunate enough to have relatives who can help with all the restoration work.  I live in a suburb of Cleveland and lost power for a week.  The house dropped to 48 degrees and we all ended up getting the flu (my wife bronchitis).  Hang in there bro.

Joe

 "Can you fly this plane and land it?...Surely you can't be serious....I am serious, and don't call me Shirley"

 

 

 

 

  • Member since
    July 2007
  • From: Southern New Jersey
Posted by troublemaker66 on Saturday, November 17, 2012 12:47 AM

BaBill212

Very glad you are ok Len......  I am just a bit west of you so our damage was minimal and we had power back in less than a week.

I do hope all works out for you and in a hurry too.

Bill

Thanks Bill....it`s been a rough 3 weeks to say the least. We finally got our rental set up and spent our first night in it last night. Still need 2 beds, air matresses suck a little less than lying on the floor...lol. Got a big box of cable/internet stuff from the UPS man this morning, now I can watch some TV for the first time since the storm. Still waiting to hear whether we`re renovating or rebuilding...seems the walls are out of plumb by an inch...not sure if the house moved or just really bad carpentry from the beginning!

I may be back in the model building business...the rental has a decent sized garage, I have a space heater and need to move my stash so.......Hmm

Len Pytlewski

  • Member since
    July 2007
  • From: Southern New Jersey
Posted by troublemaker66 on Saturday, November 17, 2012 12:36 AM

swingr1121

Len, if you are in need of some bench time, shoot me a message.  I have two seats at my bench and plenty of room.  You're more than welcome!

Be careful...I may take you up on that offer....Wink

Len Pytlewski

  • Member since
    September 2008
  • From: World Champions! Not anymore..
Posted by swingr1121 on Friday, November 16, 2012 6:57 PM

Len, if you are in need of some bench time, shoot me a message.  I have two seats at my bench and plenty of room.  You're more than welcome!

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Allentown, PA
Posted by BaBill212 on Friday, November 16, 2012 11:44 AM

Very glad you are ok Len......  I am just a bit west of you so our damage was minimal and we had power back in less than a week.

I do hope all works out for you and in a hurry too.

Bill

Enjoy the ride!

 

  • Member since
    July 2007
  • From: Southern New Jersey
Posted by troublemaker66 on Wednesday, November 14, 2012 2:09 PM

G-J

It sounds like you got it a lot worse than we did.  We had minor (for us) flooding, but no power/heat/etc, for 12 days.  Hope your road back is smooth.

Thanks for the kind words G-J. It has not been smooth so far, more like a moto-cross track. It is taking the flood rep forever to just fax a note to the home office, letting them know that the damage is real, which is holding up a 20k advance. My Nephew has been doing the demo work that I couldn`t get to and finding lots more wrong. I`ve since hired a Public Adjuster because this will be a battle.

On the bright side, we`ve found a temporary residence and FEMA is paying the rent for us, which is a huge relief. The house is much smaller than ours but we won`t be imposing on anyone anymore. Heck, we`ve been living in finished basements and family rooms so it`ll seem like a mansion.

The downside, it`ll be a few months before we get back home. The second the house becomes livable, we`re going home. You really can`t understand how it feels until it happens to you, believe me, it stinks.

That`s where we stand now! Thanks for all the kind words everyone!

Len

Len Pytlewski

G-J
  • Member since
    July 2012
Posted by G-J on Wednesday, November 14, 2012 1:43 PM

It sounds like you got it a lot worse than we did.  We had minor (for us) flooding, but no power/heat/etc, for 12 days.  Hope your road back is smooth.

On the bench:  Tamyia Mosquito Mk. VI for the '44 group build.  Yes, still.

On deck: 

  • Member since
    July 2007
  • From: Southern New Jersey
Posted by troublemaker66 on Tuesday, November 6, 2012 7:51 PM

The flood insurance rep showed up 2hrs late on Monday..that`s ok, he`s busy, I know. Then he was telling me about all the horrible paperwork he has ahead of him and that he had 2 more stops to make, his back was sore, and he had to stop for a smoke every 3 minutes or he was just gonna pass out....Wow!

The homeowner`s rep was alot more bright -eyed, he was counting missing shingles, around 50sq ft worth, so he knew how many needed replacing. Thank goodness my nephew, my builder, was on the roof with him `cause he told the guy he was nuts, and got us a new roof....amazing the nickle-and -diming that goes on...I sense a real horror story in the making.

We`re going with our own adjuster because we are exhausted and just can`t fight with the insurance companies about every little thing...mind numbing and draining. I want to sleep for a week.

Len Pytlewski

  • Member since
    February 2010
  • From: New Jersey
Posted by 68GT on Tuesday, November 6, 2012 7:48 PM

I just got power yesterday but dont know if the internet because I'm down in Orlando FL.  Hopefully you all get power soon.

On Ed's bench, ???

  

  • Member since
    July 2007
  • From: Southern New Jersey
Posted by troublemaker66 on Tuesday, November 6, 2012 7:38 PM

Tojo72

Seven days no power or heat with another N'oreaster on the way,working around the clock at the Utility company helping other people when mine is still out,I just want to build something again !!!

I hear ya bro! I work for "The Phone Company" and have mandatory 12`s, 7 days until cleared up, which is nowhere in sight, out of vacation and have a wrecked house...doesn`t get any better......Bang Head

Len Pytlewski

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Western North Carolina
Posted by Tojo72 on Monday, November 5, 2012 10:48 AM

Seven days no power or heat with another N'oreaster on the way,working around the clock at the Utility company helping other people when mine is still out,I just want to build something again !!!

  • Member since
    July 2007
  • From: Southern New Jersey
Posted by troublemaker66 on Sunday, November 4, 2012 9:44 AM

JMart

Hope you are safe and well, and on your way to recovery. We did OK in my neck of the woods in southern CT. Ironically, I used the "free time" to continue fixing my basement/mancave that had been flooded during Irene. New sump pump setups, sealants, gutter placements etc  = all worthwhile, did not get any water in during Sandy.

I also moved all my modelling supplies to large tupperware bins; no more cardboard for me! Paints I put in a large heavy duty (plastic, not metal) tool box. Many of my stash kits are out of the cardboard boxes and into plastic bins; decals and instructions separate, in a binder and out of harm. I purchased some heavy duty garage shelving units in Home Depot (plastic) and use the "shelves" as "pallates"; now everything in the basement is at least 2 inches off the floor. I figure I can get 2-3 inches of water into the basement no damage, 4-6 with just clean up needed. Electrical is a problem... need to pay an electrician to rewire some outlets and have them HIGH instead of LOW. Mold has been a problem; I keep having to treat the baseboards with anti-mold agents (mostly bleach). My spray booth is in an attached garage next to the basement, and got almost a foot of water during Irene. The booth was "up" but I lost the compressor; just full of water and mud, not worth fixing/cleaning up. One last suggestion: if you have some serious investment of $$ in your hobby, keep an excel inventory and digital pictures of your stuff for insurance purposes.

Anyways, hope you are on your way to recovery and that the above hints can be useful to people with water/flooding issues on their workshops.

Cheers

Thanks Jmart, we are on the road to recovery. Luckily, I have a nephew who is a builder, another is a roofer and my brother is a very talented sheetrock finisher...never leaves a visible seam..lol. I`m an electrician/ telecom splicer so we have it all covered...except for HVAC.

I had most of my supplies in plastic containers but, they  filled with water. Like I said earlier, I saved most of my stash except some that I forgot were in a closet under the stairs. I had seperated many decals and instructions in seperate binders but kept them on my bench..bad move. Many of the decals survived because they were in zip-lock freezer bags. The ones I didn`t bag up didn`t make it. I had every instruction book from every kit I ever built..and that`s alot, in a plastic tote that obviously had a bad seal `cause it was filled with bay water. In a way it`s a good thing...getting rid of many things that were not being used, just taking up space, and getting a fresh start. The paints and kits, airbrushes and other pricey things survived so that`s good. I use compressed air to power my A/B so no compressor to worry about. My daughter photographed everything in my shop, just have to write it all down now.

Thanks for the tips, already workin` on it!

Len

Len Pytlewski

  • Member since
    March 2007
  • From: NJ
Posted by JMart on Sunday, November 4, 2012 8:44 AM

Hope you are safe and well, and on your way to recovery. We did OK in my neck of the woods in southern CT. Ironically, I used the "free time" to continue fixing my basement/mancave that had been flooded during Irene. New sump pump setups, sealants, gutter placements etc  = all worthwhile, did not get any water in during Sandy.

I also moved all my modelling supplies to large tupperware bins; no more cardboard for me! Paints I put in a large heavy duty (plastic, not metal) tool box. Many of my stash kits are out of the cardboard boxes and into plastic bins; decals and instructions separate, in a binder and out of harm. I purchased some heavy duty garage shelving units in Home Depot (plastic) and use the "shelves" as "pallates"; now everything in the basement is at least 2 inches off the floor. I figure I can get 2-3 inches of water into the basement no damage, 4-6 with just clean up needed. Electrical is a problem... need to pay an electrician to rewire some outlets and have them HIGH instead of LOW. Mold has been a problem; I keep having to treat the baseboards with anti-mold agents (mostly bleach). My spray booth is in an attached garage next to the basement, and got almost a foot of water during Irene. The booth was "up" but I lost the compressor; just full of water and mud, not worth fixing/cleaning up. One last suggestion: if you have some serious investment of $$ in your hobby, keep an excel inventory and digital pictures of your stuff for insurance purposes.

Anyways, hope you are on your way to recovery and that the above hints can be useful to people with water/flooding issues on their workshops.

Cheers

 

 

  • Member since
    July 2007
  • From: Southern New Jersey
Posted by troublemaker66 on Sunday, November 4, 2012 12:59 AM

TomZ2

American Red Cross needs donations.  Whisper  PayPal is easy!

Funny thing happened today...we`re at a store and they were asking for donations for the  Red Cross. We know the people that own/work at the store and dropped a few bucks into the till. The guy at the counter said, "you know we`re collecting for you right?" That`s when it really sunk in what happened to us...never in a million years would I believe I`d need help from the Red Cross or any agency for that matter...a strange feeling...

Len Pytlewski

  • Member since
    January 2003
  • From: Washington, DC
Posted by TomZ2 on Sunday, November 4, 2012 12:16 AM

American Red Cross needs donations.  Whisper  PayPal is easy!

Occasional factual, grammatical, or spelling variations are inherent to this thesis and should not be considered as defects, as they enhance the individuality and character of this document.

  • Member since
    August 2009
  • From: Borlando Fla home of the rat
Posted by TREYZX10R on Saturday, November 3, 2012 7:53 PM

Yea the mold would be a problem ,we had water pooring through the electric outlets when the roof decided to let the tree through. I hope they get you squared away before it becomes months! Pilings sound expensive but probably would be worth it. Keep the spirits up Len,you're in our thoughts!

  • Member since
    July 2007
  • From: Southern New Jersey
Posted by troublemaker66 on Saturday, November 3, 2012 7:38 PM

TREYZX10R

Len hope you are able to get your home back soon,we had a tree through the roof during Charlie so I know how tough it gets.My wife ,Mom and 2 kids Lived in 1 room with a window rattler on a generator for 3 weeks. The good thing is 'things' can be fixed and although it took until last year to get all of our damage taken care of it does happen eventually. Keep your spirits up and do'nt watch the news it really burned us out hearing about damage constantly.

Yeah, 3 weeks sucks man. I`m looking at months prolly, FEMA inspector already processed some stuff...just got a message that we are covered for housing. He showed up at 11 am and was there a bit over an hour. Had alot of tips and good advice for fighting mold,etc. He was in LA for Katrina, he said other than the death toll, Sandy was much worse than Katrina,damage estimates are gonna blow right past he said...amazing.

If I get enough money to do it, we`re going up on pilings...my neighbor across from me is up 16' and all he got was a messy yard...Wink

...and, haven`t watched any TV since Monday....Crying

Len Pytlewski

  • Member since
    August 2009
  • From: Borlando Fla home of the rat
Posted by TREYZX10R on Saturday, November 3, 2012 7:21 PM

Len hope you are able to get your home back soon,we had a tree through the roof during Charlie so I know how tough it gets.My wife ,Mom and 2 kids Lived in 1 room with a window rattler on a generator for 3 weeks. The good thing is 'things' can be fixed and although it took until last year to get all of our damage taken care of it does happen eventually. Keep your spirits up and do'nt watch the news it really burned us out hearing about damage constantly.

  • Member since
    July 2007
  • From: Southern New Jersey
Posted by troublemaker66 on Saturday, November 3, 2012 6:57 PM

swingr1121

Len, I went through it, but I'm not coastal, and I live well above sea level..  The only thing I was really worried about was an oak tree falling onto my room which didn't happen.  How did the OV-1 make out?  

From what I could see, yes. Are all the parts there..?..that`s another story. The stuff I had already put together for that one was still on the bench, so were some sprues  but not sure if I got everything. I sifted through alot of stuff around my bench and tried saving as much as possible. I can`t spend anymore time doing that because I have to start gutting the room...walls and ceiling were damaged , have to get the soggy sheet rock and insulation out ..starting to stink somethin` awful.

I saved the plastic parts of several kits that were in a closet under the stairs, box, decals and instructions were toast...but I`m drying out the inst`s on my railing to the 2nd floor..lol.

We got the word that we had to get out of where we were staying by Tuesday but skedaddled tonight to another friends place in Manahawkin...they are on a cruise for a week....sucks being homeless.

Len

Len Pytlewski

  • Member since
    September 2008
  • From: World Champions! Not anymore..
Posted by swingr1121 on Saturday, November 3, 2012 12:37 PM

Len, I went through it, but I'm not coastal, and I live well above sea level..  The only thing I was really worried about was an oak tree falling onto my room which didn't happen.  How did the OV-1 make out?  

  • Member since
    July 2007
  • From: Southern New Jersey
Posted by troublemaker66 on Saturday, November 3, 2012 8:04 AM

OK...finally got inti the Florida Room...a.k.a. my model shop. I lost a great deal of supplies but also salvaged a ton of stuff. Lost decals and instructions and the kit boxes on a dozen kits that were stashed around in closets on the 1st floor, that I had forgotten about. I took about 90% of my stash to the 2nd fl and the rest of the undamaged kits were on "high ground" on 1st fl. Salvaged all of my Tamiya and MM paints, as far as I can tell, and my airbrushes and Dremel made it too. Still sifting through the rubble in there. Oh, 3 more finished builds survived almost intact, some fiddlies were missing but easily fixed.

Anyone else want to chime in on their Hurricane Sandy stories, be my guest!  Big Smile I can`t be the only one that went through this on the Forums...or can I..? HmmHmmHmm

Len

Len Pytlewski

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Western North Carolina
Posted by Tojo72 on Wednesday, October 31, 2012 1:02 PM

I finally got a cell signal,no wind or flood damage to my house,all is well,but still no power.I know others in the forums probably got it worse,hope all are well

  • Member since
    July 2007
  • From: Southern New Jersey
Posted by troublemaker66 on Tuesday, October 30, 2012 5:52 PM

Thanks for all the words of encouragement guys, but alas, we got 4 1/2' through my 1st floor. It flipped my fridge upside down and threw furniture all around. My bench and many completed builds were destroyed...salvage ops begin tomorrow. From what i was told, the water surged, then receded very quickly...hardly any mud or debris. Kinda looked like someone tossed a grenade in there...looks like my paints and some supplies may have survived. Took my stash upstairs so that`s safe at least. Lots of clean up ahead of me.

There were 1:1 scale boats all over the place...boats inside other boats, on lawns, in back yards, on shed roof`s...you name it. Only 1 fatality that I heard of...found face down in his living room...stupid for not getting out! Power just came on from yesterday around 4pm...brutal when you have a house full of nervous teens.

Hope everyone else in Sandy`s path on these forums are safe and sound, after all, that`s the most important thing....Wink

Len Pytlewski

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