Aftermath of a Hurricane! Click here to see Photos!

By the look of the photos below and press releases, the clean up in Pensacola will cost billions of dollars and will take months before anyone feels like their life might be getting back to normal. Major interstates are closed due to the damage caused by the storm and that alone is making it difficult for residents to get back to their homes. It is too soon to return at this point anyway, the gas supply & low maybe non existent, grocery store shelves bare, homes that are not safe to stay in, the list goes on.

Today I spent much of my work day doing as much as I could for Andre, Gui and Luis. They had planned to return to Pensacola today after 2 nights in a hotel in Jacksonville. But this morning they realized that going home was not an option at this point. We scrambled to think of who we could call in Florida and where they could go. Gustavo has connections in Miami, but that is a 10 hour drive through already ravaged hurricane territory. I called a friend in West Palm Beach which is 2 hours north of Miami, and when she told me the lines for gas were hours long I knew that sending the guys south was not an option! We contemplated calling my cousin in Atlanta but that is a long drive too! Gui's car is in need of a new transmission and they were lucky to get it to take them to Jacksonville I think.

Tonight Andre, Gui and Luis with 2 girls are staying on the beach at Quality Suites. My sister got them a 2 bedroom suite and I think they will be very happy there tonight! They need to have some fun now!! When they get back to Pensacola, it will be difficult with all the problems in the city from Ivan. They will be helping my sisters friend Jill board up her home in preparation for hurricane Jeanne. The Hotel that Andre is staying in is only a couple blocks from Jill's house so it will be easy for them to help her!

I talked to Felipe today! Sweet Phils! Of all of you Brazilian, Phils gets spoiled the least! Phils, ya know I love ya! Felipe needs to be spoiled, but he doesn't want cookies, so what's a girl to do? I told him that I would come up to Duluth Sunday if he wants and help him organize his new apartment. Apparently he moved down a couple floors because of a water leak in his old place that made the carpet stink! He is working a 12 or 13 hour day tomorrow at the football game! I know he could use my help on Sunday, I would like to help him however I can! Even if it is helping with his laundry.....not a lot of fun......I would do it though, cause it's for Phils!

I have so much respect and admiration for Felipe and Gustavo! They work extremely hard at their jobs and at school!............They have incredible futures ahead of them! The same can be said about Andre and Gui too! Andre and Gui will have a tough few weeks ahead of them with no school & no work! I wish there was more I could do for them! Luv ya Andre, I'll do what I can!

Click on the header of this post to see photos of Pensacola in Escambia County. They are hard to look at! Pensacola was nearly destroyed. My heart breaks for everyone who lives there! Unbelievable photos! Horrible Hurricane!