“Two letters From Florida” from the September 24, 1964 Door County Advocate
Two letters From Florida
Mrs. Lacy Vetter, Corres.
GARDNER — An interesting letter from Mr. and Mrs. Harold Jenquin in Florida describes their terrifying experience with hurricane Dora. Myrtle writes of 60 to 70 mile wind and heavy rains. Tornado damages are done in matter of minutes.
That never forgotten horrible night began with warnings they were in the eye (center) due some time during the night. At midnight the gales were 75 miles an hour and raining, which continued for two days. Between 2 and 5 a.m. it should be right over them. The Old Timers accustomed to these hurricanes go to bed and sleep. They tried but got up at 3:30 a.m., listened and watched TV to find out what happened to Dora, way behind schedule. It was still 100 miles away from East coast. It moved so slowly and the waiting was terrible. It then shifted north with full force.
The 20 foot sea walls seem like nothing with five feet ocean waves over that. Their worst damage was that a large palm tree in the yard was blown down, and lucky it did not hit the neighbor’s house but did break all wires, leaving them without lights or telephone for some time.
After the four inches of rain the previous day it was raining even harder after Dora was on her way out. The warnings give plenty of time to be prepared in event of a lengthy power failure. Supply of canned goods, breads and foods that keep without refrigeration. Fill every container, even bathtub with water, board up the picture windows and carry in all loose articles from outdoors. They had not heard what the damage cost would be, but certainly even higher than Miami’s.
They had no school where Myrtle works and didn’t expect they would start until weather had settled some. They were feeding 800 pupils. Had difficulty getting them fed the first week and the schedule had to be re-arranged.
They are uncomfortable in the terrific heat after the cool weather here but enjoy the Advocate and look for news of friends.
Myrtle, Joe and Marilyn are fine. Had a lovely trip down with no trouble. They left Thursday 6 a.m. and reached there Saturday 10 a.m.
CLAFLINS WRITE
A letter from the Mickey Claflin family in Hudson, Fla., describes their life as very pleasant to what they call “up north.” Their five sons Glen, Dale, Terry, John and Scott are active in every athletic sport of the season. John and Scott had been at Bible Camp for two weeks. All are in school. Scott as a beginner.
In a recent letter with clippings and pictures of the destruction of hurricanes Cleo and Dora, Marg tells of how fortunate one feels despite the terrifying winds and warnings of keeping prepared for the worse. Cleo was mild although many places opposite of the Gulf were damaged.
After hurricane Dora had abated, there were pitiful sights of destruction. Seeing is believing so they took a sight seeing trip to survey damages. Down to Fort Lauderdale and Verno Beach where they stayed in a beautiful motel. Evidence of destruction all around but pictures show some pretty places untouched. Pompano Beach, city and elaborate resort spot is completely ripped apart. Farther south the Keys were badly hit and also Miami, with miles of debris.
They also mention the excitements and near tragedies of home life. Recently wrote that they were not tormented with bugs or those horrible creeping life we hear about but had killed a water moccasin which are poisonous. Recently the boys killed a rattlesnake and then a copperhead which dad assisted in destroying. Perhaps one feels safer with those two out of the way.
Terry tells he takes French as one of his school subjects and perhaps he could hold a conversation with us Belgians. His aunt Muriel, Mrs. Robert Scofield, said “We could give it a try.”
The oldest 16-year-old Glen and a 13-year-old pal went out paddling in a small boat on the Gulf. Suddenly they realized the tide had carried them out. In the heavy sea the oars were of no use. The younger boy suggested jumping and swim for shore. They realized that a small chance since the waters are infested by sharks. They waited until their predicament was noticed and a larger boat came for them. They may not try that again—who knows? One makes no predictions about teenagers.
We hope to hear from these friends from time to time. Although not always good, all news is interesting.
Courtesy of the Door County Library Newspaper Archive
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