Portlight Disaster Relief

Last Updated: 2:40 PM GMT on November 19, 2009 — Last Comment: 6:06 AM GMT on November 18, 2009

	Baxters Update...plus FEMA visit

Posted by: Portlight, 3:36 PM GMT on September 23, 2009

9/28 Update

We have a team on site at this hour. Pictures and a report soon to follow. I spoke with Krissy a little while ago. She relayed the specifics of her meeting yesterday with a FEMA representative. I'm truly too mad to write about it right now. But if there is a more useless expenditure of my tax dollars than FEMA, I don't know what it is.

This family is very grateful for all the support they are receiving. They have a temporary home. We are getting them furniture, etc., thanks to your generousity.

Stay tuned...

Brian and Chrissy Baxter have lost their home in Lithia Springs, Georgia, due to the recent flooding. They also lost all their furniture, their clothing, and everything else that was in their home...as well as a car. The water was up to just a few inches from the ceiling inside their home.

The Baxters have five children: Tony (male, age 13), Victoria (female, age 12), Brian (male, age 11), Nathan (male, age 10) and Aiden (male, age 1). The family is currently staying at an Extended Stay Hotel in Lithia Springs, Georgia. The hotel is without electricity.

Both Brian and Chrissy work. However, they are unable to get to their jobs due to the flooding in the area. We don't know how much money they need. We do know that the family currently needs help with paying for lodging, food, clothing and transportation. Any help you can provide would be much appreciated.

Portlight Strategies, Inc., has set a goal of raising $10,000.00 to help the Baxters defray the short term expenses of lodging, food and clothing.

Please share your good fortune with this suffering family.

Use the PayPal button @ www.portlight.org

Or send checks to:

Portlight Strategies, Inc.
2043 Maybank Hwy.
Charleston, SC 29412

memo: Baxters

Update 9/23

Krissy, her husband Brian, his mother Helen and the five kids are staying at a place called Extended Stay Hotel in Lithia Springs. They just got electricity about an hour ago.
They have lost everything. I talked to Krissy and found out the sizes of clothes they all wear.

Tony male age 13 (6 feet tall)
shirts large mens
pants 34 x 32 mens
shoes 9 1/2 - 10 mens
size 34 boxers

Victoria (Tori) age 11
shirts med girls
pants 12 girls
shoes 5 1/2 kids
underwear med girls

Brian (10)
shirts med boys
pants 12
shoes 5 1/2 kids
underwear med briefs

Nathan (10)
shirts med to large boys
pants 14 boys
shoes 6 kids
underwear med. boxers

Aiden 1 1/2
size 2 Toddler
size 4 diapers
size 8 little kids shoes
prefers sippy cups

Krissy 28
shirts med. womens
pants 7
shoes 7
undies 6

Brian 28
shirts X-large
pants 38-40 inseam 34
shoes 9 1/2
38-40 boxers

Helen
shirts large womens
pants 10-12
undies 8
shoes 8 1/2

I just talked to krissy, her family and the people in the room next to them were invited to go to someones home for dinner. They are taking things one minute at a time.
They have lost everything. furniture, beds, dishes, clothes, towels, wash cloths, linens, school supplies, book bags. just everything. they were told they were not to go back to their house again until they were given the all clear from the people in charge. When they were told to leave they were told to grab a few things and get out the water was coming. each one grabbed an extra set of clothes. Krissy did go back later and saw how high the water was so she swam to the house to save their dog Sophie.
Krissy and Brian both work but have not been able to get to their jobs. They do not expect to be able to get back to their house until the first of next week if not longer. Then they will see what if anything they can salvage.
please continue to pray for them and everyone effected by the floods.
Praise God that they are safe and for all the caring people that are helping them.

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1. Portlight 3:52 PM GMT on September 23, 2009
Many heartfelt thanks to all!!! This is a good thing...for good people...by good people...

2. fwblinda 4:48 PM GMT on September 23, 2009
Thanks for getting the details John and Paul -- Will put the word out and start getting things together.

3. OGal 5:23 PM GMT on September 23, 2009
Will this family be moving back into their home after the water recedes? Are we looking at any type of home repair in the future?

4. NRAamy 5:28 PM GMT on September 23, 2009
To all on WU: I can't advertise it, but I'm still working with Portlight.....contact me for more info.... thankyou for helping Portlight!!!!!!!!

5. seflagamma 5:42 PM GMT on September 23, 2009
This is terrible. Just wondering, did they own their home? Homeowner's insurance, car insurance? Most homeowner's insurance will pay replacement for the items they lost. If renting a place then they probably did not have renters insurance and will need help replacing everything. But If they did have insurance some insurance companies will not pay quickly enough to meet this large family's immediately urgen needs. Thank you for the information.

6. OGal 5:54 PM GMT on September 23, 2009
Those were great questions Gams. Did you see what I put in your blog??

7. presslord 6:34 PM GMT on September 23, 2009
Gams...they owned their home...WU blogger Floodman is helping them navigate the insurance waters...car was paid for...had liability only...no claim there...y'all rock... and PLEASE contact Amy...we are having website issues..but as soon as we resolve them, we're gonna plug what she's up to...meanwhile...well...I just love well decorated women...and Amy has a great plan for helping while decorating...

8. Dakster 7:38 PM GMT on September 23, 2009
NRAAMY - Where have you been???

9. rwdobson 8:35 PM GMT on September 23, 2009
Homeowner's insurance doesn't pay for flood damage...

10. presslord 11:54 PM GMT on September 23, 2009
Quoting rwdobson: Homeowner's insurance doesn't pay for flood damage... Floodman can speak way more expertly than I on this...but it seems they have some hope of a claim...

11. NRAamy 12:21 AM GMT on September 24, 2009
Dakster....I had back surgery on Sept. 11th....so I've been absent...but getting better every day and plan on being my same old nuisance on here asap..... ;)

12. code1 12:23 AM GMT on September 24, 2009
Funds just sent via paypal. Please purchase a few needed items for them. As usual, I forgot the memo line! LOL Daughter loved the trinket from Amy as well. :-) It's all for a good cause.

13. presslord 12:57 AM GMT on September 24, 2009
We have about $500 in hand for the Baxters...and about $2000 pledged...plus a bunch of goodies....Y'all rock!

14. NRAamy 2:29 AM GMT on September 24, 2009
cool Code!!! thank you for helping Portlight!!!! :)

15. Dakster 2:32 AM GMT on September 24, 2009
NRAamy - Hope the surgery went well.... Looking forward to your posts.

16. NRAamy 2:37 AM GMT on September 24, 2009
Dakster...so far so good...knock on wood... ( purple hippo knocking on her head ) www.Portlight.org :)

17. presslord 4:09 PM GMT on September 24, 2009
I talked to Krissy today for the first time about everything. She said that when they left the water was coming up the yard. She said that in the little more than an hour that they were gone and had come back the water was up over the windows. Brian tried to stop her from going in because he can't swim and if something happened he wouldn't have been able to go and help her. She said that they could hear Sophie barking and then they couldn't hear her any more and she went in. She said that everything was floating and she got hit by some of the furniture and found Sophie doing the doggy paddle really fast. She grabbed her and between getting hit by some more furniture and the dog she is sore. She said that she got over to where Brian was and he took the dog and told her that she had bugs all over her. She says all she keeps dreaming about is the bugs and the water. The schools are closed and one school was completely covered. They also showed their house on the channel 11 news. You can see the water mark up towards the top of the roof. The water has receeded down to about four feet inside the house and should be able to go back in by this weekend or the first of the week. Things she says she now thought about after the fact, water moccasins, live electrical wires, and all the yuck. She just couldn't let Sophie drown. They are not sure what they are going to do. They don't want to leave their jobs. They are going to go and look for an apartment. We might bring the kids here and get them back into school before they get too far behind. The four older ones. Between us and Jodie Lee we can handle that. They just need some time to figure things out. Decide what they are going to do and then do it. She said they'll know more by the weekend. So I'll let you know when I know anything else. As far as they know they are still limited as to where they can go. Thank you all again for all the support, once again feel free to hug amongst yourselves. Jody

18. Gatorxgrrrl 5:22 PM GMT on September 24, 2009
bump

19. TheoJesse 12:53 AM GMT on September 25, 2009
Good evening folks Portlight has presented all of us with a small challenge, to help a family in desperate need. I have elected to confront that challenge. I live in the Mobile area and would like to get all the help possible from this area WU menbers. Any one who would like to donate clothes, linens, dishes etc. please contact me. No appliances or furniture, please. If we are sucessful in getting enough donations, I, or another WU member in the Ft. Walton area, will deliver the good ASAP. People can't wander around with no clothes. Eve took care of that. haha For all the Mobile area WU members that are willing to help, please WU-mail me a name, phone number and a best time to call. I will take care of the rest. Thanks to all Jesse

20. Dakster 1:38 AM GMT on September 25, 2009
Today I sent some clothes and diapers out to Portlight. The real thanks should go to Presslord and Portlight for taking care of the shipping charges - I really appreciate that and it is the only way at the moment I can donate goods. I like the idea of my extra things being put to good use to people that really need it. Keep up the good work and keep us informed as to how the Baxters are doing...

21. presslord 1:24 PM GMT on September 25, 2009
Bacxters update: The school will be back in session next week, they are working around the clock to get ready. They are shooting for Monday and will pick the kids up from where they are staying. Sophie the dog has been living in the van they have and they have been offered a yard to keep her in till they find a place to live. The insurance adjuster was out there today, which I'm sure was with the help of Mr. Timmons. The whole yard is filled with groceries from the store where the storefront tore away. Nathan's football coach will pick Nathan up and bring him home for practice and the games. He's up for the PeeWee Heisman trophy this year. Since Tony is playing for the school they will have to wait until school opens again to see what is going to happen with that. Victoria won vice president of her school with an exceptional speech prepared by her speech writer Aunt Jody. And little Brian has been side lined from sports due to his arm being broke twice. Aiden, well he's into Almo and every night at about 7 or 8 he'd go and get in his bed and tell Krissy, "It's Almo time Mommy", she'd turn on the Almo dvd and he'd go right to sleep. I'm sure he misses that. Krissy said she is amazed at how many people are reaching out to them and helping them. She knows that God is really opening her eyes to a lot of things. She said that she can't believe that people that don't even know her would take the time to help them like they are. They have decided to stay where they are, maybe move to higher ground. They both have good jobs, they work at the same place, and the kids are doing great in school. That might have been different if school wasn't going to start back this soon. But as things are, some things are getting back to normal. I'll be going there next weekend or the next to help with the clean up. That will depend on what the adjuster says. Krissy says thank you all for everything and said that she and her family will be coming here after they get settled to thank everyone personally.

22. FLDART1 1:43 PM GMT on September 25, 2009
Paul, We are planning to respond first part of the week. We have loaded tools etc. So that we can begin cleanup as soon as the water fully recedes.

23. FLDART1 6:51 PM GMT on September 26, 2009
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN PEACHTREE CITY HAS ISSUED A * FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR... CATOOSA COUNTY IN NORTHWEST GEORGIA WESTERN CHATTOOGA COUNTY IN NORTHWEST GEORGIA DADE COUNTY IN NORTHWEST GEORGIA EXTREME WEST CENTRAL FLOYD COUNTY IN NORTHWEST GEORGIA WALKER COUNTY IN NORTHWEST GEORGIA WEST CENTRAL WHITFIELD COUNTY IN NORTHWEST GEORGIA * UNTIL 615 PM EDT * AT 1214 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS WITH PERIODS OF HEAVY RAIN MOVING THROUGH DADE COUNTY. THE STORMS WERE MOVING TO THE NORTHEAST AT 20 MILES AN HOUR AND WERE TRAINING OVER THEMSELVES. RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 1 TO 3 INCHES HAS OCCURRED SINCE 9 AM. ADDITIONAL RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 2 TO 3 INCHES CAN BE EXPECTED IN EXTREME NORTHWEST GEORGIA THROUGH THE AFTERNOON. FLASH FLOODING OF SMALL STREAMS AND CREEKS IS LIKELY.

24. FLDART1 6:55 PM GMT on September 26, 2009
...FLASH FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH LATE TONIGHT FOR MOST OF NORTH AND WEST CENTRAL GEORGIA... THE FLASH FLOOD WATCH CONTINUES FOR * PORTIONS OF CENTRAL GEORGIA...NORTH CENTRAL GEORGIA...NORTHEAST GEORGIA...NORTHWEST GEORGIA AND WEST CENTRAL GEORGIA...MAINLY NORTH AND WEST OF A LINE FROM COLUMBUS TO FORSYTH AND DANIELSVILLE. * THROUGH LATE TONIGHT * A STRONG UPPER LEVEL SYSTEM AND ASSOCIATED COLD FRONT WILL APPROACH GEORGIA TODAY. A BACKDOOR COLD FRONT WILL CONTINUE DRIFTING INTO NORTH CENTRAL AND NORTHEAST GEORGIA TODAY AS WELL. DUE TO THE AMPLE TROPICAL MOISTURE IN PLACE...AND SOILS STILL SATURATED FROM WIDESPREAD...RECORD RAINFALL AND FLOODING EARLIER THIS WEEK...ANY HEAVY RAIN THAT DEVELOPS WILL LEAD TO ADDITIONAL FLOODING CONCERNS. RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 1 TO 3 INCHES CAN BE EXPECTED ACROSS THE WATCH AREA...WITH LOCALLY HIGHER AMOUNTS OF 4 INCHES OR MORE POSSIBLE... ESPECIALLY IN THE NORTH GEORGIA MOUNTAINS. THE WATCH AREA IS GENERALLY NORTH OF A LINE FROM COLUMBUS...TO FORSYTH...TO DANIELSVILLE.

25. presslord 12:59 AM GMT on September 27, 2009
Monday we will be posting pictures of the Baxters', their kids...and their ruined home...also, will have pictures of the first load of goodies...Krissy is picking up some funds we wired her as we speak...

26. presslord 9:35 PM GMT on September 27, 2009
Krissy just called, they have a house. It's five bedrooms. The only thing they needed was a refrigerator as far as appliances and by time they left they got a call that someone had one they could have. Krissy said they are going back to the hotel and get their stuff and going home. She said she knows that God is doing all of this and she has never cried so many happy tears. She said that if they would have taken one of the other houses they wouldn't have seen this one and she's glad they had to wait one more day and that the people said they could move in today. Someone gave them one of those portable things for Aiden to sleep in and they have a blow up matress. But like Krissy said all they want is to go home. They got some blankets and will make pallets with them. I'm going this weekend coming. Then she went on to describe it and said it's more than she would have ever dreamed of. Again she wants me to thank you all for prayers and help. So thank you

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