Lynda speaking here: In the wake of Hurricane Ivan, I wrote Uncle Walter to ask him what he remembered of the hurricane of 1932. While I am typing this, our family members are still in the midst of the clean-up after the storm. As best we know, they still do not have power and many do not have phone service. Generators are in great demand and gasoline is precious. From all we've read online via messageboards and websites, the closest storm that anyone can remember resembling Ivan was the Hurricane of 1932. We are so grateful to know our families are alive and well. While they are struggling to restore their lives back to normal, we know they will succeed - they're Caymanians!

Dear Uncle Walter,

Hurricane Ivan has made many people respond that the only hurricane even similar to Ivan was the one that hit the islands in 1932. Do you remember this hurricane? Could it possibly be something you would be willing to write down and send to me to include on our website?

If not, I truly understand. I want to thank you for being there when we needed you so much throughout this whole hurricane experience. Although it seemed like we were all going in different directions, the best part was we all united to find and care for our loved ones still in Cayman, and to our family in Alabama.

We heard from Julia Risher, who is related via John Henning and Samuel Matthew Ebanks, too. I have received emails from Jacqui Bothwell and others who are related in some way I cannot even figure out, but we all knew we needed to know everyone was okay and cared for.

Thank you for being our "hub" of activity!

Love,
Lynda

Response: Yes, I do remember the '32 hurricane, but it did not do anywhere the damage to Grand Cayman as Ivan has done. Although, it chewed up Cayman Brac pretty badly because Cayman Brac was on the N/E quadrant of the storm. I remember the storm center passing over. Addie had come from Port Arthur for a visit bringing Barbara and Henry.

Henry was barely a year old and the only toys we had in the home for him to play with were two empty Pet Milk cans with which he entertained us all through the eye of the storm (which is an unbelievably dead calm). Henry seemed to be having the time of his life.

Have you noticed how much better the old homes stood up to the hurricane than the newer ones (built under strict government code)?

I know some of the family want to go to Cayman to help rebuild family homes and help generally with reconstruction, but unless you are invited, I would advise against it. Proper sanitation is probably nonexistant, water contamination is a real possibility, there is probably not a hotel room to be had at any price, and food, and everything else, is in short supply. Folks, the devastation is unbelievable, and furthermore, anyone going out there now is going to be a real burden for someone who does not need any more of those. When I lived out there without any of the modern conveniences, life was a lot better than what the residents are having to endure now - it won't be like going on a picnic I can tell you!

Well, keep in touch and let me know anything you hear from Cayman.

Love to all,
Walter

9/19/04
3:29PM