It’s 8:00am Wednesday, October 9th and Hurricane Milton was then expected to make landfall in Florida around 8:00pm. Local hurricane shelters normally begin accepting Highlands County residents into the buildings twelve hours before expected landfall. The Tanglewood Hurricane Response Team had announced the same time frame. 

Two days prior, on Monday morning after coffee, TMAC announced that all activities scheduled for the rest of the week were cancelled due to the time of Hurricane Milton’s expected arrival to Florida. You know it’s  serious when they shut down Bingo!

HTA employees were originally scheduled to make the clubhouse their top priority to prepare for Tanglewood residents. They were to bring all the pool chairs into the clubhouse and stack them up. 

Greg Plank, a vital member of the HRT (Hurricane Response Team) watched as volunteers came to him from Monday Coffee and didn’t say much but wanted to help. They went out and brought in the chairs, then stacked them up for Greg to distribute later that day.  This goes to show how well residents help out in a time of need. No arguing, just happy to help. We thank you all for doing that.  This was relayed to Angi, as it now  relieved HTA workers to take care of other vital work to be done outside. HTA employees did bring in the chairs from the outback and cleaned them up so we could have the promised ‘100’ chairs available. A couple other workers stopped in to check and see if we needed their help. This was a good mix of getting to know them and them us. 

That’s when the realization hit most of the ‘new’ residents. Especially those who moved here after 2017 when hurricane Irma dropped in. The sound of hammers and nailguns, etc. could be heard throughout Tanglewood as the hurricane storm shutters went up for those last minute shoppers. Good luck finding any plywood at Lowe’s or Home Depot. Flower pots, and all outside ornaments were moved to a safer area. Projectile street light lids were later found scattered on nearly all the streets. Who’d of thought to remove those? Our manager had driven around the area double checking for anything that could be construed as dangerous and needed to be removed. The response team kept in constant contact with Angi who had employees available should we need them for the clubhouse shelter process.  On a side note, the two large half moon windows that were both replaced in the clubhouse after the hailstorm, do not need to be covered with shutters as they were custom built as hurricane safe windows. 

Tuesday, October 8th just one day prior to the expected landfall. The store shelves were nearly empty. There was a line around Murphy’s gas station a mile long. Residents were watching the news for updates on the weather. The timeframe for when Milton was to arrive on Florida’s beaches kept changing. The Response team had been working fearlessly to complete the set up for the Clubhouse. The country breakfast crew promised to have coffee 24/7 once people began to come inside. And they did a fantastic job not only with coffee but in serving meals days later. A small refrigerator was brought in from Tanglewood church for anyone who needed medication to be refrigerated and have easy access. Three new first aid kits were donated by HTA for placement in the clubhouse. Thanks go out to the Pickleball club which loaned out the use of their Zoll AED. It was stationed at the command center on the stage and was returned, unused. Maintenance had made provisions for extra toilet paper, paper towels, cleaning supplies and hand cleansers. (Our new Activities director has a connection with that department, and she did a great job too.) 

Now Wednesday, October 9th. Over two hundred sixty-seven residents had signed up to come to the Tanglewood Clubhouse Hurricane Shelter. The time had come for residents to begin their journey into the unknown time zone of ‘when can we get out of here’. There was never a line, but a steady flow of residents came in through the craft room doors to get ‘signed in’ that they were actually there. Some residents were confused since they had already registered online. It’s like any TMAC or other meeting. Once you’ve joined, they take a roll call to see who actually showed up. The response team met after the hurricane and this was one of the subjects we addressed. 

The Clubhouse had once again been transformed into a safe haven Hurricane Shelter for Tanglewood Residents to wait out the next storm heading their way. Some of the Seniors had settled into their cots while others were playing cards and visiting. The Hurricane Response Team remained on ‘active duty’ even after the hurricane had passed. 

Kristen Sapato and Pat Bullens were greeters and check in as the residents first arrived. Jeff and his wife, Marnie Laurion were the designated census takers. Marnie did the data entry from the paper sign in sheets some late entry residents filled out when entering the building. Kathy Wyatt escorted the seniors and helped direct them and their ‘luggage’ to the designated seat which Greg Plank had pre-arranged from his ‘OCD’ seating chart.

 There were a few issues with friends/family suddenly coming to visit who weren’t registered with the office as guests. Sorry, but Tanglewood residents come first. This was built for your safety by John Graytek. At this point there were numerous shelters all over highlands county who were accepting everyone within that area, including their pets. Tanglewood Clubhouse Hurricane safe Shelter was built for the residents and their registered guests. Period. 

Steve and Irene Sykes were at the clubhouse by 7:30 to prepare high octane coffee and hot water for tea. The doors officially opened at 8:00am and the residents were quiet when entering the room. Most of them were normally on the pickleball courts at this time, but not today.  It was now on the move to Florida’s west coast. At times it was rated as a Cat-5 and was referred to as one of the most catastrophic Hurricanes in over a hundred years. It was a monster that no one knew for sure where it would end up or how much damage it could cause.

Tonight they would find answers to all those questions as Hurricane Milton was predicted to make landfall around 9pm and then spread its destruction all over the state of Florida. Plans were set in place back in June of this year when we held our annual Hurricane Drill. Initially, around two-hundred seventy-eight were registered. During Irma, we had over three hundred actually spend the first night in the clubhouse shelter. Nearly fifty pets had a secure place to stay. The Community room was now a pet shelter. Again, Greg had designed it to hold over sixty animals if needed.

This group of residents was a much quieter crowd than usual. Some were looking around at all the temporary signs posted, like ‘Roudy Room’ aka the suite, was meant for those who couldn’t sleep past 10pm to use. The Library was now the ‘quiet room’ no beds, just peace and quiet. There were several round tables placed up near the kitchen. Trash cans were strategically placed in front of the Tech booth, beside the middle pool door, and by the kitchen. The charging station was set up in front of the middle of the wall between the Library and Roudy room. Those outlets were connected directly with the generator should it be needed, and we found that answer too. We did and it worked! 
A decision had been made by the Hurricane Response Team along with our park manager, Angi as to the time we would close the doors permanently. It would either be at 6:30pm or when the winds were consistent at 35mph. The ambulance and other emergency vehicles stopped rescue operations at that point. We chose 6:30 because it would be within minutes of being dark outside and already raining, with the possibility of losing power at any given time. We felt it was dangerous to be outside from that time on. Some didn’t like it, but that standard was set for safety.

Around 5:30pm some wanted to go back home when the Hurricane was predicted to go from a CAT-5 to a CAT-3 or 2 after making landfall. Why they did that is something you should ask them. It was announced to those who planned to leave temporarily, if you’re not back by 6:30 we will not re-open the doors. A few cut it close, but all those who had intended to leave returned on time. For those who didn’t return (purposefully) their beds/pool chairs were now empty and there were others left to sleep on the floor. Greg counted the chairs and then went to many residents and invited them to come to a more comfortable place to settle for the night. It was much appreciated.

For those snowbirds who decided to stay safely up north, thank you. Common sense did not prevail to a few other snowbirds who landed just in time to come to the shelter. I think they may have wondered why themselves when the winds were roaring all around us and then…we lost power. It took about thirty seconds for the generator to kick in. That was a long, long, long, long long 30 seconds.

The big screens had the most up to date weather on so we could at least see from that view, where Milton was heading. What we didn’t plan for was the tornado that roared like a freight train for about ten to fifteen minutes. Somewhere in that timeframe we lost internet connection. Comcast went down and stayed down for a few days. it was now after 10:00pm and in spite of all that noise, some remained playing cards while others tried to sleep. The subtle noises heard around the room was quite comical. Throughout the evening Pastor Bill Burnham walked tirelessly to nearly every cot and asked if they needed anything. Some did, and he took care of it. Others smiled and just needed a hug. He did that too. He preaches here inside the clubhouse every Sunday morning from 9:30 – 10:30am.  

Occasionally the pets would begin barking. Apparently most all of the pet parents felt their pet ‘needed’ them close by the entire time they were there. Well I hate to break it to you, but with over sixty pets registered, there was no room for parents. Nor do we want you in there all the time. It disturbs the other animals who are already a little nervous. Believe it or not, they were ALL QUIET once the pet parents covered their crates and left them alone. With the exception of needing to give medicine, only one other parent was allowed access at any time. He had a Legally Certified REAL service dog who was by far the best behaved animal in the shelter. It was explained to him that his animal could stay with him at all times and did not need to be in the crate. He chose not to do that as he indicated it would just cause a problem with other pet parents. He did come in a sit beside the dog a few times, but not for long. Our official officers for the Pet Room were John and Alisa Blackburn who did a fantastic job. They would call a parent’s cell to inform them of anything they felt should be taken care of at that time. It was a thankless ‘shixxx’ job and the room smelled pretty ripe the next day. To the Pet Parents who took issue with this ‘rule’ of not sleeping with your pet, remember, it was only for one night to be in a safe place where your pet could also be safe near you. It was told that for the first time, all the shelters in highlands county were allowing residents to bring their pets into the shelter. Life and death, that’s how serious this hurricane was thought to become.

We were fortunate once again, to still have our homes. Within seven days everyone had power restored. In the meantime, our country breakfast crew asked residents to bring up the food in their non-working refrigerators and freezers. They had enough food for over 70 residents to eat dinner, with some to spare. The second afternoon lunch was served to around 40 residents, many were still without power. Even if they had power restored, most food wasn’t fit to eat at this point. Everyone was encouraged to come to the clubhouse shelter and eat a meal. The clubhouse Shelter was still running on its generator during this time and wasn’t restored until Thursday afternoon. 

It was at that time, the dance committee chairman spoke with Angi and asked if they could go ahead with the planned dance on Saturday. She quickly agreed since the power was back on in the clubhouse and felt the dance would be a great way for the residents to celebrate for a little while now that the crisis portion was over. Her contribution was lots of beer and wine to celebrate! Lee Alcorn was the entertainer and he brought his A-Team band. Lee played to the audience. When no was dancing, he changed the style of music to get them dancing again. Lee said a prayer for all of us and then as we stood together, holding hands he sang Lee Greenwood’s famous song ‘God Bless the USA’. God did truly bless us this past week. And we should all be thankful for that. 

Many of you have gone above and beyond in order to help a neighbor get their siding repaired, pick up debris and restore outdoor ornaments back to their spot. For those residents who moved here ‘in the beginning’ you may not be able to do those things now. There is no doubt you helped neighbors when you were younger and stronger. Passing the torch is not an easy thing to do for some. To those residents who are younger, you are now the kids and the torch has been passed.

Many of you are ‘paying it forward’ as they say. Someday, if you’re lucky, you will have lived through many more storms. But for today, we see you out there, helping your neighbors pick up branches, wash houses, checking on those who had the pink signs in their window that said “I’m here” or “I stayed home”. You are checking on them. People are bonding as neighbors, especially since one person was missed a little too late. Fortunately, a new committee was formed (501C-3) to address those issues.  Thank you Tanglewood residents, Hurricane Response Team, Middle Management, Employees, and registered guests, for all that you did to help out and are continuing to do for our Tanglewood community. We survived hurricane Milton!
Our clubhouse has many useful names. This past week it was our Hurricane Shelter. On Sundays, it’s a church. We meet and greet, talk and dance, cry and romance here in our wonderful secluded community called Tanglewood. God has truly blessed us all. And everyone said………AMEN.