October 5th, 6th Apex Crisis

Whew! What an anxious time in our comfy town!
We are home now after slipping past two road blocks and spending a harrowing & draining night away from home. Will we be safe here? Should we have returned? Will we be able to stay? Can we leave if necessary?

At 1pm this morning we evacuated Shepherd's Vineyard. This was a result of watching the local news for 3 hours and hearing reports about a hazardous chemical fire in a facility less than 2 miles from our neighborhood! After hearing a few policemen and firemen were sent to the hospital, Keith told us it was time to leave!

Seth had called about 11:30 offering his couch and floor if we needed it. Since he & Kelley were on the 'safe' side of town, west of the fire, we each grabbed a pillow and jumped into the Jeep and 'crashed' at their townhouse.
We dozed now and then as we kept one ear open for news updates all night long.

This morning Seth & Kelley headed out to Raleigh early for pre-wedding festivites with Kelley's brother John and sister in law to be, Shelly.

It is a rainy day. The hazardous waste experts say the rain will be helpful in putting out the fire. The wind has been calm, a blessing! The HazMat crews have entered the site and are accessing the situation--a good beginning! Gas readings were high at the Eva Perry library around dawn, but those readings & readings at other sites around Apex seem to be safe at this time.

We decided to scout out the area and find breakfast, and see if we could get back home to grab a few things we needed. The news reporters were set up across from Bojangles near Shepherd's Vineyard, so that's where we headed. After eating and watching the news crews, and seeing all the countless firetrucks, HazMat trucks and rescue squads parked at Laurel Village, we figured we'd TRY to get back to the house.

Three routes were blocked by policemen or patrolmen along 64. Then we discovered the Leith car dealer road open---a possibility! We drove through, then on to Olde Raleigh Road----still clear, and finally left onto Olde Raleigh where the roadblock cones were just beyond Shepherd's Vineyard Drive! Just past our road--an opening! Yey! We were in!

Home!
Our birds were still breathing, in fine shape---a good sign of no gas:)
Whoa, our computers!
A hot shower!
My toothbrush!
Food!
Thank the Lord:)

Now, the crisis is not over. The fire is still burning. The evacuation notice will not be rescended until the fire is out. Skye has left to meet a friend, but Keith warned her she might not be able to return if they realize our area is not 'quite' secured. She may have to camp out somewhere else tonight. Who knows??? Is it wise for us to be here??

Some days are more adventuresome than others!
We are on alert on Apache Lane.