R and the dogs and I went to Dauphin Island on Sunday and were able to for the first time drive to the west end to see exactly what devastation Ivan wrought. Well, having a picture in your mind is nothing like actually seeing it with your eyes. Wow.
Which leads me to a question someone might know the answer to. On the south side of the island near the very end are about ten houses which are still standing, piers evidently secure, out in the Gulf of Mexico - completely surrounded by water. These houses made it through the storm, some with little damage, some with much. However, they now have no property left due to the beach erosion.
What does this mean? Insurance - if you have it - covers your structure. These folks now own a beach house that is no longer on private land but occupies the Gulf of Mexico and which they can't even get to.
-frolix