Things are finally moving in the right direction.

In my previous updates following Hurricane Melissa, I mentioned that I was fortunate to have suffered relatively minor direct damage from the hurricane itself. Ironically, much of the damage I’ve dealt with since then has happened during the rebuilding process.

Before major work started, I moved approximately 90% of client equipment away from the property and into secure storage. Some lower-priority items, along with my own equipment, remained at home and were moved between rooms or placed in what should have been protected storage.

Unfortunately, some of those items were moved or disturbed without my knowledge.

One example was a camping tent that I periodically use myself and which normally remains dry during regular rainfall. Equipment, books and other items were temporarily stored inside. Someone staying at the property used the tent, opened its zippered windows and left them open. I didn’t know. After subsequent rain and wind affected the additional tarp covering it, virtually everything inside got wet.

In another case, a plastic bin from my office—normally used for paper and electronic waste—was apparently used to move things out of the way. I eventually found it outside, filled with rainwater, with a previously working keyboard and other items inside.

Some tools and equipment also remain unaccounted for.

So the challenge now isn’t simply identifying what was obviously damaged. I have to determine what actually survived.

The Good News

The roof is now completed, eliminating one of my biggest concerns going into another hurricane season.

More importantly for my work, I finally have my office space back.

It isn’t completely restored, but it’s usable. My desktop is back in place, my multiple-monitor setup is available again, and I can more efficiently handle remote support, research, documentation, tickets and invoices.

I wasn’t even certain my desktop would power on after everything that has happened, so seeing it start normally—and seeing all of my drives come up without reporting faults—was a very welcome surprise.

Now comes the process of going through the remaining equipment, inspecting and testing what can safely be tested, and determining what is functional and what isn’t.

Getting Back to Normal

The rebuilding isn’t finished, and I’m still balancing this process with my regular job, life in general and my obligations to freelance clients. So while having the office back is a major improvement, it doesn’t mean everything immediately returns to normal.

But it does mean I’m finally in a much better position to work through outstanding items and increase my productivity.

I also have to keep all of this in perspective. Months after Hurricane Melissa, there are still people dealing with damaged or lost homes, inadequate roofing and living conditions far more difficult than mine.

I have a proper roof again. I have electricity, communications and a usable workspace. The essentials are there, and things are gradually returning to some level of normalcy.

For those still waiting on me, thank you again for your patience.

The office is back.

Now the recovery can properly begin.