I finally got through to my mom in Miami Springs. Most of the house is okay, but the front room that we'd created by closing in the garage was ruined. So was the tool shed in the back, including the lawnmower we just got back from the repair shop.

And, perhaps worst, at least one of the diaries my stepfather's mom kept was washed clean by the water. He's drying what remains -- photos, other diaries, etc. -- as best he can.

But they're safe, if exhausted by ripping soggy carpet up.

My dad's Honda Civic is a total loss.

None of this, of course, is covered by ordinary insurance, and since neither of them was in a flood zone, neither had flood insurance.

Damn.