The death toll is rising in Florida after a huge hurricane battered the state. Posted on 08/14/2004 5:50:53 AM PDT by traumer
The death toll is rising in Florida after a huge hurricane battered the state.
There have been three confirmed fatalities, and officials said there have been many more deaths at a mobile home park where deputies were standing guard over "stacks" of bodies.
President George W Bush has declared the state a disaster area.
The storm, which was much stronger than expected, ravaged coastal homes, trailer parks and businesses before moving inland to hit Orlando and Daytona Beach
The eye of the storm reached the mainland at Charlotte Harbor, much further south than predicted. When it reached land it battered the coast with winds reaching 145 mph and produced waves up to 15 feet high.
Wayne Sallade, Charlotte County's director of emergency management, said hundreds of people were still missing and many more had been left homeless.
He compared the devastation to 1992's Hurricane Andrew, which killed 43.
"It's Andrew all over again," he said. "We believe there's significant loss of life."
Sallade did not have an estimate on a specific number of fatalities. He said it may take days to get a final toll.
More than half a million people were left without electricity after power lines went down. The President's brother, Florida Governor Jeb Bush, said damage from Charley could exceed $15 billion.
The hurricane rapidly gained strength in the Gulf of Mexico after crossing Cuba and swinging around the Florida Keys as a more moderate storm on Friday morning.
Just heard FNC reporter saying they are backing off the "stacked" bodies, but no actual confirmation of numbers.
I should hope so. Who would stack bodies? You'd have to have an awfully good reason for not laying them out in a dignified manner. "You've come to identify your mother? Hmm...I think there might have been an elderly woman in that pile over there. You'll have to dig a bit, she's near the bottom."
Hearing a lot about Punta Gorda, what does the name mean? (No hablo espanol)
Nearest I can find is ...
Punta = Tip or Point ...
Gorda = Fat ...
Punta may also mean peak, or summit, however Punta Gorda, Florida is very flat, so I doubt either of those pertain.
So what's the real deal... ?
"The federal government was sending a 25-member mortuary team to help process bodies "
http://www.usatoday.com/weather/hurricane/2004-08-13-charley_x.htm
I'm still wondering why there would have been people in trailer parks with this storm on the way.
At least with terrorist, we can "go after someone."
Glad you and your family are ok, elf.
Did Marco Island go under water ?
They sure have a bad reputation, don't they! You would think they would straighten up since everyone is on to their "games."
"Officials Fear 'Significant Loss of Life' in Florida"
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,128993,00.html
Thanks for the link, traumer!!
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