Posted on 08/14/2004 9:26:55 AM PDT by Former Military Chick
PUNTA GORDA, Fla. Hurricane Charley (search) killed at least 15 people in Florida and flattened oceanfront homes, making thousands homeless before it roared north and struck the coast of South Carolina on Saturday.
Wayne Sallade, Charlotte County's director of emergency management, said there were 10 confirmed deaths in the county, but an exact total was not available.
"Not hundreds. I would hope that it would be limited to dozens, if that," Sallade said. Five people were killed elsewhere in the state.
Charlotte County (search) deputies were standing guard over bodies because the area was inaccessible to ambulances.
The strongest storm to strike Florida in a dozen years knocked out electrical service to an estimated 1.3 million homes and businesses as it crossed Florida from the southwest coast to the Atlantic at Daytona Beach, causing widespread damage to coastal areas and mobile home parks.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
Never thought I would say this, but good for Disney - it's open. Got to keep the economy going.
The county should ban trailers in those hurricane alley areas. We all end up paying for it with higher insurance coast let alone loss of life.I saw shots of regular homes and while some had roof damage most were still standing and intact.
Look at all those small towns along river flood plains the gov/t picked up and moved to higher ground instead of paying out grants to these pepole every 15 years because their house gets flooded
Mu hubby is on his way to Arcadia..he is part of the disaster medical team
You know I agree trailors seem to be the worst affected by horrid weather. They do not stand up to tornado's and now hurricanes.
I realize that those that live in them aren't the wealthiest of folks but do we rebuild a moble home park that wont stand up to the next Charley? It is a subject that Gov Bush needs to consider.
I really get made about this.
I just spoke to my brother and he is alright.
He lives just outside of Orlando.
Cripes.....doesn't anyone have a camera down there in Florida? The only photos I've seen have been the same dozen or so from the Fox News site that have been around since early this morning.
We came through fine here in DeLand. Couple of trees down, couple of traffic lights out, and I get the day off of work. Other than that we're business as usual really. Fort Myers, Punta Gordo and Port Charles got slammed pretty bad though, around 60 dead in Punta Gordo, so say a prayer for their families. Jenn's dad had trees come down all around his house and one or two on top of it, so we're waiting to hear from him again. We still haven't gotten word from Jenn's brother to see if they made it through ok. Keep us all in your prayers, thanks for the support guys! Josh
Good news from him, Prayers for the rest.
Apparently, many of these parks, however have been around longer than that legislation.
Anyone know how Boca Grande did with storm passing through/over/around?
As a mobile home dweller in Florida I humbly ask your forgivness. I'm terribly sorry that I can't afford a real home.
But here's something that should make you feel better: I don't have f*cking insurance on my home so you're not out any money!
*sshole
Steve Brooks looks out the window from what's left of his mobile home at the Biehl Slip-Not mobile home park in Punta Gorda on Friday, after Hurricane Charley passed by, destroying most of the park. BOB CROSLIN/ST. PETERSBURG TIMES
An emergency official examines the interior of the Turner Center in Arcadia on Friday after it partially collapsed from damage caused by Hurricane Charley. The center was being used as a hurricane shelter. BRIAN BLANCO/BRADENTON HERALD
Dozens of bucket trucks, from Red Simpson, Inc. in Texas and Louisiana, are parked at a staging area at the Leon County Fairgrounds in Tallahassee, on Friday, ready to head downstate to repair damage from Hurricane Charley. PHIL SEARS/THE TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT
I know I pay much higher rates now for my Florida homeowners that I did before Andrew, plus you have to figure I'm getting less for my buck because of the hurricane deductible clause.
I think my home would have stood up because we recently put on an addition and had to bring everything up to code, and our county uses Miami-Dade code.
You should see the hurricane straps and the number of nails that were needed on each strap for the roof trusses.
We also had to install all new windows in the entire house (so our windows are rated for 120 winds.)
However, we still boarded the big picture windows, and had extra plywood on hand if a smaller window broke.
I agree, this storm will probably drive up our insurance rates again. As to the mobile home issue, they're so susceptible to hurricane damage, but also seem to be tornado attractors. Yet there are huge communities of retirees living in them, so I don't think they'll ever ban the things.
I am so relieved for you. It looks like it is a real mess down there. I only hope the loss of life is less then anyone expects. We will keep your brother and all in our family prayers.
I suppose his/her post might offend. I took from it that moble homes are the first to go during a severe storm.
Some states have more moble home communities then others. It would be nice to ensure their your home is safe, secure and if you evacuate that you will have a home once you return.
Brick dwellings can be equally distroyed, storms aren't choosey. But, I would hope you would want it as safe as possible.
I live in a mobile, albeit it 7,000 feet up in the Rockies.
From "superior":...instead of paying out grants to these pepole every 15 years because their house gets flooded...
Pepole? Is that like a pissrope? Hey "superior". Why don't you go use a pissrope?
"Superior" indeed.
FMCDH(BITS)
bttt
No, Kerry's slogan -was-, "HOPE is on the way." Hehehe, as if people are unable to have hope, without help. The bonehead was offering people something they already possess.
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