This is the new pass Charley cut through the southern tip of N. Captiva Island.
Posted on 08/14/2004 12:41:23 PM PDT by Puntagorda
Here's a ground zero report from the Hurricane . . . from my observations as one who lives in the area that was hit.
Charley made a direct hit on Punta Gorda and Port Charlotte Florida.
These two cities sit at the mouth of Charlotte Harbor, and are separated by bridges that cross the Peace river which flows into the Gulf.
Neither city had been hit or threatened by a Hurricane in more than 75 years.
Hurricane Charley which was expected to hit Tampa, 120 miles north, unexpectantly veered into Charlotte Harbor, and followed the Peace River inland.
When Charley hit Port Charlotte and Punta Gorda it packed winds of 145 mph.
The downtown areas of both cities have been heavily damaged, with almost all businesses either being heavily damaged or destroyed. The closer the buildings were to the Peace River, the more the destruction.
Both hospitals heavily damaged. Seven Fire Stations heavily damaged. The Punta Gorda police station was destoyed. The Punta Gorda city hall was destroyed. Punta Gorda historic district was destroyed.
Almost every home in Punta Gorda Isles was heavily damaged (an upscale canal community on Charlotte Harbor).
Most mobile home communities were destroyed.
All radio stations off the air - towers down. The airport was destroyed (a small airport with no scheduled flights).
Thousands (maybe tens of thousands) of homes damaged - hundreds (maybe thousands) were totally destroyed.
Rescue workers are doing a door to door search to find the wounded.
Because local communication is down, including cell phone, no accurate numbers are available of who might be missing, or hurt, or who might be in rescue shelters, so door to door searches through the ruble are being conducted.
The lack of phone service, radio reporting, TV news, is causing major problems. And the downed trees and debris blocking roads, makes it difficult to move into the damaged areas - which include the main artery through town - Hiway 41 (also know as the Tamiami Trail).
Most local residents feared the storm surge most . . . the rising water. This is to expected since so many people live on canal front property.
But there was no storm surge. Charlotte Harbor averages 12 feet deep, so not much water in there in the first place. . . and much of it was blown out by the storm.
Almost all the damage was from the 145 mph winds.
The damaged area appears to be in a path about 15 miles wide - 30 miles long following the Peace river from Port Charlotte to Arcadia (30 miles inland).
The barrier Island communities of Sanibel, and Boca Grande suffered major damage.
Communities on the north side of the storm path were basically unaffected (other than the shock value of having a hurricane hit this area - first time in 75 years.)
Only minor damage to cities to the south - Fort Myers suffered some wind damage.
It will take years to rebuild Port Charlotte and Punta Gorda.
Many residents will discover that to rebuild to the now mandated Hurricane Building codes will cost much more than the insured value of their homes.
No one here expected the hurricane to hit, the forecasters kept telling us it was going to hit 120 miles north.
We were stunned when Charley was upgraded from a low category II to a dangerous category IV just hours before it hit.
Again this was the first time in 75 years that a Hurricane had even come close to this area. And many of the buildings built in the 60's and 70's simply could not stand the wind load.
FYI: Port Charlotte and Punta Gorda are (were?) ranked in the top ten fastest appreciating real estate markets in the US.
PuntaGorda
Prayers for all souls affected by this storm. There is a lot of grieving and rebuilding ahead.
She doesn't know....the suspense is killing her and her husband...they have no idea what's left or to expect.....this is their 2nd home...they live in Chicago...
Your replacement policy, if you can get one, will cost at least double.
This is the new pass Charley cut through the southern tip of N. Captiva Island.
Did you see the one of the Winn Dixie on Pine Island?
Also the boat storage shed at Pineland Marina.
This is the northern tip of Pine Island near Bokeelia.
Palm trees at a Pine Island plantation.
The Collier Inn on Useppa Island between Sanibel and Pine Island.
Although damaged from Hurricane Charley,Winn Dixie on Pine Island gave free water and ice to all those in need Saturday. (CHOPS HANCOCK/Special to news-press.com)
If religion is what they got, then I wouldn't want any part of religion. 'Course, I figure they are wrong about what they think they've got.
I am blown away at how precise this storm was. Pineland Marina and most of Bokeelia were heavily damaged. And the Winn-Dixie at the center looks bad but the southern end looks to have been spared completely. Also Tarpon Lodge was spared. Have you found any pictures of Matlacha?
I know right where that is.
Or was. It's the same beach where the sea turtles nest.
If I close my eyes, I can feel that "bathtub" warm water on my toes.
Are you going soon?
I read these threads and you and a few others had this on track all along.I can say for myself and lurkers we read them in horror because of the elderly the storm was impacting.
After I found out today that my niece and nephew had gotten along well as Charley passed Wilmington, I felt so sad for the people in Florida.
And I was thinking that next time (next week?....LOL) I hope I remember that these aren't just numbers and abstract things we discuss here during these storm threads; sometime, to me at least, it's like a puzzle or a mystery and I get caught up in the "live" part of it (in case you haven't noticed, live threads ARE my favorite part of FR - I love being with all of you all during an ongoing event); I hope I remember to think next time more about the lives we're talking about.
Howlin and others you helped saved lives,most of us lurked for needed info to get out and you all did a good job.Thank you.
As soon as I can book a flight.
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