Question for FL: With an economy larger than some countries', why shouldn't your state pick up the smaller stuff? From what I've seen this morning, this should qualify, but it doesn't sound to me like what happened in December should. Not to mention, FL should be in a better position to know what it needs. Why depend on the Feds unless you absolutely freaking have to.
reporting from woodland blvd, downtown deland (where i live and work):
Unbelievable. Went out this morning to get coffee and donuts, the Dunkin Donuts' building was stripped of all overhangs, signs, etc. Just a naked building. I couldn't get within a hundred yards of it on Woodland because Woodland was blocked by the police. Even worse, buildings around it were smashed and telephone poles snapped in half. The Dunkin Donuts is ~50 yards from the demolished police sub station that they are talking about on national news.
Tons and tons and tons of traffic; Woodland Blvd is 17-92, one of the main 'back ways' to get to Orlando or Daytona and I-95 and I-4 was closed from accidents/water on road.
Got into the office (downtown deland) and thought that was it for DeLand, that it was "just" a block or two destroyed. Heard from an employee about ~500 homes in Lady Lake being destroyed and that New Smyrna was hit real hard as well, though not many details out yet. So I thought we escaped most of it here in DeLand.
Turned on Pipeline net streams from CNN (yes, I know), and watched with disbelief at what happened 5 miles west of where I am sitting. Large areas over that way (right along and just west of St. Johns) are wiped out. Freaking unbelievable. Sirens constantly, they are telling everybody to get off the streets so they can get rescue vehicles through.
Report more in a bit.