[BurbankKarl]

Golfview subdivision took a direct hit... trees down, sheds blow apart.. roof damage.

The city of Wauchula is devastated.. businesses destroyed.. a usual 15 minute ride took over an hour to get to the Sheriffs Department. You need to send crews in to see the major damage done to this small town.

(from Tampa Bay Online)

[stlnative]

Charley Carves Swath of Destruction in Florida

[stlnative]

Three Dead as Hurricane Charley Slams into Florida Coast

Damage was especially heavy in downtown Punta Gorda on Charlotte Harbour.

“It looks like a war zone – power lines down everywhere, street signs, pieces of roofs blown off, huge trees uprooted,” said Buddy Martin, managing editor of the Charlotte Sun.

Martin said he saw homes ripped apart at two trailer parks. “There were four or five overturned semi trucks – 18-wheelers – on the side of the road.”

Extensive damage was also reported on exclusive Captiva Island, a narrow strip of sand west of Fort Myers. ~SNIP~