[oceanview]

because up until 3-4 hours before landfall, the focus was all on the Tampa Bay area. I'm not faulting the forecasters, these things are unpredicatable, but there wasn't alot of pointed emphasis that a cat 4 was coming up charlotte harbor for a direct hit.

[bwteim]

I'm not faulting the forecasters, these things are unpredicatable, but there wasn't alot of pointed emphasis that a cat 4 was coming up charlotte harbor for a direct hit.

I think a lot of people will want to fault forecasters, some local officials included - but note for example from Charlotte County emergency center dispatches below (oldest at the bottom) that despite fact it was not cat 4, residents were advised to leave barrier islands on Thursday and everybody should be out of low areas by Friday am.

Charlotte County Emergency Bulletins

only bulletins within the last 30 days appear

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Date: Friday, August 13, 2004	Time: 11:51:01 AM
Englewood/Cape Haze Can Expect 115mph Winds
Charley’s forecast track now brings it on shore in Manatee County, near the Sarasota/Bradenton line. For Charlotte County, this means dangerously powerful winds of up to 115 mph in the Englewood/Cape Haze area. Residents in this area should expect the highest winds to hit as the storm reaches its nearest point of approach to Charlotte County around 3:00 p.m. today (Friday, August 13, 2004). Winds across the rest of Charlotte County will approach 85 mph as Charley approaches a Manatee County landfall. The change in Charley’s track will bring it within 20 miles of the coast of Charlotte County, producing 115 mph winds sustained for periods of one hour or more. Residents of Englewood and Cape Haze should plan to occupy an interior windowless room such as a bathroom or closet in an effort to protect themselves from any flying glass or projectiles. Storm surge estimates now run as high as 10 to 12 feet above normal. Residents are reminded that once the high winds and rain move out of the area, the storm surge will result in waters continuing to rise. Storm surge levels will not peak until several hours AFTER the worst weather has moved on, so residents should remain in their homes until a final all clear has been given.

Date: Friday, August 13, 2004	Time: 9:27:53 AM
Bridges to Close on Friday Morning
Those residents categorized as “Special Needs” patients who seek transportation to refuge sites must request transport before bridges are closed by the State DOT. Bridges will be closed to vehicles once tropical storm force winds arrive in Charlotte County, which is projected to be between 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. today (Friday). ONCE BRIDGES CLOSE, THEY WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL VEHICULAR TRAFFIC, INCLUDING EMERGENCY VEHICLES. Special needs patients MUST be relocated to refuge sites BEFORE the order for bridge closure is issued. Residents in low lying, flood prone areas of Charlotte County are urged to consider short distance evacuation as well. Specifically, those under 8 foot elevations in immediate proximity to the Peace River, Charlotte Harbor and the Myakka River should consider short distance evacuation to refuge sites in Port Charlotte. Those sites that are now open include Liberty Elementary, the Cultural Center, and the Port Charlotte Middle School. Evacuees are reminded to bring pillows and blankets for bedding, any medicines required and a minimal amount of food and liquid refreshment.

Date: Friday, August 13, 2004	Time: 9:26:07 AM
Special Needs Shelters Available
Charlotte County has additional beds available in special needs shelters. If you have special needs and would like to move to a shelter, please call 505-4620. The call center will need the following information: What is your specific need? Do you have a caregiver? Can the caregiver transport you, or will you need transportation assistance? You will need to give the call center a contact name and telephone number, and once your request is processed you will be called with further information.

Date: Friday, August 13, 2004	Time: 6:54:44 AM
Update - Hurricane Charley
Tropical storm force winds (over 40 MPH) expected by 10 a.m. as Hurricane Charley moves north in the Gulf off the coast of Charlotte County. Forecasters still target Tampa/St. Petersburg as the area for landfall of Charley early this evening. However, the storm’s track will bring it within 50 miles of Charlotte County’s barrier islands, as it passes to our west at around 3 o’clock this afternoon. There is a mandatory evacuation of barrier islands, RV parks and mobile homes in Charlotte County, and residents of low lying areas (below 8 ft. elevation) are also strongly encouraged to evacuate to higher ground. Specifically, East Punta Gorda, Solona and the Riverside Drive areas of Punta Gorda along with Bayshore, Melbourne and Edgewater Drive in Charlotte Harbor are at risk of flooding from an expected storm surge of 8 to 10 feet by mid-afternoon. Charley will bring winds as high as 90 MPH to coastal areas of Charlotte County, and 50 - 60 MPH across the rest of Punta Gorda and Port Charlotte. Six inches or more of rainfall is expected to accompany the storm, and battering waves along the beaches may exceed 10 feet in height. Refuge sites are open at Liberty Elementary on Atwater in Port Charlotte, the Cultural Center on Aaron Street in Port Charlotte, and Port Charlotte Middle School on Midway in Port Charlotte. Residents are reminded that bridges will be closed to vehicles once tropical storm force winds arrive in Charlotte County, which could be as early as 10 o’clock this morning. Evacuees are reminded to bring pillows and blankets for bedding, any medicines required and a minimal amount of food and liquid refreshment.

Date: Friday, August 13, 2004	Time: 6:53:05 AM
Services Suspended Due to Hurricane Charley
THERE WILL BE NO GARBAGE COLLECTION IN CHARLOTTE COUNTY TODAY (August13, 2004). Residents should bring in trash cans and recycling bins that could become dangerous projectiles in high winds associated with the storm. Trash will NOT be picked up anywhere in Charlotte County today—the normal trash pickup schedule will resume Saturday morning. THERE IS NO SCHOOL IN CHARLOTTE COUNTY TODAY. All public and private schools are closed until Monday. THERE WILL BE NO MAIL DELIVERY IN CHARLOTTE COUNTY TODAY. The main Post Office and branches in Charlotte County are closed until Saturday. GOVERNMENT OFFICES IN CHARLOTTE COUNTY ARE CLOSED TODAY. Non emergency personnel do not report to work until Monday. The Household Hazardous Waste collection scheduled for Saturday, August 14, 2004 has been canceled.

Date: Thursday, August 12, 2004	Time: 8:12:01 PM
Low Lying Areas Strongly Urged to Evacuate
Residents in the following areas are strongly urged to consider evacuating their homes by daylight Friday in advance of Hurricane Charley. The strengthening storm is now forecast to produce a storm surge of up to 10 feet above normal tide levels. Those areas of Charlotte County below 8 foot elevation and subject to the worst flooding threat include: EAST PUNTA GORDA AND SOLONA DOWNTOWN PUNTA GORDA PUNTA GORDA’S HISTORIC DISTRICT RIVERSIDE DRIVE, PUNTA GORDA THE EDGEWATER CORRIDOR, PORT CHARLOTTE BAYSHORE ROAD, MELBOURNE STREET & HARBORVIEW ROAD, CHARLOTTE HARBOR BURNT STORE ROAD, PUNTA GORDA PIRATE HARBOR, PUNTA GORDA EL JOBEAN AND THE CAPE HAZE AREA IN WESTERN CHARLOTTE COUNTY Evacuation is MANDATORY for Charlotte County’s barrier islands and for anyone in an RV or mobile home. Refuge sites are open at Liberty Elementary on Atwater in Port Charlotte, the Cultural Center on Aaron Street in Port Charlotte, and Port Charlotte Middle School on Midway in Port Charlotte. Evacuees are reminded to bring pillows and blankets for bedding, any medicines required and a minimal amount of food and liquid refreshment.

Date: Thursday, August 12, 2004	Time: 6:10:20 PM
Hurricane Charley Has Strengthened
Charley has strengthened … now forecast to reach 121 mph by Friday afternoon… landfall still targeted for Tarpon Springs area north of Tampa. Charley is forecast to pass 50 to 60 miles off the coast of Charlotte County around 3 p.m. Friday. By then, forecasters say Charley will be a Category 3 hurricane, packing winds of 121 mph near the center of the storm. Charlotte County can expect sustained winds of 60 – 70 mph, with higher gusts along the coastline. Residents should prepare by storing lawn furniture and similar items that could become projectiles in high wind. Officials in Charlotte County have ordered a mandatory evacuation of all barrier islands, RV parks and residents living in mobile homes. Those residents of low lying areas along Edgewater, Melbourne, Bayshore, Harborview and in the El Judean area should also consider evacuating. Refuge sites are now open at Liberty Elementary on Atwater in Port Charlotte, Port Charlotte Middle School on Midway Boulevard, and the Cultural Center of Charlotte County on Aaron Street in Port Charlotte. Residents are reminded that bridges will be closed when winds reach tropical storm strength, over 39 mph sustained. Tropical storm winds will likely begin impacting Charlotte County by noon Friday. Heavy rain and tides 6-8 feet above normal may accompany the storm. Charlotte County schools are closed Friday, as are Charlotte County government offices staffed by non-emergency personnel.

Date: Thursday, August 12, 2004	Time: 4:19:31 PM
Mandatory Evacuation of Barrier Islands
CHARLOTTE COUNTY SCHOOLS TO CLOSE FRIDAY. MANDATORY EVACUATION OF BARRIER ISLANDS, RV PARKS, AND MOBILE HOME COMMUNITIES IN CHARLOTTE COUNTY ORDERED AT 3 P.M. TODAY. Forecasters from the National Hurricane Center have moved the landfall of Hurricane Charley slightly north of Tampa, targeting the Tarpon Springs area around 6 pm Friday. We have ordered a mandatory evacuation of all barrier islands, RV parks and those residents living in mobile homes effective at 3 pm today. Refuge sites will open at the Cultural Center in Port Charlotte, Port Charlotte Middle School and Liberty Elementary. Special needs cases—those requiring oxygen or other medical attention—will be taken to a refuge site at Pilgrim United Methodist Church in Port Charlotte. Weather conditions in Charlotte County will begin to deteriorate by 9 a.m. Friday morning as Charley tracks northward. The storm is expected to pass some 50 to 60 miles off the coast of Charlotte County around 3 p.m. Sustained winds of 60 mph can be expected, with gusts to 80 mph. Storm surge of 4 to 5 feet, on top of a high tide of 1.2 feet, could mean waters peaking 5 to 6 feet above normal. Charlotte County Schools will be closed Friday. Charlotte County government offices will close as of 6 p.m. today and remain closed for non-emergency personnel through Friday. There will be no garbage pickup Friday in Charlotte County—service will resume Saturday morning on the normal schedule.

 

[Diddle E. Squat]

but there wasn't alot of pointed emphasis that a cat 4 was coming up charlotte harbor for a direct hit.

Sigh.

There was a MANDATORY evacuation order for mobile homes and RV's in Charlotte County(including Punta Gorda) for more than 24 hours before the storm struck. Hurricane WARNINGS were in place even before that. Every person living in a hurricane prone area has repeatedly heard and been warned about how dangerous and unpredictable hurricanes are. Everyone living in a mobile home has repeatedly heard that they are vulnerable to extremely high winds. The gov't can only do so much, at some point only the individual can be held responsible for his choices.(Shouldn't that go without saying on a conservative site?)

There will be a massive attempt by the media to shift all blame to the Bush's, the local gov'ts, and the weather agencies rather than those who chose to ignore the many warnings put out. Please don't give any kind of legitimacy to these politically-driven slander attempts.