Hurricane Charley hit Florida's Gulf Coast with a vengeance. Spokesmen at the National Weather Service said Charley came ashore near Ft. Myres, FL packing winds exceeding 140 miles per hour across a 50 mile wide center.
Charley, originally projected to hit the Tampa Bay area, fooled forecasters and veered right after passing over Cuba. Charley's quick turn gave precious little time to adjust warnings and evacuations. Many residents were unable to get out in time. The death toll is climbing as rescue workers comb the 40 plus coastal mobile home parks directly impacted by the storm.
The media was also fooled by Charley's change in course. Several TV trucks set up in what were supposed to be fringe areas were heavily damaged. Instead of bringing you the classic pictures of a reporter getting blown around on live TV, crews found themselves huddling in the first floor hallway of their hotel listening to Charley dismantle the building's outer walls and roof.
The Pilot Truck Stop at I-75 and Exit 161 suffered moderate damage and as of Sunday night (8/15) was still without power. Several trucks in the lot were damaged as well. One Allied moving van trailer had the roof peeled from the trailer doors back to the nose.
Here's a few of the things I saw in the aftermath. All of these were shot in or near Punta Gorda, FL.
Due to technical difficulties, the bank will not open today.
Charley took this old fashioned service station down to scrap metal. It even turned over tool cases weighing hundreds of pounds. But it left this car on the rack. Go figure…
Unlike most of its neighbors, this house was left more or less standing.
Condos for sale! Fixer uppers priced to sell.
Florida Gov. Bush explains how to get disaster relief to a home owner.
The evening after the storm.
Charley, originally projected to hit the Tampa Bay area, fooled forecasters and veered right after passing over Cuba. Charley's quick turn gave precious little time to adjust warnings and evacuations. Many residents were unable to get out in time. The death toll is climbing as rescue workers comb the 40 plus coastal mobile home parks directly impacted by the storm.
The media was also fooled by Charley's change in course. Several TV trucks set up in what were supposed to be fringe areas were heavily damaged. Instead of bringing you the classic pictures of a reporter getting blown around on live TV, crews found themselves huddling in the first floor hallway of their hotel listening to Charley dismantle the building's outer walls and roof.
The Pilot Truck Stop at I-75 and Exit 161 suffered moderate damage and as of Sunday night (8/15) was still without power. Several trucks in the lot were damaged as well. One Allied moving van trailer had the roof peeled from the trailer doors back to the nose.
Here's a few of the things I saw in the aftermath. All of these were shot in or near Punta Gorda, FL.
Due to technical difficulties, the bank will not open today.
Charley took this old fashioned service station down to scrap metal. It even turned over tool cases weighing hundreds of pounds. But it left this car on the rack. Go figure…
Unlike most of its neighbors, this house was left more or less standing.
Condos for sale! Fixer uppers priced to sell.
Florida Gov. Bush explains how to get disaster relief to a home owner.
The evening after the storm.
