Hurricane Charley Deals Florida a Deadly Blow

MIAMI, Florida, August 16, 2004 (ENS) - Hurricane Charley tore across southwest Florida Friday, claiming at least 16 lives, injuring hundreds of other people, and leaving some 15,000 homeless. Hundreds of thousands are still without power, and damage estimates range upwards of $10 billion, although federal and state officials say it is still too early to declare a complete damage estimate.

Punta Gorda and Port Charlotte were hit hardest by the Category 4 storm, when it tore into Florida’s Gulf coast packing 180 mile per hour winds. Charley has now diminished to a rainstorm off the New England coast and Florida skies are mostly clear.

"We choppered over and saw the devastation of this area," President George W. Bush told reporters Sunday. "A lot of people's lives are turned upside down. We've got ice and water moving in, trailers for people to live in are moving in. The state is providing security so that people can have peace of mind that their neighborhoods will be safe. There's a lot of compassion moving in the area, the Red Cross is here."

A woman surveys the damage of her Punta Gorda home. (Photo taken by unidentified viewer posted by WESH-TV)

President Bush declared a major disaster area in 16 Florida counties on Friday night, enabling federal funds to be released for temporary housing, home repairs and other serious disaster related expenses. On Saturday, he extended the disaster declaration, bringing to 25 the number of counties that are eligible for assistance. Low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration are available to cover residential and businesses losses not fully compensated by insurance.

The stricken state is governed by the President's brother Jeb Bush, and both officials said cooperation between state and federal governments in the wake of the storm is excellent. The President said the federal government is moving quickly to "surge" relief to the storm victims.

Florida Governor Jeb Bush (right) and FEMA Director Michael Brown (center) explain disaster relief plans to the media at Lakeland Linder Regional Airport. (Photo courtesy FEMA)

This is "the largest emergency air lift in the U.S., "FEMA Region IV Director Kenneth Burris told reporters as he watched supplies being loaded aboard military transport planes at Dobbins Air Force Base in Marietta, Georgia bound for Lakeland, Florida.

In the largest American Red Cross storm response effort since Hurricane Andrew, the Southeast Service Area of the Red Cross is coordinating a massive response effort focusing first on providing safety and shelter for the homeless, as well as food and dry clothing to tens of thousands of people.

Hundreds of trained disaster volunteers are converging on the affected areas, where some 80 emergency response vehicles are moving though damaged neighborhoods offering food and drink. The Red Cross is also providing cleanup kits and other relief supplies.

Florida Chief Financial Officer Tom Gallagher said the Department of Financial Services is gearing up to quickly help thousands of Floridians who will need assistance in filing insurance claims. "Charley will be devastating to thousands of Florida families. We are here to help them pick up the pieces and start the rebuilding process."

Red Cross worker talks with two southwest Florida storm victims. (Photo by Bonnie Gillespie courtesy American Red Cross)

Florida Power and Light, which supplies electricity to most of the state, said the hurricane knocked out power to 874,000 customers. Crews working around the clock have restored power to 497,000 of those, and except for Punta Gorda and Port Charlotte, the utility says all power should be restored by Friday at the latest.

Still, there are fears that power outages at wastewater plants could lead to backed-up sewers.

A facility damage assessment in Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda and Arcadia is underway, the utility officials said. Florida Power and Light plans to offer a restoration estimate by the end of day Tuesday for these areas – however, the company expects that the rebuilding efforts in these areas will extend beyond those reported today.

"We appreciate the patience of our customers as we restore and rebuild," said Geisha Williams, FPL vice president of distribution. "In addition to our restoration efforts, we are also working hard to provide the kind of information that will help you make decisions about whether to relocate for a period of time or remain at your home, or make decisions about your business or work."

Before hitting Florida, Hurricane Charley swept across Cuba, leaving a trail of destruction. The United States is releasing $50,000 in immediate emergency relief funds to assist hurricane victims in Cuba, the State Department said Friday.

Adam Ereli, deputy State Department spokesman, said the United States "regrets the damage caused by Hurricane Charley and expresses its solidarity with the Cuban people."

He urged U.S. based nongovernmental and religious organizations to provide humanitarian support to the Caribbean island nation and called upon the government of Cuba to facilitate the provision of this assistance directly to the Cuban people.

FEMA's toll-free registration number is 1-800-621-FEMA (3362).

State of Florida Emergency Information 24-hour hotline is: 1-800-342-3557