[Horsepower]

For the second time in my life I've entered a hurricane disaster area. The first time was the Cutler Ridge area(south Miami), after hurricane Andrew which still is the worst natural disaster in U.S. history(in total cost).The second time was yesterday. I brought food, a generator and other neccessary supplies to my sister-in-law in Hardee county, Florida po****tion: 27,600.

I was very surprised by the amount of damage there. My brother-in-law told me it was bad, but I thought it probably wouldn't be since Hardee county is quite some miles from the coast. I was wrong. About 15 minutes outside of the small town they live in(Wauchula), I started to see two-foot wide trees snapped and broken like twigs. I had to cross power lines that were lying in the road, not knowing if they were live or not. After seeing some homes with parts of their roofs missing, it was then that I knew my brother-in-law wasn't bull****ting me.

About 5 miles from their house(a very small town called Zolfo Springs) is where the damage started to get really bad. Traffic lights are gone. Many streets signs are non-existant. Familiar landmarks I used to find my way around are gone, as if they evaporated. Zolfo Springs is a very economically depressed town. Most of these people didn't have very many earthly possesions. Many of them now have none. I saw some people walking around with faceless expressions, much like zombies. Others were sitting on their front steps with despair in their eyes in the light rain. There was no point for them to seek shelter in their homes. They have no roofs. I felt so bad for these people. I wanted to help them in some way, but there wasn't anything I could do. Sure I probably could have given them some money to get a meal, but with power being out and a lot businesses destroyed, there isn't anywhere to spend it.

My relative's house is in bad shape, but thankfully it's still habitable. They lost their carport and screened-in patio and have some moderate roof damage. Some of their neighbors weren't so lucky. The most optimistic assesment is that they'll have power restored in about a week. From what I've seen, it'll be longer. The main electric transmission lines that run along the highway that power their town are gone. When I heard they were going to be without power for so long, I just had to go buy them a generator. It's made me feel a little better knowing that I made the misery they are experiencing a bit better. You cannot imagine the amount of appreciation they expressed when we pulled into their driveway with that generator.

We had to be out of that area by 8 p.m. because of the curfew imposed by the National Guard. As we were leaving, I must admit I felt some guilt knowing that I was going back to my house with all of it's creature comforts while 1.5 million Floridians are without them. You've probably seen the pictures of the devastation on TV. Let me assure you that those pictures do not do the amount of damage much justice. Seeing it with your own eyes is the only real way to understand the magnitude and misery of it.

So why did I post all of this? I really don't know. I guess I just felt the need to express what I saw. I do know I won't be around as much for at least the near ***ure. Right now I am not at all in the mood for video games(or this **** bad word filter).

[A$$A$$IN]

Wow that sounds pretty bad. Its a good thing that everyone you know was okay. My cousin lives in daytona beach, but they didnt get hit very hard at all. They just had a few trees knocked over here and there.

[EricDraven]

wow I must be sheltered cuz i didn't hear anything about this, though were i moved unless you have cable or satelite you don't get **** for reception I'm gonna have to read up about it on the web, but that's horrible, I hope the generator get's them through it, is there any form of home owners insurance for these situations? not that it would do much good now i guess but might be a good idea for the ***ure if such an insurance exists. Understand the not wanting to play video games, hope your family gets through it ok.

[toetag]

Sounds rough up there. Tell Barry I hope all goes well for him. Do not feel too bad about it because sooner or later we will get hit too and i bet that the favor will be returned.

I am going to be in orlando soon and I have been scouring the net for information regarding charlie and its not bad at all.

At worst, orlando was like that time floyd was zipping up the coast and we watched transformers flash and trees bend. Some trees fell, but nothing like punta gorda. I think the only real damage was at the orlando airport.

I was initially worried about the resort we will be staying at, but once i saw it was ok, my concerns went right back to punta gorda, captiva and sanibel island. They were hit with the max winds and storm surge.

[GroovyDude]

We got extremely LUCKY on the southeast coast. As Charley approached and made its pass, the skys got gray but we never got any major wind or rain at my house.

As for homeowners insurance, after Andrew in '92 it's hard to even find an insurance company that will insure you down here. You should also see the deductable on wind (hurricane) coverage. :eek:

[Smurf]

Thanks for posting that, I haven't heard much about Charlie because I've been watching the Olympics. Take your time and I hope everything turns out ok.

[PrYm3r]

I also feel bad for all those people losing what they did.Hopefully they can rebuild soon,& try getting back to a normal life.Horse what u did was way cool,& i'm sure the favor will be returned someday.Good things happen to good people.Hope everyones loved ones are ok

[Lt. Dan]

I consider myself a lucky man as I used to live down in Cape Coral, and from all accounts I have so far they had it pretty rough as well. My best friend lives there and I have not been able to reach him yet, so I am still worried about him and his daughter.

[ImP]

I'm so sorry to hear what has happened out there in Florida horse we in England can only imagine what it's like. my thoughts are with you all.

[Knottwobad]

A co-workers father lives in Fort Meyers and Charley clipped it but his house was a more recently built home with the new hurricane resistant structural reinforcement. The neighbors all came to his house to ride it out. He lost some trees, no power, and lost a few roofing tiles where the neighbors roofs hit his so he faired a lot better than most in his neighborhood. I am glad everyone is o.k. Meltdown and that is the most important thing. The rest will get sorted out in time.