bphgravity
Senior Member
- Location
- Florida
Hello Everyone!
This has been my first oportunity since August 13 to make a post. I have finally got my power restored and my phone lines restored. I thought I would share some interestng facts about what has been going on this past week in my community here in Charlotte County, Florida.
Hurricance Charley had sustained winds of 145 MPH and gusts exceeding 190 MPH. The eye of the storm went straight up the harbor out of the gulf and continued across the state. A 14 foot storm surge followed. My home (was) in Port Charlotte, only three miles from Charlotte Harbor. Here are some facts and figures.
22 people in Florida were killed as a result of the storm.
9,000 homes have been destroyed or have been condemed.
1 out of every 4 businesses in Charlotte County is destroyed.
Of the 22 public schools, only 13 are operational. As many as three may not be rebuilt.
1.7 million people lost power. (I had gone 13 days.)
141,647 people are now homeless.
FEMA has distributed 117,000 million liters of water and 5.7 million pounds of ice.
Estimates are up to 11 Billion in total damages.
There are 10,000 emergency workers in Charlotte County alone, including some 3,000 National Guard.
All 3 Charlotte County Hospitals were damaged beyond use.
All 9 fire stations were destroyed.
There are 21 utility companies with 11,000 workers helping Florida Power and Light restore power. They have replaced nealy 6,500 poles, 2,000 transformers, and have run nearly 800 miles of new cable to date.
The American Red Cross has distributed 8,000 meals, three times a day in Charlotte and DeSota Counties.
This is only a small portion of the incredible numbers and incredible efforts that are being made to restore normalcy in my community. My historical home has been through at least 4 other hurricanes, including Donna, however Charley was the storm no home was prepared for. The 35 foot Avocado tree in the back yard was uprooted and pushed right over, however the small rose bushes in the front yard did not lose a petal. All the little nit-nacks on the shelves in my office didn't move an inch, yet the adjacent wall and the book shelve by it ended up in the next yard over. Cars and trucks were overturned and placed in unusual locations, and every street light in the county was blown away.
If you have some time, and you would like to see some pictures, go here:
Newspaper Pictures
Click on Charley Photos on the top left corner.
Im glad to be back!
This has been my first oportunity since August 13 to make a post. I have finally got my power restored and my phone lines restored. I thought I would share some interestng facts about what has been going on this past week in my community here in Charlotte County, Florida.
Hurricance Charley had sustained winds of 145 MPH and gusts exceeding 190 MPH. The eye of the storm went straight up the harbor out of the gulf and continued across the state. A 14 foot storm surge followed. My home (was) in Port Charlotte, only three miles from Charlotte Harbor. Here are some facts and figures.
22 people in Florida were killed as a result of the storm.
9,000 homes have been destroyed or have been condemed.
1 out of every 4 businesses in Charlotte County is destroyed.
Of the 22 public schools, only 13 are operational. As many as three may not be rebuilt.
1.7 million people lost power. (I had gone 13 days.)
141,647 people are now homeless.
FEMA has distributed 117,000 million liters of water and 5.7 million pounds of ice.
Estimates are up to 11 Billion in total damages.
There are 10,000 emergency workers in Charlotte County alone, including some 3,000 National Guard.
All 3 Charlotte County Hospitals were damaged beyond use.
All 9 fire stations were destroyed.
There are 21 utility companies with 11,000 workers helping Florida Power and Light restore power. They have replaced nealy 6,500 poles, 2,000 transformers, and have run nearly 800 miles of new cable to date.
The American Red Cross has distributed 8,000 meals, three times a day in Charlotte and DeSota Counties.
This is only a small portion of the incredible numbers and incredible efforts that are being made to restore normalcy in my community. My historical home has been through at least 4 other hurricanes, including Donna, however Charley was the storm no home was prepared for. The 35 foot Avocado tree in the back yard was uprooted and pushed right over, however the small rose bushes in the front yard did not lose a petal. All the little nit-nacks on the shelves in my office didn't move an inch, yet the adjacent wall and the book shelve by it ended up in the next yard over. Cars and trucks were overturned and placed in unusual locations, and every street light in the county was blown away.
If you have some time, and you would like to see some pictures, go here:
Newspaper Pictures
Click on Charley Photos on the top left corner.
Im glad to be back!
