PUNTA GORDA, Fla. (ABP) — Hurricane Charley's unexpected course left death, devastation and frustration as it passed through heavily populated Central Florida Aug. 13. But even before the wind died down, plans for relief were well under way.
Officials from multiple governmental and relief agencies — most of whom are associated with the American Red Cross — are working to coordinate services to aid those left homeless and without vital services in the wake of Hurricane Charley.
Charley, a category 4 storm with sustained winds above 145 mph and storm surges from 13 to 15 feet, left 16 people dead and hundreds missing as it crossed the state from southwest to northeast, entering from the Gulf of Mexico at Punta Gorda and exiting into the Atlantic Ocean around Daytona Beach.
According to published reports, Charley was the strongest hurricane to impact the U.S. since Hurricane Andrew hit south Florida in 1992.
Lt. Governor Toni Jennings said five people died in Polk County; four in Charlotte County; two each in Orange and Volusia counties; and one each in DeSoto, Lee and Sarasota counties. Officials searched door-to-door for victims.
Nearly 1 million Central Floridians remain without electricity and may not have it restored for more than a week.
Those living in the most heavily damaged areas — Punta Gorda, Port Charlotte and various counties in the path of the storm — will have to wait until damage assessments are complete before hearing when their power will be restored.
State officials have requested emergency housing for up to 10,000 people from FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Officials from FEMA are coordinating federal response to the devastation, and on Saturday had already deployed mobile vans to talk with affected persons about available aid.
FEMA has designated 25 counties as eligible for federal disaster-relief assistance. This move will allow for faster distribution of financial assistance to the hardest-hit areas.
Statewide, property damage estimates range from $5 billion to $11 billion, not including loss of business, uninsured dwellings or vehicles.
Even as cleanup and essential services are being restored, faith-based groups and local churches were busy identifying persons to assist with emotional and spiritual care.
The Florida Department of Children and Families reports it will offer mental health services in American Red Cross shelters across the state. At the same time most denominational bodies with churches in the area are working to provide coordinated spiritual support and counseling.
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