 Keys Escape Serious Damage! (Sanibel)
I live in western Port Charlotte. According to our news Sanibel is not
totally destroyed although there is some extensive damage from winds and
storm surge on the beach side. The lighthouse section on the canals
fared far better with only minor damage. Of course electric, water etc
is out on the island. Residents are going to be allowed back on the
island on Weds to see their property. FEMA inspectors have already
surveyed the damage and marked properties with colored symbols according
to damage.
Capitva didn't fare as well. There is extensive damage to the entire
island. Charley sat over Captive spinning in place and tearing it up
for about 1/2 hour before heading back out into the water, jumping over
Cape Coral and into Charlotte Harbor.
As for Punta Gorda and Port Charlotte, it looks like a war zone here.
Buildings are collapsed and I'm not talking just mobile homes. Entire
roofs are blown off buildings and homes, windows are blown out,
powerlines and trees are everywhere.
Telephone poles are snapped in half and still hanging or splinted and
lying across the roads. Boats, cars, and small airplanes from the local
airport are strewn all around, some even hanging in tree tops.
17 of our 21 schools are extensively damaged. The 4 undamaged schools
are in the western part of the county and they are using them as
emergency shelters to get the people out of the elements. They are
using the school buses which were stored out here to transport people to
the shelter by the hundreds.
There is no power, water, telephones, cell service in the county.
Communication comes from word of mouth, flier distribution, and a local
radio station that is continuing to broadcast from a building with no
roof using a generator.
The national guard is in charge. There is a dawn to dusk curfew which
is strictly enforced. Tented comfort stations providing water, shade,
and food have been set up thoughout the different neighborhoods to
provide services to the citizens as well as the workers who have arrived
by the droves to help with tree removal, power, etc.
All 3 local hospitals were damaged extensively loosing their highest
floor when the roofs blew off and windows blew out. Mash units have
been set up by the government with trauma teams outside each of them to
treat the injuries.
Truck loads of supplies arrive daily for distribution. Basic needs of
water, ice, sunscreen, toilet paper, hygiene products. diapers, formula,
bleach, and canned foods are needed.
As for my family, we are lucky. We were without power and telephones
from Fri afternoon until late Sun night. We now have those back on and
we never lost our water. Damage in my subdivision was moderate, but,
not devastating. 1-2 roofs, lots of shingles, lanais all over the
place, pool cages collapsed, trees up rooted, gutters and antennas down,
and all the street signs are twisted and laying over to name the
majority of the damage. Fortunately we have underground utilites in
this section so we have no dangerous lines down as they do in the rest
of the county.
A lot of my friends from work are living in condemned homes with falling
ceilings open to the elements. They have no windows. They are
surviving in temps of 100+, high humidity, and daily severe
thunderstorms without communication services to let their families up
north know they have made it unharmed.
All in all the government has been quick to respond, neighboring
counties and states have been generous with donations and volunteer
help, and most people are greatful to be alive even if their homes and
posessions are destroyed.
It will be a long recovery, but, we are optimistic.
Shelly in FL......who has 2 upcoming cruises to look forward to and has
all her friends and family accounted for and alive!
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