We were able to get a hold of Grandmom and she (and her home) emerged more or less unscathed. Lee County, while hit pretty hard, still avoided the effects suffered by Charlotte County to the north, which took the brunt of the storm:
A Charlotte county official said hundreds of people were missing and tens of thousands of homes and businesses were destroyed.
Wayne Sallade, Charlotte County’s director of emergency management, did not have a specific number but said there are “a number of fatalities” at a mobile home park and confirmed deaths in three other areas in the county. There were three confirmed storm-related deaths elsewhere in the state Friday. The federal government is sending a 25-member mortuary team to help process bodies.
Early estimates put damage figures at $15 billion, which would make Charley the third costliest disaster in U.S. history behind the Sept. 11 attacks and Hurricane Andrew in 1992, which killed 26 in south Florida.
Grandmom, and most of Lee County, is still without power. Officials aren't speculating when it will be back on, but she said they were estimating last night they it might not be for two weeks. I can't imagine going through August in Florida without A/C for two days, much less 14, but I imagine crews are working around the clock to get things up and running.
Her complex didn't sustain much in the way of damage, which didn't surprise me. It was built shortly after Hurrican Donna hit that same part of the state, and from what I've seen, I think it could handle a nuclear airburst.
The woman who's been checking in on her since she broke her ankle is supposed to stop by today and help her open the hurricane shutters and resupply. Grandmom was lucky. Lots of people down there are in a bad way.
Thanks to everybody for your kind comments. APCB will return you to your regularly scheduled tomfoolery shortly.
*Not actually her last name
Glad to hear it as well. Also glad to hear that at least some housing in FL was built with past hurricanes in mind. Thanks for the good news.
Wonderful news! Gin & smokes will protect you every time. :)
Echo Charles - she's very fortunate to live in a complex that's built with tropical stuff in mind.
Let her know that all of the people, equipment, and products put together for Bonnie by the Gulf Power people up here in the Panhandle are on the way, as well as the guys from Alabama Power.
Let her know that they try to get groups of people up first, so if the problem is a down line from the pole to the house, it is going to be a while, but if it a a feeder line down, they'll have it back up quickly.
Mazel Tov, Pete! I'm glad your Bubbie's alright.
Our thoughts are with your G'ma and all the folks down south. Glad she is OK. We were very lucky here, but we know what could have been.
phew glad all is well with your family, Pete. My folks live in suburban Orlando & the eye of Charley went right over their home. Thankfully they were visiting me in NY - - but their house was banged up pretty good.
Very glad to hear that your Grandmother is OK Pete and that her home is also intact. I hope it doesn't take them too long to get the power going again down there, and I'm sure crews from other states are working round the clock for them.
Glad to hear she's okay, Pete. Good news.