aerial photos of Hurricane Charley damage

[Melissa]

A local DJ took these aerial photos today that really shows just how much devastation was done down here last Friday. I don't mean to dwell on this subject but this was my first major hurricane and I can't help but thinking every day since this happenend how lucky we are to have avoided this. Some are saying now that if Charley would have stayed just a little longer in the gulfs warm water it could have easily gone to a category 5! There are over 1 million people living in the Tampa Bay area, that would have been catastrophic. I feel very fortunate to have a roof over my house tonight and very sad for all of these people, most who were elderly. After seeing all these photos I think we were lucky to only loose 20 lives.
http://www.schnittshow.com/hurricanecharley2004.html

[ 08-18-2004, 11:44 PM: Message edited by: Softpaws ]

 

[dogger]

Wow. that is amazing. I am surpised to see the destruction is so random one house is fine the next is not.
Up hear it is not hurricanes, but we have a had a few earth quakes. There was one 3 years ago that still makes me nervous and we now have an 'action plan' in case 'The Big One' hits......
Makes you appreciate how fortunate you are, how helpless others are and how prescious life is....

 

[bearbearsmom]

Hi Melissa -

Those pictures are amazing. It will be a very long time before people can put their lives back together and I guess because we are here in Florida and see it around us all the time it is especially touching. I know inland progress is coming along and power is being restored, but still many without. My parents went home last night and much to their pleasure, they had power. No water yet, but it's coming along. Now they have to replace their windows and part of the back roof. Insurance claims are confusing because they are treating Hurricane claims differently than regular claims and telling folks not to claim if they don't have to because of higher deductible amounts and premiums. While most people are being SOOOO gracious, you will always have the scum of the earth who are now here to prey on the unfortunate. Yesterday on the news they were warning people about fake FEMA people coming to the house and wanting their social security #'s and banking information. They were saying that no FEMA agent would just come without making an appointment. So many of the affected were elderly and it just makes me furious to see them try to be taken. I know my parents are 65 and 68 and they are fortunate enought to have my husband and brother and I to help them, but so many don't.

Oh, well, I could go on forever, but won't. I just pray for everyone as every day is a struggle to get through for some.

Nancy

 

[IrishMist428]

Just aweful. I really feel for all those people who had to experience this.

 

[FuzzyDustBunnies]

That is just unbelievable. How horrible for everyone involved. Looks like what a tornado does...can leave a house standing and take down the one next to it. Creepy.

 

[ina/puusty]

Thank you for those links to see..the broad swath of damages. My son..was sitting in a 4th floor building of Microsofts..taking an 'up grade' test..for several hours..when that hit, from earthquakes.arrived..3 years ago. He said people sat, some prayed..some wept..and through it all..the eerry (sp?) sound of creaking..coming from the building and the sway. ina n HB