Hurricane Charley relief effort

[shereads]

Here are the addresses for American Red Cross Disaster Relief

https://www.redcross.org/donate/donation-form.asp

and the local Red Cross chapter for Charlotte County, FL (Hardest hit; a large population of elderly). The local chapter site has been busy all day and takes forever to load, but might get easier after the news has died down.

www.sunline.net/redcross

This storm didn't behave as predicted, so the towns where it hit hardest weren't the most prepared. It's being called the most destructive Florida hurricane since Andrew, a dozen years ago. People will need everything from baby diapers to bottled water, and local newspapers recommend financial donations as the least cumbersome way to help. I'm providing links to the Red Cross because they always seem to be first on the site and last to leave.

 

[shereads]

After the Storm, Stunned Residents Take Stock

Sunday, August 15, 2004 Ñ PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla.Ñ The morning after Hurricane Charley slammed ashore in this southwest Florida community as a Category 4 hurricane, residents are still stunned, struggling to accept that in a matter of hours, the storm had taken everything.

Most people were still at home when Charley arrived. They had listened to the news all day, and according to the weather reports, the storm would make landfall around Tampa. But Charley suddenly took a sharp turn, strengthened to a powerful Category 4 hurricane and roared toward Port Charlotte with winds up to 180 miles per hour. By then, it was too late to evacuate.

In the Pine View mobile home community, the scene is one of total devastation. Frank Jones and his girlfriend Cindy were among those who did not get out in time and rode the storm out at home.

ÒI didnÕt want to stay but I had no choice,Ó said Jones. ÒWhen it came this way the radio said stay where you are, stick it out.Ó They survived by huddling together under a mattress in the bathroom. The storm blew the sliding glass doors completely off their house and took the mirrors off FrankÕs truck.

After carving a path of destruction through an area of Florida that hasnÕt seen a storm of this magnitude in more than 40 years, Charley took at least 13 lives, injured hundreds and left approximately 15,000 people homeless. With many still missing and search and recovery efforts ongoing, the death toll could rise.

In Port Charlotte businesses were completely lost. One man drove into town expecting to open his hardware store and hand out generators, only to find his shop completely flattened. Friends and neighbors were helping him salvage what he could, which was very little. Every other business in the shopping area was completely destroyed.

In response the American Red Cross has mobilized a massive relief effortÑso far more than 50,000 meals have been served and more than 250 shelters were opened across the state, with many still housing people with no home to return to.

Down the road in Punta Gorda just south of Port Charlotte, the truth of just how dangerously strong this storm was is painfully evident. Street signs litter the ground with silver metal scraps wrapped around them like garland on a Christmas tree.

Further north in Arcadia, another hard hit town, evacuees were forced to move during the storm when the roof of a temporary Red Cross shelter collapsed as the winds raged outside. A resourceful group of Red Cross youth corps volunteers quickly moved the shelter to DeSoto High School across the street and began calming the frightened evacuees and serving them meals, despite the leaky roof and lack of power. And the volunteers are still at it.

ÒThe community has been coming in all day for food and water,Ó said Red Cross youth corps volunteer Robert Dinwoodie. ÒItÕs nuts but we are doing our best.Ó

The Federal Emergency Management Agency estimates damage costs will exceed $15 billion. The area has been declared a federal disaster area, making it eligible for millions of dollars in aid.

You can help the victims of Hurricane Charley and thousands of other disasters across the country each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to those in need. Call 1-800-HELP NOW or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting our Online Donation Page.



© Copyright 2004 The American National Red Cross.

 

[R. Richard]

I have been in a few disasters in my time. My experience is that the Salvation Army is setting up while the wind is still blowing and the rain still coming down. The Red Cross is a bit slower.

I am still waiting for word from the local Salvation Army as to where to send contributions.

 

[shereads]

I have been in a few disasters in my time. My experience is that the Salvation Army is setting up while the wind is still blowing and the rain still coming down. The Red Cross is a bit slower.

I am still waiting for word from the local Salvation Army as to where to send contributions.

Oh yeah? Well I say one Red Cross volunteer can beat the daylights out of an entire army of Salvation Army recruits!! If you want a showdown, we'll meet your bunch beside the inevitable pile of donated sweaters and ski parkas.

Bring DEET.

 

[Lord DragonsWing]

And if you can't be there to volunteer then please follow the link shereads has given for the Red Cross.

Good job shereads. I'm glad to see the link. I'll be sending money tomorrow to help out. ty

 

[GratefulFred]

Lesson from Andrew...

Expect the for extreme profit bagged ice vendors & bottled water salesmen, the so called building contractors, and a whole nest of other vultures to make their way towards the west coast.

Let your dogs eat 'em alive people!

 

[shereads]

Re: Lesson from Andrew...

Expect the for extreme profit bagged ice vendors & bottled water salesmen, the so called building contractors, and a whole nest of other vultures to make their way towards the west coast.

Let your dogs eat 'em alive people!

A bag of ice at any price is too valuable to justify siccing the dogs on the fellow selling it for $10. Let him empty the truck first.

 

[GratefulFred]

Ok then here's the prices...

9.5 fluid ounces of water $7
10 lb bag of ice $25
Gallon of gas to start your generator $8/gallon

Going rate in Port Charlotte to get a blow job $6