Our morning in Charlotte County

[scogor]

Just some observations from our drive down to Charlotte County from Sarasota this morning:

We drove down I-75 and first noticed the effect of the storm (intermittent tree damage) about 25 miles south of Sarasota's most southern exit on the highway. Damage slowly increases and begins to become very noticeable just after you enter Charlotte County.

The most impressive evidence of the storm's power on the highway are the tall metal light towers near the exits that are now bent into a tall inverted "V". Strangely enough, more than a few of the towers seemed to be totally untouched by the storm.

We exited at US Highway 17 and first headed east to visit one of the mobile home parks I represent. This area is just starting to get the help it needs to clean up. Severe damage on both sides of the highway--buildings, power poles,debris all in shambles. The replica "tower" of the Tower bar that is at the corner where I turn off US 17 to visit the park is gone. The park is basically inaccessible but crews have already arrived to start the recovery. I am able to see an RV on its side and substantial damage to some of the homes. The small rec hall has lost part of its roof but the walls are standing and I can see supplies inside the building. We spend a few minutes on Riverside Drive viewing damage to fairly expensive homes and another mobile home park--large trees are lying in the road and power poles are strewn at odd angles--but again, crews have arrived to begin the work needed to recover--and return to US 17 and head into Punta Gorda.

You've already seen through the media much of what we saw in Punta Gorda and Port Charlotte this morning but I do want to make mention of a few observations:

At the corner of US 41 in Downtown Punta Gorda is a sign that says "Arcadia 25 miles". I've lived here for over 20 years but because I have always headed to Arcadia from Sarasota I've never thought of Arcadia as being that close to the water. Obviously, Charley was not going to lose much of its punch moving as quickly as it was over a mere 25 miles of land. The destruction in Arcadia becomes terribly logical given that mere 25 mile separation between it and Punta Gorda.

Power may have been restored to much of Charlotte County but so many traffic lights were destroyed that our trip north on US 41 from Punta Gorda to Port Charlotte featured hastily installed stop signs and/or police directing traffic at almost every intersection. A few of the traffic lights in downtown Punta Gorda (primarily at the intersections with US 41) were working.

Unauthorized persons were not allowed access to the Fisherman's Village shopping/dining complex just west of downtown Punta Gorda on Charlotte Harbor. It looked from the distance as if it had been damaged but not destroyed.

The most profound sight may have been just south of downtown Punta Gorda on both sides of US 41 where (in the midst of some of the worst damage to shopping centers, auto dealerships, government and bank buildings, etc) recovery centers (trucks and tents) have sprung up offering shade, ice, food, and assistance.

It was not an easy trip made more difficult by the realization that a thirty or forty minute drive took me from untouched Sarasota to devastated Punta Gorda. The trip home was in that way disturbing and disquieting. All I can say is that nothing I have written here comes close to conveying the devastation nor the courage and strength that the victims and help-givers are demonstrating in the recovery efforts. They will continue to need all the help we can send them for the foreseeable future.

[Aquawind]

I hear ya scogor!! I saw the same coming from the south yesterday..They will need volunteers for a long time.. Also heard on NBC2 today that this is the largest effort in the history of the Red Cross as of today...

[dixiebreeze]

Scogor, thank you for the detailed report.

[stormcrow]

We said, I have been on Sanibel island and Captiva in the last 2 days and will be on Pine Island North Captiva and into Port Charlotte this week. While the ares I have seen are not as bad as
Andrew the amount of damage is amazing. The ongoing dispute about having Cypress trees on Sanibel is all but over, most of them are gone. People mostly have a sence of humour and are bearing up well, but they have many challenges ahead.

[scogor]

Dixie, from the bottom of my heart I hope I never again have the occasion to have to make another report like this. It was a heartbreaking experience having seen so many familiar sights destroyed or damaged by the storm.

[charleston_hugo_veteran]

Thanks for the report. I can only imagine how hard it must be to actually see the destruction in person...

[The Dark Knight]

Same here....