Do you think that Punta Gorda, Florida....

[Storminole]

...will have a lasting place alongside the other famous "ground zero" landfall locations of hurricane lore? Is Charley big enough a storm to create such a legacy? (I'd say yes.)

Other famous "ground zeroes":

Matecumbe Key, Florida (Labor Day Hurricane - 1935)


Pass Christian, Mississippi (Camille - 1969)
& Richelieu Apts. (Hey let's have a hurricane party)


McClellanville, South Carolina (Hugo - 1989)


and Homestead, Florida (Andrew - 1992)
[img][/img]

[Houstonia]

.... Galveston, Texas 1900

[southerngale]

.... Galveston, Texas 1900

The Galveston Hurricane - Damage caused by the hurricane and storm surge This was the greatest natural disaster in terms of loss of life in U.S. history 6,000 to 8,000 individuals died in this hurricane


And yes Storminole, I think so too.

[Storminole]

Houstonia,

Good call on the 1900 storm. I was going to add it in, but I see you have a great pic of that tragedy.

[Anonymous]

I think Port Charlotte, FL

[Tri-State_1925]

No, I doubt it. Punta Gorda has suffered some serious damage, but I don't think these images will live on in the national consciousness like those of Hugo and Andrew. The faster paced 2004 society...post 9/11 desensitization...

48 Hours did an hour-long special solely on Hugo at least 2 days BEFORE it hit the states. After watching that I was scared of Hugo even though I was living in New England. I saw shots of the Hugo devastation on TV...I can remember exactly where I was when I saw them. That shot of the bridge, the boats...those are still fried in my memory 14 years later.

Andrew had TONS of national coverage for many days after hitting Florida. I doubt we'll be seeing anywhere near the post-storm coverage with Charley. Plus the scenes of Charley's destruction while impressive, don't compare to those of Andrew...and are therefore will be less memorable.

[caneman]

No, I doubt it. Punta Gorda has suffered some serious damage, but I don't think these images will live on in the national consciousness like those of Hugo and Andrew. The faster paced 2004 society...post 9/11 desensitization...

48 Hours did an hour-long special solely on Hugo at least 2 days BEFORE it hit the states. After watching that I was scared of Hugo even though I was living in New England. I saw shots of the Hugo devastation on TV...I can remember exactly where I was when I saw them. That shot of the bridge, the boats...those are still fried in my memory 14 years later.

Andrew had TONS of national coverage for many days after hitting Florida. I doubt we'll be seeing anywhere near the post-storm coverage with Charley. Plus the scenes of Charley's destruction while impressive, don't compare to those of Andrew...and are therefore will be less memorable.

I disagree. Not many storms have maintained this amount of intensity so far inland. I saw significant destruction all the way up to Orlando.

[caneman]

In addition, I believe the death toll and total cost will continue to climb.

[simplykristi]

Charley will be etched in our minds.

Kristi

[Stephanie]

Most definately! That whole area from Ft. Myers to Port Charlotte should be apart of that legacy.

[wolffeeder]

I think Charlie's place depends on media hype, and so far that is slightly weak. But time will tell.

I am amazed that Lake Okeechobee isn't often thought of as a ground zero after the 28 storm killed thousands.



For further pictures, or in case that site doesn't allow hot links see
http://www.dailypress.com/news/weather/hurricane/sns-hc-history-1928.story

or Google.

[wx247]

I believe that Charley will. The continual comparisons to Andrew alone should etch its place in memory, but also the long trek across the entire state and path of devestation will add to that.

I don't know what channels you have been watching but I have seen tons of Hurricane Charley coverage, especially on the 3 all news networks.

[Patrick99]

Lake Okeechobee, 1928 is a definite ground zero, IMO. Also, I think you throw Miami, 1926 in there as well. And what about Key West, 1919?

[paulvogel]

I sent the pass christian pic to my niece in port charlotte 40 minute before the power went out to alert her to things she and her mom could do to enhance the chances of survival.

We remember Andrew for the pathetic federal response provide by Bushes father.

The currant Bush does not want to recreate that response.
So much money will pour into charlote cty, they will be stunned

Unless they are one of the fatalaties}

[Guest]

Amazing devestation caused by Charley that will live in infamy like the 1900 Galveston Hurricane, 35 Keys Hurricane,Camille,Hugo & Andrew.I would add the 26 Miami Hurricane to that as well.

[HurricaneBill]

Cameron, Louisiana
Hurricane Audrey 1957

[The Big Dog]

I am amazed that Lake Okeechobee isn't often thought of as a ground zero after the 28 storm killed thousands.

Thank you... please don't forget this one. 3,000 dead -- second-worst natural disaster in US history, behind only Galveston. We had a week of events here to observe the 75th anniversary last fall.

[Storminole]

I would certainly agree that the 1928 Lake Okeechobee hurricane belongs on any such list.



The '28 storm has an element in common with several others on this list, a factor that compounded the terror for those under their onslaught. Andrew, Hugo, Camille, and the '35 Keys hurricane were all NIGHT storms. Charley at least came in the light of day.

[chris_fit]

Charley will definetely be remembered and compared to future storms. Set many records, devastated the area, and was unpredictable towards the end.

~Chris