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Hurricane Charley Triggers Massive Red Cross Response
Saturday, August 14, 2004 —
After slamming into the southwest Florida Coast Friday afternoon, Hurricane Charley demolished homes and buildings, toppled trees and power lines and even took several lives. Damage assessments and search and recovery efforts are ongoing as shell-shocked communities realize the full scope of the devastation.
Charley demolished homes and buildings as it roared ashore. |
Bearing the brunt of the storm’s deadly force were Punta Gorda and Port Charlotte on Florida’s Gulf coast. At its worst, Hurricane Charley's wind gusts reportedly topped 180 mph (289 kph) in Punta Gorda.
Once inland the hurricane tracked over Orlando in Kissimmee before entering the Atlantic. Dawn’s light revealed a wide swath of devastation and many of the more than 45,000 people who had sought refuge overnight in one of the more than 250 Red Cross shelters discovered their homes badly damaged or destroyed.
President Bush declared the state a major disaster area Friday evening, making federal funding available for individuals and local governments dealing with the storm.
In the largest American Red Cross storm response effort since Hurricane Andrew, the Southeast Service Area of the Red Cross is coordinating a massive response effort focusing initially on providing safety and shelter for the now homeless, as well as food and dry clothing to tens of thousands of people. At the moment, hundreds of trained disaster volunteers are converging on the affected areas, where already some 80 Emergency Response Vehicles are moving though damaged neighborhoods offering food and drink. The Red Cross will also be providing clean-up kits and other relief supplies.
The monster storm rampages across Florida Friday evening. |
As the storm heads northward, most of the Eastern Seaboard will feel its impact and the Red Cross is urging all residents in its path to prepare now for possible flooding and tornadoes. Click here to learn more.
A tropical storm warning remained in effect from the North Carolina/Virginia state line northward to Sandy Hook, New Jersey, including all of the Tidal Potomac and the Chesapeake and Delaware Bays. The warning extends northward from Sandy Hook to the Merrimack River in Massachusetts, and includes New York Harbor and Long Island Sound.
Rainfall totals of 2 to 5 inches are likely along the path of charley across the coastal sections of the eastern united states and isolated tornadoes are possible over portions of coastal South and North Carolina.
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.
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