I'm hearing about Punta Gorda, and all of the devestation. I'm hearing about the disaster areas. I'm not hearing that much about Central Florida. I'd like to know why.
I know they filed the paperwork for the Disaster Area's with FEMA before anyone really knew what was happening around here. But this is not a wealthy part of the state. It's rural. Mostly orange groves and such. Lake Wales is the home of Florida Natural OJ. That area is mostly blue collar workers. That assistance is needed just as badly in Polk County as anywhere.
Was the Govenor and his team in Polk County? Did they see for themselves the devistation that was done? Why didn't we hear about that?
I heard on the radio that finally on SR 27 just south of I4 there was a gas station open. That's huge news for them! I heard about a line of people outside a Publix grocery store, just hoping they would open. They couldn't. No power. Did you hear about that? I didn't think so.
I want to believe that the lack of news regarding Polk county is because of the lack of power, phone service and such. But, a part of me wonders. It's not so romantic in this neck of the woods. We have groves, and cows and open fields. No waves, or sand and the sunsets aren't as beautiful as they are over the water. Still, there's a story here too.
I saw a brief report on the destruction of the airport in Lake Wales. They used a Tampa reporter to fill the spot. That's all I've seen so far. In Arcadia, they did a phone interview with a business owner and had a brief flyover shot from a helicopter.
The thing that really makes me angry is that people aren't seeing how bad it really is. Yes, the damage in Lee and Charlotte Counties is horrible. But I hate to tell you this folks, it's worse than you realize. I believe when the damage totals are finalized from the whirlwind tour of Charley the numbers will be much higher than you would imagine.
I'll be watching. If anyone hears anything on the national news please feel free to drop me a comment here. If I'm wrong about feeling this way, I will be thrilled to correct this.
Posted by Tammi at August 14, 2004 05:49 PMTammi - you know how the news operates. They choose one spot that has the "best" bits of destruction in the smallest area - set their cameras down there and... that's it. No one else gets any notice at all.
Happens all the time up here when the big bad storms roll through. Most of the time there's quite a bit of damage in many other places than those that were filmed and made it to the news.
In this case - they parked it close to the water and most especially near the trailer parks that were bound to get wiped out. Now with the wipe out and the death toll - you'll never hear anything except local snippets on the destruction in your area. It just doesn't count.
Nice to know where you stand in the grand scheme of things isn't it!
Posted by: Teresa at August 14, 2004 07:33 PMHi, I understand your frustration. No offense, but you have power, and water, and internet service and have been able to post this. I have been calling my family in Pt Charlotte/Punta Gorda for hours now and cant get through. I lived in Florida for 20 years, so I know what your going through and I know the frustration you feel. I think you may not have taken into consideration, that the "BIG" news networks are all IN PC/PG and cant get out. They cant even get into the first neighborhood over the bridge going into downtown PG. Did you see the pictures of the Holiday Inn? Its torn to shreds and there is a Historic neighborhood right across the street from it. Captiva Island is now 2 pieces. It was an entire island! I know that it is frustrating. I hope that your anger and frustration help everyone out in this. I think you should understand that as soon as they can GET to your community they will, but I think it is VERY bad form for you to critcise. I am certain that the news people have not shunned your community because of its economic problems. Yes your right IT IS worse than YOU realise. PGI is a community built on a network of canals and was the FIRST place Charley hit after it passed Captiva and Sanibel. So you see, its bad everywhere.
Posted by: Dedra at August 15, 2004 01:21 AMDedra,
I hope your family is alright and that you are able to hear from them soon.
This post was based on my frustration and worry that Polk County and the people here will not get the assistance that they need. What triggered that is the fact that I can't get any information on what is going on just south of me, and have heard very little in the national news.
You're right, it's bad everywhere.
Posted by: Tammi at August 15, 2004 06:55 AM