Here is a round-up of what I have found in the aftermath of Charley.
*Hospital's are overwhelmed. 10-15% increase in ER traffic in Orlando and the surrounding areas. ER's are reporting an increase in stomach issues and urge everyone use either bottled or boiled water. There are still several areas without power, and until told otherwise, Do Not use tap water for cooking, drinking or ice. Another urgent issue is carbon monoxide poisining. Use tools and generators in well ventilated areas.
*Power is being restored across the state. It's not coming as quickly as everyone would like, but given the serious damage that has been done, but the crews are getting it done! In SW Flordia, North Port, just north of Punta Gorda was back up and running yesterday. In Central Florida, parts of Kissimmee and Downtown were back up and running. DeSoto county is still totally without power. It's a slow process. There was a lot of damage. To date there are over 6,000 utility workers, from 7 states, working around the clock to get power restored.
*Water and Ice are becoming more readily available. There are still lines for gasoline, but each day the situation improves.
*It's tough getting a hold of insurance adjusters. Some are being told it will be two weeks before someone can get out to look at the damage. In other instances, some people can't even reach their insurer. The situation is compounded when you remember there are snakes and critters that are also looking for homes. So, the choice is to either secure you're home to keep from incurring futher damage, not to mention make it safe, and risk the possibility that your claim will be denied because of those actions. Many people are just fixing the damage themselves and are not even going to file a claim.
*Many people have lost their jobs, or been layed off due to Hurricane Charley. So many of the business that were wiped out will be unable to re-open. Other industries cannot begin to function until power is restored. Agricultural workers have seen this years crops destroyed and there is no work.
It's still a matter of "one day at a time" and will be a long road to recovery.
SOURCES: Orlando Sentinel and Bradenton Herald.
Posted by Tammi at August 18, 2004 07:09 AM