Prayers to Hurricane Charley Victims

Bob P · Site Admin

Hi Folks,
Well, I was spared by tropical storm Bonnie in this part of Florida, but many members of my family were not spared by Hurricane Charley in South and Central Florida. I have been unable to contact my father, 2 sisters and 2 brothers yet. I am asking those of you who care, to please say a prayer for the many thousands of victims from a very powerful Hurricane. If you haven't seen the images on TV yet, it sure is an awakening to the power of mother nature. Having been through many strong hurricanes in my lifetime, I can attest to the helplessness people feel when there is nothing left. I almost lost my home to Hurricane Opal in 1995. Fortunately, I only lost a portion of my roof to tree damage, but the feeling of helplessness stays with you a long time.
Please say a prayer for these folks. If you are capable of making a monetary donation to help, the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army are taking donations. PLEASE HELP IF YOU CAN!

Gabe · Senior Member

Bob, I hear ya.

My grandmother, and cousins all live in the places directly hit by the storm. My family and I were spared from the storm.

I have been able to contact my family over there, and they are fine. After viewing the pics that are comming from the dissaster zone, its really hard to believe that anyone can survive that. What I really find bizzare is that the people who left Tampa to Orlando faced the storm head on, instead of escaping it.

I have been in strong storms (125+mph winds) but never in a storm as strong as Charley. Ive also witnessed the damage caused by flooding in hurricanes in Puerto Rico. Hurricane Georges was the worst after the hit the island with 125 mph winds, and my family (including myself) were in the direct path of the eye. By the time it hit the Florida keys (what most people remember of the storm), it was a weak hurricane after devastating Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and other Caribben Islands...

I can kinda feel the anxiety and pain these people felt because Ive also been there, but not to that extent. There is a sense of not beliving what has just happened. The only thing I can compare it to is to what most Americans felt after the 9/11 attacks. Its a very similar feeling.

Tomorrow, we are heading out to Home Depot, and we are going to instal hurricane shutters at my house, because after viewing Charley's path, I just needed to get something done. There are other storms now approaching, and I hope they dont hit land, because thats the last thing Florida or the rest of US needs now.

I hope that the people that witnessed that are ok, and I hope its a learning lesson to all. These people thought the storm was heading towards Tampa, and it went towards them. You can never under-estimate the power of nature.

rollmeupabe · Veteran Member

Bob,

Glad to hear your impact was not as severe as it could have been and we'll say that prayer you are looking for. On a lighter note, next January when we New Englanders are buried in a blizzard, I will curl up by the fireplace with some coins and thank my lucky stars I don't live in a hurricane zone !

Take care.

John

Gabe · Senior Member

My house got wind gusts of about 60 mphs, but for the most part, it wasnt bad at all. When we got the news that the hurricane was turning towards Punta Gorda and was not going to Tampa I got concerned. If it would have turned more, it would have struck were I live. Im glad that wasnt the case.