President Bush, above center, and his brother Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, center right, talk to residents, from left to right: Gary Nickols, Renee Labrecque, George Nickols, and Jocile Nickols; in front of the Nickols' home damaged by Hurricane Charley in Punta Gorda.
Bush pledges help, meets with Punta Gorda residents
By DAVID HACKETT
Sarasota Herald-Tribune
PUNTA GORDA – President Bush toured hard-hit Charlotte County on Sunday, pledging a coordinated effort by federal, state and local governments to bring relief to thousands of residents whose lives were “turned upside down” by Hurricane Charley.
“Compassion is on the move,” the president said during a walking tour of a Punta Gorda neighborhood. “What I’m telling you is a lot of help is moving into this part of the world.”
Aware that his father was president in 1992 when the federal government was criticized for slow response to Hurricane Andrew, Bush said, “It’s really important when we say we’re going to do something we actually do it.”
The federal government has already declared Charlotte and 24 other Florida counties disaster areas, which can include grants to help pay for temporary housing, home repairs and other serious disaster-related expenses.
In addition, the Federal Emergency Management Agency is sending supply kits, including tarps, plywood and water.
Although Bush said he did not have a damage estimate, state officials told the Associated Press that damage to insured homes alone could top $11 billion. The death toll from Friday’s hurricane was raised from 13 to 16.
