As I was listening to the news I kept hearing this "help is on the way" Help is on the way, isn't that Kerry's slogan?
Posted on 08/14/2004 9:26:55 AM PDT by Former Military Chick
PUNTA GORDA, Fla. — Hurricane Charley (search) killed at least 15 people in Florida and flattened oceanfront homes, making thousands homeless before it roared north and struck the coast of South Carolina on Saturday.
Wayne Sallade, Charlotte County's director of emergency management, said there were 10 confirmed deaths in the county, but an exact total was not available.
"Not hundreds. I would hope that it would be limited to dozens, if that," Sallade said. Five people were killed elsewhere in the state.
Charlotte County (search) deputies were standing guard over bodies because the area was inaccessible to ambulances.
The strongest storm to strike Florida in a dozen years knocked out electrical service to an estimated 1.3 million homes and businesses as it crossed Florida from the southwest coast to the Atlantic at Daytona Beach, causing widespread damage to coastal areas and mobile home parks.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
As I was listening to the news I kept hearing this "help is on the way" Help is on the way, isn't that Kerry's slogan?
Never thought I would say this, but good for Disney - it's open. Got to keep the economy going.
The county should ban trailers in those hurricane alley areas. We all end up paying for it with higher insurance coast let alone loss of life.I saw shots of regular homes and while some had roof damage most were still standing and intact.
Look at all those small towns along river flood plains the gov/t picked up and moved to higher ground instead of paying out grants to these pepole every 15 years because their house gets flooded
Mu hubby is on his way to Arcadia..he is part of the disaster medical team
You know I agree trailors seem to be the worst affected by horrid weather. They do not stand up to tornado's and now hurricanes.
I realize that those that live in them aren't the wealthiest of folks but do we rebuild a moble home park that wont stand up to the next Charley? It is a subject that Gov Bush needs to consider.
I really get made about this.
I just spoke to my brother and he is alright.
He lives just outside of Orlando.
Cripes.....doesn't anyone have a camera down there in Florida? The only photos I've seen have been the same dozen or so from the Fox News site that have been around since early this morning.
We came through fine here in DeLand. Couple of trees down, couple of traffic lights out, and I get the day off of work. Other than that we're business as usual really. Fort Myers, Punta Gordo and Port Charles got slammed pretty bad though, around 60 dead in Punta Gordo, so say a prayer for their families. Jenn's dad had trees come down all around his house and one or two on top of it, so we're waiting to hear from him again. We still haven't gotten word from Jenn's brother to see if they made it through ok. Keep us all in your prayers, thanks for the support guys! Josh
Good news from him, Prayers for the rest.
Apparently, many of these parks, however have been around longer than that legislation.
Anyone know how Boca Grande did with storm passing through/over/around?
As a mobile home dweller in Florida I humbly ask your forgivness. I'm terribly sorry that I can't afford a real home.
But here's something that should make you feel better: I don't have f*cking insurance on my home so you're not out any money!
*sshole
Steve Brooks looks out the window from what's left of his mobile home at the Biehl Slip-Not mobile home park in Punta Gorda on Friday, after Hurricane Charley passed by, destroying most of the park. BOB CROSLIN/ST. PETERSBURG TIMES 
An emergency official examines the interior of the Turner Center in Arcadia on Friday after it partially collapsed from damage caused by Hurricane Charley. The center was being used as a hurricane shelter. BRIAN BLANCO/BRADENTON HERALD 
Dozens of bucket trucks, from Red Simpson, Inc. in Texas and Louisiana, are parked at a staging area at the Leon County Fairgrounds in Tallahassee, on Friday, ready to head downstate to repair damage from Hurricane Charley. PHIL SEARS/THE TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT
I know I pay much higher rates now for my Florida homeowners that I did before Andrew, plus you have to figure I'm getting less for my buck because of the hurricane deductible clause.
I think my home would have stood up because we recently put on an addition and had to bring everything up to code, and our county uses Miami-Dade code.
You should see the hurricane straps and the number of nails that were needed on each strap for the roof trusses.
We also had to install all new windows in the entire house (so our windows are rated for 120 winds.)
However, we still boarded the big picture windows, and had extra plywood on hand if a smaller window broke.
I agree, this storm will probably drive up our insurance rates again. As to the mobile home issue, they're so susceptible to hurricane damage, but also seem to be tornado attractors. Yet there are huge communities of retirees living in them, so I don't think they'll ever ban the things.
I am so relieved for you. It looks like it is a real mess down there. I only hope the loss of life is less then anyone expects. We will keep your brother and all in our family prayers.
I suppose his/her post might offend. I took from it that moble homes are the first to go during a severe storm.
Some states have more moble home communities then others. It would be nice to ensure their your home is safe, secure and if you evacuate that you will have a home once you return.
Brick dwellings can be equally distroyed, storms aren't choosey. But, I would hope you would want it as safe as possible.
I live in a mobile, albeit it 7,000 feet up in the Rockies.
From "superior":...instead of paying out grants to these pepole every 15 years because their house gets flooded...
Pepole? Is that like a pissrope? Hey "superior". Why don't you go use a pissrope?
"Superior" indeed.
FMCDH(BITS)
bttt
No, Kerry's slogan -was-, "HOPE is on the way." Hehehe, as if people are unable to have hope, without help. The bonehead was offering people something they already possess.
Quote: As a mobile home dweller in Florida I humbly ask your forgivness. I'm terribly sorry that I can't afford a real home.
But here's something that should make you feel better: I don't have f*cking insurance on my home so you're not out any money!
...so let me get this straight. You will end up moving back into a mobile home that will again be wiped out in 5-6 years.
I hate to sound crass and believe me I can relate to your situation. I still have scars on my arms from having to give blood years ago when the $10 they gave put food in my mouth. That being said I'm not against mobile homes at all. I think their should be regulations where they can be located just for reasons like this hurricane. Notice I said hurricane alley as well as tornado alley.
As for not having any insurance I'm sure there are many gov't agencies that will be lining up to give you money.
This comes up with every storm. Pay no attention. If your home was damaged, it can be fixed or replaced. The good news is that you are here:') If you don't have insurance there will probably be some type of assistance grant or loan you may be able to apply for. You do pay insurance though. We all do. I would much rather pay taxes to help my neighbor than for some of the other crap we get involved in. It really doesn't matter where you live. Most of us have our nature problems, whether it's hurricanes, tornados, rivers, earthquakes, ice storms, volcanos etc.
Looking at the picture on post 14, it looks like the one trailer is getting ready to float away, Makes you wonder if the older trailers float better.
...so I make a common sense statement and I get flamed?
You sound like a liberal!
Kerry is just waiting for the media to prepare the ground with images and whining before he attacks.
According to the local news, Boca Grande came through the storm relatively well, not much structural damage, lots of trees down.
I was hoping the Little Mermaid would find her true home.
Good news Mayor..........sheesh, our son and his family just moved back home from Orlando and Tampa area. We are blessed for sure.
I can sort of understand your anger - you've just come through a hurricane. I don't understand not having insurance on a trailerhome in Florida.
Thanks for that info ;^)
LOCAL IMAGES: Hurricane Charley - link where I found the above pix, there is about 33. LOCAL IMAGES: Hurricane Charley
Are you forgetting what forum you're posting on??
Do you want the government or some other liberal weenie bureaucrat telling you where you can live?
I do not think there is anything more I can add to your comment.
As I was reading the posts I had FOX on in the background. It occured to me that this very well be a make or break for President Bush. He does need to Florida, stand by his brother and ensure that we wont have families who are now homeless on the same stage as Kerry.
I am just cringing at that image.
. . .for sure. 'He would have been there yesterday. . .with food; generators. . .money. . .' . . .and 'everyone knows you don't . . .wait for it. . .';and more classic Kerry garbage, et al.
It seems fairly obvious that he doesn't want the government telling him where he should live, but he does wish they'd tell you where you should be allowed to live.
Typical eliteist liberal me-think.
Yikes!
Chick!! You are great!!!!
Thans for the pix!
Uh Oh, Boo Boo! Not thans........but Thanks!
Spell check is my friend.
When I talked to my brother he said that watching the storm come in was like watching the big space ship come into the atmosphere in Independence day the movie.
Some of those pics look like it, now I see just what he means.
Those from out of state will be leaving their families for weeks to help out in Florida.
My sister's ex called her this morning to let her know his Georgia Power crew spent the night in Savannah, Georgia and would be headed on down today (the kids were supposed to be with him this weekend, so it was nice of him to keep her posted).
"The county should ban trailers in those hurricane alley areas. We all end up paying for it with higher insurance coast let alone loss of life.I saw shots of regular homes and while some had roof damage most were still standing and intact.
"
How noble your sentiment is. However, lots of people can only afford a mobile home. Check the price comparison.
As for your paying for it, you pay for all insurance losses, whether they're mobile homes or anything else. Most folks who live in mobile homes have no losses whatever. It's rare for an individual mobile home to be damaged by weather...very rare. Your suggestion is inconsiderate of those who cannot afford a "regular" home. There may just be some Freepers living in these affordable, and quite pleasant, homes. Think a bit, please, before you make your pronouncements.
"As a mobile home dweller in Florida I humbly ask your forgivness. I'm terribly sorry that I can't afford a real home.
"
Ignore the ignorami. They're just blowing hard about something they know nothing about.
It's amazing to me that trailer homes are still in existence, given our litigious society. They're the worst in wind/tornado/hurricane and horrible fire traps, yet they keep selling. I realize they're cheap, but it's still surprising the industry has been able to resist expensive safety upgrades and that people would still buy them. At the very least, they should be required to have high-rate, high-risk insurance...maybe that would stop the madness.
I think what has bothered folks in the aftermath of prior hurricanes and floods is the rebuilding on a spot (area) known for severe weather.
Insurance providers pay out. Some cannot afford hurricane, flood or tornado because well there are huge pay outs. So they build in the same place, weather hits again and this time they do not have any coverage so they will
go to the government to compensate their loss. (this subject alone could be a terrific debate)
And they build again in the same place. However insurance folks and the government have said if you build there again NO help. There is merit to that argument.
..and Bush certainly will have to contend with that!
Can you even get insurance on a mobile home in that area? If so, how much? We didn't buy for an older mobile home that was paid for because it would have cost more than than replacement. After it was totaled (this was years ago) we applied for a disater loan and were denied because we didn't have enough credit so we were given a 5000 grant. I wanted the loan instead. I wanted help not charity. That's our government though. Go figure. Taking a chance and getting some of the money back than just giving it away seemed a better way to me. Anyway, we put a down payment on a new one with all the storm requirements. The insurance cost us a fortune. It scared me, every time the weather got bad, to stay in one after this storm though and eventually built a house.
If your comment were to get out to the general public I am that it would bring in at least 25,000 Democrat votes that wouldn't have bothered otherwise, just to get back at the Rich Republican Snob.
It's home for these folks. I think the answer is low or no interest loans and not assistance grants. People should be able to live where they want but rebuild at their own expense. That said though, I don't mind thru private charities, helping anyone who is down on their luck. If a farmer gets hit by a tornado more than once we wouldn't expect him to move.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.