[Strategerist]

What was the strength of Hurricane Andrew? Stronger than this or same?

Basically next to impossible for Charley to be Andrew strength at landfall, but the areas Charley is likely to hit are much, much, much, MUCH more vulnerable to storm surge flooding than the area around Miami; you get areas miles inland underwater in SW Florida for even a Cat 3 (and storm surge isn't "your basement is wet and yard damp" it's "the ocean with waves pounding your house."

[snooker]

Bush better be ready with aid for Florida after hurricane CHARLEY hits. Bush 41 likely lost Florida to Clinton because of the aid disaster to Florida after a hurricane. I can hear it now, Bush didn't ... (add your favorite words here).

This is political dynamite if Bush doesn't handle it right. I hope Bush knows what is needed and is preparing right now. Tomorrow wouldn't be too soon to announce help is standing at the ready.

CHARLEY looks like it could be a major cat 3 huricane by landfall.

[ovrtaxt]

(and storm surge isn't "your basement is wet and yard damp" it's "the ocean with waves pounding your house."

Right. Especially since we don't have basements here! The water table is too high- which again, compounds the problem. :/