It's heart-warming to see the worst bring out the best in people. Thank you all for sharing & for sharing your stories.

OO--
On the way down, we stopped keeping track of how many ambulances were headed north. We assumed they were transporting nursing home residents etc,. but the numbers you're talking about are unbelievable--and those are just the ones you've heard about. The PG area isn't nearly as populated as the towns north and south so I can't imagine how that could have been managed if they're having trouble managing the numbers they have. Bless you and your husband for doing what you can and more. What our family did yesterday is like the needle in the haystack; they need so much more than people handing out hot dogs and drinks. I know that it was the right thing to do, but our 11 year old slept with us last night and said he wants to leave if one ever comes our way again. We have friends who evacuated to hotels and family in Orlando. Two girls came over late last night to spend the night with my daughter and they were telling us how terrifying it was. One of the girls was staying with relatives and a tree came through the roof of one of the bedrooms.

The Sarasota Herald/Tribune online has some amazing photos--you can actually zoom in enough to see the patterns on the furniture. We only saw the main roads and it was so much more wide spread.

One thing I distinctly remember about Hurricane Andrew was that the Red Cross got SO MANY donations that they were having to bury clothes etc. in landfills because they couldn't handle it. Please call to see what they really need before inundating them with good intentions. They can only use so many socks, shirts etc., but almost everyone needs food, batteries, flashlights, heavy duty tools etc. We all learned a lot from Andrew in that regardd. Please call the Red Cross before delivering things they don't need and plowing them under. For example, our Red Cross asked us not to bring water--for today, they have plenty, but that could change tomorrow. That's why it's important to remember that this isn't going to be over for them in a day or two. It will take many more days to get the relief operation completely under control. We're taking over the things we didn't end up needing--batteries, flashlights, pnut butter, bread etc. The group that went over yesterday went after being called by the Red Cross. Everyone wants to help-naturally, but just don't get in the way. Traffic is flowing very well and there are contractors, handymen etc. just loading up and going through neighborhoods temporarility securing roofs for free. Only the heartless would try to charge these people at this point. There are also many areas hard hit that aren't getting as much press, so keep that in mind as well.

The niece who had her wedding this weekend was very offended by the way they had to alter their plans (that's another story--not my favorite relatives and it wasn't a sacrifice to miss the party). A young guy working in security at the Ritz took us back yesterday morning to put the reception flowers in the ballroom; he was telling DH and me that as soon as his shift ended he was headed to PC where his parents live and had half their house blown away.

OO-

I just had an idea. I know that these "refugees" usually get an emergency kit of basic needs, but if you want to see if you can get a list of what they need and quantities needed, I'll see if I can rally some troops down here. My two teens go to different high schools and are in two different key clubs and DH and I are involved in a couple of service groups as well. Many clubs are already trying to figure out how they can help so this would give them something to do. YOu have my email address so let me know if you think this is something that might work.

Hello darlins!
I have been wracking my brain to think of how to be helpful with the donations from Jax to the areas that need it .. If OO or anyone else would like to post here what information any of us might use to better get things over there, I think it would be super.

We are under a Tornado Warning right now in Jacksonville :(

As for donations, the only thing the Red Cross is wanting/needing/asking for is money. They say do not send clothes, furniture, food, etc. For various reasons, those types of things aren't practical - getting there, etc. Money is it. 1=800-HELPNOW.

Thanks Austin, that is what we did. I had wanted to do something more, like clothes or food, but money is really what they need now.

Keeping this at the top~

I called last night and unfortunately, there wasn't much of a wait to get thru. Hopefully that means they have a huge staff working the phones....

Jayne...You are so kind!! We turned this machine off yesterday, got out and destressed so I'm just now seeing your message and only have a minute now as I'm on my way out. When DH checked around 1 PM yesterday we had had no one check into the block of rooms. Don't know if they have found arrangements closer to home and won't be coming or what the story is--will know more today if plans have changed I guess. If we find they are still coming though, I will let you know if they have any needs that we all can help with. That is super. I would love to find a way to help as well, and have the time to do it. More later...

MarthaT from Orlando checking in.
My power is still out at home but I live in a condo and the complex did fairly well. Hardly any shingles left on the roof and alot of big trees down. The pool is trashed. But we are all safe. BUT VERY HOT!!!!
It is really hard when you are used to air conditioning. We are spoiled.
Some areas of town do have power. Like where I work. So I can sit in the A/C and drink cold water today.
It was bad but it could have been alot worse. We are all happy to be alive.
By the way, winds were clocked here at 105 miles an hour.

OO,

From what I'm reading in the paper today people just don't want to leave their homes because they're afraid of looting. They are carving out make-shift living spaces in their damaged homes.

At the opposite end of the spectrum is the critical need for placement of the elderly from hospitals and nursing homes. I just spoke to a friend who's husband is a cardiologist. She's always on her own during these storms because all the guys go on call. Her husband's group alone accepted 93 transfer patients from the affected areas.

I think it would be hard to leave my home, and if I had to, I'd want to stay close by. Those who have no choice are going to be thankful for offers like yours when the shelters have to start closing &/or and reality starts setting in.

I keep reading the heartbreaking breaking stores like the 81 year-old man who had hobbled a mile and finally, in tears, flagged down a motorist. The man who stopped spent the rest of the day helping the gentleman. That story has a relatively happy ending but I agonize for the dozens of dire situations for every one that receives help. It really makes it hard to resist just getting in your car and going door-to-door to see if you can help. Animals and the elderly are my two biggest weaknesses.

Keep me posted if you find you need help.

Anyone know of a comprehensive web site with up-to-date information about the towns effected near Orlando? The nbc-2.com only has info on the towns on the coast.

My daughter was due to start at Rollins College this Wednesday, the 18th, but we just found out that because of power outages and general cleanup required (and they think the lake could be contaminated, so they are looking into that), that the freshman now are asked to move in this Saturday instead.

Hi Again from south Sarasota County,
I wanted to address a couple of things that have come up on recent posts. First, having just heard an interview with a Major in the Punta Gorda police department as well as one of the state law enforcement people, their take on the crime/looting situation is that it is nearly non-existent. Absolutely nothing compared to what happened after Andrew.

Some of you might have seen some posts I've made in the past about this area being Mayberryish, and that certainly is one of the huge positives of this area in regard to crime.

Second, in regard to lost, homeless and injured companion animals, The Suncoast Humane Society in Englewood has been designated as the organization coordinating and responsible for all processing, housing and reuniting of companion animals in Charlotte County. They have a web site. The Humane Society of the US has sent a team to work with them. The shelter in Pt. Charlotte is inoperable. One of the things that happens in these unfortunate situations is people sometimes choose to give up a companion animal when their home is lost completely or everything just becomes, quite frankly, too much. Suncoast is doing its best to place these animals in foster homes until the families are able to take their pets back. Another example of people pulling together. They could use donations, also as this is a huge burden on their organization.

Dear Floridians,
Your "on the scene" reports are giving us such a vivid picture of what Charlie and the aftermath really mean. Thank you, and hang in there.

For the last 20 years, we have been delighted to spend some time in Sanibel each February, and love the place. There's not a lot of hard news about SanCap post-Charlie because the causeway is still closed, and National Guards posted. However, a friend reminded me about the Ft Myers News Press, <http://www.news-press.com/index.html>
-- I checked the site, and they seem to be doing a stellar job of providing information.

(I'll also post the link under a separate item for folks out of state who are, like me, so anxious to find out what happened. And what's left standing.)

Regarding media coverage, Ft. Myers channels 2 and 7, NBC and CBS have totally joined forces and have been providing non stop coverage on TV and radio. It has been wonderful to see such cooperation. They also keep taking phone calls for of people telling where to get ice or gas, etc., and relating information for help.

I'm waiting for my niece and great niece to arrive -- they were on their way down on Thursday from Ohio taking my great niece back to college in Miami. They just called from Ft. Myers. It has taken them nearly all day to get down I-75, packed with traffic.

Never thought I could be affected by the hurricane. Just got an e-mail: medical bills processing may be delayed as the Florida office is temporarily closed. I live and work in San Francisco.

Oh Jaye, I've been trying SO hard not to read the posts about the Humane Society. I finally gave up and put a call in to the Englewood facility. Damn, what's a few more.

Jayne, you are a saint! If I was there, I promise I'd take five or six.

I might have to come live with you when I tell my husband.

Either I just haven't found it yet, or it doesn't exist. Lessons have been learned since Andrew, but I believe one other fix may be instore. A central, comprehensive web site for all information pertaining to the damaged areas. I've been hunting and pecking most of the day for a comprehensive website with information about the central part of the State that was hit.
And now, my niece has just called me asking if I was going to Lake Wales as she heard the town has asked for volunteer nurses. I can't find any information on it.
Does anyone know of a web site with current information about the central part of the State?

We live in Debary, just northeast of Orlando across the St. John's River. We thankfully got power back late last night, but most still don't have it.

The hardest part now for most is coping with spoiled food, no ice, closed gas stations and grocery stores (they've all had to throw out all of their perishables, too), and trying to sleep at night in this sticky, steamy weather.

Also scary is the lack of traffic lights at intersections. While out with a neighbor trying to hunt down some ice Sat. afternoon (no luck), we nearly got T-boned by a guy who blew through without even slowing down. So many accidents are happening that I'm only going out when I absolutely have to.
I feel so thankful that we have power now, but guilty at the same time for those who are still suffering, and may be without power for 10 days to 2 weeks.

For those of you out of town but familiar to this area, I can tell you that Winter Park, College Park, Oveido,and Conway were extremely hard-hit in the Orlando area. Orange County (Orlando) and Polk County schools will remain closed until at least Aug. 24.

It seems that Polk County has had devastating damage. The area between Lake Wales and Haines City got slammed.

I'll try to post regularly and give updates, if anyone's interested.

Thanks Hagan!
How awful, with so much to worry about , to have people flying through the intersections without being careful, sad.
Glad you all are ok and do keep sending updates~

Great Morning!! How are things inFlorida especially "Charly Counrty "this morning?Ed