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Thread: Disaster Aid Offer From The International Co

  1. #1
    Where's the disaster aid offer from the international community ??

    Hurricane Charley Devastates Western Florida


    Aug 14, 6:20 AM (ET)

    By Marc Serota
    PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (Reuters) - Hurricane Charley leveled houses and snapped trees in half as it raged into the western Florida coast, leaving 1 million people without power and an expected billion-dollar price tag before moving into the Atlantic Saturday.

    A hurricane warning extended from Georgia to the North Carolina-Virginia state line as Charley churned through the ocean, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said. It was expected to reach the South Carolina coast later in the day.

    Packing winds of 145 mph (233 kph), Charlie was a powerful Category 4 storm when came ashore Friday at Punta Gorda and Port Charlotte, catching many residents unprepared because of expectations the brunt of the hurricane would hit the coast much farther north.

    "I never seen anything like this before," said Victor Rivera as he stood on top of a pile of rubble that used to be the car parts shop where he worked in Port Charlotte.

    The storm plowed across central Florida, weakening as it dumped heavy rains on Orlando, home to Disney World, and aimed for the Atlantic. Charley was expected to regain some strength over the water before crossing back onto land in the Carolinas and proceeding through to the north as a tropical storm.

    In its wake, overturned boats sat in front of shredded storefronts, power lines dangled in standing water, street signs and billboards were ripped away and palm tree trunks, snapped in half like matchsticks, were wrapped with twisted metal.

    Few windows had been boarded up, and most were blown out. Mobile home parks were devastated and 18-wheel tractor-trailers flipped over like toys.

    On exclusive Captiva Island, offshore from Punta Gorda, 160 condominiums were totally destroyed and a similar number seriously damaged, the National Weather Service said.

    The storm ripped the roof off an emergency shelter in DeSoto County, exposing the thousand people who had sought refuge within to pounding rain and ferocious winds, the service said.

    ASSESSING THE DAMAGE

    Florida Power & Light said 429,000 customers were left without electricity. Progress Energy Florida said 477,000 people were sitting in the dark.

    "This storm has caused a tremendous amount of destruction," said a Progress company spokesman.

    The state emergency management agency said it was too early to put a figure on the damages, or to estimate casualties.

    But a catastrophic risk management group, Risk Management Solutions, estimated Charley could have inflicted up to $15 billion of insured damage.

    President Bush declared Florida a disaster area to speed emergency assistance.

    Forecasters had expected Charley to hit the densely populated Tampa area north of Port Charlotte and nearly 2 million people were ordered to evacuate.

    But the storm suddenly gathered intensity as it headed for land and made a last-minute turn that brought it ashore farther south, catching off guard many who had ignored evacuation orders because they thought they were safe.

    By 5 a.m. (0600 GMT), Charley was about 115 milessouthwest of Charleston, South Carolina, near latitude 31.

    By 5 a.m. (0600 GMT), Charley was about 115 milessouthwest of Charleston, South Carolina, near latitude 31. 2north and longitude 80.5 west, and its winds had reduced to 85mph (138 kph). It was moving north-northeast at 25 mph (40 kph)and packing winds of up to 85 mph (136 kph). One storm-related death had been confirmed in Florida byFrida y night. A tractor trailer truck, possibly pushed by agust of wind, crossed a highway median and fell on top of a carn ear Orlando, killing a child passenger in the car. Charley was blamed for four deaths in Cuba and one inJamaica aft er it formed in the Caribbean Tuesday. As a Category 4 storm -- the second strongest on a scaleused to rate hurr icanes -- Charley rated as one of the mostdangerous storms to hit Florida. Hurricane Andrew was believed to be a Ca tegory 4 storm whenit hit Miami in August 1992, causing $25 billion in damage. Itwas subsequently upgraded to a Catego ry 5. Hurricane Hugo,which caused $7 billion in damage when it hit South Carolina in1989, was also a Category 4.

    http://news.myway.com/top/article/id/42092...29|reuters.html


    we don't need your stinking aid anyways


  2. The Drawing Room   -   #2
    BigBank_Hank's Avatar Move It On Over
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    My thoughts and prayers go out to the families that have lost loved ones during this terrible storm.

    I know exactly what it is to be in the path of one of these things and it’s a very scary feeling. 2 years ago we took a direct hit from a category 2 hurricane and it was unbelievable. We were without power for a week and without running water for 3 days. Luckily our house didn’t sustain any damage but there were many of our neighbors who weren’t so lucky.

    You really have to experience something like this for yourself to understand just how powerful these things are. A lot of people that stayed during the last storm swear that they will never stay again.

  3. The Drawing Room   -   #3
    j2k4's Avatar en(un)lightened
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    I'm sure Michael Moore is already exploring a movie treatment accusing Bush of co-opting Mother Nature and arranging this disaster so that he could reap the vote for having provided immediate (but shoddy, cheap and stinting) government help.

    Or some such thing.

    My thoughts are with the families affected.
    "Researchers have already cast much darkness on the subject, and if they continue their investigations, we shall soon know nothing at all about it."

    -Mark Twain

  4. The Drawing Room   -   #4
    Skillian's Avatar T H F C f a n BT Rep: +1
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    This is a strange thread. Already Michael Moore and the entire international community have been insulted.

  5. The Drawing Room   -   #5
    j2k4's Avatar en(un)lightened
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    Originally posted by Skillian@14 August 2004 - 13:55
    This is a strange thread. Already Michael Moore and the entire international community have been insulted.
    We are Americans; it is our lot in life.

    The "International Community" is Mr. Moore's lot.
    "Researchers have already cast much darkness on the subject, and if they continue their investigations, we shall soon know nothing at all about it."

    -Mark Twain

  6. The Drawing Room   -   #6
    Biggles's Avatar Looking for loopholes
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    Not entirely sure of the purpose of this thread.

    However, if I may, I would like to take the opportunity to register my sympathy for those who have lost loved ones.

    Insurance companies rebuild houses beautifully, rebuilding hearts is trickier.
    Cogito cogito ergo cogito sum


  7. The Drawing Room   -   #7
    vidcc's Avatar there is no god
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    Originally posted by {SHELL%SHOCKED}@14 August 2004 - 09:59
    Where's the disaster aid offer from the international community ??


    we don't need your stinking aid anyways
    if that's the case what is the point of your post?

    it’s an election with no Democrats, in one of the whitest states in the union, where rich candidates pay $35 for your votes. Or, as Republicans call it, their vision for the future.

  8. The Drawing Room   -   #8
    Rat Faced's Avatar Broken
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    My sympathies with anyone affected... and I hope RPerry gets back online soon, so i know hes OK

    I think Shell%Shocked doesnt understand the nature of International Aid... It is from Rich Countries to Poor Countries and is for development.

    I think he means Emergency Aid.. this is available to any country that requires it, however it is again aimed at Poor Countries that would have trouble effecting a recovery quick enough to save lives; either because of lack of equipment, money or food/medical supplies.

    As the US has about 30% of the whole worlds GDP, I very much doubt whether the USA would wish to have any.... rather like a multimillionaire trying to claim food vouchers.

    You will find that there is Aid going into the carribean, including from the USA.

    As always, if there are things others can help with then that help is freely available (eg Specialist Equipment etc)... however I suspect that the USA has all the equipment it needs too.

    This is not an isolated case afterall, in this part of the world.

    Im sure that the people of Florida have the backing of the "Civilized" world, and just have to indicate what they need in order to receive same.. however i cant see it happening, as i indicated above.

    An It Harm None, Do What You Will

  9. The Drawing Room   -   #9
    Originally posted by Rat Faced@14 August 2004 - 12:42
    I think Shell%Shocked doesnt understand the nature of International Aid... It is from Rich Countries to Poor Countries and is for development.
    aw, that's just unfair. you can't expect people to be bothered with technicalities such as whether international charity should be focused toward countries that are least able to fend for themselves.

  10. The Drawing Room   -   #10
    j2k4's Avatar en(un)lightened
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    Originally posted by Rat Faced@14 August 2004 - 15:42
    My sympathies with anyone affected... and I hope RPerry gets back online soon, so i know hes OK

    I think Shell%Shocked doesnt understand the nature of International Aid...
    Anybody hears from RPerry please post to that effect?

    Rat-

    I think {SHELL%SHOCKED} was being a bit facetious (much as I myself was); figured maybe others would understand?
    "Researchers have already cast much darkness on the subject, and if they continue their investigations, we shall soon know nothing at all about it."

    -Mark Twain

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