Surviving Hurricane Charley

Good morning all...to say the least this was a very eventful weekend. I am thankful now to be back at work today. As many of you know the hurricane came straight through Orlando Friday night. I live very close to downtown Orlando which was one of the hardest hit areas. Thank God I did not receive any damage to my home. My roomate and I sat in our hallway with some candles listening to the tornadoes as they stormed through our area, thankfully we were one of the only houses on our street that did not have any damage. Our power and water was restored first thing the next morning which is nothing short of a miracle. Many of my friends and family still do not have power, but thankfully most did not have any damage either. Please keep us all in your thoughts and prayers as the clean up begins and we try to get our beautiful city back to "normal."

Hi Marta, I am glad you are ok. I went through hurricane andrew so I know how you feel. I am glad you are trying to get back to "normal" Christine

thank u sweetie! i know its going to take a while but eventually we will get back to normal. things can be replaced, lives cannot!

Well, you are a lucky one! Especially with all that happened in the downtown area. Unfortunately, I am STILL without power and the water is questionable, not mandatory boil but it just doesnt smell right. I am doing laundry tonight at my sister's house. I am also lucky I didnt have damage but going on four days without power is no fun with these hot days. Anyway, I am so glad you are OK. Hope to be up and running again soon, although the "official" word is by the end of the week. Take care, Amy

I'm glad it missed Ocala, but I'm so very sorry that Orlando and the other areas were hit so hard!! I'm relieved that you're ok and that you didn't have any damage to your house. I've been following the news reports of those that are still without power and I remember going down to Miami after Andrew and how awful it was. My thoughts and prayers are with all the victims of this storm.

Hi all, I'm in Lehigh Acres which is just outside of Fort Myers. We faired VERY well, even got power back quickly however the terrible storms last night knocked it back out again :o( I have friends in Port Charlotte (they were hit the worst in all of FL but luckily they are alive...homes not too good but they're alive. My little brother is in the Natl.Guard and is stationed in Port Charlotte. My dad is involved with EOC and is tied up with the clean-up/safety efforts. I'm back to work today with the FL Dept. of Law Enforcement and have no clue what they'll have me do. I am glad the rest of you made out fine. Take care!

Wow you got pretty lucky. I live in Seminole County on SR434 and we were hit pretty hard. My subdivision is the only one by Publix still without power. Sure if you drive down Tuskawilla Road and go to those houses they are also without power but you can see why! Trees everywhere but truly a miracle! I've looked over a lot of these homes and its just amazing how the trees missed roof's and the house all together. Sure some pool enclosures were damaged but thats not much and only about 2-5k to replace. I'm an insurance claims processor and outta work because of the power outtage at my house. I'm staying with family at the moment, but thank god everyone is okay and so few were killed. It truly is a miracle.