Bush to see storm damage

[Xen]

President Bush is to visit storm-battered Florida today in the wake of the hurricane that left at least 13 people dead. He will see the towns of Punta Gorda and Port Charlotte, which were left devastated after Hurricane Charley ripped through the west of Florida, bringing winds of up to 180mph. Waves up to 15ft hight caused extensive flooding in coastal areas, thousands of houses and mobile homes were wrecked, and cars were flipped over. Emergency services say hundreds of people are still missing and thousands have been left homeless by the storm, the worst to hit Florida since 1992's Hurricane Andrew, which killed 26. Charlotte County emergency manager Wayen Sallade said the search for more bodies was continuing. He said he was confident the death toll would not run into the hundreds, but would be "limited to dozens". Around a million people have been left without electricity after power lines were brought down. After the storm President Bush declared Florida a major disaster area and mobilised more than 1,300 National Guard troops to help in the clear-up operation. Firefighters search for survivors Tent villages are being set up to accomodate people whose homes were destroyed in the hurricane. Florida Governor Jeb Bush, the President's brother, said the storm had been one of the most deadly ever seen, and added: "Our worst fears have been confirmed." He said the damage would run into many billions of dollars. Hundreds of British holidaymakers have been left stranded after the weather also played havoc with airline schedules. Around 600 passengers have been stuck at Orlando and Tampa because their planes have been grounded at Gatwick Airport. A British Airways spokesman said they hoped to resume services to Florida today. Charley also claimed four lives in Cuba and one in Jamaica as it approached the US coast.

http://www.sky.com/skynews/article/0...192292,00.html

[ 08-15-2004, 10:09 AM: Message edited by: Xen ]