Memories of Hurricane Charley
Boating….2004
by boatguy Ed
“This ain’t supposed to happen
here,” were the words that bounced around in my head as I watched
the local weather person bravely contradict NOAA about where the
killer storm would landfall. For two days I had joined family and
friends in the ritualistic tying up of boats, tossing pool furniture
into the pool, boarding up windows and filling sandbags. But I never
believed it was coming so close.
Our CBS affiliate called it first but
within minutes the combined NBC/ABC team confirmed that the storm was
taking an easterly turn and would impact the coast very closely to
the mouth of the Caloosahatchee River. That was between 1:30 and 2
p.m. and up to that moment we were staying. We left for obvious
reasons.
I can rationalize meteorologicaly why
our 44-year-old streak without a major hurricane ended on Friday the
13th. The comparisons between the 1960 Hurricane Donna and Charley
are striking in both direction and strength but Donna hit a very
sparsely populated area, while Charley was a 21st century
storm with a plethora of seemingly unwitting victims. I’m not here
to blame the victims but didn’t they know that trailer parks are
NOT safe even in thunderstorms?
Boaters found out that the next least
safe place was their anchored boats. It really is a crap shoot to move
your boat into sheltered water and tie it up to mangroves in an
attempt to save it but if have little choice that is a good
alternative. Since the wind is bound to clock around as the storm
passes, some hiding places turn into a parking lot in the trees.
Many boats were
snugly surrounded by marinas and homes. Neighbors tended neighbor’s
boats and there should be a special place for them because of their
unselfish acts. One boater in the Board Walk Caper condo complex told
me of the numerous phone calls from out of state neighbors asking
residents to do everything including going out and buying more line
to secure their poorly prepared vessel.
At least one large
Carver powerboat was damaged despite the best efforts of the dock
master and neighbors in one waterfront complex. There wasn’t any
explanation, rhyme or reason for the haphazard damage that occurred.
Some boats tied a hundred yards apart were ripped off the leeward
mangrove shore and driven to the windward shore of another island
while neighboring boats rode out the fury.
The same haphazard
damage was true for the beach but the newer structures suffered far
less damage because of the newer elevation and building codes. Some
surface level buildings were nearly or totally destroyed. Some
resorts suffered minor but expensive damages. How much you get back
from the insurance companies depend on the amount of is your
deductible. Mine is seven thousand so I won’t be making a claim but
many expensive buildings have a hundred thousand of dollars just in
landscaping damage.
On Sunday I
succeeded getting on the beach thanks to my trusty press pass and a
soggy copy of our paper in order to prove I was a journalist. I was
happy to dispel rumors of total destruction of some of the most
popular business. Most of the beach bars had structures standing even
though they took a huge hit. The Beach Pierside Grill was rumored to
have been wiped clean but that was just one of those
“wild-assed-beach-rumors” that are always around. If Marty York,
the general manager, has his way they will re-open very soon.
Thanks to all the
Sheriff’s Deputies, Firemen, National Guard troops, other rescue
personnel and all the business that struggled to stay open to service
residents. The Channel Mark restaurant started serving libations and
free hot food thanks to their generator on Saturday morning. I am
sorry that some people cursed the draconian measures, like barring
people from their islands but it was really Charley’s fault. I hope
you and yours are fine and that your boat came through okay.
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