Severe Loss of Life Reported

[Jevo]

Over HAM radio in the past 3 hours it was reported that National Guardsmen are standing guard over "Stacks of Bodies" The Charolette County EOC has requested over 60 Body Bags, and in Punta Gorda an 18 wheeler had been contracted to remove the casualties.

This is horrible folks...

God Bless the Families of the Casualties and Wounded

[goodlife]

yes..it's awful...they've been reporting that since last night..still no numbers..
My heart goes out to everyone in SW florida...

[vbhoutex]

Most definitely is turning into a possibly large loss of life in the Punta Gorda and barrier island areas where Charley came ashore. If the rumors are verified, and I think they will be from injury reports I heard earlier, this will be a MAJOR TRAGEDY!!! Unfortunately, and this is just my take on the situation, I imagine many of those who have lost their lives during Charley are those that chose to stay behind against advice of the authorities. If this is indeed the case, and these deaths are the result of defying EM orders to leave, it just reinforces the fact that IT CAN HAPPEN WHERE YOU ARE AND THE AUTHORITIES AND AGENCIES ARE DOING A GOOD JOB AND THAT IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO DO AS THEY TELL YOU. Those that unfortunately lost their lives were in the warned areas and should have heeded orders to evacuate if the did not. Obviously all deaths are not going to be the result of defying authorities orders in a situation as severe as Charley, but my guess is a majority of them could have been avoided if authorities orders to evacuate had been heeded. JMHO.

My prayers and thoughts go out to those affected by this devastating tragedy, no matter how their losses occurred. We in fact have a very close friend who just moved to Fort Myers and are praying that she and her family came through in good shape.

[vbhoutex]

Most definitely is turning into a possibly large loss of life in the Punta Gorda and barrier island areas where Charley came ashore. If the rumors are verified, and I think they will be from injury reports I heard earlier, this will be a MAJOR TRAGEDY!!! Unfortunately, and this is just my take on the situation, I imagine many of those who have lost their lives during Charley are those that chose to stay behind against advice of the authorities. If this is indeed the case, and these deaths are the result of defying EM orders to leave, it just reinforces the fact that IT CAN HAPPEN WHERE YOU ARE AND THE AUTHORITIES AND AGENCIES ARE DOING A GOOD JOB AND THAT IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO DO AS THEY TELL YOU. Those that unfortunately lost their lives were in the warned areas and should have heeded orders to evacuate if the did not. Obviously all deaths are not going to be the result of defying authorities orders in a situation as severe as Charley, but my guess is a majority of them could have been avoided if authorities orders to evacuate had been heeded. JMHO.

My prayers and thoughts go out to those affected by this devastating tragedy, no matter how their losses occurred. We in fact have a very close friend who just moved to Fort Myers and are praying that she and her family came through in good shape.

[wlfpack81]

What kind of initial figures have you heard vbhoutex? With reports of 60+ bodies bags needed and an earlier rumor I heard of 100 or so who stayed on one of those barrier islands I'm fearing we could have near or just over 100 or so deaths which is unthinkable for the U.S. in terms of deaths from one storms. In China or something I can see it, but not in a developed country like this.