Hurricane Charley Timeline

With all the talk of the lack of action by both federal and state agencies for Hurricane Katrina, I thought it might be educational to look at how things were handled in a swing state where the president's brother is governor, in an election year. That would be Hurricane Charley. Let's have a look, shall we?

Wednesday, Aug 11, 2004
Apart form the state of emergency, (Jeb) Bush said more areas may need to be evacuated and he activated the Florida National Guard.

GOVERNOR BUSH SIGNS EXECUTIVE ORDER RELATING TO TROPICAL STORMS BONNIE AND CHARLEY
In anticipation of either or both tropical storms strengthening into Category 1 hurricanes, Governor Bush signs Executive Order 04-182 relating to tropical storms Bonnie and Charley.

State Emergency Operations Center at Level 2 (partial) activation

Executive Order 04-182
WHEREAS, on August 10, 2004, the National Hurricane Center advised that Tropical Storm Bonnie may strengthen into a Category 1 hurricane with sustained surface winds exceeding 65 knots; and

WHEREAS, on August 10, 2004, the National Hurricane Center advised that Tropical Storm Charley may strengthen into a Category 1 hurricane with sustained surface winds exceeding 70 knots; and

WHEREAS, at present Tropical Storm Charley likewise threatens a number of communities in the southern and southwestern portions of the State of Florida with extreme weather conditions which also pose an immediate danger to the lives and property of persons in those communities; and

(more WHEREAS clauses)

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JEB BUSH, as Governor of Florida, by virtue of the authority vested in me ... do hereby promulgate the following Executive Order,to take immediate effect:

Section 1. Because of the foregoing conditions, I hereby find that Tropical Storm Bonnie and Tropical Storm Charley threaten the State of Florida with a major disaster. I therefore declare that a state of emergency exists in the State of Florida, and that the evacuation of multiple counties in the State may be necessary ...

Section 2. I hereby designate the Director of the Division of Emergency Management as the State Coordinating Officer ... I hereby delegate to the SCO the following powers, which he shall exercise as needed to meet this emergency:
(A., B.)
C. The authority to invoke and administer the Emergency Management Assistance Compact and other Compacts and Agreements existing between the State of Florida and other States, and the further authority to coordinate the allocation of resources from such other States that are made available to the State of Florida under such Compacts and Agreements so as best to meet this emergency;
D. The authority to seek direct assistance from any and all agencies of the United States Government as may be needed to meet the emergency;

Section 3. I hereby order the Adjutant General to activate the Florida National Guard for the duration of this emergency, and I hereby place the National Guard under the authority of the State Coordinating Officer for the duration of this emergency.

Sarasota County Government
With the approach of Hurricane Charley and the possibility it will head toward the Sarasota County area, county and city officials are taking preliminary actions and urging residents to implement their emergency plans. Plans should include stocking adequate food, water and batteries, as normal services may not be available.

TROPICAL STORM BONNIE STRENGTHENING IN THE CENTRAL GULF OF MEXICO, HURRICANE CHARLEY MOVING RAPIDLY INTO THE WESTERN CARIBBEAN SEA
The State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) remains at a Level 2, or partial, activation.
Hurricane Charley is also strengthening as it bypasses Jamaica to the south. At 8 PM, Charley’s eye was located near latitude 17.2 North and 78.2 West longitude, or about 140 miles to the west-southwest of Kingston, Jamaica.

Thursday, Aug 12, 2004
Patience And Vigilance As We Await Hurricane Charley
Forewarned about the storm's imminent arrival, the Pinellas County Commission rightly ordered the evacuation of some 380,000 residents from low- lying and coastal areas beginning at 6 p.m. Thursday.

Charley Cleanup 'Organized Chaos'
When Charley hit, all of Florida was under a statewide hurricane warning. But evacuations are county decisions.

By late Thursday evening, part but not all of Charlotte County was under a mandatory evacuation order.

Friday, Aug 13, 2004
The state says about 1,000 Florida National Guard members have already reported to duty and another 1,000 are being called up.

Friday, Aug. 13 3:45pm
Hurricane Charley makes landfall just north of Captiva Island (Cayo Costa). Expecting a hit farther north, Hillsborough and Pinellas counties had ordered evacuations.

Hillsborough County opens 39 more shelters, adding to three special-needs shelters opened the day before.

Charley crosses Florida, exiting near Daytona Beach.

President Orders Disaster Aid For Florida Storm Victims
Release Date: August 13, 2004
Release Number: HQ-04-115

WASHINGTON – The head of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced today that President Bush has ordered the release of federal disaster funds and emergency resources for Florida to aid people battered by Tropical Storm Bonnie and Hurricane Charley.

Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response, said the President took the action under a major disaster declaration issued this afternoon immediately after receiving FEMA's analysis of the state's expedited request for federal assistance. The declaration covers damage to private property from the storms beginning on August 11. (snip)

FEMA-1539-DR
Federal Register Notice
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Florida; Major Disaster and Related Determinations

AGENCY: Federal Emergency Management Agency, Emergency Preparedness and Response Directorate, Department of Homeland Security.

ACTION: Notice.

SUMMARY: This is a notice of the Presidential declaration of a major disaster for the State of Florida (FEMA-1539-DR), dated August 13, 2004, and related determinations.

EFFECTIVE DATE: August 13, 2004.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Magda Ruiz, Recovery Division, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Washington,
DC 20472, (202) 646-2705.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice is hereby given that, in a letter dated August 13, 2004, the President declared a major disaster under the authority of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 5121-5206 (the Stafford Act), as follows: (snip)

Saturday, Aug 14, 2004 2:15am
STATE EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER ENCOURAGES CITIZENS TO REMAIN INDOORS

Aired August 14, 2004 - 10:58 ET
CNN LIVE EVENT/SPECIAL
Hurricane Charley: Carolinas Await Charley
MICHAEL D. BROWN, UNDER SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITY: Thank you, governor. First on behalf of the entire country, on behalf of President Bush, I want to offer our condolences, our sympathy, and some encouragement to everyone in Florida who suffered from both Tropical Storm Bonnie and from Hurricane Charley. I promise you that everything, all the available resources of the federal government are going to be available to help in any way we can.

You know, in the Department of Homeland Security, we have the Coast Guard, we have all these new assets, they're going to help us move things in as quickly as possible. I talked to Secretary Ridge today I talked to the president last night, they have assured me that whatever resources I need will be available to FEMA to make sure we respond probably. I want to caution everyone in the media, though. People are suffering right now. I ask you to respect their privacy, I ask you to be careful with them. They are fragile. I want to send a message out to all those people right now that are suffering, too. I see this kind of thing all the time in my travels around the country. And right now, people are devastated, they're discouraged, they're frustrated. I have gone back to communities where they've felt the same way. And I want to tell you, the sun will shine again and will come back. You will come back stronger and better. I have seen that happen. So be patient. Work hard.

Saturday, Aug 14, 3:00pm
BOB CARPENTER, CHARLOTTE CO., FLORIDA SHERIFF'S DEPT.: Well right now, the people are pouring in, hundreds of them, in fact, 1,500 National Guardsmen of been come -- are in here now into position, they're kind of walking around through the streets to provide the stability that we need here.

And the governor, Jeb Bush was in this afternoon, he said he's got a -- 5,000 others on standby, if and when we need them. Now, the other agencies are coming all over the state of Florida.

Sunday, August 15, 2004 3:40am
HURRICANE CHARLEY BRIEFING SHEET
As of 7:05 am, August 15, 2004
Number of shelters open
25
Number of people in shelters
5,078

Sunday, Aug. 15, 2004 10:46am
President Tours Hurricane Damage

In Punta Gorda, relief trucks arrive with ice, prepackaged meals and portable toilets. Nearly 1 million people are without power.

Tuesday, Aug 17, 2004 4:00pm
DISASTER RECOVERY CENTERS IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA
The State Emergency Operations Center and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) encourage residents living in affected counties to register with FEMA for disaster relief...

Wednesday, Aug 18, 2004
Aid flows faster after Charley than Andrew
Authorities began handing out food, water and ice throughout Charlotte County within 48 hours of Hurricane Charley's destructive romp up Charlotte Harbor, beating by days the state's response to Hurricane Andrew in 1992.

(...)

By morning, less than two full days after Charley blew though, Charlotte County joined with state and federal officials to open seven aid stations where those affected by Charley can get food, water and ice.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency had an established command post in Charlotte County on Sunday morning, and it brought dozens of trucks filled with cots, blankets and portable toilets.

The National Guard, which is providing security at Charlotte County's seven aid stations, among other places, deployed more than 4,000 troops over the weekend.

Thursday, Aug 19, 2004
DCA ANNOUNCES $4.5 MILLION AVAILABLE TO COMMUNITIES IMPACTED BY HURRICANE CHARLEY
The Department of Communities Affairs (DCA) announced today the release of $4.5 million dollars in Small Cities Community Development Block Grant funds to assist communities throughout Florida impacted by Hurricane Charley.

FEDERAL AND STATE OFFICIALS ANNOUNCE $5 MILLION IN ADDITIONAL HOUSING ASSISTANCE FOR HURRICANE CHARLEY VICTIMS
Department of Elder Affairs Secretary Terry White, Josefina Carbonell, Assistant Secretary for Aging with the Department of Health and Human Services, and Orlando Cabrera, Executive Director of the Florida Housing and Finance Corporation, announced $5 million in emergency aid to citizens impacted by Hurricane Charley.

STATE, USDA REPLACE $24 MILLION IN FOOD STAMPS FOR VICTIMS OF CHARLEY
The State of Florida and the U.S. Department of Agriculture replaced $24 million in benefits for food stamp recipients in areas impacted by Hurricane Charley.

The move, coordinated by the Department of Children & Families, helps food stamp households whose food supplies may have been destroyed by the storm or lost due to power outages.

Friday, Aug. 20, 2004
About 77,000 families are registered for federal disaster relief.

September 4, 2004

President Bush Declares Major Disaster For Second Florida Hurricane Strike
Release Date: September 4, 2004
Release Number: HQ-04-152a

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The head of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced today that President Bush has ordered the federal government to provide all necessary resources and assets for Florida to aid people victimized by the second hurricane to strike the state in less than a month.

Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response, said the President took the action under a major disaster declaration issued for Florida in response to Hurricane Frances that began affecting the state’s eastern coastline on September 3. The declaration follows the major disaster declared for the state on August 13 due to Hurricane Charley.

To summarize:
August 11: Jeb declares that a state of emergency exists in the State of Florida
Charley is well off the coast of Florida, near the island of Jamaica

August 12: Gulf coast counties under mandatory evacuation orders

August 13: National Guard are already reporting, and more are being called up
Charley makes landfall at 3:45pm
President orders disaster aid for Florida storm victims

August 14: FEMA already offering/providing assistance.
More National Guard arriving, and more available.

August 15: FEMA command post established in affected areas.
President tours affected areas.
Food, water, and ice arriving in affected areas.

August 17: Residents living in affected counties encourage to register with FEMA.

August 19: State and federal funds made available for affected residents. (this is where the current FEMA South Florida money scandal originated)

August 20: 77,000 families registered for federal disaster relief.

Having an emergency in a swing state during in an election year where your brother is governor? Priceless.