Hurricane Charley, the most powerful storm to ever hit Florida's West Coast, struck on Friday, August 13, 2004 entering the state around Punta Gorda, then traveling diagonally across Florida. An Air Force reconnaissance plane measured the winds at 145 miles an hour, which is a category four, just before it moved ashore. The eye of the hurricane (located in Charlotte Harbor) measured 5 miles across. (The Ledger News, August 27, 2004)
According to state officials, Charley caused 27 deaths and
an estimated $7.4 billion in insured damage to homes, businesses and personal
possessions, more than any other hurricane in Florida since Andrew. (Associated
Press, August 26, 2004)
Center staff followed the path of Charley to document the complexities of disaster
debris management.
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