MCO Charley update

[Niagara2]

We flew into MCO yesterday and upon arrival it was humbling to imagine all everyone has been through in the area. We expereinced the US Airways B terminal. Most of the ceiling was out, most of the work stations and gates were covered in plastic, they had at least 50 blowers going and workmen still going at it. We got in fine and congratulate the people that worked so hard to get things working. Then we went to the shuttle train and the end doors were all boarded up. The actual terminal roof was mostly plywood. The trees were down in the 100's if not 1000's on the drive down 528 to WDW. The billboards were twisted like a curly straw and on the ground. Some the hotels along 528 had blue tarps on the roofs and some just had gapping holes. It seemed worst by the airport. Upon arrive at WDW all I can say is wow. They must be working night and day, and except for trees down, you would never know that a week earlier havoc broke loose there. The grass was longer than usual and the golf courses looked brown and untidy but the parks and hotels are still magic. We drive south to Fort Myers tommorow. Not looking forword to viewing that damage. My hat off to all who are cleaning up. You are sure making sure your visitors are able to enjoy your area. We continue to pray for all affected.

 

[inkkognito]

A Terminal has a great deal of ceiling damage, too. We came in at gate A6 last night, and almost all the areas where you would normally sit to wait were roped off, with most of the ceiling tiles out. We took a drive through old Kissimmee today (the area way far down 192), and it was heartbreaking to see homes that were literally destroyed. We went down some of the side streets and saw homes that will have to be knocked down. Many appeared to be still without power, and down the main street many of the store fronts were boarded up. There is an old movie theater, and the marquee said, "Now Playing: Gone With the Wind." At least they still have their sense of humor, even in the face of tragedy.
Barb

 

[safetymom]

Barb, did you get a chance to drive down Hoagland by the Kissimmee airport? There were about 15-20 power poles on that road that just snapped from the wind. It was sad to see all the trees that were destroyed.

It still is mind boggling to see the destruction of a hurricane. I feel so bad for those that lost everything.

 

[inkkognito]

Not sure where the airport is...we turned down the street with the big wrought iron sign off 192 that leads to the old Kissimmee downtown area. I thought I had seen bad damage from tornados back in Chicago, but this rivals anything I've ever seen. Tornados can level houses, but they don't hit nearly this wide of an area. And ironically, we just had a storm today that knocked down a bunch of the trees that had been propped up for salvaging.
Barb

 

[ztbz]

Then we went to the shuttle train and the end doors were all boarded up.

The area where the Trams come in at the Airport was made of Glass that got blown in, so that why it was broaded up, they showed this on TV in Orlando.