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LOUISVILLE – Two Florida presbyteries are reporting serious damage after Hurricane Charley blew across Florida’s Gulf Coast this weekend – devastating one Presbyterian church in Punta Gorda, where the hurricane hit land, and another in North Fort Myers.
Peace River Presbytery in North Port, FL, is reporting that two churches were wiped out by the hurricane, which tore off rooftops, sheared telephone poles, ripped trees from the ground and lifted sea crests to disastrous levels.
First Presbyterian Church in Punta Gorda was “devastated,” according to Alesia Sharpe, the presbytery’s office manager, as well as the Chapel by the Sea on Sanibel Island in North Fort Myers. The island is still inaccessible, however.
Five other churches in Peace River are reporting minimal to moderate damage: First Church in Port Charlotte; First Church in Arcadia; Burnt Store Presbyterian Church in Punta Gorda; Faith Church in Cape Coral; and First Church in Fort Myers, where the cross was torn off of the steeple.
Presbytery officials have spoken with all of the pastors in Peace River. While the homes of many congregants have been damaged, no loss of life has yet been reported. An assessment team will be heading into the affected areas tomorrow.
Tampa Bay Presbytery was hit by the storm as well, according to Susan Snedeker-Meier, the associate executive. Snedeker-Meier said that five churches in eastern Polk County were damaged, although most are being appraised as minor to date.
She said that Florida officials are estimating that 10-15,000 people are homeless, including a significant number of farm workers. A presbytery team is going this afternoon to Polk County to gather information.
“It’s wonderful to be part of a connectional system – at times like this it really matters,” she said.
The storm rattled emergency officials Friday afternoon by changing course, making an unexpected turn east and crashing into a string of beach towns near Fort Myers. Florida Gov. Jeb Bush estimated Saturday that damages could reach $15 billion.
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