/ Source: The Associated Press
Developments Sunday with Hurricane Frances:
- Frances dropped up to 13 inches of rain along Florida’s central east coast and caused flooding as it moved inland toward Tampa. It left behind leveled trees and power lines, tangled traffic lights and beachfront roads littered with coconuts, avocados and tree limbs.
- The storm was blamed for the death of a Lakeland man whose car hit a tree near Gainesville, as well as at least two deaths in the Bahamas.
- Gov. Jeb Bush, who declared a state of emergency throughout the state, surveyed the damage Sunday as he and 20 state and federal emergency officials flew from Tallahassee to West Palm Beach.
- In all, about 2.8 million residents were ordered to evacuate from coastal areas, barrier islands, mobile homes and low-lying areas. About 34 counties initiated either a mandatory or voluntary evacuation.
- About 93,000 people were being housed in shelters in Florida; shelters were also opened in Georgia and South Carolina.
- Power outages affected at least 5 million people.
- Airports in Miami and Fort Lauderdale reopened Sunday, but Orlando and over 20 other airports remained closed.
- At least 100 National Guard troops were deployed. Suspected looters were arrested in Palm Beach, Orange and Indian River counties. Some roads in Palm Beach County were covered by up to four feet of water.
- Theme parks at Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, Busch Gardens and Adventure Island were closed Sunday. SeaWorld Orlando and Discovery Cove planned to open at noon Monday.
- President Bush has declared a major disaster in the Florida counties affected by Hurricane Frances, meaning residents will be eligible for federal aid.
How to help:
- American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, Call 1-800-HELP NOW or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish), or online at http://www.redcross.org/
- Catholic Charities, USA, Call 1-800-919-9338, or online at http://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/
- Salvation Army, Call 1-800-SAL-ARMY, or online at http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/
- United Methodist Committee on Relief, Call 1-800-554-8583, or online at http://gbgm-umc.org/
- For a complete list of charitable agencies recommended by FEMA, visit http://www.fema.gov/rrr/help2.shtm
