On August 13, 2004, Hurricane Charley became the first major hurricane to strike Southwest Florida since Donna in 1960. Charley struck Captiva, Punta Gorda, and Arcadia as a Cat. four hurricane with winds between 140-150 mph.
Originally, Scott was assigned to Fort Myers. He and his reporter were moved to Punta Gorda, where they stayed at the Holiday Inn on Charlotte Harbor. Both of them thought they were clean up the southern end of Charley. After having breakfast at IHOP, the reporters returned to the Holiday Inn, but a police officer told them Charley was moving south of Tampa and to Southwest Florida.
Coming into Friday, many forecasters predicted Charley to make landfall around Tampa. After considering multiple options, the reporters and police officers rode out Charley at the Charlotte County airport.
Scott then comments the reporters were the last people to stay at the Holiday Inn before Charley destroyed it. He also says that nobody told him Charley wobbled south towards Punta Gorda. While airplanes and other debris came towards the airport, Scott thought he was going to die in Charley. He also remembers his ears popping due to the enormous air pressure change.
After Charley left the airport, the news reporter accidentally stepped into fire ants. Luckily, Scott's car and hurricane hit were still there despite several broken windows. This story reminds me of being allergic to fire ants. In Punta Gorda, Scott remembers not seeing any Toyota's without damage at the dealership.
Then, the conversation shifts to how to prepare for a hurricane. Scott stresses having a hurricane kit and knowing your evacuation route.
We conclude with answering whether Tampa is ready for a major hurricane if one heads to the Tampa/St.Pete area this season. We both agree a landfall could be the costliest hurricane on record.