Four hurricanes, beginning with Charley in August, followed by Frances, Ivan and Jeanne in September, have left many of these members wondering if they made the right choice in relocating to that state.

While severe damage caused by the winds and rains was limited to a relatively small percentage of these members, it was the evacuation of their homes and days and weeks of living in searing heat without electricity or water that was physically and emotionally draining to our members, as well as millions of others in heavily populated Florida.

Our Association policy has always been to reach out to members from a catastrophe, regardless of its cause, in this case acts of nature.

Contacting our Florida members has been difficult because of delayed mail service in many areas and widespread disruption of phone service. Some members have called us by cell phone, and while a fighting spirit seems to prevail, it's been a sad time for others.

In this edition of the Voice, we are focusing on Hurricane Charley. This was the first of the four hurricanes and the one of which we have the most complete information at this time.

On August 12, hundreds of thousands of people in the greater St. Petersburg area evacuated to safer ground after being told they were in Charley's path.

On August 13, the whimsical hurricane suddenly veered inland 70 miles south of St. Pete, making a direct hit with its 145 miles per hour winds on the cities of Punta Gorda and Port Charlotte, home of several hundred Association members.

The following excerpts from phone conversations or letters received from members can best describe the hardships and plight of some of Charley's victims:

"During the hurricane, we stayed at our daughter's home 10 miles away... It was safer. But that night, Charlie (husband) went back and found that we had lost everything. Our entire Port Charlotte Village (439 manufactured homes) was either leveled or destroyed. We've been staying at the Days Inn in Sarasota." Louise Good, Port Charlotte, Middlesex County Hospital.

"I lost my front porch and several of my large trees fell on homes belonging to neighbors. It's very sad to see all of the homes that have been completely destroyed. I'm probably going to relocate to Ft. Myers where my wife (Mary) is in a nursing home." Don Mullen, Punta Gorda, Boston Fire Dept.

"When Charley hit, the hurricane shutters were closed, so I couldn't see but the noise was something I never heard before in my 74 years, and can't describe. I lost my porch and the wall to my carport is filled with holes like someone took a sledgehammer to it. After Charley left, I couldn't believe my eyes. I saw a bear that escaped from the local zoo and scavengers came in like locusts picking up aluminum pieces." Myrtle Bennett, Punta Gorda, Taunton State Hospital.

"Our mobile home was one of 104 24-foot doublewide mobile homes in the Mary Lou Mobile Park that were completely destroyed. Everything was leveled and all the belongings in them are gone. It seems like my wife and I have been all over the place, but we are extremely grateful to have had places to stay, food to eat, and that we both came through it safe and unhurt." Norman Vachon, Port Charlotte, Attleboro Assessor.

"We stayed in the bathroom during the storm... could feel the whole house shaking and thought the bathroom was the safest place. We lost most of our roof and several windows were blown in and there was some water damage. Dan, my neighbor, bought a generator which he shares with us. It is strong enough to run some fans and the refrigerator. Our electricity is still out... God Bless Dan." Maurice Desrochers, Port Charlotte, Methuen Water Dept.

"There's a big tree laying on top of my home but the roof seems to be holding up. Without electricity and no air conditioning the constant 90 degree heat has been brutal. I've been able to buy ice for my cooler but have no way to cook any food. However, compared to the destruction I've seen, I feel very lucky." Bob Morgan, Punta Gorda, Burlington School Dept.

"We were blessed that we had just left to drive our grandchildren back to Billerica, as they come every year during their summer vacation to visit with us. We do this every year and then return to Punta Gorda after Labor Day. Two sons drove us back to Florida. It was a sad time. Our home was completely destroyed. We never thought at this time in our lives we would be homeless. Just trying to go one day at a time. Thanks for thinking of us." Guy Magliozzi, Punta Gorda, State DPW.

"My cinderblock home lost its roof and back wall. I bought a trailer for $21,000 in which I live in my driveway. I do want to move back into my house and sell the trailer, which I took out a loan to buy, but it's going to be a long wait (repairs). The neighbors have been terrific... food, anything I need." Ramona McMahon, Port Charlotte, husband Walter, deceased, Waltham Police Officer.

"Jean (wife) and I went to visit a friend in Ft. Myers the day Charley hit. We couldn't go home and stayed overnight. When we went home the next morning, there was no home. It was a total loss. It was a double-sized mobile home in Port Charlotte Village where we lived for 15 years. Our neighborhood looked like Berlin at the end of World War II." Dick Anderson, Port Charlotte, Oxford Police Officer.

"I was back in Boston for surgery when Hurricane Charley struck. Windmill Village has 450 homes and all but four are uninhabitable. My home was completely destroyed, and I know the insurance will only cover part of the loss. Going back to Windmill Village was surreal. It was like a war zone with no survivors... perhaps more like a ghost town with the only noise being pieces of aluminum blowing in the wind. I'll be staying in Massachusetts with my family for now, but I don't know about the future." Miriam Miner, Punta Gorda, Wachusett Regional Dist. Teacher.