Enjoy your trip as well!
In the Aftermath of Ivan...
Panama City Beach, FL -Hurricane Ivan may be gone, but the effects of the powerful
category 3 storm will long be remembered. Communities all along
the Panhandle of Florida are currently recovering from various
levels of damage... some areas were bombarded by tornados, others
dealt with major flooding and power outages. The least fortunate
were hammered by 100+mph winds and a catastrophic storm surge.
TripSmarter.Com and Beach TV wish a speedy recovery to all that
suffered a loss because of Hurricane Ivan. And in the midst of
it all…
there is GOOD NEWS...
PANAMA CITY BEACH:
Panama City Beach knows what it's like to be hit hard
by a hurricane. Only 9 short years ago, Hurricane Opal made landfall
just west of Panama City Beach and left the community in ruins.
Homes were destroyed, businesses were lost, roads were damaged
and it took many months for Panama City Beach to fully recover.
Around 2am on September 16th, 2004,
Hurricane Ivan made landfall between Pensacola, FL and Gulf
Shores, AL as a Category 3 Hurricane. At the time, Ivan's maximum
sustained winds had dropped to 130mph, just under Category 4
strength.
This time, Panama City Beach dodged a big bullet.
With the exception of an isolated area of damage from a tornado near Thomas Drive, Panama City Beach woke up after Hurricane Ivan virtually unscathed. Minor beach erosion (estimated at 4 ft. in most places), a few flooded businesses and homes, and very minor wind damage is good news. In fact, it's GREAT news! Of course, any damage to homes and certainly the loss of life is a tragedy…but it could have been so much worse!
Power has been restored to all customers and almost all businesses have reopened. Visitors are already making their way back to The World's Most Beautiful Beaches and everyone looks forward to “business as usual” once again!
No major roadway or structural damage was reported, except for a couple of businesses hit by the Thomas Drive tornado. All tree limbs and downed power lines will soon be cleared and in no time, Panama City Beach will be 100% and back in business!
So - if you have plans to visit Panama City Beach in the near future... KEEP THEM! Confirm your reservations with your hotel and enjoy The World's Most Beautiful Beaches!
TripSmarter.Com's Panama City Beach Forums are alive with people asking questions and posting photos of the Beach after Ivan. Online communities are an amazing tool and can help in the exchange of useful and valuable information. Jump in and ask a question, post a photo, or just share your thoughts about the Beach.
Read a first-hand account of Hurricane Ivan’s approach, the Thomas Drive Tornado, and other scary moments posted as they happened in the TripSmarter.Com Forums: Here’s the Hurricane…
PENSACOLA:
Those with homes are sheltering those without homes…many homes were taken
by the strong winds or ravaged by the surf. Neighbors are helping other neighbors
and businesses are giving a helping hand to communities near and far.
The American Red Cross, the Florida National Guard, and other organizations are working day and night to make life a little better for those in need. Shelters are still available and mobile medical units can be found in disaster areas with supplies and hygiene kits for the less fortunate. Mobile kitchens are also popping up with hot meals, water, and much needed ice!
Chevron Texaco is donating $50,000 to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief fund. These funds will directly benefit those who suffered most from Hurricane Ivan. All gifts to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund will also be generously matched through a challenge grant from The Case Foundation – up to $500,000. For every two dollars donated, The Case Foundation will donate one dollar.
Power, water, phone and other utilities are quickly being restored to the area. Hospitals were given priority and Gulf Power immediately began the step-by-step procedure to restore power to every one of its customers.
The Army Corps of Engineers quickly dispatched personnel to inspect bridges and roads. Contracts have already been awarded and repairs are underway to the I-10 Bridge, Bob Sykes Bridge, and the Pensacola Bay Bridge, as well as major roadways.
Escambia County residents who sustained home damage may apply for FEMA assistance and small business owners may also be eligible for low interest loans to cover business losses.
Customers of Regions Bank and Union Planters in the impacted areas may be able to defer payment on some consumer loans and credit card accounts as well as being eligible for credit line increases due to the storm.
Escambia County has employed additional police officers to protect businesses from looting and to direct traffic in areas still without power.
For updated information on road and bridge closings, curfews, relief effort locations, distribution centers, school closings, insurance information, etc. log on to Pensacola News Journal.
Additionally, the Pensacola News Journal has set up Hurricane Ivan community forums on their website to allow an exchange of information in the aftermath of Ivan. Many Pensacola residents that evacuated are logging on to find out if power has been restored to their area, inquire about damages, or offer support.
TripSmarter.Com's Pensacola Forums are also available for asking questions, concerns, or voicing support for the Pensacola area.
DESTIN:
Much of Destin fared somewhat better during Hurricane Ivan. There was damage,
of course, but considering the strength of Ivan, Destin may have lived up
to its nickname as "the world’s luckiest fishing village”.
However, some sub-standard homes right on the beach, may not have fared as
well? Low roadways were flooded and some businesses were damaged but the
beach was spared the inevitable erosion in most parts of the World’s
most beautiful beach.
Destin as a whole did not suffer too much of Ivan’s wrath and should be back in business very soon.
Highway 98 and most other main roads in Destin received very little if any damage and are open to traffic. Power and other utilities are being restored rapidly and by the time you read this most businesses and homes will have utilities fully restored.
Surface damage seems to be the main story around Destin…missing shingles, shattered windows, wet carpet, over-turned signs and similar problems that can be fixed in a relatively short amount of time! All of which is great news for Destin and Destin-lovers.
One thing to remember…Destin has been through this before and is always well-prepared for any hurricane and its aftermath. Businesses are reopening by the day, docks are being rebuilt and debris is quickly being removed. Beach cleanup has already begun and in no time, Destin will be more beautiful than ever. So - if you're planning a vacation here, just give the Emerald Coast a little time to clean up, then confirm your reservations with your hotel and…come on down... because every business in the Panhandle…needs your business!
TripSmarter.Com's Destin Forums are alive with people asking questions and posting photos
of Destin after the storm. Online communities are an amazing tool and
can help in the exchange of useful and valuable information. Jump in and
ask a question, post a photo, or just share your thoughts about Destin. 
