OOF! Frances Hits Florida; Damages Widespread, But Less Than Feared – National – Sept. 6, 2004

Volusia County, Fla., was hard hit by Frances–even more damage than Charley. The county includes New Symrna Beach, Deland, Daytona Beach, Port Orange, Ormond Beach and others. No power at all in New Smyrna Beach, Beachside locked down; bridges locked down; flooding in Daytona from Halifax River; neighborhoods have so much tree damage in Port Orange and Daytona. Not much national news but when the damage assessment comes, I bet Volusia County (after Brevard County) will be highest in damage costs. The winds did not stop in Port Orange/Daytona, etc., all day yesterday until way past midnight–up to 74 miles per hour; we were hammered folks.

— Tommie Stapleton, Port Orange, Fla.