Christian retailers located in Florida were among those who felt the lasting effects of Hurricane Charley, which left at least 16 dead and thousands without power and without homes since Friday. Twenty-five counties were declared disaster areas, according to the Orlando Sentinel, including Charlotte and Lee counties, where the hurricane made landfall with 145 mph winds.

Adventist Book Center in Winter Park, Fla.-where many streets were blocked off by fallen trees and many residents left without power-did not sustain any damage, according to Associate Manager Dean Bixby. The store closed Friday, but was open for business as usual on Sunday.

After closing down Friday and Saturday due to downed phone and power lines, LifeWay Christian Store in Orlando had electricity and is up and running today. Assistant Manager Sheryl Jensen said the store has some water damage from a roof leak, and is without air conditioning. With temperatures due to reach 90 degrees all week, she noted that the humidity was damaging products more than the leak.

Faith Laurien at Christ Centered Bookstore in Ft. Myers, Fla., was grateful to have only minimal damage, noting that "the carpet in the back is a bit wet," but no product was damaged, and the store is open today. She said many trees behind the store were down, that a semi-trailer had flipped over nearby, and that the sign for the store's shopping plaza was shattered.

Attempts to reach Gospel Gifts in Port Charlotte, Fla., failed, and Long's Christian Bookstore in Orlando, Fla., is closed because of lack of power, according to Jensen.

Strang Communications, publisher of Christian Retailing, closed its Lake Mary, Fla., offices early on Friday because of the incoming hurricane, but saw minimal damage and is back open for business today.

CBA did not yet have total damage to Christian retailers and publishers located in the area, but spokeswoman Nancy Guthrie said the organization would likely begin contacting stores today.

"Officials Sunday estimated statewide damage to insured homes at $5 billion to $11 billion," according to the Orlando Sentinel. "That estimate, based on property assessments, does not include losses to businesses, uninsured dwellings, utilities and vehicles."

A full story on the storm will be included in the Sept. 6 edition of Christian Retailing.

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