‘Worse than Andrew:’ Dawn brings 1st glimpse of destruction

Gwen Bush stands outside a shelter at Gotha Middle School in Orange County, Monday, morning, Sept. 11, 2017, in Windermere, Fla. She'd tried to shelter from the storm at her home, though watched through her window as the floodwater began rushing onto her street and up into the yard. "I can't swim and the water kept rising, it was all the way up to my windows. I actually thought I was not going to live through this. I started praying, and I thank God today." (AP Photo/Claire Galofaro) Gwen Bush stands outside a shelter at Gotha Middle School in Orange County, Monday, morning, Sept. 11, 2017, in Windermere, Fla. She'd tried to shelter from the storm at her home, though watched through her window as the floodwater began rushing onto her street and up into the yard. "I can't swim and the water kept rising, it was all the way up to my windows. I actually thought I was not going to live through this. I started praying, and I thank God today." (AP Photo/Claire Galofaro)

By Associated Press September 11, 2017 5 min read

Florida residents braced for days for Hurricane Irma, which encompassed nearly the entire peninsula as it marched north through the state. When day broke, many got their first glimpse of the storm’s destruction. Some expressed relief that they had appeared to have dodged a bullet. Others were clearly shaken by a storm more powerful than many had ever seen.

Their stories provide a glimpse into the extensive reach of Irma’s wrath:

A NEW HOME, LEFT BEHIND

Felicia Clark and Johnny Thompson spent Saturday moving into their new house in St. Petersburg, on Florida’s Gulf Coast. After a long day, with forecasts on the late news showing that Irma was headed their way, they decided to leave it behind.

They packed some clothes and toiletries and hopped in the car around 1 a.m. Sunday with their two dogs, Gracie and Roscoe. They headed north, making it all the way to downtown Atlanta before they found a hotel with rooms available.