In Florida
Storm pounds Keys; Panhandle prepares
MARATHON -- In convoys of Humvees and ambulances, rescue teams on Friday fought their way down flooded and tree-choked roads in the Florida Keys searching for victims of Hurricane Georges, a powerful storm that pummeled the archipelago with 105 mph winds and a dangerous storm surge.
• Storm refugees go as far as they can to find a safe haven
Hotels from Tampa to Orlando are packed with Florida residents fleeing the hurricane.
• Gouging complaints 'rampant'
At a half-dozen Sarasota service stations, the price of a gallon of gas jumped a nickel. At a hardware store in Broward County, plywood rose from $9.95 a sheet to $29.95.
• For some, hotel rooms were hard to come by
Residents driven from their homes by Hurricane Georges had little choice Friday but to drive east looking for lodging.

In Tampa Bay
• When can I return to my home?
Some questions and answers on Hurricane Georges:
• Drive home could be crowded
Authorities told residents of low-lying areas to get out of town Friday ahead of Hurricane Georges, and apparently they heeded the call.
•

Nanci Reitman, the bartender at Nicks Beach Bar & Grill at Sunset Beach, started pouring coffee at 8 a.m. Friday with beers and mixed drinks in high demand soon afterward. [Times photo: Jamie Francis]

Stormy life of the party disappoints revelers
Eager hurricane partiers were disappointed as the storm delivered less bang than expected.
• Georges makes a name for Bilodeau
The hurricane has made the man behind the county's Emergency Operations Center a TV personality.
• Even a swipe from Georges comes with its risks
As the hurricane heads farther away from the gulf coast, winds and rain are still expected to batter parts of the Tampa Bay area.
• Clearing out, settling in and waiting
Residents deal with Hurricane Georges in a variety of ways, from heading inland to cozying up to a bar stool.
• Whirlwind of shoppers rush to stock up
Videos and liquor are flying off the shelves as fast as water and batteries.
• Animals find cover, people find movies
As people around the Tampa Bay area prepared for whatever Georges would bring, small stories accumulated. There was NOAA's Ark. There was the little market that remembered its customers. And there were the dolphins who swam for cover.
• Church pairs evacuees, hosts
Through St. Cecelia's host home program, members forced to evacuate are staying with families in safer zones.
• Storm floods liquor stores with business
Alcohol sales at St. Petersburg stores triple as people stock up for hurricane parties.
• Hey, Georges, we won't flee for just any hurricane
In Pass-a-Grille, three neighbors find Hurricane Georges isn't without its benefits.
• Life in a shelter 'a big slumber party'
As she prepared to spend a stormy night at Countryside High School in Clearwater, 9-year-old Mallory Harrell focused on the bright side of life in an emergency shelter.
• Airlines cancel Tampa flights
TAMPA -- Many people who wanted to get out of the region as Hurricane Georges approached Friday had to find ways to do it that didn't involve flying.

Residents in the Meadowlawn Middle School shelter in St. Petersburg watch the weather updates on TV. [Times photo: Brian Baer]

• Hey, Georges, we won't flee for just any hurricane
In Tampa, a woman who has lived through several hurricanes says she won't budge from her wheelchair.
• Stay off the telephone, utilities ask
The phone lines need to be available for emergency use, say phone and power companies.
• Storm information
• Storm tips
• Claims hot lines
• Cancellations and closings

"Let's hope we're doing this for nothing," said Scott Denise of Spring Hill as he helps his brother's family load some of their belongings into a truck Friday. [Times photo: Toni L. Sandys]

In Citrus
• County watches for floods, tornadoes
• Citrus closings
• Some snub Georges, while others make ready

In Hernando
• Hernando happy to feel a little 'room to breathe'
• Sandbags available for residents
• Wild animals aren't likely to become people problems
• Most businesses brave elements to open doors
• Shelters quickly pack in the people

In Pasco
• Less worried, but still wary
• Customers clear store shelves of video rentals
• Mobile home evacuees make schools their home
• Last-minute choices, chores leave some folks scrambling