A ferocious hurricane packing winds of more than 230 km per hour roared across parts of Florida, killing at least two people, downing power lines and destroying houses.
Governor Jeb Bush estimated the damage caused by hurricane Charley at over $ 15 billion.
Jeb's brother, US President George W Bush, has declared Florida a major disaster area.
Two people died during the storm and dozens were injured.
This was the worst storm to hit the state since Andrew devastated south Florida in 1992 and worst in a century to hit northern Florida.
Airports, theme parks, universities, schools, offices and businesses were closed, train services cancelled and more than 2 million people along the heavily populated coast were asked to evacuate.
But fortunately, Charley veered to spare the densely populated Tampa Bay, which meteorologists had predicted would be among the hardest hit.