I live in Plantation, which is west of Ft. Lauderdale... As of today, there were 860,000 homes in Broward without power origionally, and I think about 120,000 are back up... Basically everyone I know is without power, and most are without water too... About 80% or so don't have power... I think I heard on the radio that there are something like 1350 traffic lights in Broward, and as of this morning, they reported that 30 were up and running... Most of Broward is using the old "4 way stop routine", although I'm sure about 50% don't know how it works...
As for the looting, EVERYWHERE in Broward is being looted... As soon as it's nighttime, there are NUMEROUS reports of violence and/or robberies... People are repeatedly getting raided for gas, which is why I'm sleeping w/ a Glock next to me in bed, which is something I almost NEVER do (a couple times I had crazy ex-girlfriends, but that's another story)...
I'm not sure about your family, but if they haven't suffered any of the gas shortages at least that everyone else has, I'm movin whereever they are... 98% of Broward was out of power for a day or so after the hurricane...
Here are a couple headlines from the Miami Herald or the Sun-Sentinel today....
Death toll climbs; frustration mounts over lack of basics
Weeks of waiting may be in store for some without electricity, especially in hard-hit Broward. Rumor and anxiety created long lines at gasoline stations.
Wilma recovery slow in Broward
Mistake leaves Hallandale site without water, ice; new curfew hours for Broward
Slowly, the lights click on: 167,800 in Broward, 129,100 in Palm Beach, 344,200 in Miami-Dade
I couldn't find any stories of looting in the few seconds I looked, but trust me that they're there...
I'm glad that you're family is doin good thru the storm though Ice... And, wherever it is that they purchased their property, be sure to buy there too when you retire...
Anyways, I'm still hopin that CJ and Fla report in that they're okay...