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Hurricane Charley cut a swathe through the state of Florida.

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Many homes and businesses were wrecked.

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Nearly one million people had been urged to leave their homes in the areas most at risk.

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Florida residents are used to hurricanes, but despite the warnings, this storm took many by surprise.

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Afterwards, people tried to salvage what they could from the wreckage.

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US President George W Bush toured the area to inspect the damage.

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North Carolina residents prepared for Hurricane Charley's arrival - although it had been downgraded to a tropical storm by the time it hit.

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Charley arrived from Cuba, where there was also widespread destruction.

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The storm passed through the island on Friday, flattening beach homes.