South Florida residents scavenge for water, food, gas.

Publication: South Florida Sun-Sentinel (via Knight-Ridder/Tribune News Service)

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COPYRIGHT 2005 South Florida Sun-Sentinal

Byline: Jamie Malernee

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. _ No power, no gas, no water _ and for many, no help.

South Floridians began to comprehend the long-term effects of Hurricane Wilma on Tuesday, as it became increasingly clear that residents could spend the next few days, if not weeks, waiting in lines for basic supplies, coveting working showers and toilets, and in many cases, kicking themselves for underestimating the damage a Category 2 storm could bring.

Although state officials had bragged about their readiness for Wilma, as of late Tuesday afternoon no water or ice had arrived at any of the Broward County distribution centers, where state aide had been promised by noon. Palm Beach County and Miami-Dade County centers also reported problems. As a result, tensions ran high and some fights broke out as residents complained help was not coming quickly enough.

"Everybody wants everything yesterday," said Paul Ready of Oakland Park, who began trolling for water and ice early Tuesday but found a local grocery store already picked clean.

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