Storm survivors

Cuba | Cubans receive little help from their government after devastating hurricane | Greg Dabel

HAVANA — With more than two million Floridians urged to leave their homes ahead of Hurricane Frances, many fleeing residents found state shelters already full of homeless remnants from last month's Hurricane Charley. But storm-damage victims—in what is shaping up to be a ferocious weather season—have hope of a safety net, given private insurance and public provisions. Not so for many neighbors out in the Atlantic.

When Charley careened across Cuba, tens of thousands were left without a roof over their heads. The cost may never be quantified. But scouting Havana's off-limits neighborhoods, it's apparent that at least one in 10 homes has suffered significant damage. Side streets in nearly every neighborhood are clogged with fallen trees and oversized piles of debris.