Early Damage Estimates: $40 Million

Damage to hangars and aircraft at Florida's St. Lucie International Airport could reach $40 million in the wake of Hurricane Frances. Palm Beach County officials called the damage "catastrophic," saying private tenants suffered the most.

The Palm Beach Post reports Mirabella Yachts, Lanshe Aerospace and the Pan Am International Flight Academy were hardest-hit by the storm. High winds ripped part of the roof off the Pan Am hangar, throwing the aircraft inside around like toys. Airport Director Paul Phillips told the paper Pan Am had flown out 50 aircraft in advance of the storm. Those damaged or destroyed by Frances were unable to fly.

To make matters worse, Phillips said he hadn't been able to contact school officials. "The lack of communication is just hindering everything," he told the Post. "There are chances the owners don't know the extent of the damage, and there is no way for them to contact us."

Phillips, his staff and his tenants started making ready for the storm Wednesday. Phillips told the Palm Beach paper that he urged about 200 aircraft owners to get their planes out while the getting was good.

"Clearly our preparations were based on the plan to evacuate any plane that could fly," Phillips told the paper. "With the storm being downgraded, I expected a lot less damage than we had. I'm very shocked at the amount of damage we sustained."

FMI: www.stlucieco.gov/airport