The tropical cyclone's winds never reached hurricane force as feared. But the storm left a trail of flooding, rough surf, tornados and other effects that damaged or destroyed property and crops, drove people from their homes, knocked out power, put people out of work and led to at least seven deaths from causes such as ocean drowning, automobile accidents and generator–related carbon monoxide poisoning.

According to an emergency management specialist for the Florida Catholic Conference, who is also the coordinator for the statewide disaster response efforts of Catholic Charities of Florida, on Friday morning 947 people were in 42 shelters in 17 counties in the dioceses of Orlando, Palm Beach, Venice and St. Augustine. Nearly 700 homes had been flooded in Brevard County in the Diocese of Orlando and upwards of 1,000 were flooded in the Diocese of Palm Beach, primarily in St. Lucie County. Assessments had just begun in north Florida.

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