TALLAHASSEE -- State assessment teams are moving into the areas damaged overnight and this morning by Hurricane Ivan, which hit the Florida Panhandle overnight.
At a 9 a.m. briefing today, state officials said it is too early to detail damages or death toll, although preliminary reports are that at least eight died as a result of the storm.
"Significant damage has been reported," said Craig Fugate, emergency management director. "Florida did take a major hit."
Ben Nelson, state meteorologist, said the storm moved ashore at 3 a.m. EDT, just west of Gulf Shores, Ala. Hurricane force winds extended out as far east as Walton County.
Rain bands and tornadoes are expected throughout the day across the Panhandle.
"It was a very long night for our neighbors to the west of us and for the residents of Alabama and Louisiana," said Gov. Jeb Bush. "This was a devastating storm, my heart goes out to the people who were in it."
Asked if he is disheartened by the arrival of yet another hurricane, the governor said: "It's sad. I don't know quite why Florida has had this run of storms, but that's the way it is. I'm sad people have lost their lives, but also encouraaged by the acts of kindness, love and compassion I've seen."
Bush also praised the work of Fugate and the state's emergency management team, calling them "tremendous heroes"
"I won't be down about this, but I'm sad," Bush said.
Bush appeared at the early-morning briefing in a wrinkled khaki colored short-sleeved shirt, looking tired and strained. He said he plans to travel to the area as soon as it is safe.
"We have the resources to deal with this, thanks to the private partners and the federal help we are getting from FEMA.
Florida, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana have jointly requested disaster declaration. This marks the third time Florida has requested it in less than a month.
"This storm was as strong as Charley and nearly as large as Frances," Bush noted.
Gulf Power, the major utility in the panhandle, reports 80 percent of its customers lost power - as of this morning 338,923 customers are out.
There is major damage to all three hospitals in Pensacola, the worst is at Baptist Hospital, according to Alan Levine, secretary of the agency for health care.
All three hospitals are without power.
Levine says Baptist lost the use of its emergency room when its roof blew off. It houses 200 patients.
The state is assessing how to get water and power to the hospital, which doesn't have air conditioning but does have have generators. If needed, patients may be moved to hospitals in Alabama and Mississippi.
All three hospitals have window damage. No patients were injured as they were moved to interior hallways.
West Florida is in the best condition but problems could develop quickly with the post-storm surge of people seeking treatment.
HCA owns West Florida and is flying in teams of doctors and nurses from other facilities to help. The state may have to help the other two hospitals, which are non-profits.
"Baptist is the one I'm most concerned about," Levine said. "They can't call out so we call them every hour."
At the state fairgrounds in Tallahasseee are 2,000 National Guard troops ready to move west in the rescue effort.
The Red Cross had 26,000 people in shelters Wednesday night and reports 100,000 meals ready to go west as soon as conditions permit.
