Hi Elizabeth,
You say you were in Panama City in the 50's. Me too. I was stationed at Tyndall AFB from 1957 to 1959. I re-visited the town in the 70's and a thing we call "progress" had ruined it. The miles of pristine beaches had been supplanted with hotels, motels, gas stations, fast food restaurants and what have you. A huge shame. The beautiful beach environment was killed by the greedy developers.
I feel so sorry for the folks in the Florida panhandle, Alabama, Georgia, and Louisiana. Mother Nature is going to hit them hard. I see on CNN this morning that two people in Panama City have lost their lives already in a tornado spawned by the hurricane. It is a huge tragedy.
Take care, Elizabeth.
Best Wishes,
Chuck