hurricane to hit the panhandle in recorded history, the most powerful to hit anywhere in the u.s. since 1992, it wouldn't be hard to believe that now. right now almost half a million homes and businesses are without power in florida, georgia and south carolina. so far there are two confirmed deaths. a man in florida, a little girl, sadly, in georgia. the mayor of panama city just across the bridge from you told you they could not get a handle on how many people might need help or rescuing because of phone problems there. is that the case where you are? >> reporter: there are absolutely phone problems. most of us do not have cell service. i spoke with a couple directly across the street from the marina where i'm standing now. they don't have cell service. in fact, the woman, we're showing ysho showing you, when the sheriff came knocking at her door,