I did read that various expensive flood control measures have kept this from becoming an even worse disaster in Florida..

Well the water managment districts have been draining all the small lakes into the larger ones and on south or north. They started this prior to Frances, but that water only moves so fast. The St. Johns River which flows north through east central Florida to Jacksonville, moves very slowly and is in fact, still rising, 4 days after Frances. It is expected to crest tomorrow night (Friday), but since it is actually just a giant flood plain ans quite swampy in places, has nuberous shallow lakes tied to it, it is not going to recede very quickly. With Ivan heading this way, the problem will only be exacerbated.

I have friends who live in a mobile home 2+ miles from the usual banks of the St. Johns near Christmas, FL. The water is currently over 2 feet high around their home. Their cars are flooded, and their geese, guinea fowl, and chickens are all dead.