Evacuate or Not to Evacuate....that is the question....

[Lisa_at_the_beach]

This has probably been discussed many times before here on this board....but I recently had a VERY LONG and HEATED discussion with a friend regarding the entire process of Evacuation......Of course, this person does not live on the coast...unlike myself who grew up on the Texas coast and has never lived above I-10.

Over the last 50 years I have been thru many, many hurricanes.....and mandatory evacuations.....but have reached the point that I think I've made my decision now and say....Not. Too hard to call when to make the decision, too hard to wait until the last minute and get stuck in the nightmare of traffic, too much too much.....

I know, call me crazy....duh??? But....What's everybody's limit? Cat 3? 4? 5? Does it matter? A cat 3 can turn into a cat 5 in a matter of hours and then what?

And....am I the ONLY person who remembers when NO ONE boarded up their windows? What started that trend? It's like a frenzy....you see your neighbors boarding up their windows and you think.....,well, I've got to do it.

I learned that people (friends and family not here) get REALLY upset if you make the decision to stay and ride it out. I just don't think I can handle another evacuation.

So....Who else feels the need to stay put?

 

[Beachbummette]

Yes you are crazy....but that's a different story.

When I was living in our house in Seagrove I always stayed for the tropical storms (when I wasn't hanging out at Collaborations for tornado warnings) and it was not a lot different than just a long drawn out thunderstorm.

I have always said when we move there full time I would probably stay through a Cat 2, but would leave for anything more than that. How about if one looks like it's coming just come on up to Birmingham for a few days?

 

[scooterbug44]

I personally evacuate whenever there's even a chance that the storm will be above a Cat 1, but a great deal of that decision is fueled by:

1) the age/structural stability/infrastructure of my current residence
2) the fact that I can decide to evacuate and have the house & fridge emptied and be on the road in less than 4 hours
3) my guaranteed lodging at a relative's house
4) past experiences of seeing how quickly things can go from bad to horrible

Once I build the Scooterbug bunker, I'll probably be less likely to hit the road at a moment's notice.

 

[rapunzel]

I was right there with you. I evacuated for Ivan and couldn't get back to work for two chaotic days after the storm missed New Orleans and came right up 65, stranding me in Columbus, GA. The power didn't even go off in New Orleans. I lost two vacation days, and the partners were livid because I was the manager and wasn't there to sort out the post false alarm mess. I swore I'd never evacuate again -- i had a hospital with generators and a bring your pet policy, why leave?

Skunky made me evacuate two days before Katrina. I was laughing at him the whole time, and called him a Alarmist Y'at. I only went along with it because it also happened to be the first anniversary of my father's death, and I thought my mom might need some company.

After seeing the aftermath of Ivan in Pensacola and Katrina up and down the gulf coast...I will evacuate for anything above a category 1. The nine false alarms will be worth it if you make the right call once. A little road trip never hurt anyone. When those of us who can clear out don't, it just puts the first responders and the people with legitimate hardships in more danger.

Back roads and a TomTom, a good book and a cooler with snacks and drinks. I'll make the next evacuation a little adventure.

 

[Beachbummette]

I was right there with you. I evacuated for Ivan and couldn't get back to work for two chaotic days after the storm missed New Orleans and came right up 65, stranding me in Columbus, GA. The power didn't even go off in New Orleans. I lost two vacation days, and the partners were livid because I was the manager and wasn't there to sort out the post false alarm mess. I swore I'd never evacuate again -- i had a hospital with generators and a bring your pet policy, why leave?

Skunky made me evacuate two days before Katrina. I was laughing at him the whole time, and called him a Alarmist Y'at. I only went along with it because it also happened to be the first anniversary of my father's death, and I thought my mom might need some company.

After seeing the aftermath of Ivan in Pensacola and Katrina up and down the gulf coast...I will evacuate for anything above a category 1. The nine false alarms will be worth it if you make the right call once. A little road trip never hurt anyone. When those of us who can clear out don't, it just puts the first responders and the people with legitimate hardships in more danger.

Back roads and a TomTom, a good book and a cooler with snacks and drinks. I'll make the next evacuation a little adventure.

Adventure on up to Birmingham! I am very close to The Galleria & The Summit!

 

[joho]

I have always stayed in the area during hurricanes.............two reasons:

Security will not let you back across bridge for a couple of days and
I love the serenity of having the place to ourselves.

If you don't like camping........................leave!

 

[elgordoboy]

I'd like to participate in the discussion but my mind has been in the gutter lately and it shows no sign of improving. Lisa_at_the_beach.

 

[rapunzel]

Adventure on up to Birmingham! I am very close to The Galleria & The Summit!

With bells on! What is your pug acceptance policy?

 

[Beachbummette]

With bells on! What is your pug acceptance policy?

Pugs accepted! Sweetie is very hospitable and will make Patrick feel right at home. The pug...not sure about the skunky one. (jk, he is welcome too, I have guest rooms upstairs that are NEVER used)

 

[elgordoboy]

Rotfl...smarta$$es thanking me for not posting. at exactly the same minute...2:09 p.m.