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

[seagrovegirl]

Like most of you, I am out of here for anything above a Cat1. been there done that and said I would never stay for a Cat 2 or more ever again...it is terrifying!!!!

My house is nestled under HUGE oaktree's that would splinter my house if they fell........I'm not staying there for anything in high wind.

I have a house on the stateline in Paxton that I bought for a hurricane haven, I'm still in the county and I am on high ground there. The place is ready for a hurricane with gas grill, extra gas, batteries, non-perishable food, first aid kit, water, etc......

Bought the house in 2006 and haven't had a hurricane since. I'm kind of looking forward to testing it out.

 

[Lisa_at_the_beach]

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

We were on the phone discussing your smarta$$

 

[InletBchDweller]

If we were still there full time we would stay. We stayed in the Villas at Seacrest for several storms. We felt secure and safe. With multiple properties in the area it was best of us to stay to help attend those properties. Also, multiple pets and freezers full of food helped with the decision.

We also were there to help our neighbors who did not have generators and were able to check on other people's properties for them.

 

[30ashopper]

Like most of you, I am out of here for anything above a Cat1. been there done that and said I would never stay for a Cat 2 or more ever again...it is terrifying!!!!

My house is nestled under HUGE oaktree's that would splinter my house if they fell........I'm not staying there for anything in high wind.

I have a house on the stateline in Paxton that I bought for a hurricane haven, I'm still in the county and I am on high ground there. The place is ready for a hurricane with gas grill, extra gas, batteries, non-perishable food, first aid kit, water, etc......

Bought the house in 2006 and haven't had a hurricane since. I'm kind of looking forward to testing it out.

That was a brilliant idea. I have to assume you paid very little for it? Any problems with vandalism over long periods?

 

[JustaLocal]

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!

I'm staying!!

I was in school in Tallahassee for Ivan - I think it was. I drove all the way back home afterward since classes got canceled. When I got here, they wouldn't let me cross the 331 bridge. I drove all the way around through Panama City and was stopped at the Walton County line there on Hwy 98 with about 100 other cars full of people. I was told they had to clear the roads, etc. When I finally got in (about 2 hours later), there were barely even any trees down, much less in the road. The power was out, but we are always prepared for that.

If you're here, they don't make you leave, but if you leave, they can darn sure keep you from getting back home. Besides, I love camping.

 

[Bobby J]

I use to stay. Now I split. My definition of a catastrophe is at home without power with 2 teenage daughters. That scares me more then the storm.

 

[Smiling JOe]

This morning's Cat 1 may be this afternoon's Cat 3 or Cat 4. It happens. Look up the history of last years storms. The problem with waiting to see what happens is the traffic. The EOC has to make the call for mandatory evac, days in advance, since they know that evac time is somewhere around 30+hours. If you wait until traffic is on the road, and the storm grows more intense, there is a chance that the bridges may close before you are able to leave, since the winds may precede the actual storm. Remember that Walton County bridges close after wind speeds reach 35-40mph. Let's say you wanted to evac to Atlanta. To leave prior to mandatory evac, it will take you 5.5 hours travel time on average. If you wait until mandatory evac is announced, it will take you 5.5 hours to get to Freeport. It is much easier to just take off for a few days, and not have to be stuck in traffic, possibly with car problems or gas shortages. I will add that the fewer people who stay in SoWal when a big storm hits us directly, the easier it will be for rescue personal. The difference between staying or leaving in a timely fashion, may be the difference in your life or death, and of your friends and family. Hot and humid summer weather, no power for 10 days, no phone service, no grocery store open, no gas station open, roads flooded, downed trees, etc, -- why not be staying with a friend out of town, where you have all of the luxuries, including your life?

 

[TreeFrog]

Ditto to SJ. I have NO interest in hurricane parties, none in trying to function without power, phone, food, or gas for extended periods.

After Ivan (which blew the siding off my house), it was really difficult to buy gas for nearly two weeks. And we didn't even get hit.

How about no cell phone service for over a week after Katrina?

Neither of these storms even hit SoWal. Multiply these woes by 10 if we take a direct hit.

 

[InletBchDweller]

so SJ, the answer to the question. Do you stay or do you go??

 

[enfuego]

"Remember that Walton County bridges close after wind speeds reach 35-40mph. Let's say you wanted to evac to Atlanta. To leave prior to mandatory evac, it will take you 5.5 hours travel time on average. If you wait until mandatory evac is announced, it will take you 5.5 hours to get to Freeport. It is much easier to just take off for a few days, and not have to be stuck in traffic, possibly with car problems or gas shortages. I will add that the fewer people who stay in SoWal when a big storm hits us directly, the easier it will be for rescue personal. The difference between staying or leaving in a timely fashion, may be the difference in your life or death, and of your friends and family"

I vote go!