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

[Smiling JOe]

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

I've stayed and I've evacuated. The last time I stayed, everyone else I had talked to said that they were staying. I won't say that they lied, but they changed their mind at the last minute. That really made me question my decision, but it was too late to change my mind, unless I wanted to pack the dogs into the canoe and start paddling. All ended well, but we weren't directly hit with the storms.

After watching the massive chaos which ensues a major storm, after trying to sleep in high humidity, high temp nights, and after seeing a storm set a record last year, going from a Cat 1 to a Cat 4 overnight, I don't think I'll be playing that game, anymore, thank you. One other thing to remember is that I have no wife and no kids, and I wouldn't have stayed around during those times when I did, if that were the case. I have family and friends all over the south east USA, and they would likely welcome my dogs and me, ... well, at least my dogs. So, when the time comes I'll likely just take a break from the beach and visit friends. I am trained in rescue, and if I am here during the storms or during the aftermath, I will likely be one of the people who come looking for the people who stayed, so make my job easier, and evacuate as told, or before it becomes mandatory.

My yard is filled with big Oak Trees, and with it being no more than maybe 5 ft above the current level of the Bay, I think my yard will have fish swimming in it if we get hit with the storm surge of a big storm. The house is elevated a couple of feet and things may get a little wet, but at least I wouldn't be trying to sleep in a water-bed.

 

[seagrovegirl]

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

No didn't pay much relative to sowal and I am surprised that I have had no vandalism or even a peep that someone has been there other than me and family. It's a quiet and sweet area and it seems everyone looks after each other there. It's a nice get-a-way from the hustle and bustle of sowal in the summer.

 

[ShallowsNole]

I will evacuate for anything Cat 3 or over. Possibly Cat 2. When we lived south of Freeport, I sat through a tropical storm that was bad enough. I will take ShallowsSquirt, the two small dogs and my kitty. Fuzz is in charge of making sure our Labrador is safe.

My house should be safe, and it should not flood, but historically all WCSO personnel are pulled north, and I am not about to stay down here by myself. Having a destination - my niece's home in Dothan - helps in making the decision.

 

[InletBchDweller]

I have family and friends all over the south east USA, and they would likely welcome my dogs and me, ... well, at least my dogs. .

We welcome friends and dogs.

 

[DuneLaker]

We stay for most. House was built with hurricanes in mind, over code, back and further from water than allowed at the time, large overhangs, screen windows, lots of trees for shading. We also don't use 331 to get back in. The roads in to South Walton from Bay County, (98, 20, 79) are open later and sooner than 331. For Hurricane Opal, we were here from Dallas for Spring Break, so we left to get kiddos and friends home. We did leave about 3 a.m. and beat the crowd out. Stayed in DeFuniak overnight. Oh my gosh. It was worse there with huge pine trees falling over. Would have been safer at the beach. Left the next morning along I-10, lots of pine trees along the highway, but left early and got out okay. Had breakfast at Mom's house thanks to gas grill. They were out of power up there for days. However, uncle came back to SoWal the next day to check on things and as usual came in from the Bay County side. (this is old Walton county, btw). I think the only death from Hurricane Opal was from a tornado up near Crestview. Lately, we only left for Hurricane Dennis and were in more danger on I-10 returning. Traffic was horrible and gas was in short supply. Really depends on if you know how well your house is built, if you are prepared to spend a week in the peace and quiet on the beach with no ac, food, etc., what is your elevation, how large the storm is and where it is coming in. Know your evacuation route. If you can't take care of yourself and really don't understand the circumstances, then leave.

 

[Ocean Lover]

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.

Nice plan.....

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.

I can understand that.





I was just thinking....this is what I would like to do. Hurricane fantasy if you will....

Ride it out at my house in Alys Beach with my personal chef specializing in gas grill cooking. Big a$$ generator and well stocked pantry and fridge.

Add to it if you'd like.

 

[Beachbummette]

Nice plan.....



I can understand that.





I was just thinking....this is what I would like to do. Hurricane fantasy if you will....

Ride it out at my house in Alys Beach with my personal chef specializing in gas grill cooking. Big a$$ generator and well stocked pantry and fridge.

Add to it if you'd like.

Add a well stocked bar and I'm right there with ya!

 

[ckhagen]

I've always lived south of 10 too, in New Orleans/Baton Rouge and for the past 12 years, here.
Cat 3 is our limit. We definitely consider it at 2, but are out by the time the predict 3. We board up, pack the sentimental, non-replaceable items, and head elsewhere. Depending on the track, perhaps to family in LA or to the eastern FL coast. We have kids and that's a big factor, but even if we didn't there are some elements that would convince me to leave.

The last two times we evac'd, we came home to massive pine trees that had fallen in our yard, both narrowly missing our house. So even if you don't think you'll float away or are high enough to not be concerned about storm surge, tornadoes, fires (electric and lightning sparked) with no access to emergency personell and falling trees are still a factor.

 

[Ocean Lover]

Add a well stocked bar and I'm right there with ya!

You got it.

 

[DD]

Nice plan.....



I can understand that.





I was just thinking....this is what I would like to do. Hurricane fantasy if you will....

Ride it out at my house in Alys Beach with my personal chef specializing in gas grill cooking. Big a$$ generator and well stocked pantry and fridge.

Add to it if you'd like.

Add a well stocked bar and I'm right there with ya!

I like the way you girls think.