It is very interesting to read all these posts and see that although we live in the same country and observe the same hurricanes that there are so many varying views of what kind of threat these Hurricanes pose.
I wonder what the statistical odds are of getting hurt or killed during a hurricane. If 15 people died as a result of the storm last night and another 30 were injured, and the population in the track of the storm was 300,000 (very conservative) then that means you have a .015% chance of being injured or killed by this hurricane. I have a greater chance of getting killed or injured in traffic every day on my way to work (of course I live in Houston so the risk is probably higher than most parts of the country).
I'm not diminishing how terrible it is when someone loses their life when lightning or a tornado or a hurricane strikes, not saying that you shouldn't move to higher ground if you are in a surge or flood path, or move to a reinforced building if you live in a substandard structure - but how much should we be allowing these events to influence our decisions? Do you never go outside during a storm because you might be hit by lightning? I know some folks are going to go through the roof when they read this, but I'm just wondering where we draw the line between a healthy respect for something and panic.
I see the post about where the "red line" is aimed when this hurricane is so far out. Ivan's "red line" was aimed at Key West last week and it was supposed to hit on Sunday - just pointing out how unreliable those forecasts are.
I've lived on the Gulf Coast for 30 years, and have seen many hurricanes. I have a healthy respect for them, but I guess I know how unpredictable they are and realize you can't have a "Storm of the Century" (imagine a stern reporter's voice if you will) every time one of these comes through.
If folks cancelled their vacation this week because of Ivan and are going next week they may be facing Jeanne. If they cancel because of Jeanne, then what about the "K" and "L" storm that will be brewing after that. That's pretty much my observation. I'll get my coat of armor out now
http://www.weatherunderground.com/tropical/tracking/at200411_model.html
That could have been a nice little three day weekend at the parks! There is a tornado warning and watch out for here now, I think that Montgomery and Birmongham are supposed to get worse weather than us. We lived in South Alabama when Hurricane Opal came in (Oct. 4, 1995). The damage there was less than they had here in Columbus GA, 100 miles north of there. Everyone just pray that I don't lose power and find myselk shut up in the house with to whining kids and a psycho dog 
If I have to I'll run the generator just so they can watch movies (Disney of course,getting ready for our trip in less than three weeks)
Eisner is behind all of these storms. He is upset that he will be stepping down in 2006 & doesn't want to see Diseny make money. He is forming these storms so we all cancel & Disney has less of a profit. 
