There is something that I just don't understand...Wilma related

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I guess none of you people ever had your "hurricane supplies" destroyed in the very storm you collected them for as my sister did.

She had lots of supplies too........and then Charley blew her house away. Happened to 4 or 5 other neighbors too.

My attitude is still "there but for the grace of God go I". End of story.

problem is--a lot of us have been there.

These are not people whose houses are blown away. There houses are "just fine" in hurricane speak. Probably damaged--maybe even severely...but the "blown away" homes are not matching with the #'s whining and complaining.

We should know better--and we don't. This state does many drills and has fully prepared its citizens. I cannot fathom why the Governor is taking blame.

And when I evacuate--I take a good portion of stuff with me.."just in case" my house is blown away.

 

[FergieTCat]

My mom lives in Delray Beach; my brother just bought a townhouse there and is temporarily staying with my mom until it's finished.

They did prepare, had plenty of food and water. But, they had no power, and the water in the tap in unsafe for drinking (and personally, if it's unsafe for drinking, I wouldn't shower in it either). Also, my mom is in her late 70's and does not own a barbeque grill -- therefore they have no ice and no way of cooking food. Not to mention to no lights except for flashlights after it gets dark. SO ...

My brother drove them up to Orlando, where they are staying in a condo somewhere in Kissimee (did I leave out some s's?) until next Monday. I'm almost jealous of them now! I can just hear the commercial:

You lost your power to Hurricane Wilma, what are you going to do next???
I'm going to Walt Disney World!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

How could anyone in a hurricane zone watch what unfolded with Katrina and not start thinking about "what if?"

Forget Katrina...they watched what Andrew did to their neighbors and still didn't prepare properly.

The first Katrina death when she was Cat 1--was a tree falling on someone and the first death in South Florida from Wilma was a tree falling on someone. It seems that if the Hurricane isn't forecasted to be a 4 or a 5...they think it is nothing.

What is going on right now is what happen when it's treated as "nothing".

 

[C.Ann]

Just heard on the news that one of the call centers down there has received 52,000 calls in regards to food, water and ice - many from elderly shut-ins.. If you live down there and you know of any elderly folks who can't get around, take a minute to check on them..

 

[lyeag]

I think a lot of it is people just didn't believe the storm would have the strength it did as it exited the state. My aunt said she never dreamed it would be as strong as it was. She lives just north of West Palm. People just didn't take it seriously on the east coast and Key West.

 

[Keggy]

I don't know why people don't prepare. We are in North Orlando and we still prepared. The thing about being on the outer bands of a hurricane is that you have to have to be prepared to go to work after the hurricane. Last year one of my co-workers was without power for two weeks after the hurricane, yet we were still open. She ended up staying with friends and we took laundry for her since she didn't have clothes clean for her boys to go to school or for her to wear to work.

So, now in addition to ice, water, canned goods, gas up the cars, get money out - we add do laundry ahead of time and take showers the night before.

Kelly

 

[Miss Jasmine]

I just spoke with my friend that lives in Broward County. She did prepare, but she is now out of ice. Plenty of food and water otherwise, though. So I do understand many people needing ice at this point, and gas too as many companies are still requireing workers to go to work (my friend said most are being asked to help clean up their work places from damage). But food and water? Heck no! Unless you're so poor that you don't have the money to buy supplies, there is just no excuse for not having at least a weeks worth of food on hand in Huricane Country.

Hmmm lets see we are told 72 hours of food and water. How many hours have now passed? I can totally see people being out of supplies at this point.

It's nice how once again we can all sit here in a confortable environment and throw the blame on people who are suffering.

I'll be perfectly honest, it wasn't until Sunday morning that I realized the **** was going to hit the fan with regard to Wilma. But I came that conclusion no thanks to the media, but because of my own research and understanding. I swear that most people had no idea it was going to hit this hard, especially those on the East coast. It was practically being downplayed and cast as a west coast problem. What wasn't really taken into account was the effect of the cold front just entering into Florida and its interaction with Wilma. This was a storm with the worst weather to the NORTH. The front also caused the eye to explode creating a much larger wind field, especially with regard to hurricane force winds. The winds were bad in ALL quandrants of this storm. There was no "dirty" side, it was ALL bad.

As for the not evacuating comments on this thread...The EOC states that if you have a house built to current hurricane standards, that you are not in a mandatory evacuation area, that you do not live in a low lying area, that you have your home PROPERLY protected, and you have supplies, you are better off in your home. You hide from wind, run from water. And when evacuation orders are issued, we are always cautioned not to go hundreds of miles, but to go to the nearest, safest place. Believe me anyone that DID evacuate, are now back home dealing with the issues before them. People barely wait for the storm to pass before they start heading back to see what has been done, even when they are cautioned about the conditions they are going back to. Could you really NOT go back to see what happened to your home? That's why I really felt for the NO Katrina victims, since they couldn't get back for a very long time to see what was left.

 

[chyam]

I think a lot of it is people just didn't believe the storm would have the strength it did as it exited the state. My aunt said she never dreamed it would be as strong as it was. She lives just north of West Palm. People just didn't take it seriously on the east coast and Key West.

Quite honestly if I lived in the Keys I would have been out of there, people that live there and don't heed the warnings get what they deserve, the Keys is very vulnerable and the whole area of the Keys was given ample time to leave and also they had evacuation shuttles. It burns me up when you hear stories of people calling the police etc when they are in trouble and are in an evacuation area..........they expect others to risk their lives because they were not smart enough to leave in the first place.

 

[C.Ann]

Hmmm lets see we are told 72 hours of food and water. How many hours have now passed? I can totally see people being out of supplies at this point.

It's nice how once again we can all sit here in a confortable environment and throw the blame on people who are suffering.

I'll be perfectly honest, it wasn't until Sunday morning that I realized the **** was going to hit the fan with regard to Wilma. But I came that conclusion no thanks to the media, but because of my own research and understanding. I swear that most people had no idea it was going to hit this hard, especially those on the East coast. It was practically being downplayed and cast as a west coast problem. What wasn't really taken into account was the effect of the cold front just entering into Florida and its interaction with Wilma. This was a storm with the worst weather to the NORTH. The front also caused the eye to explode creating a much larger wind field, especially with regard to hurricane force winds. The winds were bad in ALL quandrants of this storm. There was no "dirty" side, it was ALL bad..

-----------------------

Very good points..

 

[chyam]

I don't know why people don't prepare. We are in North Orlando and we still prepared. The thing about being on the outer bands of a hurricane is that you have to have to be prepared to go to work after the hurricane. Last year one of my co-workers was without power for two weeks after the hurricane, yet we were still open. She ended up staying with friends and we took laundry for her since she didn't have clothes clean for her boys to go to school or for her to wear to work.

So, now in addition to ice, water, canned goods, gas up the cars, get money out - we add do laundry ahead of time and take showers the night before.

Kelly

I too feel like you, last year we didn't even take a direct hit and many of my co workers were without power for up to 2 weeks and yes we had to be back to work, most of us pulled together and helped them. We have several showers at work so most were able to use them, we also have a cafeteria which provided many with hot meals.
The point is FL is a hurricane zone, we all need to prepare something. One poster said that in her area the weather people were down playing the whole thing, I live in the Tampa area and we were well informed here, I was in Orlando for the weekend and chose to leave a day early to get home before the storm, just in case in went one way or another, I also felt that I may have given up a room for someone further south that may really have needed one. There were folks there from Ft. Myers that had already booked for that week, they left early one morning to go back and secure their home and get important things and then came back to WDW to hunker down.
Perhaps I over prepare but I always fill tubs and washers full of water to use for cleaning and for the pets water and for the toilet. I also have several cases of water on hand and food that does not need to be heated.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

Tampa-West Coast. Like I said this was made out to be a west coast problem and those to the east would be dealing with SOME issues, but not at all what ended up happening.

 

[froglady]

Hmmm lets see we are told 72 hours of food and water. How many hours have now passed? I can totally see people being out of supplies at this point.

It's nice how once again we can all sit here in a confortable environment and throw the blame on people who are suffering.

But people were standing in line THE DAY AFTER looking for water. TODAY is 72 hours, and there would be MORE supplies to go around if they didn't have to start giving them out yesterday, and some on Tuesday. It's obvious that some people didn't even prepare for 24 hours, never mind 72. The warning was for food and water for a MINIMUM of 72 hours. Every June the stores, newspapers, etc have booklets, flyers, whatever, with a list of things that each resident ANYWHERE in Florida should have at ALL times...which includes water and food for 72 hours. That should be ADDED to if a warning is issued in your area.

It's on TV, it's in the papers, it's in the stores. Does each person need an individual hurricane planner to sit down with them every year, make sure they have what they need, and call and remind them what to do when a hurricane warning is issued?

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Hmmm lets see we are told 72 hours of food and water. How many hours have now passed? I can totally see people being out of supplies at this point.

They had footage from yesterday morning. 72 hours hadn't passed yet.

As far as it being one problem versus another---how many times have you posted about the cone and be prepared?

I'm not understanding it at all.

Yes I'm enjoying this from the comfort of my home--but last year I "enjoyed" it from the discomfort of my home as did you.

This is my 4th hurricane on record from personal experience and I learn something new with each and everyone.

This is hurricane # lots in less than 18 months and it seems that noone has learned anything. In all these hurricanes Bush has never had to take responsibility for it--and I just don't get why now???

They were warned--they took it lightly and yes..I am saying that from a quite comfortable home--but my sympathy threshhold is a bit light.

It just seems we're so easy to make excuses.

As the governor said when Katrina was a 1---it is still a hurricane!

 

[sodaseller]

Still not fine in many places. FTR, I don't agree with his politics, but I do think Gov. Bush has been very competent in this role, esp. thru Craig Fugate. But I think this is Karma because he could not resist a cheap shot last Monday

http://www.sptimes.com/2005/10/27/State/Was_South_Florida_rea.shtml

Gov. Jeb Bush, who boasted Monday how prepared the state was, acknowledged shortcomings Wednesday in getting water, ice and food to victims. He accepted full responsibility.

"We did not perform to where we want to be," Bush said.
Bush's buck-stops-here candor was unusual, given the state's impressive track record of hurricane preparedness and the governor's personal reluctance to publicly admit failures in governing.

But he had little choice. Bush has said the Federal Emergency Management Agency was unfairly blamed for problems that are the responsibility of state and local governments. On Monday, he criticized Louisiana's response to Katrina. "In the case of Louisiana, it was left to the federal government to fill a void, and the consequences are there for the rest of the world to see," Bush said then.

Again, I think they have done a fine job overall and desreve credit. But if you carry water for your brother's failure, expect some Karma

 

[sodaseller]

We should know better--and we don't. This state does many drills and has fully prepared its citizens. I cannot fathom why the Governor is taking blame.

I happen to agree with you that they have done a fine job. But he is having to "take blame" because he ran his mouth Monday to make a political shot about how perfectly prepared we were in contrast to La. Things happen. But he claimed they don't if your Governor is Reoublican, in so many words.

Reminds me of some of my fellow Gator fans that can't go to work on Monday after a loss because they ran their mouth so much last week. When you do, expect to hear it back

 

[ducklite]

So, now in addition to ice, water, canned goods, gas up the cars, get money out - we add do laundry ahead of time and take showers the night before.

Kelly

We did this as well. It's just common sense to be prepared for things.

No matter what time of the year it is, I keep bottled water for at least 3-4 days on hand. You never know when you'll have a water main break. There's no way to possibly prepare for everything life could throw at you, but at least have the common sense to CYA on the basics.

Anne

 

[lyeag]

But people were standing in line THE DAY AFTER looking for water. TODAY is 72 hours, and there would be MORE supplies to go around if they didn't have to start giving them out yesterday, and some on Tuesday. It's obvious that some people didn't even prepare for 24 hours, never mind 72. The warning was for food and water for a MINIMUM of 72 hours. Every June the stores, newspapers, etc have booklets, flyers, whatever, with a list of things that each resident ANYWHERE in Florida should have at ALL times...which includes water and food for 72 hours. That should be ADDED to if a warning is issued in your area.

It's on TV, it's in the papers, it's in the stores. Does each person need an individual hurricane planner to sit down with them every year, make sure they have what they need, and call and remind them what to do when a hurricane warning is issued?

Exactly. I spoke with my aunt yesterday on the phone. She said she was out and about earlier in the day and was amazed at the sheer number of people lining up for the free stuff. Now she lives in Stuart, not the hardest hit, but plenty of people without power and there were stores open. They didn't have everything, but they were open. Gas stations were open with huge lines. She found it very hard to believe that many people, only 48 hours after the storm, had nothing to eat and had to rely on goverment MREs.

Also, after seeing Katrina and Rita, anyone who had the means to stock up and didn't is an IDIOT. You can't predict what mother nature is going to do. Yep, I sit in my comfy home and I am judging. Why? Because I have the common sense to know that there is no way the government is going to be able to step in and save everyone's butt in the event of an emergency. It just isn't possible. I wish people would stop believing that someone else is always going to be around to save them from whatever. It would be nice, but it isn't reality.

I live in OK, and I have a well stocked storm shelter. I plan ahead when I buy so that I have been able to stock it a little bit at a time.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I happen to agree with you that they have done a fine job. But he is having to "take blame" because he ran his mouth Monday to make a political shot about how perfectly prepared we were in contrast to La. Things happen. But he claimed they don't if your Governor is Reoublican, in so many words.

Reminds me of some of my fellow Gator fans that can't go to work on Monday after a loss because they ran their mouth so much last week. When you do, expect to hear it back

Gotcha.

I suppose we would have been more prepared if more people did what they were supposed to do .

 

[Miss Jasmine]

But people were standing in line THE DAY AFTER looking for water. TODAY is 72 hours, and there would be MORE supplies to go around if they didn't have to start giving them out yesterday, and some on Tuesday. It's obvious that some people didn't even prepare for 24 hours, never mind 72. The warning was for food and water for a MINIMUM of 72 hours. Every June the stores, newspapers, etc have booklets, flyers, whatever, with a list of things that each resident ANYWHERE in Florida should have at ALL times...which includes water and food for 72 hours. That should be ADDED to if a warning is issued in your area.

It's on TV, it's in the papers, it's in the stores. Does each person need an individual hurricane planner to sit down with them every year, make sure they have what they need, and call and remind them what to do when a hurricane warning is issued?

Yeah well some people don't like to listen and prepare. I know until last season I never had a hurricane kit, it took Charley rolling through to get me going. Thank goodness that woke me up since we then had Frances and Jeanne.

 

[PrincessKitty]

Except for the elderly and the ill and the VERY poor, I think it can be chalked up to denial and ignorance.

During the hurricanes in September 2004, we did not even get hurricane force winds within 50 miles of here (we had gusts up to 70, and sustained winds around 50 miles/hour). DH and I lost a total of about 20 trees on our little acre of woods. We were very lucky nothing came through our roof--many people had trees come crashing through. Our electricity was out for 3 days, and many people in our city were without electricity for a week or more.

People think it's "only" a Cat 1 or 2 and don't realize what this means in terms of destruction. I do wish the Weather Channel wouldn't interview and feature those dumb people who always drawl something like, "We-e-l-l-l, we've never left for any other hurricane and we've been just fine so I'm sure we'll be just fine for this one." It really sends the wrong message.

The Weather Channel also ostensibly shows wethercasters standing out in 110 MPH wind, saying dumb things like "It's so windy, I can hardly stand up!" and showing store signs blowing off, and other minor things. First of all, NOBODY would be standing up in hurricane force winds. That's absurd. I had to walk my dog during the non-hurricanes last year, and almost got knocked over by the non-hurricane force gusts.

At 110 MPH winds, you are NOT standing up and there are NOT just a few signs blowing around. Trees are crashing into houses and cars, boats are being thrown out of the water, roofs are peeling off. The Weather Channel doesn't show you that stuff because they can't be outside and shooting footage in that kind of storm. Instead, they stand in a shelter and make a big deal about a sign blowing around or some garbage blowing down the street, as if THAT is the sum of the destructive force of a hurricane. Yeah, it really burns me.

My mom, dad, sister, and husband lived in Miami when Andrew hit. They absolutely would NOT evacuate. My parents were lucky and were in an area that barely got hit. My sister and her husband were on the edge of where Andrew hit, and spent the entire storm in terror and were without electricity for literally weeks.

I knew from watching TV that Andrew was going to be a devastating storm--but they were all way, way into their denial: "You're such a nervous person! I'm sure everything will be just fine," etc., etc., to listen to me. I don't understand how people can refuse to face what is happening around them.