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

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Personally--I don't understand why he accepted blame.

We stocked up--loaded bottled liquids into the freezer to help preserve our food a bit longer if power went.

South Florida is not new to hurricanes.

I think Bush is foolish to accept blame b/c it is going to make it sound as though the state is responsible for preparing on behalf of the residents instead of them doing what they have been told every season for several years now.

Good Lord--they had tax free hurricane supply week. Now I didn't buy my supplies then--so if batteries were unavailable post Wilma if my power went out--that would be "MY" fault and not the governor.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

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You didn't hear all the complaints about the people who evacuated for Rita that "didn't really have to" and "clogged up the highways"???????

Wow...7 exclamation points!

Evacuating is hardly the same thing as stocking up on food and water for a few days, which is the topic of the OP.

But no...I didn't hear anyone called "foolish" for evacuating. Must've missed that report.

 

[snappy]

Hard to know what to do when a hurricane is approaching and every few hours the path shifts in a different direction.. If people go ahead and prepare and/or evacuate "just in case" they're considered foolish - if they don't prepare (or prepare "well enough") and the storm does hit their area, they're considered foolish anyhow.. Seems like a no-win situation to me..

This is very astute.

At our house we err on the side of caution. What is there to lose by being cautious/foolish? I guess we could spend our time drinking in the bars down in Key West like some bozos did.

I can't tell you how many gallons of water, batteries, can goods and other non perishables I have bought, ice I premade, outdoor stuff we have stashed, gasoline tanks filled, cash withdrawn from the bank in advance of a hurricane. Also, I have filled up bathtubs countless times. It is a pain but I won't be doing anything different in the future. Don't know about in Florida but in South Lousisana the LOCAL news people and forecasters advise you to take these precautions DAYS before the storm hits regardless the storm strength. This year it was easy, we still had enough left from Katrina to use for Rita, it was like two for one.

 

[OhMari]

Wow...7 exclamation points!

You didn't hear all the complaints about the people who evacuated for Rita that "didn't really have to" and "clogged up the highways"??????? I thought those were question marks!

 

[C.Ann]

Wow...7 exclamation points!

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Those are question marks - LOL...

It's a no-win situation for people faced with making those decisions..

 

[HayGan]

I honestly can't believe that after this crazy hurricane season that anyone living in a hurricane zone wouldn't be prepared for a storm. Absolute stupidity!

 

[MizBlu]

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.

 

[ducklite]

I'm with you on this. I'm still melting ice cubes that I started making last week!

And I thought I was the only nut case with a freezer full of Ziplocks of ice. The nuttiest part is that I own a generator, so really have no need for it. I guess it gave me something to do all day Sunday while we were waiting for Wilma. I also figured I could give it to those who needed it. What to do with it now though--how about "Party At My Place"!

I guess it's the "It can't happen to me" logic. Granted I don't think that anyone thought it would be as bad as it was but to have nothing in place, just in case, seems really dumb.

I agree. My friends all call me "mom" because I'm the one always fussing over the plans for things. In fact whenever we're all getting together, they let me do the planning, because they know I'll have a plan and a backup. I filled the gas cans in my garage in June. I'll keept he gas there until around Thanksgiving, when my DH will dump it into the car tanks. I was a Girl Scout, can you tell?

On the other hand, why it took the state so long to get things to these people is also a mystery. When I saw those lines yesterday, I wanted to hop in the car and bring my ice cubes down.

I agree--you'd think that one of these days they will learn from past mistakes.

Anne

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

You didn't hear all the complaints about the people who evacuated for Rita that "didn't really have to" and "clogged up the highways"??????? I thought those were question marks!

Oops! Sorry! I was too busy trying to count them without my glasses.

 

[ducklite]

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.

What type of homes did they live in? If you are in FL, and are not in a brick or block home with a well secured roof (retrofitted with tie downs if built before 2002), you and your supplies should be in your car evacuating. End of story.

Anne

 

[ducklite]

Do they have water? Its the no potable water thing, and not enough pressure to flush that worries me.

That's why you fill your tubs. You can always flush by using a bucket of tub water. Which reminds me, I never drained the tub in the guest bath...

Anne

 

[OhMari]

Oops! Sorry! I was too busy trying to count them without my glasses.

Sorry, I usually don't make posts like that. Have a good day!

 

[froglady]

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.

If all of these people standing in line had had their homes destroyed, I WOULD understand their complaints. Most of these people just don't have power, and didn't stock up on supplies, fill water bottles, tubs and containers for "flushing" etc.

They obviously didn't have a plan, and haven't learned anything from what has happened in other areas.

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

 

[chyam]

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.

Yes but for everyone of Your sister there are others who could have used their own supplies, I don't think anyone is putting anyone down but when you live in a hurricane area you prepare as best as you can, there will always be exceptions but I just feel that if people prepare themselves many will be able to hold out until supplies do arrive. It's like living in snow country you always have some "extras" on hand in case you can't get out for a few days, you don't wait til the snow is up to your roof to wonder why you didn't have some extra supplies around. I still feel that we should hold ourselves responsible for our actions but there are circumstances when it does get out of our control like your sisters case but many others take the attitude that it cannot happen to them.

 

[MizBlu]

Yes but for everyone of Your sister there are others who could have used their own supplies, I don't think anyone is putting anyone down but when you live in a hurricane area you prepare as best as you can, there will always be exceptions but I just feel that if people prepare themselves many will be able to hold out until supplies do arrive. It's like living in snow country you always have some "extras" on hand in case you can't get out for a few days, you don't wait til the snow is up to your roof to wonder why you didn't have some extra supplies around. I still feel that we should hold ourselves responsible for our actions but there are circumstances when it does get out of our control like your sisters case but many others take the attitude that it cannot happen to them.

Honestly, so what, and I don't mean that in a mean way as will be explained a paragraph or so down.

And, yes, I do think there is a concerted effort to put down people in distress and it all stems from that theory of Social Darwinism and those who believe nothing is going to happen to them because they're responsible and prepared.

**** happens and eventually, it happens to all of us.

No matter what the reason why folks do not have any supplies, that does not excuse the powers that be for screw ups that occurred..........again.

 

[Chicago526]

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.

 

[froglady]

Honestly, so what, and I don't mean that in a mean way as will be explained a paragraph or so down.

And, yes, I do think there is a concerted effort to put down people in distress and it all stems from that theory of Social Darwinism and those who believe nothing is going to happen to them because they're responsible and prepared.

**** happens and eventually, it happens to all of us.

No matter what the reason why folks do not have any supplies, that does not excuse the powers that be for screw ups that occurred..........again.

No one is saying that being prepared will protect us from all of life's tragedies! If my house burnt down today, all of those hurricane supplies wouldn't do me a bit of good.

BUT, the homeowners insurance I've been paying for will help , and the "rainy day fund" I've put aside will, and the fact that most of my friends and family have done the same and can help me out will also keep me from depending upon the government to help me.

If the whole country is affected? Yes, THEN I'll be in trouble, as will everyone else, including the government. But as long as my supplies are intact, and I'm uninjured, I'll carry on as long as possible....which will be more than 24 hours.

But I guess if **** happens, none of us should bother preparing at all.

 

[goofy4tink]

My dad and step-mom own a condo in Pompano Beach, right on the water. Thank heaven they hadn't left for Florida yet and are still here in Mass but need to get to Florida for doctor's appts next week. But, the bldg they own in is about 12 stories high, concrete, four units on each floor. The units that are on the back of the bldg, that face the west for the most part, lost some walls. They just blew out. Some lost furniture out of the holes that had been a wall. My dad was a bit luckier. His unit faces east (the Atlantic) and south (Ft. Lauderdale). Although he did have storm shutters up on his windows, they still blew out!!! The shutters are still there (after a fashion), but the windows, mostly sliders to a balcony, are all over the floors inside. They had no power so had to use the stairways...tough for some of the residents. So, were they prepared? In most ways yes. But, I think that everyone was surprised with the intensity of the storm as it exited Florida. There's only so much you can do to prepare. If the storm knocks out the electricity, you can't repair your home. You can't get gas to buy supplies since the pumps are run by electricity. Sure, some people just figured it wouldn't be too bad so had nothing put aside. But I know there were a lot of people who were as prepared as you can be, but still got nailed.
And yes....I have an emergency kit for those winter storms up here!!!

 

[froglady]

Goofy4tink, I don't think people who were prepared would have been standing in line waiting for water less than 48 hrs after the storm hit UNLESS they sustained damage.

Unfortunately, being prepared also means considering leaving your 12 story building because you wouldn't have an elevator if the power went out. DM lives in a senior highrise, and they HAVE to evacuate for hurricanes, and MUST list their plan before signing the lease. They either list a family member/friend who will take them (and that person also has to sign the form) or MUST be transported to a shelter. This has to be updated and re-signed yearly.

 

[chyam]

No one is saying that being prepared will protect us from all of life's tragedies! If my house burnt down today, all of those hurricane supplies wouldn't do me a bit of good.

BUT, the homeowners insurance I've been paying for will help , and the "rainy day fund" I've put aside will, and the fact that most of my friends and family have done the same and can help me out will also keep me from depending upon the government to help me.

If the whole country is affected? Yes, THEN I'll be in trouble, as will everyone else, including the government. But as long as my supplies are intact, and I'm uninjured, I'll carry on as long as possible....which will be more than 24 hours.

But I guess if **** happens, none of us should bother preparing at all.

Thank you!!! that is what I mean, to many people are waiting on the other guy to help them! Meaning the government.........
Could relief arrive faster.......perhaps but we also have to realize that those people that are delivering the relief have to be sure of their safety too, then the word has to get out where the supplies are going to be, it does take time, but if people are somewhat prepared it wouldn't life threatening to wait for the supplies to arrive. No one can predict when and where a hurricane will hit (only a guess) but I do know that I for one prepare the best I can and hope for the best, I don't think any of us human beings wish to see others suffer, I hope all of us do the best we can and help one another. Out of Katrina we see lots of awful situations but you also see many stories of humans helping one another.