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

[MizBlu]

I had this discussion with my boss today. I am not a Bush fan, either one of them, but I tell ya, people had plenty of time to prepare and they should have. He was right on with that comment, whether it ticked some people off or not.

The government relief agencies had just as much warning as the regular folks.

 

[MizBlu]

Well said. What hurricane doesn't take out the electricity, impact the gas pumps, obstruct roads? Its unbelievable to me that a family couldn't be prepared for 5 days on their own. Was it a surprise?

Wilma was no surprise to the government relief agencies either. They weren't prepared............again.

 

[Donalds_best_pal]

Yea, Wilma wasnt expected to strengthen like she did. Florida EOC and NHC said night before to prepare for a CAT 3 hurricane. Many people did and many didnt. I dont know all thats going on in south florida but I feel people probably were just caught off guard. I dont think its really anyones fault. Overall the NHC did great forecasting for this hurricane. It wasnt until last minute when they noticed shear wasnt affecting it like it was thought it would.

Matt

 

[AdventurerKat]

The government relief agencies had just as much warning as the regular folks.

You're right, they did. But with all of the natural disasters occurring down south here, I expect resources are stretched thin, including the people to move those supplies. Do I think there have been some screw ups? Sure. Disorganization? Yes. But the bottom line is if people didn't take the time to prepare, whether they thought it was a 1, 2 or 3, the ones they really need to be angry with are themselves.

I do think the 72 hour rule is probably not a good one, just because you don't know how much damage might occur to roads and such which could prevent supplies from coming into a devestated area. So maybe you should prepare for a week. Who knows. But if someone tells you to at least have 72 hours worth of supplies on hand, then do it.

I just moved here in March and by June 1st, my supplies were bought. No storm was coming my way, but it was the start of hurricane season and anybody living down here should take that seriously, especially after all the storms that hit this state last year. The canned/non-perishable goods at the end of the season can worked into your regular meal planning for the next few weeks or donated to a shelter or food bank. The water, you drink it or water your plants with it. And the cost of this preparation? I would say around $30.00 for our family of four including the batteries to run our radio.

I am sorry that there are people suffering through this throughout the state as a result of Wilma. Its a terrible thing, but the one thing that they could have controlled in all of this is the preparations to feed and provide safe drinking water for their families. Why people would choose not to do that is beyond me. Especially when for days it was tracking to the same general area in South Florida.

 

[goofygirl]

My grandmom has lived in FL for over 20 years, and has ALWAYS been prepared. Her stockade of flashlights, batteries, etc is kind of a running joke in our family!

But I am REALLY glad that she did that, as she's been without power quite a few times while living there.

 

[PrincessKitty]

Yea, Wilma wasnt expected to strengthen like she did. Florida EOC and NHC said night before to prepare for a CAT 3 hurricane. Many people did and many didnt. I dont know all thats going on in south florida but I feel people probably were just caught off guard. I dont think its really anyones fault. Overall the NHC did great forecasting for this hurricane. It wasnt until last minute when they noticed shear wasnt affecting it like it was thought it would.

Matt

There's no reason in the world they should have been caught off guard, if they had a TV or radio. Doesn't matter if it's a Cat 1 or a Cat 3, you still should expect lengthy power outages and should know to stock up with food and water. It was all over TV, radio, and newspapers for what, a week?

 

[marybet]

I don't understand the long lines at this early stage. We have been through 3 hurricanes and have never stood in line for ice or water. With Ivan we were without power for 2 weeks, and we went and got a free lunch once because stepson and DIL had come to help cut up the downed trees. We had enough to last until the stores reopened.

If you are in a shelter I can see how you could run out of stuff, I mean there is only so much you could carry in and they tell you to bring whatever you need. I think some people get it because it is free. There are those who can't afford to stock up but that can't explain all those people.

 

[Donalds_best_pal]

There's no reason in the world they should have been caught off guard, if they had a TV or radio. Doesn't matter if it's a Cat 1 or a Cat 3, you still should expect lengthy power outages and should know to stock up with food and water. It was all over TV, radio, and newspapers for what, a week?

By caught off guard I just ment not prepared for CAT 3. Now truthfully I really dont think they should be off guard. Then there were a few days were the mets here in florida were saying it was lucky to hit as a 1 or 2. Now yes still expect lengthy power outages and damage with 1's or 2's. People here sometimes think owe they were saying CAT 3 or 4 and now 1 or 2, not a big deal and blow it off. They dont seem to think that doesnt mean things cant change. Any hurricane coming your way you need to be preapred. All and all people in florida should have been prepared. We were ready in tampa incase it came here which was a distinct possibility. We had water, bread, canned foods. Also had evacuation plans ready incase it was heading our way and neeeded to leave. we were ready.

Matt

 

[LisaR]

I would really be curious as to why so many of you in hurricane zones rely on your local news to keep you informed? Many of you said that your local news downplayed this storm. I don't pay much attention to my local news. However, ALL of the hurricane sites I rely on anticipated the east coast getting hit just as hard as the west coast for at least 36 hours before the storm made landfall. They all said the hurricane was moving so fast that it wouldn't lose much power as it moved across the state. My advice is stop relying on your local news stations.

As for those that weren't prepared, I am sorry but I have zero sympathy. We live in a hurricane state. If you can't prepare for a hurricane, then go live somewhere else. Sorry, but I am so sick and tired of listening to these people complain. We have lost power so many times in my lifetime that I can't recall them all. Trust me, it stinks when you are without power for 2 1/2 weeks and it is 98 degrees and 100% humidity. But we never ran out of water to drink because we were prepared. It was warm water but it was still water. Prepare or live with the consequences.

Obviously, my anger is not aimed at anyone that lost their home but in the case of those on the east coast, most have NOT lost their home. They just flat out didn't prepare and felt the government should rush to help them three hours after the storm past. Yep, this is a real sore spot with me.

Lisa

 

[ducklite]

Lisa,

I rely on a combination of local news, weather.com, flhurricane.com, and the NOAA/NHC site. I don't have to do a whole lot when a storm is coming, because I've taken the personal responsibility to have food, water, fuel, a generator, flashlights and batteries, etc. always on hand. Most of what I do has to do with securing the house--bringing in lanai furniture and covering windows if applicable. For Wilma, the furniture stayed in, the windows remained uncovered, but I could have covered them very quickly had the need arisen. In my area the biggest risk was tornado's, and windown coverings don't help against those.

Anne

 

[Donalds_best_pal]

Personally I listen to the local news a little bit. But since I am a weather expert studying to eventually be a met, I know what to read and look for. I just think the biggest suprise was it stregthened prior to landfall. We knew whatever it hit as it wouldnt weaken over florida much. I guess some people truly though this thing would hit no way as a CAT 3.

Matt

 

[MizBlu]

You're right, they did. But with all of the natural disasters occurring down south here, I expect resources are stretched thin, including the people to move those supplies. Do I think there have been some screw ups? Sure. Disorganization? Yes. But the bottom line is if people didn't take the time to prepare, whether they thought it was a 1, 2 or 3, the ones they really need to be angry with are themselves.

There is no "Yes, but.....".

Either the government was prepared or they weren't.

Either the government learned from the mistakes of the past or they didn't.

The government should not get a free pass. It isn't funding or stretched thin resources that's causing the problems. It's incompetence. And I don't understand why people are so willing to put up with it. For crying out loud, we're the United States of America not some third world country without resources.

Government lives up to the standards you set, and we're watching the system fall apart because too many cannot quite bring themselves to demand better.

And, yes, it was Jeb Bush who advised against hoarding and told folks to prepare for 72 hours because their government was ready.

 

[lyeag]

There is no "Yes, but.....".

Either the government was prepared or they weren't.

Either the government learned from the mistakes of the past or they didn't.

The government should not get a free pass. It isn't funding or stretched thin resources that's causing the problems. It's incompetence. And I don't understand why people are so willing to put up with it. For crying out loud, we're the United States of America not some third world country without resources.

Government lives up to the standards you set, and we're watching the system fall apart because too many cannot quite bring themselves to demand better.

And, yes, it was Jeb Bush who advised against hoarding and told folks to prepare for 72 hours because their government was ready.

We are also watching too many people sit back and expect the government to take care of them. How much of this problem is caused by the sheer number of people who did nothing to prepare? It sure is easy to blame the government isn't it? The leeches who did nothing and could have are the first to complain. If everyone who could pulled their own weight and prepared like they should have, there wouldn't have been such an initial strain on the system. Perhaps when Jeb made those remarks he expected the people in his state to do their part as well. Gee, I guess he now has to plan not only for the needy but the lazy also. Those who stocked up and those supplies ran out after a couple of days, I can relate to.

People were lining up the next morning demanding supplies. Gee, I guess that didn't throw a kink into the plan did it?

 

[MizBlu]

We are also watching too many people sit back and expect the government to take care of them. How much of this problem is caused by the sheer number of people who did nothing to prepare? It sure is easy to blame the government isn't it? The leeches who did nothing and could have are the first to complain. If everyone who could pulled their own weight and prepared like they should have, there wouldn't have been such an initial strain on the system. Perhaps when Jeb made those remarks he expected the people in his state to do their part as well. Gee, I guess he now has to plan not only for the needy but the lazy also. Those who stocked up and those supplies ran out after a couple of days, I can relate to.

People were lining up the next morning demanding supplies. Gee, I guess that didn't throw a kink into the plan did it?

There it is: if you need help, you're a leech.

And that is the real bottom line to this entire discussion.

 

[Mom2Ashli]

We are also watching too many people sit back and expect the government to take care of them. How much of this problem is caused by the sheer number of people who did nothing to prepare? It sure is easy to blame the government isn't it? The leeches who did nothing and could have are the first to complain. If everyone who could pulled their own weight and prepared like they should have, there wouldn't have been such an initial strain on the system. Perhaps when Jeb made those remarks he expected the people in his state to do their part as well. Gee, I guess he now has to plan not only for the needy but the lazy also. Those who stocked up and those supplies ran out after a couple of days, I can relate to.

People were lining up the next morning demanding supplies. Gee, I guess that didn't throw a kink into the plan did it?

They did an interview with a guy in Everglades City which got hit hard. The reporter asked him some question about what is he going to do next. The guy replied "We take care of our own and we will help each other out until we are back to where we need to be". Wow. Give that guy a medal. He is willing to help himself.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

I would really be curious as to why so many of you in hurricane zones rely on your local news to keep you informed? Many of you said that your local news downplayed this storm. I don't pay much attention to my local news. However, ALL of the hurricane sites I rely on anticipated the east coast getting hit just as hard as the west coast for at least 36 hours before the storm made landfall. They all said the hurricane was moving so fast that it wouldn't lose much power as it moved across the state. My advice is stop relying on your local news stations.

I DON'T rely on the local news. I know better, that's why I saw what was happening. Not everyone knows about hurricane sites such as www.flhurricane.com.

In my area the mandatory evacuation order for those living in mobile or manufactured homes didn't come down until 7:30 PM Saturday because until that point it didn't look like it was going to be necessary. And then were told to be out by 10:00 AM Sunday, less than 24 hours prior to Wilma's landfall. So all this gobs of time stuff really isn't true. There is a lot that changed in those last 24 hours.

I don't blame the NHC. Weather is very fickle and can change at any time. It was right on with the forecasted track and that was quite impressive.

 

[lyeag]

There it is: if you need help, you're a leech.

And that is the real bottom line to this entire discussion.

Yeah if that's all you got out of it sure For those who read they saw I said those WHO COULD HAVE PREPARED BUT DIDN'T are the leeches. I stand by my statement.

 

[AdventurerKat]

There it is: if you need help, you're a leech.

And that is the real bottom line to this entire discussion.

No, the bottom line is people should have been better prepared. They were warned and warned and warned and obviously many of them still didn't bother. People have to realize that there is only so much the government can do, especially by the day after. I am sure the government has learned alot and still has more to learn ,but you're talking about coordinating assistance for thousands and thousands of people. Its not going to run smoothly, ever. Maybe it can go better than it has but again, people need to have a little self accountability here. Do your best to insure that your family has the food and water it needs before the storm hits. That's not too much to expect of the citizens of this state.

Again, I am not a Jeb Bush fan but in the context of this incident I stand by what I said, he was right on with that comment.

 

[LisaR]

There it is: if you need help, you're a leech. And that is the real bottom line to this entire discussion.

Wow! That is all you got out of this? That is sad.

I don't think there is a single person on this board that would deny aid to those that have lost their entire house or the elderly or ill. However, when people are lining up for water just hours after the storm hits, that is ridiculous.

I do not believe my governments job is to take care of me when I have lost power. I have been 2 weeks without power more then once in the middle of summer and when I lived up north, I spent up to one week without power more then once during ice storms. I have NEVER, EVER stood in line for ice, water or food. Granted, I drank warm water but the point is, I had my own water. I had my own food. I had supplies necessary to survive. Believe me, it got old quickly. I wasn't happy. I was in tears at times. But, I survived because it is MY responsibility to take care of myself.

I am not a fan of Jeb. However, I have to say he has done a wonderful job over the last 18 months during all of our hurricanes. He has been more then prepared. Too bad the same can't be said for some of the people that live here.

Lisa

 

[ToriLammy]

There is no "Yes, but.....".

Either the government was prepared or they weren't.

Either the government learned from the mistakes of the past or they didn't.

The government should not get a free pass. It isn't funding or stretched thin resources that's causing the problems. It's incompetence. And I don't understand why people are so willing to put up with it. For crying out loud, we're the United States of America not some third world country without resources.

Government lives up to the standards you set, and we're watching the system fall apart because too many cannot quite bring themselves to demand better.

And, yes, it was Jeb Bush who advised against hoarding and told folks to prepare for 72 hours because their government was ready.

Maybe that's the biggest difference, most folks know the government is made up of people, not some big super entity that is all knowing, all capable and flawless. Those who complain that the government failed to do something seem to forget that people often can and will make mistakes regardless of how prepared they believe they are. Or maybe the people who are blaming the government just like to bash the other side regardless of what they do

I'd be curious to see proof of Jeb Bush advising folks not to hoard supplies and to limit themselves to only 72 hours of supplies. Everything I've seen or read said a MINIMUM of 72 hours of supplies. He was even advising folks to use the extra time when Wilma slowed down on Saturday to get more supplies.

I did find one reference to hoarding - it was about gasoline

The governor also urged people not to horde gasoline, which frequently causes long lines at gas stations and some to run out of fuel. Bush said an estimated 200 million gallons of gas is available at Florida ports, enough for an adequate supply.

Maybe that's the real problem - people only half listen to what is being said.