Too Many Hurricanes, People Not Evacuating

[Feralpeg]

There is a mandatory evacuation order this morning for those along the east coast of Florida and those living in low areas or manufactured homes. Prior to hurricane Frances, the road from the coast were a parking lot because so many people were evacuating. Jeanne will hit the coast early tomorrow morning. They should start feeling tropical storm force winds by this evening. Hardly anyone is leaving. They just showed the roads out of the area and they are clear. I'm afraid that we've had too many hurricanes and that people are just not willing to do it again. This scares me. They say Jeanne will be a cat 3 to cat 4 when it hits the coast. I know they are tired of leaving, but they are playing with their lives. So sad.

 

[Luv2Roam]

I left work early yesterday -- mid afternoon. I take the FL Turnpike westbound.
One reason I left early yesterday was because in the last evacuation it took me an hour to get home. Usually it takes 20 minutes.
I did see several cars and RVs that were heading away from the east.
But nothing like before. It was pretty heavy traffic, but moving pretty good.
We are about as prepared as we are going to get.
We are one of the lucky few that never lost power or had damage from the other two storms. Hoping third time is as good too.

I noticed too there does not seem to be the panic this time. I think we have just been conditioned to it. I am surprised at the businesses staying open today. For the last two hurricanes they closed even earlier than I would have thought.

 

[ducklite]

This is a nightmare.

I talk daily to a friend who lives in an older mobile home in Vero Beach, had a lot of damage during Frances. The insurance people still haven't gotten to her, she's been living in the place with only half a roof. She evacuated yet again, but is afraid this time she might not have a place to return to.

She's been offered refuge at my place, and by another friend up in Jacksonville, but because she and her husband run a small business, she needs to stay in the area.

You want to say to God, "What on earth did these people ever do to you?"

Anne

 

[Kallison]

It looks like it is headed towards Orlando. My friend outside of Miami said no one is putting up shutters or getting prepared other than bringing in their patio stuff again. She said -- I"m not standing in line 2 hours for gas, or food or anything, I just can't take it anymore. I'm so glad we are not in Florida this year. Prayers to everyone, let's hope this one fizzles.

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

I think instead of leaving the area, and traveling for hours many are just going to move to local shelters...Why go to North Florida because we will be hit...Why go to Orlando they may also be effected...Tampa they also could be effected...There just aren't any safe areas to go to. So local shelters will be used more.

Traveling for hours only to be caught in the storm anyway, plus the added expense of the gas and hotel/motel that are in most cases exhorbitant (highest possable rate the motel is allowed to charge)

Economically just starts to financially drain you, add to that supplies and percautions that you have to purchase to secure you home and property...

Hopefuly more Floridian will move to shelters close to their home but in safe locations.

 

[marlasmom]

We just brought in the big plants and the patio furniture AGAIN and Roy is out getting gas. We are 35 minutes southwest of Orlando which is supposed to be the "good" side of the hurricane. If anybody feels they will be better off here, please pm me for my phone number.

 

[Luv2Roam]

I didn't leave for the other hurricanes either. Some of that was due to talking to those who had left in the past. They said never again. It was a pain getting out, and worse getting back.
And like someone said before -- where would you go? It seems you would have had to fly out sometime yesterday, just heading west!

 

[RitaZ.]

I'm taking a break now, we are almost done outside, it's raining. One neighbor keeps asking me if we are going to have our trees taken care of today (the trees had severe damage from Frances). How can we get it done TODAY when no one else has been able to do the work since Frances hit?

One neighbor was having a pine tree cut down and it fell on a neighbor's fence. The owner came out and was screaming at the other neighbors. The stress is really getting to people...

I'm so tired of doing this every other week... Most people are preparing in our neighborhood. I think this one is going to be worse than Frances, I hope that I'm completely wrong though.

Good luck to everyone in Jeanne's path.

 

[marlasmom]

My husband just came in and said by this time tomorrow we will need a new pool enclosure and a new fence. The man just LOVES natural disasters. I can't get excited. I am going to kill him though. Ritz here in Winter Haven it is just beautiful out. I've been working in the garden all morning.

 

[ilovepcot]

The one thing that seemed to upset and further stress evacuees after the last 3 hurricanes was the inability to return home when they chose to. Even though it was explained to them that this was for their safety, many were heard saying they'd never evacuate again. Add the financial strain of gas, food and lodging.....many simply can't put one more item on a credit card.

And those shelters that are available.....many Floridians have heard horror stories concerning community shelters and aren't willing to risk being trapped there. Yes, trapped! You can't leave a public shelter once you sign in until the "all clear".....even if you're so agonized that you're willing to take your chances on the outside. It's no longer your decision to make. Many older residents just don't feel they can be tolerant of excited children running around and crying babies. Sadly, tempers flair on occasion and it's a trying time fo everyone involved. Unfortunately, this may be the safest and only place for many to go.

 

[Poohbear123]

ITS A MAD HOUSE THERE at Publix! I think everyone ate up ALL there supplies from the LAST storms, and had to replenish! ALL our check out lines are backed down the aisles, and we are closing at 4:00pm.

 

[Feralpeg]

We checked into AKL for Frances. We had to board our pets. I just can't do it to them again. What with the move this year, they've been through so much. Our house held up well during the first two, so we are staying home through Jeanne. I have taken all the little things and stored them away again! DD is at a camping retreat. I will be picking her up soon, then we will have a nice dinner here at home and wait. Not looking forward to it.

 

[Talking Hands]

Just went to Walmart in Homestead and it was a madhouse. Had to pick up my scripts. House is boarded, car is gassed and stuff is cleaned up and stored. Guess I am as ready as I will ever be. My only question is will we have church tmw.

 

[Tiggerlover91]

I returned to my job at Ruby Tuesdays in P'Cola for the first time since I evacuated on the 14th and I was amazed driving through certain areas...it looked like a war zone.

One of the cooks I talked to told me that his girlfriend died because she decided not to evacuate and where she lived was a low lying area and her mother's house was flooded. They found her body miles away from what was left of her mother's home....foundation and pipes coming up from the floor. I was like...oh no.

I understand personally people not wanting to evacuate, it's a major drain on you financially, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I had $157+ charged on my debit card because the hotel we stayed at forgot to charge our aunt and uncle for their room, so they put it on our card when we paid cash. It caused a major negative balance in my checking account, but has been taken care of. I'm working just trying to pay rent and all my other bills and this is my first day off upon returning home Monday. I need to consider myself very blessed though, because I've heard of those who have lost homes and as mentioned earlier those who have lost lives. I thank The Father everyday it wasn't as bad for DH and I as it could of been. I know we'll get back on our feet financially, it's just gonna take a little time. I pray for everyone when I hear the stories of what so many is going through, I just ask for the Father to give them guidance and peace.

Well anyway, this has been one heck of a season for FL and I'm about ready for it to be over as all of us are. Blessing to all of you down where Jeanne is coming in.

Denise

 

[Shutterbug]

heres a great source of info

flhurricane.com

Those not evacuating, please please be safe.

This hurricane could be like a charlie, quickly increase strength in a short time before making landfall.

 

[Nancy]

I heard people saying (interviewed on news channels) that they just can't afford it financially. Hopefully these people will start heading to local shelters as the day progresses.

 

[Goofymum]

My parents left WDW at 3am this morning. My mom calls me at 10am this morning and tells me she's in Tennessee! She said they got the heck outta dodge before Jeanne came rollin in!

 

[Tiggerlover91]

Originally posted by Goofymum
My parents left WDW at 3am this morning. My mom calls me at 10am this morning and tells me she's in Tennessee! She said they got the heck outta dodge before Jeanne came rollin in!

I'm sorry they had to cut their trip short....but GOOD FOR THEM! I'm glad financially they were able to do this.

 

[LoraJ]

After our trip to Disney, my boyfriend and I were going to have 3 nights in Fort Lauderdale. We had to evacuate this morning. Thank goodness I was able to get a flight out and we are home safely.

We went out to South Beach last night and no one seemed to be too worried about the storm. My friends did board up all their windows.

My friends were experiencing long gas lines (2 hours yesterday) and then put the fear into me that I better get to the airport extra extra early or we would not be able to get on the flight. I needed to fill my rental car tank up but didn't want to risk it with the long lines. Big mistake, probably should have gone, in hindsigtht the airport was fine. Ended up paying $66 when I left the tank half full.

Anyone know how large the gas tank of a Dodge Stratus is? I think I got charged a bit much when it is supposed to be $5 a gallon.

We're a bit sad that we aren't lying on a beach right now sipping fruity cocktails, but I am glad we escaped the storm.

My friends who live there are in my thoughts as well as all of you who are down there.