Would You Evacuate?

[4cruisin]

Dh and I watched some of the coverage of hurricane Ike over the weekend. I was amazed at the number of people that did not heed the warnings and evacuate especially from Galveston.

I think it was Fox News that interviewed a man over the phone. He said that he, his wife, 2 sons age 14 and 16 and another couple were hunkering down to brave the storm. He said that they did not have a vehicle big enough to move the family. Hello, pile the kids on each other's laps, strap the animals to the roof if necessary and get the heck out of Dodge.

I couldn't believe that this man would actually subject his children to such a situation. Seeing the news reports now of all the people that need assistance being rescued etc is just crazy. They were told to evacuate. Now precious time and resources are being spent to rescue people instead of cleaning up and starting to rebuild.

So, my question is, if you were under a mandatory evacuation and were told that death would probably occur if you stayed, would leave or stay?

My answer, dh, the cat and I would be gone in a heartbeat. Load up the cars with what we really needed and leave. You can replace the property but you can replace your lives.

 

[Camicar]

I think on the Today show one person said that they didn't have anywhere to go. I had to think, "Really? I'm thinking the side of the road in Minnesota would be better than ending up in a coffin."

But truthfully, we all do not have the same problem-solving skills. Some people are just stymied by this stuff. And they may die as a result.

 

[Barbossa]

I'm with you, I'd be out in a heartbeat, especially since I have children. Been there, done that, actually, I live in San Diego and missed last year's Witch Creek fire by 3 miles. We were told to evacuate, the van was loaded up and ready to go the night before.

 

[eliza61]

I think on the Today show one person said that they didn't have anywhere to go. I had to think, "Really? I'm thinking the side of the road in Minnesota would be better than ending up in a coffin."

But truthfully, we all do not have the same problem-solving skills. Some people are just stymied by this stuff.

I don't know Camicar,
I don't mess with mother nature. Even if I simply drove to higher ground and slept in the car for a day or two has to be better than running or praying for your life. I can't imagine dialing 911 and being told no one is coming to help you have to fend for yourselves.

We had to evacuate from some serious forest fires once, better believe the nanosecond they said to leave. we hightailed it out of dodge.

 

[JimmyPicker]

I have been under evacuation orders before. Not from the government, though. The preacher and local fire department chiefs came around and asked us to evacuate, and if not, write our names in permanent marker on our arms. We packed up the kids and pets, with pillows, blankets, a change of clothes, and a box of pictures. We were out of there. I'm glad we left. It was pretty devestating when we got back.

 

[4cruisin]

I think on the Today show one person said that they didn't have anywhere to go. I had to think, "Really? I'm thinking the side of the road in Minnesota would be better than ending up in a coffin."

But truthfully, we all do not have the same problem-solving skills. Some people are just stymied by this stuff. And they may die as a result.

There were shelters set up to house people. I cannot believe that if you (the people affected ) called local gov't for assistance, they wouldn't be able to help.

I think you hit the nail on the head...people lack problem solving skills otherwise know as common sense.

So sad that people may have needlessly died.

 

[okeydokey]

Of course I would. Our lives are worth more than our stuff. I would never take the chance of losing my children.

 

[HunnyPots]

Yes and it infuriates me to hear how many people refuse to leave and put the lives of themselves, their kids, and their pets, in jeopardy. Not only that, but to cause their relatives and friends to worry and keep vigil until they know of their safety. And when the storm is over, untold numbers of National Guardsmen, fire fighters, and other rescue workers will have to go out and risk their own lives to rescue those who refused to get to safety when they were warned.
Yes, gas is expensive. But filling your tank does not cost anywhere near as much as burying your family.

 

[lecach]

On the radio this morning one guy said he didn't evacuate and then when he called for help in the middle of it he was told to tie identification to his foot and hang onto a cooler if the water got too high. You know what -he chose to stay. I don't think emergency help should have to risk their lives when someone wouldn't leave.

Years ago my step dad was a town manager for a coastal town. They had a mandatory evacuation and they drove around with loud speakers on police cars announcing that if someone chose to stay they would not be rescued until the storm was over. And they stuck to that.

 

[Darcy03231]

I would definitely evacuate if I were told to do so. I can't imagine trying to ride out a storm like that.

 

[Jennasis]

Absolutely. I can't imagine why anyone stayed. Like the pp said, getting the car and spending a few nights sleeping in it on the side of the road in Utah is better than dying at home.

 

[JB111107]

...and these are the same people who flock to the nearest news camera to complain that there was nobody around to tell them where to go so they could get free food, water, etc.

I seriously wanted to reach through the tv last night and strangle the lady who was whining that her DH was sick and nobody called her to tell her where she could go. She rode out the storm in Galveston instead of leaving now complains that she didn't get personally invited to wherever aid was being distributed, and had to wait in line.

She's *almost* as stupid as the idiot that decided to ride it out on his sailboat....then got ticked when 911 said nope-not coming to get you till the storm passes.

 

[DISUNC]

I'd be the FIRST one out!

 

[Mrs.Reese]

Let's see, I get on my bike for a half mile and see the gulf of mexico. You better believe that I will leave. Emergency services shuts down here at 35 mps sustained winds during tropical storms. People are just stubborn and ignorant.

 

[Evil Genius]

Yep me and the birds would be gone the minute it was mentioned. I'd pack some clothes and the photo albums and adios.

 

[Chuck S]

We were certainly considering leaving last Wednesday when the forecast path had the eye going directly over our house on Saturday afternoon, even though there was no advisory to do so. We were thinking of going o West TX, like Ft. Stockton or even El Paso.

Fortunately. the next day, it was predicted to go much farther East, and we got basically nothing. There is no way I would stay in an area where I was advised to leave.

 

[m&m's mom]

...and these are the same people who flock to the nearest news camera to complain that there was nobody around to tell them where to go so they could get free food, water, etc.

I seriously wanted to reach through the tv last night and strangle the lady who was whining that her DH was sick and nobody called her to tell her where she could go. She rode out the storm in Galveston instead of leaving now complains that she didn't get personally invited to wherever aid was being distributed, and had to wait in line.

She's *almost* as stupid as the idiot that decided to ride it out on his sailboat....then got ticked when 911 said nope-not coming to get you till the storm passes.

I am not in Houston/Galveston but in Dallas. Let me tell you- there was MAJOR help out there. They had the warning the storm was coming and did everything concevable to get them out. I have very low sympathy.
My company has an office in Houston w/ a few hundred employees and we are trucking down food, water and ice and we are a data processing company.
Sorry- I would get out- no question about it.

 

[goofinoff]

I absolutely would evacuate. It's not like you don't have enough warning to pack things up. It's not like a tornado when you have no warning what so ever. They were telling people 2 or 3 days before the storm hit.

 

[cteddiesgirl]

Of course I would evacuate.

I'm sure there is someone in my family that would help me for a few days.

Even if you didn't have family or friends to help you, a few nights in a car is better than being dead.

 

[Amlee]

Yes I would leave. My house and things can be replaced. I can't!

I think my favorite was the family on The Weather Channel. She said they couldn't make up their mind if they were going to leave. With all the packing and unpacking, leaving the back hatch on the car open trying to decide caused the battery to drain dead.