Would You Evacuate?

[Amlee]

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.

That is exactly why I say their is no excuse for a Hurricane death in the U.S.!

Not even with Katrina. Yes, the local, state, and federal government all failed those people. But a good part of those people made the choice to stay.

 

[hereyago]

Ok, I have been one of those stupid people who stayed, almost 5 years ago on the 18. I stayed because I didn't think it would get bad and I didn't know at the time about "dog friendly" hotels.

You know people are like well if I don't live in a flood zone, or my house is strongly built, a tree came on and in my strong brick house and all I know is someone up above was looking out for me.

I have no sympathy for those who decide to stay. No material possessions are worth my life. A big part of my things were destroyed, things like my DGM's bedroom furnitre she gave me, but at least I thought ahead to have my parents take my pictures and important papers with them.

I saw this guy on CNN from Galveston had his famiy wearing life vests in the house and they put names and SS numbers on and then they fled in a boat, how dare he put his kids in such danger.

And another guy in Louisiana was on the news talking about how he wanted to leave but the 911 operator told him no one could come get him and how mad he was at himself and the operator-hello you CHOSE to stay.

Now they are on a massive search and rescue because of these idiots wanted to stay.

 

[4cruisin]

I think not only common sense but personal responsibility has to play a part in situations like these. You cannot rely on local gov't officials to always save you. I know that dh and I can afford to stay at a hotel for several days if there is no family nearby, which there is fortunately.

I understand not wanting to leave an animal behind, I would never leave my cat. That's why people are saying, sleeping in a car for a few days is a much better idea than staying behind and writing you name and ss # on your body.

I'd much rather be uncomfortable in a hotel, shelter or even a car for a few days than try to get through a hurricane when I have been advised that death would probably result if I stayed.

I was just curious if I was being judgemental or if other people agreed that it would be best to leave.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

I'd be out in a heartbeat, but I'm sure my husband would want to stay because he thinks I overreact. I'd have the dog, and my DD and be long gone. We live in NJ, right across the river from NYC, so if even a Cat 2 was headed this way for a direct hit, we'd be screwed big time. My DH likes to joke. We own a home in the Poconos and he says he's sure at some point it will be considered waterfront property if a big one comes toward NYC. If that ever happens, I'll also be out of a job since I work in lower Manhattan.

I feel sorry for the elderly and homeless, who might not have anyone to go to for assistance. Not everyone owns a car or has a friend or relative to stay with. What really breaks my heart is that some people honestly believe they have no one and no where to go. I can't imagine being that lonely.

 

[HelenePA]

I'd be the FIRST one out!

I'd be right behind ya... I could NOT see any point of staying... even if my house survived and got looted it would be worth it knowing my children were SAFE!!! Its not worth any chance in the world! Plus I hate wind.. that would be like going thru a living nightmare for me!

 

[Tiggerlover91]

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.

I have a 9 month old son....I would leave in a skinny minute!

 

[C.Ann]

Chicken here.. I'd be gone in a heart beat!!!

Last night into early this morning we had some high winds up here in the mountains (upstate NY) bad enough that they woke me up.. I've been through lots of bad storms up here and I have to say that the one last night actually scared me..

My two lots are littered with broken tree branches.. So if 20 to 45 mph wind gusts managed to scare me last night - well - I don't think I have to say anything more..

 

[FergieTCat]

Only if I could take my cats. If not, I'd stay with them.

I should add that I live in NYC and do not have my own car. I would only evacuate if I were allowed to take both cats on public transportation. If not, we'd stay home together.

 

[DisneyTN]

That is exactly why I say their is no excuse for a Hurricane death in the U.S.!

Well said. With all the technology we have to forecast Hurricanes in the U.S, and with all the time allowed for safe retreat from high risk areas, I don't understand how there can be any deaths. Makes no sense.

 

[SC Minnie]

After going through Hugo in '89 and living 90 miles inland at the time it was terrifying. If we were close to the coast now and told to evacuate I would be gone before they finished saying the word. Seeing what damage Hugo did even 200 miles inland was unbelievable. Trees snapped like toothpicks.

 

[RitaZ.]

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?

We would leave. There is no way that I would stick around to "brave the storm".

There will always be some deaths during strong hurricanes. Some of them occur because people are irresponsible, as in going outside to watch the hurricane or to move a car. However, there have been deaths when people were inside their homes, that were not located in evacuation areas, that have been killed when a tree came through the roof, or when the roof was ripped off and the trusses fell on them inside their home. They didn't do anything wrong, but they died anyway.

I have sympathy for all people affected by hurricanes, even those that decide not to evacuate. Maybe it's because I've been through a few hurricanes and know what it's like. It's a very humbling experience. And, we've been fortunate that we've never had to deal with our home being destroyed. I can only imagine what that feels like. It's a very scary thing to know that everything that you had and owned is now gone. It's not easy to just pick up and start a new life somewhere. In the end, you do whatever you have to do to get on with your life, but it's really a traumatic experience.

 

[laurie31]

Only if I could take my cats. If not, I'd stay with them.

I should add that I live in NYC and do not have my own car. I would only evacuate if I were allowed to take both cats on public transportation. If not, we'd stay home together.

We got evacuees from New Orleans (from Gustav), and the shelter here was equipped for animals. Officials said they had learned from Katrina how important it was to also provide for pets, or people wouldn't leave.

One family staying in the shelter here was interviewed for the news and said they left for Katrina but their dog perished This time, they were able to bring their dog (on the evacuation bus) and it was housed safely too.

The pets were kept in a facility across the street from the shelters. It was staffed 24/7 with volunteers from the Humane Society, so the animals were well-cared for, and never left alone. The owners could come and visit them whenever they liked.

I'm sure Birmingham isn't the only city that made provisions for pets in its shelters, so please don't think you have to stay because of your pets.

(I mean all pet owners, not just the poster I quoted)

I have to agree that I just can't grasp someone staying because they have nowhere to go. If someone doesn't have a friend or family member, (which...dang, that's REALLY sad!) and they can't afford a hotel, then THEY are who the shelters are for! Come on!

 

[EveDallas]

My son and I would be gone in a heartbeat. If other people are stupid enough to stay - well I believe that is called "thinning the herd".

 

[Becky2005]

I would be out of there! We had tons of rain on Saturday, first time in at 14 years that I've been living in my subdivision, they closed off one of the ways to our street. I ended up having to make a detour.

For that matter, they had to close some of the Interstates due to flooding.

It wasn't even really all that bad but my first thought was "I would SO be gone if I was in an evacuation area...I can't even imagine the flooding going on the gulf coast area if I'm having to manuver around detours with flooded roads for this rain."

 

[Amlee]

We got evacuees from New Orleans (from Gustav), and the shelter here was equipped for animals. Officials said they had learned from Katrina how important it was to also provide for pets, or people wouldn't leave.

One family staying in the shelter here was interviewed for the news and said they left for Katrina but their dog perished This time, they were able to bring their dog (on the evacuation bus) and it was housed safely too.

The pets were kept in a facility across the street from the shelters. It was staffed 24/7 with volunteers from the Humane Society, so the animals were well-cared for, and never left alone. The owners could come and visit them whenever they liked.

I'm sure Birmingham isn't the only city that made provisions for pets in its shelters, so please don't think you have to stay because of your pets.

(I mean all pet owners, not just the poster I quoted)

I have to agree that I just can't grasp someone staying because they have nowhere to go. If someone doesn't have a friend or family member, (which...dang, that's REALLY sad!) and they can't afford a hotel, then THEY are who the shelters are for! Come on!

I don't buy the we don't have any place to go excuse either. Cullman's Wallace State took in 1,200 evacs. Most of them were the homeless from New Orleans. They were bused in and bused out.

 

[Shadeaux]

We were under a mandatory evacuation for Gustav....we left. Two weeks later there was a mandatory evacuation for people living in mobile homes or flood prone areas for Ike. They highly suggested a voluntary evacuation for everyone else...we left again. This area was hit hard by Rita so people around here take these evacuation orders seriously. Other than our power being out for 36 hours after Ike and lots of branches and small trees down from both storms, we had very little damage. To say I'm exhausted from storm stress is putting it mildly, but I'm not taking chances with our lives.

The state had chartered buses available to take people to shelters. Anyone needing a ride to the buses could call and arrange to be picked up at their homes. There was no excuse for anyone staying if they felt like they'd be in danger.

 

[JimB.]

I can't evacuate, but I would make sure my wife, kids, pets & important papers were g-o-n-e in a New York Minute.

 

[christineann]

I would leave and did evacuate for the first time with my children and pets during Hugo in 1989. Our area was under mandatory evacuation several hours after we left. My house was almost destroyed by the storm surge, and I can't imagine what it was like in the house with the rising water.

My son is a police officer and was called in for storm duty recently as a precaution for a hurricane. I would hate to see my son and all emergency workers endangered because of someone else's refusal to heed warnings..... but I know him, and he would gladly do it, as would the others.

Authorities and the animal shelter have established pet friendly shelters in our area

 

[kmebee]

I have friends that live between Galveston & Corpus Christi. When they were being told to evacuate, if they refused, the "evacuators" wrote their SS number on their arm in magic marker. That would've been my sign to grab my things and go go go!!!

 

[suzimar57]

if we were told to evacuate, we'd be gone ASAP - no riding out storms for us, no way....

things can be replaced.