Hurricane Irma

[Prancer]

If you are low income and are barely living paycheck to paycheck, these items are costly.

Plus it's a lot of stuff to store, so you have to have space that can be dedicated to just that stuff. And you do get advanced warnings with hurricanes; it's not like tornadoes that spring up out of nowhere.

I doubt that I would keep everything on hand if I lived there. I don't keep all that stuff on hand in tornado country.

Niece has made it out of Florida, slowly but surely for most of it, and just reported:

Have had no traffic problems since we hit I-10 doing steady 80mph. It has been incredible with how well managed the gas stations are as police and volunteers direct people to the pumps by what side your gas tank is on and chat with you until it's your turn..and the people traveling are so calm and friendly. All you see is red taillights in all lanes ahead as far as you can see and white lights as far as you can see behind ya. Everyone doing the same thing all together. Haven't had to wait more than 20 minutes for gas.

That sounds a lot better than what I was expecting, so good for the Floridians and may everyone stay calm and safe.

For those concerned about zoo animals (or maybe you just want to smile, because the first photo is amusing): "Flamingos In The Men's Room: How Zoos And Aquariums Handle Hurricanes"

 

[Tesla]

I'm trying to help my friend and her family change their flight from Orlando. They're supposed to leave at 5:40 but the airport is closing at 5:00. She's trying to contact them via phone, and I'm trying to change her flight, or see what's available, via the computer but so far, I can't change her itinerary. It's weird because I was able to hit that button earlier but then I backed out of the change window accidentally and when I went back, the button was unavailable. She's flying JetBlue. I'm hoping she can get a hold of JetBlue on the phone. I feel so badly for her. I want to help but I feel so helpless.

 

[rfisher]

So this is pretty awful. They canceled our flight yesterday and they said we were automatically rebooked today so most people just assumed they were on this flight. I went to customer service when we got off the plane (I was in the very last row after being put on last minute) and most people didn't get on this plane because it got opened to everyone and filled up ASAP.

At this point, I suggest finding your bartender friends, put on Jimmy Buffet's Volcano song and hope for the best. Good luck.

 

[meggonzo]

They are turning the southbound lanes of major highways into northbound so that should help everyone driving out of Florida.

 

[meggonzo]

So this is pretty awful. They canceled our flight yesterday and they said we were automatically rebooked today so most people just assumed they were on this flight. I went to customer service when we got off the plane (I was in the very last row after being put on last minute) and most people didn't get on this plane because it got opened to everyone and filled up ASAP.

I hope because you went to customer service last night means you got on the plane!

 

[olympic]

Well, my husband and I took a drive to South Beach / Miami Beach last night to secure our property there. The place was a ghost town and for people that know Miami Beach, which is always hopping, it is an eerie feeling. We drove down a main thoroughfare and checked the buildings. Miami Beach is a mandatory evacuation zone but judging by lights on in apartments, I would estimate that many people are sticking it out.

We ourselves are sitting in a cave. Our shutters are 90% pulled shut and we will lock them later today. Our building is going to shut off our cooling tower tomorrow to protect the fans from wind damage, so no AC starting then. The big supermarket chain down here 'Publix' has committed to remain open until 9pm today, so if we realize we missed something, we live a half dozen blocks from the nearest one and can get there easily. I was surprised when we went by yesterday for a few more items that the store was reasonably well-stocked. On the way, I spotted a guy in his 20s carrying a huge case of beer. A lot of people have moved here over the past dozen years that have no experience re major hurricanes (the last one was Wilma in 2005). I pray that they will be OK.

I checked the NOAA website and the storm has weakened to a Category 4 w/ 150 MPH winds. I feel like I live in an alternative universe, because I am in a good mood to know that the storm is no longer catastrophic but merely semi-catastrophic! I also checked the tracks and they've moved the track of the eye further west; over the Keys and closer to Naples, FL. Who really knows, though ....

I also want to state that I use the NOAA website and info / maps put out by scientists to gauge my response to Irma. I am really turned off by the news right now. It is borderline hysteria and sometimes even factually inaccurate. Maybe that is necessary to kick some people in the pants, but if one is reasonably intelligent, they can read what science has to say and stay calm(er).

 

[Jenny]

I am really turned off by the news right now. It is borderline hysteria and sometimes even factually inaccurate. Maybe that is necessary to kick some people in the pants, but if one is reasonably intelligent, they can read what science has to say and stay calm(er).

Perhaps this is one reason that some people do not take real danger seriously enough, because media so often cries wolf in an effort to keep viewers tuned in. We've seen it many times in recent years where the end of the world is forecast and then it turns out to be a fraction of what was predicted. This one seems to be the real thing though unfortunately.

Stay safe!

 

[Aceon6]

Regarding that guy with the case of beer... Assuming he's made proper preparations to be safe and has food, water, and a battery or crank radio, he's doing what we did in the Blizzard of 78. Liquor stores aren't priorities, so they won't get power/be restocked for a while. Our liquor stores were down to apricot brandy and schnapps by day 3.

 

[rfisher]

I have a friend in New Smyrna Beach who has been busily boarding up their house, her inlaws house and the 100 year old church that serves as her archaeology firm's office. But, she says they've done all they can do and she, her husband and the 5 cats are hunkered down. She's a life-long FL resident so they know the drill.

 

[Susan1]

I JUST saw on CNN a Red Cross person telling people that they need to bring their own water and food to shelters. Did the millions of people who have been on the highways for two days know that? I know it's not like Harvey, where people were being rescued with nothing but the clothes on their backs and had to be given food, water, clothes, etc. But, really, are these shelters just supposed to be places to keep dry in case your house falls over or is flooded? Are people stocking up on water and bread to stay in their homes or for their own use at the shelter? I'm confused.

 

[4rkidz]

I JUST saw on CNN a Red Cross person telling people that they need to bring their own water and food to shelters. Did the millions of people who have been on the highways for two days know that? I know it's not like Harvey, where people were being rescued with nothing but the clothes on their backs and had to be given food, water, clothes, etc. But, really, are these shelters just supposed to be places to keep dry in case your house falls over or is flooded? Are people stocking up on water and bread to stay in their homes or for their own use at the shelter? I'm confused.

I can't imagine the Red Cross will have enough resources for millions?

 

[Catherine M]

I JUST saw on CNN a Red Cross person telling people that they need to bring their own water and food to shelters. Did the millions of people who have been on the highways for two days know that? I know it's not like Harvey, where people were being rescued with nothing but the clothes on their backs and had to be given food, water, clothes, etc. But, really, are these shelters just supposed to be places to keep dry in case your house falls over or is flooded? Are people stocking up on water and bread to stay in their homes or for their own use at the shelter? I'm confused.

That's actually very common for shelters during hurricanes that you have to bring your own bedding, food, water, etc.

I'm not a big fan of the Red Cross but they are doing their best under extreme circumstances with first having to take care of tens of thousands in Texas and now this massive evacuation in Florida.

 

[KCC]

I have a friend in New Smyrna Beach who has been busily boarding up their house, her inlaws house and the 100 year old church that serves as her archaeology firm's office. But, she says they've done all they can do and she, her husband and the 5 cats are hunkered down. She's a life-long FL resident so they know the drill.

My sister lives there, too, and is doing the same. They are a mile or two inland, so won't get hit by huge storm surges, and the wind actually should not be terrible by the time Irma reaches them. They have a strong house, and last year's Matthew was little more than a typical thunderstorm for them - I hope Irma is about the same.

 

[TOADS]

Regarding that guy with the case of beer... Assuming he's made proper preparations to be safe and has food, water, and a battery or crank radio, he's doing what we did in the Blizzard of 78. Liquor stores aren't priorities, so they won't get power/be restocked for a while. Our liquor stores were down to apricot brandy and schnapps by day 3.

Absolutely!

Every time there is a blizzard here, people rush out for bread and milk.

I rush out for Bushmills and beer.

During the winter of 2015, we had about 5 cases a beer cooling in the coal room plus two big bottles of Bushmills.

Funny I don't remember much about that storm...

 

[olympic]

^I grew up in the Great Lakes Region and have had the dubious pleasure of living thru snow storms / lake effect snows and now Hurricanes in FL. I can remember a snow storm w/ 100 MPH wind gusts as a kid (around 1978) but I don't remember needing to pull shutters or board up the house. Maybe as a kid, I was oblivious and snow storms never scared me but Hurricanes have me much more concerned.

 

[MsZem]

I see that Tony Wheeler hasn't posted in a while, I hope that means that his flight today took off on schedule.

Wishing the best to everyone who may be affected by Irma. Stay safe.

 

[tony]

I'm in Charlotte. My flight to Cleveland is on time and boards in an hour! I've slept all of 4 hours in the last two nights but everything is alright. Happy to see my family soon

 

[Lara]

^I grew up in the Great Lakes Region and have had the dubious pleasure of living thru snow storms / lake effect snows and now Hurricanes in FL. I can remember a snow storm w/ 100 MPH wind gusts as a kid (around 1978) but I don't remember needing to pull shutters or board up the house. Maybe as a kid, I was oblivious and snow storms never scared me but Hurricanes have me much more concerned.

I checked and the 2016 Fort McMurray wildfire is currently Canada's most expensive disaster, followed by the 2013 Southern Alberta floods. Then you have the 1998 ice storm. I wouldn't want to be out in a snow blizzard but agreed they're not nearly as destructive (knock on wood).

Great news Tony!

 

[GarrAargHrumph]

^I grew up in the Great Lakes Region and have had the dubious pleasure of living thru snow storms / lake effect snows and now Hurricanes in FL. I can remember a snow storm w/ 100 MPH wind gusts as a kid (around 1978) but I don't remember needing to pull shutters or board up the house. Maybe as a kid, I was oblivious and snow storms never scared me but Hurricanes have me much more concerned.

This is forecast at 100mph sustained winds in Orlando; gusts will be stronger than that. So it's different from what you experienced in a blizzard. It's pretty freaky.

Generally speaking, in modern construction in FL, the windows themselves are built to sustain a major impact or two - for example, a structural 2x4 hitting it. The shutters are because what tends to happen is that the impacts are continuous. The shutters also help with the winds, if you don't have the modern super windows. They're made of metal, and they roll down/pull down over the windows and, in the case of my dad's house, also doors.

My sister, who you may remember is evacuating via Greyhound bus, has made it to Delaware. So she's finally out of the southeast, and thus all is well-er. Although I doubt she'll ever evacuate again. I actually wonder if this will get her to move back to Mass. if she can somehow afford it.

 

[BlueRidge]

I'm in Charlotte. My flight to Cleveland is on time and boards in an hour! I've slept all of 4 hours in the last two nights but everything is alright. Happy to see my family soon

Hooray!

 

[Catherine M]

My sister, who you may remember is evacuating via Greyhound bus, has made it to Delaware. So she's finally out of the southeast, and thus all is well-er. Although I doubt she'll ever evacuate again. I actually wonder if this will get her to move back to Mass. if she can somehow afford it.

Glad she is getting closer to being home.

I'm worried about evacuation fatigue for Florida/Georgia/South Carolina with everyone leaving and some areas not going to get the extreme conditions.

Evacuation indifference happened here in south Louisiana in 2004/2005. In 2004, Hurricane Ivan was suppose to hit NOLA and everyone left, in horrendous traffic jams. It turned and barely an inch of rain fell with little wind so people swore they weren't leaving ever again. So the next year, when Katrina was heading our way, some made the fateful decision not to leave cause of what they went through with Ivan and I know of one person that lost their life in St. Bernard Parish.

 

[4rkidz]

That's actually very common for shelters during hurricanes that you have to bring your own bedding, food, water, etc.

I'm not a big fan of the Red Cross but they are doing their best under extreme circumstances with first having to take care of tens of thousands in Texas and now this massive evacuation in Florida.

Internationally they have done incredible work

 

[MacMadame]

Yes, I am actually a big fan of the Red Cross. I find most of the articles against them tend to be full of misleading statements. They have a decent rating on Charity Navigator. They use most of the money for actual relief and don't use most of it for "administration." They are organized and efficient and have saved many lives.

The biggest complaint I have seen against them is that their C-level execs make 6 figures. I'm okay with that in today's economy even if I find CEOs making millions (when you add in the bonuses) contributes to income equality and other bad things.

 

[tony]

Back home with family now. Thanks everybody! And @olympic and everyone else stay safe!

 

[4rkidz]

Back home with family now. Thanks everybody! And @olympic and everyone else stay safe!

So glad you are safe and at home.

 

[Barbara Manatee]

Before every hurricane the Weather Channel gives people tv time for not evacuating, and then wonders why they don't leave.

Be safe, all.

 

[Aceon6]

Before every hurricane the Weather Channel gives people tv time for not evacuating, and then wonders why they don't leave.

Be safe, all.

I wish they'd start the interviews with "Please tell us why you're staying" and if they really didn't have a good reason, say "Well, you're an azzhat" then end the interview. I did see one person who wanted out but didn't have any plans and the news crew got her to a shelter.

 

[UMBS Go Blue]

Or broadcasters should have the courage to say "if you're in the danger zone and you're watching right now, you probably shouldn't be watching and you should GTFO" if you have the means to do so, or otherwise seek shelter.

Of course, it certainly wouldn't be in their economic interests to tell viewers not to be viewers.

 

[TOADS]

I'm waiting for a news reporter get clobbered by some debris in the high wind like what happen to the news reporter in The Day After Tomorrow when the guy was clobbered by a flying billboard.

 

[Susan1]

I'm waiting for a news reporter get clobbered by some debris in the high wind like what happen to the news reporter in The Day After Tomorrow when the guy was clobbered by a flying billboard.

I forget what network it was already, but one of the weather people went in a wind tunnel thing to show what certain amounts of wind felt like. She was strapped in and goggled and padded and stuff. When it got up to a Cat 1, the skin on her arms and cheeks and pants legs were flapping away, but only one strand of hair on the back of her head fluttered around a little. Category 1 hair spray?