Let Us Not Forget 2004 & 2005

[KatDaddy]

Many people were affected by the 2004 and 2005 hurricane seson. Many people across the States have been just as affected by severe weatther. We all need to help each other.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-mdICTqlX0

[srainhoutx]

Thanks for posting this KatDaddy. I was moved again, as I was at that time living through those years. We need to continue to be there for each other.

[lebron23]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjDmG9xOjk0


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39HUZyGU2OA

[KatDaddy]

It was a tough time. Several of our friends on the board lost everything.

[lrak]

2005
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eT5K6FR_eVs

2006 space movie
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5725Etc4bI

[Ptarmigan]

Great and moving video tribute. Hurricane Katrina, Rita, and Wilma claimed more than 2,700 lives. Never forget the 2004 and 2005 Hurricane Season.

[Frank2]

That number is shocking and we tend to forget that - thanks for reminding us when we complian about one thing or another...

[Eyewall]

04 and 05 were the most fun I ever had tracking hurricanes. I can remember after we escaped hurricane Ivan here in New Orleans I knew that was the last time we would escape,and that we would get hit with a hurricane next season.And it did happen one for the history books.Before katrina I would always wonder what it would be like to get hit with a major hurricane and I can say it was everything I thought it would be and much more.

[Calasanjy]

04 and 05 were the most fun I ever had tracking hurricanes. I can remember after we escaped hurricane Ivan here in New Orleans I knew that was the last time we would escape,and that we would get hit with a hurricane next season.And it did happen one for the history books.Before katrina I would always wonder what it would be like to get hit with a major hurricane and I can say it was everything I thought it would be and much more.

Wow, did you actually enjoy being hit with Hurricane Katrina? If your experience was anything like most in New Orleans I couldn't imagine it being anything enjoyable.

Of course, tracking the storms and observing them from safety does deliver an adrenaline rush, although you know it's going to wreak a lot of havoc for those caught in the path. And most who experience something like that are forever attached to hurricane tracking. Not certain if you meant you enjoyed being in the hurricane or simply enjoyed following them. I certainly hope no storm of that caliber hits for the next several decades (of course there are going to be more disastrous storms eventually, it's inevitable because nature never sleeps).

[JonathanBelles]

I think, here at least in Florida, that Apathy has grown since 2005 with the last 2 quiet years. News stations in the area, businesses in the area have seen the differences and general attitude has changed.

[dwg71]

I dont forget, I'm in the insurance business located on the Gulf Coast, my name is mud in most parts.

[jinftl]

I don't really get a sense that there is a growing apathy...in my experience anyways....in Florida regarding storms. I think 2004 and 2005 were huge wake up calls. In South Florida, that is especially true after Wilma. That storm is still a reference point as far as people's perceptions of what a storm can be like when it happens in our everyday lives.

Not having to prepare for or deal with a storm since 2005 doesn't mean we have grown apathetic....I think people will prepare more after having experienced Wilma here....i see that in small ways all over....people picking up non-cordless phones to use in case the power is out, buying cell phone chargers that can be used in the car, etc.

[Janie2006]

Some people aren't the sharpest knives in the drawer. If you experienced the 2004 and 2005 hurricanes and you're apathetic, well, there's something wrong. I was there and I don't forget. It's a great pity that some people will never learn from the experiences of others.

[jinftl]

exactly...i think when your own everyday life is impacted...as it was in florida in 2004 & 2005...people remember and learn...more so than when your only familiarity with storms might be through stories of experiences from generations past. folks down here (as most coastal residents have no excuse not to be after those epics years) are much more hurricane savvy now then even 5 years ago.

Some people aren't the sharpest knives in the drawer. If you experienced the 2004 and 2005 hurricanes and you're apathetic, well, there's something wrong. I was there and I don't forget. It's a great pity that some people will never learn from the experiences of others.

[gatorcane]

But some parts of Florida have been spared greatly from powerful hurricanes. Even South Florida has escaped since 1992 and metro Miami/Ft.Lauderdale/West Palm have escaped for several decades somehow. Wilma was only a CAT 2, the real wake-up call will be when a 1947 Okeechobie hurricane or a 1926 Great Miami hurricane comes barreling through with winds of 150mph+.

Talk to those that lived in Florida in the 1920s-1940s where things were much more active than they have been over the past 50+ years.

[vbhoutex]

I think the wake up call has been made a couple of times. What you are describing GC is DISASTER, pure and simple whether people are apathetic or not.

I must agree with others that there is really no one in FL(or for that matter anywhere. imo) that hs any excuse to be apathetic about Hurricanes.

[gatorcane]

I think the wake up call has been made a couple of times. What you are describing GC is DISASTER, pure and simple whether people are apathetic or not.

I must agree with others that there is really no one in FL(or for that matter anywhere. imo) that hs any excuse to be apathetic about Hurricanes.

Believe it or not, I run into people all the time that are still apathetic even in Florida. I really think there are people living in hurricane-prone areas (like SE Florida) that know a disaster can happen, but think the chances are so remote that it just won't happen in their lifetime. Katrina certainly was a wake-up call though no doubt.

If people were not so apathetic, there wouldn't be long-lines at the last minute to pick up things like water and plywood or other things that should have been done PRIOR to the hurricane season.

[jinftl]

The fact that Wilma was a Cat 2 and managed to become the 3rd costliest storm in U.S. history was in a sense a wake-up call to the realization that a Cat 4 or 5 in the same area would be unimaginable....the wake-up call was to our vulnerability of such an event occurring....and quite honestly, with a Cat 5 hitting, not sure any amount of preparation will spare you major suffering if you are in the eye wall of such a beast...

But some parts of Florida have been spared greatly from powerful hurricanes. Even South Florida has escaped since 1992 and metro Miami/Ft.Lauderdale/West Palm have escaped for several decades somehow. Wilma was only a CAT 2, the real wake-up call will be when a 1947 Okeechobie hurricane or a 1926 Great Miami hurricane comes barreling through with winds of 150mph+.

Talk to those that lived in Florida in the 1920s-1940s where things were much more active than they have been over the past 50+ years.

[KWT]

Yep I agree with the point about Wilma. florida also had a close call with the likes of Frances and also to a certain extent Jeanne. Whilst both were still obviously powerful hurricanes Frances at its peak of 145mph was a lot more powerful then it was at landfall.

I dread to think what would have happened if Wilma had managed to stay offshore rather then go inland.

[docjoe]

I agree with the statement that people are becoming more apathetic. Although I recently moved to south Alabama I had lived in Santa Rosa county the past several years. We were impacted heavily by Ivan and took the eye of Dennis directly. From my experience since then people have started to forget or assume that since we had 2 close together that we will be safe for awhile. Hopefully as the season ramps up people will take things more seriously

docjoe