Bush declares state of emergency in Fla

[WhirlWind]

Just what we wanted to hear....

whirlWind
aka Carrie

[Derek Ortt]

we're declaring states of eemrgency for a weak TS?

[WhirlWind]

Just read that and was wondering the same thing
WhirlWind

[Lindaloo]

I read that Tampa emergency management has partially activated their staff.

[VeniceInlet]

Well, better to be overprepared than under, I guess. As long as it doesn't cause people to become complacent.

[pcwick]

I kinda liked the bat phone comment. I would not want to be an official responsible for civil defense in Florida now. I once lived on the coast in the Tampa Bay metro and I got interested in tropical storms and began researching. I learned that a full evacuation of the Tampa Bay metro was estimated to take 96 hours in the mid 1990's. I doubt the estimate could have improved much. With the GFDL forecasting that in 84 hours Ernesto will be a powerful hurricane at the mouth of Tampa Bay, I think officials must begin to prepare the population even while Ernesto putters around.

This is a good article explaining what the officails are up against:
http://www.oxfordpress.com/biz/content/ ... 9_COX.html

Here's a few points the article makes:

- People in Tampa Bay metro have not had to deal with a major storm since 1921.
- Demographics in Tampa Bay metro are disproportinately elderly.
- The Tampa Bay metro area is 200 square miles larger and has 2.5 million people, compared with 1.3 million in metro New Orleans before Katrina.
- Much of the population is concentrated on land that lies less than 20 feet above sea level.
- Any significant storm surge in the bay will be catastrophic.

Much more of interest in the article... MacDill Airforce Base, Port of Tampa, the Aquarium

Back when Charley threatened, there were three online references to the 96 hour evacuation estimate for Tampa Bay. I can't seem to find them anymore.

[gtalum]

While it may be a little bit early, it's probably a good idea.

[jlauderdal]

I kinda liked the bat phone comment. I would not want to be an official responsible for civil defense in Florida now. I once lived on the coast in the Tampa Bay metro and I got interested in tropical storms and began researching. I learned that a full evacuation of the Tampa Bay metro was estimated to take 96 hours in the mid 1990's. I doubt the estimate could have changed much. With the GFDL forecasting that in 84 hours Ernesto will be a powerful hurricane at the mouth of Tampa Bay, I think officials must begin to prepare the population even while Ernesto putters around.

This is a good article explaining what the officails are up against:
http://www.oxfordpress.com/biz/content/ ... 9_COX.html

Here's a few points the article makes:

- People in Tampa Bay metro have not had to deal with a major storm since 1921.
- Demographics in Tampa Bay metro are disproportinately elderly.
- The Tampa Bay metro area is 200 square miles larger and has 2.5 million people, compared with 1.3 million in metro New Orleans before Katrina.
- Much of the population is concentrated on land that lies less than 20 feet above sea level.
- Any significant storm surge in the bay will be catastrophic.

Much more of interest in the article... MacDill Airforce Base, Port of Tampa, the Aquarium

Back when Charley threatened, there were three online references to the 96 hour evacuation estimate for Tampa Bay. I can't seem to find them anymore.

was my bat phone comment actually deleted from this thread?

[Terry]

The Gov has to declare a State of Emergency in order to activiate "the troops" so to speak.

[Timedrifter]

Did he declare one for Alberto?

[sfwx]

I'd much rather see the State of Florida be proactive rather than reactive.


Eric

[Stephanie]

I can't really blame the Govenor for that. It's what may happen with the flooding, etc. that could be a cause for concern. The past few years have been hell. I'd rather see the states proactive as well.

[Jim Cantore]

Looks like we may have learned a lesson from last year. Better to be safe then sorry.

[jinftl]

Can you imagine what would happen if the governor and emergency management saw that the storm has weakened and did nothing? At this level, it is a mix of politics and science....the moves the government might take over the next few days may not just be based on the latest model runs....the risks of not preparing for the worst could come at the cost of the safety of the public.

[rxdoc]

New legislation in Florida passed this previous session also allows you to get prescription medication refilled even if it is "too soon" for refills per your insurance provider. It is better logistically to call the state of emergency in advance even if there is the remote possibility that something catastrophic could occur.

[pcwick]

... it is a mix of politics and science....the moves the government might take over the next few days may not just be based on the latest model runs....

Agreed. Talking about politics here abouts tends to get one's posts deleted. Ha, ha.

[crazycajuncane]

Geez how can you ask people 96 hours out to evacuate when the storm track changes 200 miles over 48 hours? That is the whole reason people don't evacuate.

There are lots of factors included when it comes to evacuting. Some people don't have the resources... some people have jobs that won't let you off until 24 - 48 hours before a storm.... it's almost impossible to evacuate 4 days in advance for MOST people.... then the last 24 hours everyone who couldn't get out has to either stay or go.

They need better contraflow evacuation plans, because the forecasting even 3 days out can't give you the answer. If we rely directly on forecasting.... we'd be S.O.L....

[yzerfan]

The other big thing the state of emergency law does is that it makes the anti-price gouging laws go into effect. So for now you can't sell gas, plywood, etc. for more than the less of today's price or your wholesale cost.

[Cookiely]

I imagine its to get the troops and supplies to the Florida line so as to get help in as soon as possible. Wasn't that part of the problem with the disaster relief for Louisiana? The governor wouldn't sign the papers or something. With intensity forecast so iffy better safe than sorry. Just because it comes off Cuba as even a depression, doesn't mean a Cat 2 won't be knocking at the door of the Tampa Bay area or surrounding counties. Do you have any idea how many nursing homes are in our area. They are supposed to have their own disaster plans, but you can bet that some of them will need assistance. I think someone mentioned 96 hours to evacuate the area. I really think that is understating things when just five o clock traffic ties up the bridges and major highways. During Charley I had to go to five gas stations before I could even fill up. Thanks to storm2K I filled up two days ago and also filled up my gas cans.

[jinftl]

and with the katrina anniversary at hand, you have to believe they are going to jump all over this to show what was learned from the mistakes of katrina....the world is watching!