What is your attitude when a hurricane approaches your area?

[Tstormwatcher]

I go both ways, I don't mind having a cat 2 or less hitting here. I get off of work and alittle excitement to break up summer monotony. I deffinitely do not want to see anything greater than a 2 though.

[vbhoutex]

I would have to believe that the majority of those who say "bring it on" do not have to worry about their kids, do not have to worry about paying the mortgage, do not have to worry about maintaining home-owners insurance, do not have to worry about the intricate details of recovery, do not have to worry whether or not they are employed tomorrow, and do not have to worry about how they will recover - yet again - when the next storm blows into their coastline.

My guess is that most of them are very young and do not have to worry as you said. When it is your own property and your family IT IS A WHOLE DIFFERENT BALLGAME. The possibilities/probabilities of things that can and do happen during a hurricane will lliterally make you sick to your stomach. Been there done that when my kids were 8 mos. and 4 yrs. NEVER WANT TO DO IT AGAIN!!! I constantly worry about my mother in Niceville(Destin/FWB area) as she always chooses to stay no matter what I tell her. She has been fortunate. One day she may not be and I will be the one literally picking up the pieces. Folks, it just isn't fun!!!

Yes, I do still find excitement in an approaching Hurricane, but that is HEAVILY TEMPERED by knowing what the consequences can be.

[wxmann_91]

You all have good points and I will be the first to admit, yes I am young and do not have to worry about payments, insurance, etc., and I voted Bring it on. However I live in southern California, so if a hypothetical hurricane came, I would expect it to weaken drastically. Now, I don't know how shallow the waters off the coast are, but I do know there are huge cliffs and mountains along the coast that are hundreds of feet high, and that I live in the highest ground in the vicinity, many miles inland. That is the reason why I did not vote "deviate and go away" - since for me it would most likely be a heavy rainstorm and some strong winds that require some roof repair. I would not evacuate. But knowing the stress it would cause my parents who will not even let me go outside alone, heck they got scared of a lightning storm last September, while I was not able to sleep and kept saying Wow to myself, knowing that repairing the roof and living w/o power is a pain in the butt, that's why I would've voted both ways.

Now, a 14-year old male who is a wx buff who moved from Pheonix to Biloxi last week, and just saw the damage caused by Katrina, would he have a different opinion? Boring weather in Pheonix? Want action? But knowing it could happen to his house too? OTOH, someone who's lived in San Francisco all his life, would he even care if he was interested in weather? Subjective opinions, my friends. Each person's circumstance will be different.

No way, however, would I stay in anything above a Cat 2.

[Zach]

My attitude changed this season. I grew up north of Houston and I remember Alicia being kind of fun as a 7 yr. old. We had a couple of trees down in our yard but no damage to the house. Since then I thought it would would be "cool" to see what it was like to ride out a big one. I went home to help my parents prepare for Rita this year and as I saw the thousands of people streaming (creeping slowly actually) north and the monster churning on satellite loops, I hoped that it would change course and not hit the Houston/Galveston area and was very happy when it did-sorry SE TX/SW LA

On the other hand, a nice TS in the middle of a drought might still be nice every once in a while.

[WindRunner]

9to be honest) Definately "bring it on." Living over 150 miles inland has its benefits.

[Weatherfreak000]

Ok, whatever.



It's pointless for us to argue over opinions anyway. And both sides of this arguement as we know can be so so very immature.

Instead of going on a run bashing each other over each other's OPINIONS (you know, that thing you can't change) let's all just argue to disagree and move on.

I'd rather avoid another page of people describing their Katrina experiences in detail and how everyone is so wrong for liking hurricanes. And seeing as how I LIVE and breathed that hurricane you know it's getting bad.

[MiamiensisWx]

Ok, whatever.



It's pointless for us to argue over opinions anyway. And both sides of this arguement as we know can be so so very immature.

Instead of going on a run bashing each other over each other's OPINIONS (you know, that thing you can't change) let's all just argue to disagree and move on.

I'd rather avoid another page of people describing their Katrina experiences in detail and how everyone is so wrong for liking hurricanes. And seeing as how I LIVE and breathed that hurricane you know it's getting bad.

Hearing about other peoples' experiences in hurricanes (e.g., Katrina) is too much for you? Huh?

[Weatherfreak000]

Ok, whatever.



It's pointless for us to argue over opinions anyway. And both sides of this arguement as we know can be so so very immature.

Instead of going on a run bashing each other over each other's OPINIONS (you know, that thing you can't change) let's all just argue to disagree and move on.

I'd rather avoid another page of people describing their Katrina experiences in detail and how everyone is so wrong for liking hurricanes. And seeing as how I LIVE and breathed that hurricane you know it's getting bad.

Hearing about other peoples' experiences in hurricanes (e.g., Katrina) is too much for you? Huh?

No, but when everyone tries to cram it down people's throats looking for guilt it becomes really really immature.


I'll be honest I had minimal house damage, but where I stayed I was weeks away from my home and had to spend my birthday in a hotel because of Katrina. Many family members of mine lost their homes and I deal with the aftermath even still. But still i'm fortunate.


My point with this is? I didn't try and cram that information down your throats and I don't want sympathy. You want a hurricane you can want it and that's fine.

[MiamiensisWx]

No, but when everyone tries to cram it down people's throats looking for guilt it becomes really really immature.


I'll be honest I had minimal house damage, but where I stayed I was weeks away from my home and had to spend my birthday in a hotel because of Katrina. Many family members of mine lost their homes and I deal with the aftermath even still. But still i'm fortunate.


My point with this is? I didn't try and cram that information down your throats and I don't want sympathy. You want a hurricane you can want it and that's fine.

First, I doubt that anyone (Katrina victims included) are trying to "cram it down peoples' throats". They are just telling their experiences and their lessons learned. If you can't take that, then maybe you should go somewhere else (no offense).

Secondly, I think you should learn to listen to varying viewpoints without acting out like you are now. Listening to various viewpoints without calling them "immature" and acting like you are now would be a true sign of maturity.

Finally, I don't know why you feel we are trying to "cram things down your throat". Can you explain that?

[Weatherfreak000]

First, I doubt that anyone (Katrina victims included) are trying to "cram it down peoples' throats". They are just telling their experiences and their lessons learned. If you can't take that, then maybe you should go somewhere else (no offense).

No offense taken, but when I see a few select posts that I shall remain unquoted I can only see offense taken in their minds which causes them to react in a way that stirs argument. Nobody should have to defend themselves from liking hurricanes or wanting one to hit. And there really shouldn't be a stigma on anyone who feels like way.

Secondly, I think you should learn to listen to varying viewpoints without acting out like you are now. Listening to various viewpoints without calling them "immature" and acting like you are now would be a true sign of maturity.

I do listen to the viewpoints and it usually comes out like this...


Person 1: I want a hurricane to come.

Person 2: Are you crazy? You must be stupid to want such a terrible disaster to occur. You must of course be some little kid with a lack of knowledge or responsibility to even mention such a terrible disaster!


It's mighty hard wanting to defend the desire for hurricane landfalls, I guess overall perhaps this topic hasn't been too bad and maybe I overreact but if one of you think of this before actually commiting that act next time someone wants a hurricane I'd feel like i'd done a good duty though.

[MiamiensisWx]

Can you improve your grammar, please? Some of what you say is hard to read. Thanks!

You have good points; that is why I am leaving this pointless, so-called "upcoming argument" now. I see it will do no good for either side.

[vbhoutex]

No one has tried to cram anything down anyones throat in this discussion. As I and some others have stated, and I can guarantee this point, ONES OPINION OF A HURRICANE CHANGES DRASTICALLY WHEN YOU ARE THE PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL OF IT AND ALL OF THEM AND THERE IS NOTHING YOU CAN DO TO STOP WHAT IS GOING ON AROUND YOU!!! It was a point being made. It is something I have experienced. Prior to Alicia, even though I went through Camille somewhat, I had a whole different view. Now, after Alicia, and of course everything we all witnessed last year that view has been reinforced. As I have stated, there is still a "thrill" there when it comes to TC's and their approach, but it is a very tempered thrill.

[MiamiensisWx]

Agreed, vbhoutex! It's somewhat like that...

[AL Chili Pepper]

After my experiences witrh past hurricane landfalls in Puerto Rico my attitude is go away.

Dont forget to participate in the most important poll ,the forecast numbers poll starting on March 15.

Well, pre-Katrina, my attitude (since Betsy in '65) was "Bring it On". Even after Camille - which we personally did relatively well in - my viewpoint remained the same. I loved the challenge and excitement of the storm, and the impending landfall.

Now that I've been so significantly impacted by Katrina in terms of just about every aspect of life one can think of - physically, emotionally, financially, etc. - my attitude is quite different. After what me and my family have been through over the last 6 months and counting, I don't believe I would ever want to see another storm hit this coast for as long as I live - and beyond that for my kid's and grandkid's sake...

Yeah, Pre-K, things were surely different than they are now - including my feelings about tropical systems. No doubt... "The thrill is gone, The thrill is gone away".

I feel the same. I'm sick and tired of hurricanes. I do like to watch them from afar, but I hope to never ever have one come this way again...deviate and go away.

That being say, I'm staying.

[Lindaloo]

Ive seen the heartbreak it can cause to someone from who it takes everything, I do believe that if a hurricane were to destroy my apartment and my parents house I am strong enough mentally and prepared financially that it would not be a total loss.

It's not just about your own home and belongings, though.

The hurricane can take everything you loved about your way of life: your job, your favorite restaurant, the scenery, your friends who pick up and leave, you name it.

In the long run after something like Katrina, you get weary of talking about the same insurance/contractors subjects over and over again. You get weary of seeing all the danged broken trees and broken homes. And you get weary of the fighting over how to rebuild. You get weary of the long lines for service in fewer businesses. You grow tired of price gouging. You get cranky when the two gas stations for miles continually run out of gas several months after the storm. You get weary that there are still people living in tents here when money is being thrown like Mardi Gras moonpies overseas. The aftermath is long, my friends, and far-reaching.

WELL SAID!!!!!

[johngaltfla]

Mine is go away. No ifs, ands or butts.

[Tampa Bay Hurricane]

Go away hurricane
I don't want to go through the psychological hell that hits after a disaster...
My prayers are with everyone who has suffered from hurricane disasters...

if you said "bring it on" please understand that a hurricane can REALLY hurt both physically and especially mentally.

Physically if you ride out the storm in a bad spot and mentally when you fear for your life and friends and family and property

This stuff is really terrifying.

I have never been through a hurricane...but I have had the scare put in me...after Katrina and seeing what it did to the gulf coast.

[f5]

Go away hurricane
I don't want to go through the psychological hell that hits after a disaster...
My prayers are with everyone who has suffered from hurricane disasters...

if you said "bring it on" please understand that a hurricane can REALLY hurt both physically and especially mentally.

Physically if you ride out the storm in a bad spot and mentally when you fear for your life and friends and family and property

This stuff is really terrifying.

I have never been through a hurricane...but I have had the scare put in me...after Katrina and seeing what it did to the gulf coast.

it was hard after Andrew in homestead with homes reduce to woodpile.its now hard after Katrina in mississippi beacuse the damage is mostly slab up and down the coastline.losing EVERYTHING is a psychological nightmere

[Jim Cantore]

I was on vacation down the Jersey Shore when Isabel hit, if it had come up to strike the NJ coast I'd of been out of there

I like watching them but I have my limits

[facemane]

Ive seen the heartbreak it can cause to someone from who it takes everything, I do believe that if a hurricane were to destroy my apartment and my parents house I am strong enough mentally and prepared financially that it would not be a total loss.

It's not just about your own home and belongings, though.

The hurricane can take everything you loved about your way of life: your job, your favorite restaurant, the scenery, your friends who pick up and leave, you name it.

In the long run after something like Katrina, you get weary of talking about the same insurance/contractors subjects over and over again. You get weary of seeing all the danged broken trees and broken homes. And you get weary of the fighting over how to rebuild. You get weary of the long lines for service in fewer businesses. You grow tired of price gouging. You get cranky when the two gas stations for miles continually run out of gas several months after the storm. You get weary that there are still people living in tents here when money is being thrown like Mardi Gras moonpies overseas. The aftermath is long, my friends, and far-reaching.

Amen!!! Katrina has caused me enough agony to last the rest of my
lifetime. From now on, I hope they all become fish.