What is your state of mind.....

[Jim Cantore]

When a category 5 Hurricane is projected to hit you, I know not a ton of people can say but those who can I could imagine would have alot on their minds.

I had a brief run in when Isabel was projected into my area, I was a bit worried, for about 3 hours.

[bevgo]

Run!!!! That is all I will be thinking now. It wont take a 5 to make me do that. I never want to experience another hurricane live and in person ever again. I will make my preparations, load all of it in the car and get the heck out of here!

[Matt-hurricanewatcher]

For any one I say get the heck out...Its your life on the line. I mean walk or run or drive. This is one of those times I would say steal a car in get the heck out of there. Just get the heck out of there.

Me I might stay if I was near a area for a cat3 or 4. But a 5 I would go. A few years ago I would of said that I would of stayed, But I changed a little over time. Unless I'm In a strong building...

[Ixolib]

Pre-Katrina, I always went through the ritual of boarding the windows - ALL 17 OF THEM!!! - and gassing up the car, buying the requisite batteries & water, and of course the various and sundry munchies & beverages.

However, post-Katrina, I will no longer have any of that on my mind as I will simply be leaving the home to fend for itself. Certainly, and quite unfortunately, I have found out that boarding the windows is only good for the insurance companies - not the insured. And this becomes especially evident with a CAT 5 as the primary destructor will obviously be surge, which the home hurricane policy will not cover in any shape, manner, or form.

My suggestion: If you live anywhere in a hurricane-prone area, and you are below 35 feet above MSL, GET FLOOD INSURANCE NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Otherwise, you're screwed... And that'll be on your mind for a loooooooong time after the storm is gone.

[Lindaloo]

That is exactly my state of mind George! I will not worry about my house anymore. It does no one any good but the insurance companies.

My thinking from now on is to store supplies somewhere else.


What really gets me is the insurance companies will PAY for flooded vehicles, but NOT flooded homes. That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard of!!

[beachbum_al]

If a CAT 5 is coming my way I am leaving! My children's welfare is more important than the house and what is in it. That can be replaced. Lives can not be replaced.

[rockyman]

Pre-Katrina, I always went through the ritual of boarding the windows - ALL 17 OF THEM!!! - and gassing up the car, buying the requisite batteries & water, and of course the various and sundry munchies & beverages.

However, post-Katrina, I will no longer have any of that on my mind as I will simply be leaving the home to fend for itself. Certainly, and quite unfortunately, I have found out that boarding the windows is only good for the insurance companies - not the insured. And this becomes especially evident with a CAT 5 as the primary destructor will obviously be surge, which the home hurricane policy will not cover in any shape, manner, or form.

My suggestion: If you live anywhere in a hurricane-prone area, and you are below 35 feet above MSL, GET FLOOD INSURANCE NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Otherwise, you're screwed... And that'll be on your mind for a loooooooong time after the storm is gone.

On Dauphin Island, you cannot even get wind/hazard insurance without flood insurance (if you're in a "flood zone"...essentially the whole island).

[spinfan4eva]

I dont really see no reason to be scared and flee from any storm and every season I see, I believe this more. Something will change to make it miss me--though I never know what will change it but im always right. I do listen to what the official tell us to do and when the weather started getting bad with the hurricanes of 2004, I watched the radar and grabbed a change of clothes and left when the rain got to me though I thought it was really stupid and came home to nothing harmed. In 1999 with hurricane floyd.... Even as the forecasters were saying this:

Code: Select all

HURRICANE WARNINGS ARE NOW REQUIRED FOR ALL OF THE FLORIDA EAST
COAST AS THE FORECAST TRACK COMES WITHIN 90 MILES OF SOUTH FLORIDA
IN 24 HOURS AND LESS THAN 50 MILES FROM NORTH FLORIDA IN 36 HOURS OR
LESS.

INITIAL     13/2100Z 24.2N  73.7W   135 KTS
12HR VT     14/0600Z 24.6N  75.9W   135 KTS
24HR VT     14/1800Z 26.2N  78.3W   135 KTS
36HR VT     15/0600Z 28.4N  79.9W   135 KTS
[b]48HR VT     15/1800Z 30.9N  80.5W   135 KTS[/b]
72HR VT     16/1800Z 37.0N  79.0W    50 KTS...INLAND

I Knew something would change and cause the storm to either weaken or change direction so I stayed put and it missed N'east Fla entirely. It was comical though how everyone else was hysterical and leaving town when nothing ended up happenning happenned.

So I kinda leave it to and trust fate and watch as the storms pass us by.

[Ixolib]

That is exactly my state of mind George! I will not worry about my house anymore. It does no one any good but the insurance companies.

My thinking from now on is to store supplies somewhere else.


What really gets me is the insurance companies will PAY for flooded vehicles, but NOT flooded homes. That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard of!!

HEARD DAT!!!!!!!!!

In fact, and thankfully, because we put such a large amount down on our Jeep Liberty in '03, and paid down the note pretty significantly, the check I got from Geico paid off the Liberty PLUS left us with about 7K to put down on another vehicle AND then invest the rest into helping repair the surge damage that State Farm would NOT pay for!!!

Now, if we would have had broken windows from the "wind", they would have taken care of a lot more. Go figure.....

[wxman57]

I dont really see no reason to be scared and flee from any storm and every season I see, I believe this more. Something will change to make it miss me--though I never know what will change it but im always right. I do listen to what the official tell us to do and when the weather started getting bad with the hurricanes of 2004, I watched the radar and grabbed a change of clothes and left when the rain got to me though I thought it was really stupid and came home to nothing harmed. In 1999 with hurricane floyd....

I Knew something would change and cause the storm to either weaken or change direction so I stayed put and it missed N'east Fla entirely. It was comical though how everyone else was hysterical and leaving town when nothing ended up happenning happenned.

So I kinda leave it to and trust fate and watch as the storms pass us by.

Yeah, that's what they were saying in New Orleans and along the MS coast before Katrina. They KNEW it was going to turn and miss them...

[Derek Ortt]

dont really see no reason to be scared and flee from any storm and every season I see, I believe this more. Something will change to make it miss me--though I never know what will change it but im always right. I do listen to what the official tell us to do and when the weather started getting bad with the hurricanes of 2004, I watched the radar and grabbed a change of clothes and left when the rain got to me though I thought it was really stupid and came home to nothing harmed. In 1999 with hurricane floyd....

I Knew something would change and cause the storm to either weaken or change direction so I stayed put and it missed N'east Fla entirely. It was comical though how everyone else was hysterical and leaving town when nothing ended up happenning happenned.

So I kinda leave it to and trust fate and watch as the storms pass us by.

may need to stand in line for a Darwin award

[Brandon007]

I would love the experience of a cat 5 if it were not for: loss of life, loss of power, ect..... now maybe if I had one of those dome houses that could withistand 200mph winds I might think about staying but I would still probably leave

[benny]

I dont really see no reason to be scared and flee from any storm and every season I see, I believe this more. Something will change to make it miss me--though I never know what will change it but im always right. I do listen to what the official tell us to do and when the weather started getting bad with the hurricanes of 2004, I watched the radar and grabbed a change of clothes and left when the rain got to me though I thought it was really stupid and came home to nothing harmed. In 1999 with hurricane floyd.... Even as the forecasters were saying this:

I Knew something would change and cause the storm to either weaken or change direction so I stayed put and it missed N'east Fla entirely. It was comical though how everyone else was hysterical and leaving town when nothing ended up happenning happenned.

So I kinda leave it to and trust fate and watch as the storms pass us by.

Whoa. That's pretty scary. I wonder if you would have done the same thing with Dora in 1964 or the great 1898 hurricnane?!?!?

[sunny]

I use to say I would leave for a cat 3 or higher. Now I know I cannot stay for even a cat 2.............

[Tampa Bay Hurricane]

I dont really see no reason to be scared and flee from any storm and every season I see, I believe this more. Something will change to make it miss me--though I never know what will change it but im always right. I do listen to what the official tell us to do and when the weather started getting bad with the hurricanes of 2004, I watched the radar and grabbed a change of clothes and left when the rain got to me though I thought it was really stupid and came home to nothing harmed. In 1999 with hurricane floyd.... Even as the forecasters were saying this:

Code: Select all

HURRICANE WARNINGS ARE NOW REQUIRED FOR ALL OF THE FLORIDA EAST
COAST AS THE FORECAST TRACK COMES WITHIN 90 MILES OF SOUTH FLORIDA
IN 24 HOURS AND LESS THAN 50 MILES FROM NORTH FLORIDA IN 36 HOURS OR
LESS.

INITIAL     13/2100Z 24.2N  73.7W   135 KTS
12HR VT     14/0600Z 24.6N  75.9W   135 KTS
24HR VT     14/1800Z 26.2N  78.3W   135 KTS
36HR VT     15/0600Z 28.4N  79.9W   135 KTS
[b]48HR VT     15/1800Z 30.9N  80.5W   135 KTS[/b]
72HR VT     16/1800Z 37.0N  79.0W    50 KTS...INLAND

I Knew something would change and cause the storm to either weaken or change direction so I stayed put and it missed N'east Fla entirely. It was comical though how everyone else was hysterical and leaving town when nothing ended up happenning happenned.

So I kinda leave it to and trust fate and watch as the storms pass us by.

gotta be careful...cause when one does come your way...it's gonna scare the daylights outta ya....

[swampdude]

After leaving for Rita (and having her eye come right over our town), I have a new hurricane policy. I will now leave for any hurricane that is assigned any CAT number, whether it be 1,2,3,4, or 5. If they invent a CAT 0, I might hang around!

[CrazyC83]

If there is a Category 5 hurricane, and I am projected to get winds of such intensity, forget boarding up. Just take everything (all my clothes, documents, valuable goods, lots of books and games, all my food, etc.) and go far north - even if it means a truckload of stuff - and forget about the house.

Same applies for a weaker storm but if the storm surge is expected to come in.

For a Category 1, I would probably stay and take the precautions, unless I am in a floodplain. Category 2 and I would assess the situation. Category 3 or higher - I'd prepare and get on the road before the evacuation orders go out.

[MGC]

Nothing like waking up to the phone ringing with your Mother-in-law screaming at you (this time in a positive way) "its a Cat-5, you need to leave now!" Turn on the TV and sure enough, your worst nightmare happened over night. Unless you are required by law to board your windows, you are just wasting your time. Neither of our homes lost a window to Katrina. You are just going through a lot of expense and effort for nothing IMO. I've seen homes with their roofs gone, but the windows are still OK....go figure. The home I am living in now has gone though Camille and Katrina with little damage. The walls are solid brick, no wood and the roof is the thickest Gage steel we could buy (paid like 13K for the roof). As long as the water don't get in than in most cases you will be OK unless you are in a cheap prefab like the ones Andrew blew apart......MGC

[Audrey2Katrina]

I use to say I would leave for a cat 3 or higher. Now I know I cannot stay for even a cat 2.............

Hell, with our levees in the state they are right now, I'm gonna at least go north of the Lake if it's a Cat 1... until I can have some real assurance that those things are solid and secure with better word than what the politicians offer!.

A2K

[Ixolib]

I use to say I would leave for a cat 3 or higher. Now I know I cannot stay for even a cat 2.............

Hell, with our levees in the state they are right now, I'm gonna at least go north of the Lake if it's a Cat 1... until I can have some real assurance that those things are solid and secure with better word than what the politicians offer!.

A2K

I wouldn't want to live in N.O. with a strong summertime squall coming in off the lake. But I felt that way before Katrina.

No offense intended, but I just don't get the concept of living "BELOW" sea level. Especially when there are so many other places to live that are "ABOVE" sea level. Of course, I have family who lives in Uptown N.O. and we have these back-and-forth discussions all the time. Fortunately for them, their area is one of the highest in the whole city - but still, it's BELOW the level of the sea.