The simple answer to the hostility....

[Hybridstorm_November2001]

I'm A and C. While I am intrigued by these monsters, I also fear and respect their power, and thus would not wish the misery they can cause on my worse enemy.

I'm curious, especially for those in Camp B; how many of you have actually experienced hurricane force winds? I personally have several times. I ask because, at least from my stand point, the experiences terrified me, and changed my whole view of these systems. Much like how being effected directly by two small tornadoes (one at home, and the other in a nearby town), changed my view of twisters for the worse.

[Wthrman13]

Well, I've been in two hurricanes (Isabel and Frances), and have also witnessed between 15 and 20 tornadoes. I can honestly say that, to me at least, there is nothing like witnessing the power of nature first hand, and that is why I continue to chase, and probably will for the rest of my life. That said, I NEVER get enjoyment out of watching a tornado or hurricane wipe homes and businesses out, but there is absolutely nothing I can do about it, except that in some small way, through contributions of my research, I can help lessen the impact of these events by improving numerical modeling of them. This, in my mind again, does nothing to lessen my fascination for these storms, and in fact it enhances them. I find that in this case, knowledge is power. The more you know about storms, the less frightening they become (because you know better how to prepare), and the more fascinating they become. This has been my experience, at least, and this is coming from a man who used to have nearly continuous nightmares as a youngster about tornadoes, and would become nearly inconsolable with fear when a thunderstorm came at night. Now I'm in a career in meteorology, and I couldn't be happier

[tgenius]

I ask a very simple question (inspired from watching OT of Star Wars over the weekend):

Who is the greater fool, the fool, or those who follow him?

[Dustin]

Well I am like in camp AB. LOL I love storms and want them to hit me, for my area is 400 miles inland because I enjoy 50mph winds and tornadoes but at the same time I do not want them to hit the coast. So you can't have one without the other so I am more in camp A.

[Windswept]

The way I see it: I live in Florida. Hurricanes come here whether I want them to or not. Wish for...wish away .. neither makes a bit of difference. The only thing I can do is read, learn, plan, and be prepared. Do I usually assume EVERY storm heading to the east coast is coming straight at me? Yep, I do until proven otherwise. I'm wrong more often that right, but never unprepared.

[Extreme Alde]

Well, I've been in two hurricanes (Isabel and Frances), and have also witnessed between 15 and 20 tornadoes. I can honestly say that, to me at least, there is nothing like witnessing the power of nature first hand, and that is why I continue to chase, and probably will for the rest of my life. That said, I NEVER get enjoyment out of watching a tornado or hurricane wipe homes and businesses out, but there is absolutely nothing I can do about it, except that in some small way, through contributions of my research, I can help lessen the impact of these events by improving numerical modeling of them. This, in my mind again, does nothing to lessen my fascination for these storms, and in fact it enhances them. I find that in this case, knowledge is power. The more you know about storms, the less frightening they become (because you know better how to prepare), and the more fascinating they become. This has been my experience, at least, and this is coming from a man who used to have nearly continuous nightmares as a youngster about tornadoes, and would become nearly inconsolable with fear when a thunderstorm came at night. Now I'm in a career in meteorology, and I couldn't be happier

What a perfect response. It is too easy to made to feel guilty about being fascinated by severe weather. I could and would never wish it upon anyone and am powerless to stop it. But there is a part of me that is somehow drawn to it.

[Ziplock]

I experience dread when my area is within the cone of terror, and also a secret thrill at the same time. Emotions, which I think is much of what we are taling about here, can be complex, and even contradictory at times.

So put me in Cat "C", as in "complicated". I have lost much from a hurricane, and I have also had wonderful experiences thrilling to the grandeur of nature. Knowing my insignificance in the face of the onslaught is part of the value of the hurricane experience for me.

"C" is for complicated, and "H" is for humility.

Zip

[Cryomaniac]

it doesnt matter if you wish them away or you want them to come, nature decided where they're going. I could say I wished for another Cat 5 to form in the gulf, doesn't mean it will. People who get mad at such wish-casting are honestly silly.

Well exactly. People can say basically what they like (within the rules). Personally, I live 57 miles from the east coast of England, so the chance of me being hit by any form of tropical system is remote. I enjoy the (non-tropical) storms that we do get, because they usually don't cause very much damage, and they show how awesome nature is, even in a pretty 'boring' part of the world.

[bvigal]

For me, I love looking at the satellite photos of storms that already exist. But I NEVER look at a "swirl" somewhere and think "Come on baby, blow up into a big cat 5!" I'm usually thinking, "go poof!" Being fascinated with storms and loving to watch them once they exist is nothing to be ashamed of - that's why many are here.

And of course storms aren't caused by humans wishing for them, nor prevented by humans wishing not to have them. What is irritating is those who 'cheer' for storms to develop, then say they "don't want it to hit anybody, of course!" Well since you never know where they'll go, wishing for a swirl to blowup to a cat 5 is like handing a revolver to someone with one bullet and saying "Come on! Pull the trigger, there's one bullet in there, it's not likely you'll get it! And I really like this game!!"

Every invest that becomes a TD and beyond, we go through this same process and discussion. I can best use for an example the most recent, Tropical Depression 3. There were people here saying "Go Chris!" "Come on, blowup to Hurricane Chris!" and "Whoo-hoo here comes Chris!" Being directly in the path of said storm, me and my Carib neighbors didn't appreciate those comments. Of course, I know they weren't actually wishing us ill, they weren't even thinking of us. It was a momentary lapse that revealed self-gratifying motivation. The kind that has no empathy. To say they "don't wish ill upon anyone" is just a platitude to repeat. If it provides a real thrill for them, so be it. Sure they may not want anyone to "die or anything" (oh how many times have we seen that phrase!), but short of that, it's ok as long as they get their kicks.

Innotech, I couldn't agree with you more!! Wishing doesn't make the storm form, or worsen, just like wishing doesn't make the water rise or lower. But if you're standing on the roof and the water is lapping the edge of the roof, how do you feel about the guy over on the levee yelling "Come on water! Rise!! Rise!!!" because he is fascinated with floods?

I hate the whole concept of "politically correct" speech, and swear to rebel against it whenever I can. However, I agree with those who say that a little sensitivity - let's not even call it that - let's call it common human decency, should be observed on this forum. Those who've been traumatized by storms the last couple of years are GENUINELY suffering a form of post-traumatic stress syndrome, no different that a soldier, violent crime victim, etc., and they truly deserve some respect of their feelings!!

[Stephanie]

Also, as I forgot to mention, these same individuals in sub class B, are the ones that return the 20 sheets of plywood back to Lowes, after an impending threat does not materialize.

I always wondered why the lines were so long each time a storm was predicted to hit. I would think that you'd want to store them for the next storm or is it not practical?

[kranki]

I am fascinated with the storms. I am watching a boomer as I write this out my bedroom window. Some of the outerbands coming through here have been absolutely awesome in their power. Do I want hurricanes? Nope. I moved to the Keys near Key West, 8 years ago, 2 months before Hurricane Georges hit which caused a lot of destruction in my area. Since then, I have experienced the eye of Irene (cat 1) which was awesome and probably almost 20 canes grazing the Keys. Wilma was the worst so far and I am still fixing the yard up after the surge got my plants on the ocean side of the house. But I am not complaining, some people here had it much worse than my wife and I. So what camp am I in? Don't know for sure. Enjoy seeing some of the awesome power that the cane offers, but really don't like the rest of it and don't look for them to build or arrive here! Just know that some of them will. I just tend to stay tuned to this website, NHC and the Weather Channel for what is going to happen next.

[tgenius]

I dig up this thread to remind everyone about the different camps