What is your attitude when a hurricane approaches your area?

[feederband]

Both ways...

Where Im at now close to the interstate I can head north or south pretty quick if I have to...I've been though so many that I wish I would of stayed though some(looting) and some night time ones with every gust it feel like the house will explode and wished we would of left......Had some minor damage that would of been major damage but was able to repair inbetween gust(wouldn't recommend though)..You never no...Had a dozen family members this year lose houses up in Kentucky to a thunderstorm that spawned a Tornado...The reason I throw that in there you might not be in the cone but a outer band could be packing the worst of the strom..

[midnight8]

I always have mixed feelings. I love the wind and watching what it can do and playing around in it until it gets to bad. The time after the storm is miserable. After Ike I was without power about 8 days. That sucks but what really sucks is I am expected back to work ASAP and that kinda leaves my family with a lot of the cleanup and suffering while I am at work. It also makes customers very much on edge and any wrong word can set them off. After Rita when I worked at a home improvement store we were without power for I think it was 24 days. I worked every single day 14 or 15 hours and would come home and clean up the mess after that. There were many customers that were just plain mean. I can understand their frustrations but remember when you are in that situation the guys working in Walmart, Lowes, Home Depot or where ever are living through the same thing you are, only they have to deal with you too. I saw several people having to be restrained to keep them from resorting to violence. I saw a neighbor after about 16 or 17 days of no power went outside and took a full size sheet of plywood and painted "Thank God for Benjamin Franklin and Alabama Power". Alabama power is who came to our part of southeast Texas to work on our lines. Literally we drove well over 100 miles one night immediately after Rita and did not see 1 light bulb in that whole stretch. It was a strange feeling.

[cycloneye]

Very good poll voting so far with two of the options tied as of this post and great discussions going on too. Those who have not voted yet,come and do so as this question is a very important one. This poll will never close so you have ample oportunity to vote and make comments about this topic.

[Yellow Evan]

No real hurricanes in NV, so for every EPAC cyclone that forms, it is party time for me. (feel bad for people in it's path though )

[yzerfan]

The funny hurricane preparedness column is by Dave Barry. (The other one that gets circulated often and is about hurricane reporting is by Carl Hiassen.)

We came through strong tropical storm winds from Ivan okay and with utility grid intact. And we've gotten rid of all of the kind of pine tree that fell on our garage from our yard. Our neighbors have gotten rid of their shortleaf pines as well. We also went to impact glass windows during our 2010 remodel, so we're feeling reasonably good about the inevitable next one.

[SETXPTNeches]

The funny hurricane preparedness is funny because most of it is True!!

I have to add that surrounding yourself with Pine Trees that snap like a trig is also not a good idea...go further North than 75 miles (depending on the Cat #) I have been thru 3 (if you count Humberto - a little wind and rain) Rita and Ike.

I usually leave ahead of an evac order, if possible. I am prepared with water and food, batteries, flash lights etc... You are never prepared for the devastaion. You make the best of it and move on... or move to Nebraska hahaha

[Typhoon Hunter]

Recharge my camera batteries!

[vbhoutex]

Being the weather geek I am this is a hard question. However, after way too many TC's n my life to count I go with deviate and go away.
Oh, was I supposed to be honest here? Actually I am serious about my choice, but being a weather geek it is hard not to get excited about watching Mother Nature at her best. The problem is MN at her best is horribly destructive in way too many ways for me to vote bring it on.

[Evil Jeremy]

Bring it on. The exhilaration in the days leading up to a storm is unlike any other adrenaline rush I've ever felt.

[Hurricane Alexis]

For me, it depends on the strength of the hurricane. I'll probably evacuate if it's a cat 4 or higher. Either way you gotta be prepared for anything.

[Bluefrog]

My attitude: Oh &*%! not again!

I never want to be in another since Katrina. You can have mine if you please.....MGC

AMEN !!!! I have my bug out bag prepared although I'm not evacuating on the next one. I will remain for long haul. I'm not on the beach since Katrina and I am about a mile inland but I wont leave again. My condo is equipped with a whole house generator ...

[cycloneye]

So far 67 members have voted in the poll and is a close % margin of difference between two of the options. This poll will never close so those who have not voted can visit the thread and cast your vote.If you want to add a commentary go ahead and do so.

[Ixolib]

After weathering every storm on the MS coast since Betsy, and now running the Gulfport Small Craft Harbor, I can assure you that I in no way, not at all, can't even imagine ever, looking forward to another storm up in this neck of the woods!! Ohhhh, It's gonna happen again, always did - always will. But I - and everybody else who's lived here over the years - have had enough to last us all several lifetimes...... Only time will tell. DEVIATE AND LEAVE!!

[setxsunshine]

I evacuated for Rita but stayed for Ike. Having never been through one before I have to say I got a funny feeling in the pit of my stomach when it REALLY hit me that I was past the point of no return...have to stick it out because leaving was out of the question. It was scary at times, hearing trees fall all around (and one on the house...thank God it didn't do major damage) but I'm glad I went through one. However, I can't say I will stay again. It will depend on the hurricane. And not just the strength but the size also, courtesy of Ike. Also, I'm about to have my first grandchild soon and that will factor in to my decision to stay or go because I WILL make sure she is safe

[bevgo]

Go AWAY!!! I remained here on the MS gulf coast for Katrina and will not stay even for a minimal hurricane. Since Katrina I have bought a house almost on the water that had severe flooding in Katrina. Bought a ton of insurance too--LOL. After little TS Lee last year and seeing how high the water got there is no way I would or could stay. Katrina traumatized me for life seeing all the devastation and realizing it could have been me or my daughter or grandson in that morgue truck. No thanks! I dont stock up or prepare like I did at one time because all I am going to do is back my important papers, kids favorite toys and clothing and LEAVE. All is ready to go except the kids favorite toys--LOL. I once wanted to be in a real hurricane and have had many close calls living in NO and having to stay at the hospital. After Katrina I have had that experience and really wish I had not been here. I do understand the excitement but the danger is far too real for me.

[cycloneye]

I think is a good time to bump this important poll (Will never close) to have more votes and to have more comments about this as the season reach the peak time.

[SootyTern]

Tropical storm up to Cat 1: bring it!!
Cat 4 or 5: please please go away

The middle categories: hard to tell. At some point the hassle of cleaning up the mess outweighs the excitement of seeing Nature rage. I wasn't here for Andrew but was for Katrina & Wilma; they were impressive to watch but I also felt very safe hunkered down in a solid house that had withstood Andrew with very little damage. Nice to know it had survived much worse when the house is shaking from things hitting it at 100 MPH.