What # category cane would you ride out?

[cycloneye]

I can stay put until a cat 2 cane but after that no way I stay around as I would go to a refugee center after my 3 past experiences.

[JCT777]

Same here Luis, although the chances of a Cat 2 or higher hurricane moving directly over my area is extremely slim.

[hurricanetrack]

I would ride out any hurricane since it is somewhat my job to. However, I would not be where I could get killed in a cat-2 or higher. Heck, even a cat-1, like Claudette, could cause enough problems to worry about being out in the open.

I was just talking with my partner Jesse about this too. He saw TWC "Andrew" storm stories and mentioned that if we were to be in another "Andrew" that we'd better bring more underwear. Yep. And a Sherman Tank too.

It all depends really for me. I chase these things and do not hide until I have to. Still, above 120mph would get my attention enough to warrant seeking refuge somewhere sturdy and dry.

[Rainband]

Cat2 here. I am in a pretty safe area but after I saw what Isabel did, Safer than sorry is my motto.

[Josephine96]

I would probably ride out a Cat 3 if it were barely a cat 3. Otherwise.. I'd be headed for lower ground. Yes I said LOWER ground..

{3rd floor apartment ya know}

[Lindaloo]

Have ridden them all out from Cat 1 to a Cat 5. No more though. I am outta here.

[Hurricanehink]

I said a category 2, though I haven't even been through a cat. 1! I was on the outskirts of Isabel, though. Still, my house can withstand pretty high winds, so a cat. 2 is probably the limit.

[mf_dolphin]

Because of my houses lack of elevation (10ft above sea level) and close proximity to Tampa Bay we would probably move to higher ground even for a Cat 2 if it looked like a direct hit.

[Guest]

All depends on the structure for me. If it can withstand a cat 5 (And no flooding either)i would love to stay just too see mother nature at her greatest (Well at her worse in some cases because of the damage and death potential).

More or less it all depends on the structure for me as well as safety.

[GalvestonDuck]

I said Cat 1, but that's a maybe. The problem would be that if the hurricane strengthened just before landfall, Galveston Islanders would have a horrible time evacuating off the island and getting to higher ground.

[msbee]

If I NEVER had to ride out ANY hurricane ever again I would be most happy.
ALthough I was not here for Luis ( CAT 4), I was here for the aftermath.
and I never want to live through that again.
However, being stuck on a small Caribeban island does not give me much choice. where would I go? what would I do?
My house has weathered Luis. It is stronger tha most of the so called shelters on the island.
so I guess I would stay here in my house on my island and weather whatever comes my way, and pray it is nothing more than a CAT 2, which I think I can safely handle..
I hope..I hope...

[wxman57]

There's an inherent flaw to this question. It assumes that one knows what the intensity of a hurricane will be at landfall. But in most cases, evacuation must begin 36-48 hours prior to landfall. So that Cat 1 or Cat 2 (or even a tropical storm) that you think you can ride out safely could easily turn into a Cat 3 or Cat 4 in that 36-48 hours prior to landfall. Anyone remember how Opal intensified rapidly the night before landfall? Or Lili weakening from a Cat 4 to barely a Cat 1 at landfall in less than 24 hours? Storms can easily strengthen several categories in the 12-24 hours prior to landfall.

Point is, if you're in a location that is subject to storm surge of any height, or if you're in a mobile home or other weak structure, then you must evacuate long before you know just how strong the storm will be at landfall. If you wait until the outer bands of the storm begin lashing the coast (or until you're SURE how strong the storm will be at landfall), then it's too dangerous to evacuate.

[george_r_1961]

Isabel was barely a Cat 1 and while I wasnt exactly terrified it was an experience i wont forget. A Cat 2 in my area would likely cause major damage and injuries as well as fatalities...as well as serious flooding due to rainfall and the storm surge. I dont even want to think of what a cat 3 or higher would do. If a Cat 2 system hits(one that is making landfall close by as a cat 2) I am definitely leaving.

[OuterBanker]

Minimal Cat 3 used to be our answer, but not anymore. Although categories are what most use to determine the potential for physical damage and life threatning possibilites it should only be used as a guideline. After Isabel (low cat 2 here) things have changed. Isabels damage was much greater than a typical cat 2 on the outer banks because of the days it spent as a cat 5, the water and waves it pushed ahead of itself as it approached, the enormous size of the hurricane force wind field, and that most of the OBX was in the ne quad at landfall. Although top sustained winds were only around 90 to 100 mph we had sustained winds at or near hurricane force for over twelve hours. Restrictions just short of marshall law were in effect for several days after land fall (limited dusk to dawn local travel if you were here, no one was allowed entrance south of Kitty Hawk including residents and property owners no matter what) enforced by local, state, nat guard, etc. Days of no power, no business, etc. This all leads to a difficult and unanswerable question. I never felt threatened during Isabel, but the consequences of dealing with the aftermath were difficult. At the same time I have to ask myself if it would have been even more difficult to evac and not be able to get back to my property and business. We received little damage, but my wife's best friends home sustained considerable flood damage in which we assisted in because we were here, something we couldn't have done if we evacuated. In 30 years on the OBX I have evacuated only once, and that was because we had my grandparents involved (more than 20 yrs ago). So I guess my real answer is on a case by case basis, not on category. Fortunately, most of the OBX lats are far enough north in which anything higher than a low cat 3 is highly improbable. And to be honest I'll probably stay no matter what, I just hope I never have to regret it.

[WhirlWind]

I live 3 miles from the Gulf, I would stay through a 2 but not a bit higher. Hope everyone is having a great and safe winter.

Carrie

[Anonymous]

I would stay home up to a cat 3 hurricane... I live on the far westside of Jacksonville/duval co... and am not in an evac zone this year but in a mobile home so, my guess would be if a cat 3+ threatenned, it would be wise to leave from a trailor----My game plan for 2004

[wxman57]

I would stay home up to a cat 3 hurricane... I live on the far westside of Jacksonville/duval co... and am not in an evac zone this year but in a mobile home so, my guess would be if a cat 3+ threatenned, it would be wise to leave from a trailor----My game plan for 2004

If you're in a mobile home, then you need to evacuate for <b>anything</b>, even a minimal tropical storm! A mobile home cannot withstand even strong tropical storm-force sustained wind. Remember, you will have to make the decision to evacuate up to 36 hours before landfall. A storm can easily strenghten several categories in that time. A TS can become a Cat 2 storm in 36 hours. You think your mobile home could withstand 85-95 mph wind with gusts to 110-120 mph? That's a Cat 2 storm! And unless you're a good enough hurricane forecaster to predict that a storm won't intensify 36 hours before landfall, then you'd better leave.

[wx247]

I would say I would leave if it was a hurricane at all. I would love to ride out a tropical storm in a safe location. Otherwise, they are just great from afar. See? I give new life to the definition "weather weenie".

[vbhoutex]

I have ridden out low Cat2 and that was bad enough, especially when the tornado came through!!! Realistically, I would stay in my home for a Cat3. Past that I do not know where I would go because I don't know that there are any shelters that I would trust more than my house.

On the other hand you will find me out in the middle of it chasing with our S2K chaser Tony Whitener, who by the way supplied a lot of the Kitty Hawk video you saw from Isabel. TWC and several British groups used a lot of the video he shot during Hurricane Isabel and every chance he got he told them he was chasing for STORM2K!!! Talk about good publicity!!!! He will be back chasing this year tooand if I get a chance I will be right there with him.

[stormraiser]

I said Cat 2, but it depends on where I am when it hits. I don't expect too many Cat 2 Hurricanes where I am now, but I hope to someday be back in the DC area or maybe further south, and depending on the area, low-lying or whatever, I may amend that decision