Why would anyone wishcast

[tallbunch]

upon themselves a hurricane? I don't post a lot but I do read a lot. Why would anyone ever WANT a hurricane to hit them? The only reason I could think of would be to get off work. Any thoughts as to why people do this?

[canegrl04]

They're deranged ?

[Derek Ortt]

many who wishcast canes happen to be teens.


I have to admit, I did a bit of -removed- back in the day when I was growing up, but then I grew up and will never wish a major hurricane upon anyone

[Lebowsky]

I guess for the excitement and adreneline. Having one bearing down on you does push all your other problems out of your mind.

But what they don't realize is a SERIOUS hurricane has repurcussions that extend well after the storm is gone.

I always wishcast for them to hit somebody else, or nobody. Very grateful my folks in WPB only suffered minimal damage.

[mahmoo]

The only reason I can think of is they have never been through one and are curious. Obviously, they have no idea of the wrath a hurricane can cause.

Been there, done that..........they can can have 'em, I don't want one

[TPACane04]

I have my own ideas on this....I am not a FL native but been here a few years...I think it (-removed-) comes down to people who have a desire to see mayhem in general...be it car crash, tornado, cane, whatever...some people get their jollies on this, some are just hyper-curious and yes some, twisted.

I profess to having a desire to see the power of nature in general, but once I see things like Charley's devastation, power loss, etc etc, it becomes much less interesting to have to experience it yourself.

Two closes calls in the past month are enough for me....thank you very much

[USCG_Hurricane_Watcher]

...Because they've never lost property...never been run ragged for days on end responding to SAR cases/assist calls...and never seen the tragic result of those who didn't heed the warnings...never had to leave family behind because "duty calls"...

I could go on for days...

[jlauderdal]

...Because they've never lost property...never been run ragged for days on end responding to SAR cases/assist calls...and never seen the tragic result of those who didn't heed the warnings...never had to leave family behind because "duty calls"...

I could go on for days...

these people I disagree with are more than welcome to come to my place and help put up 60 hurricane panels and 10 wood shutters...that will stop the -removed-.

[Lebowsky]

I kept my cell phone off during the two recent storms because I have friends in other states calling me wanting a live update.

That's incredibly stupid ... we are going to lose power so I'm trying to conserve my cell phone battery for emergencies ... duh!!!

They leave me two or three voicemails "Just wanted to know what things are like down there." They aren't really friends I guess, just ghouls. One of them asked "Next time I am down there can we go down to where Charley hit and see the damage?" Like I would do that in a thousand years.

[Agua]

But what they don't realize is a SERIOUS hurricane has repurcussions that extend well after the storm is gone.

Too true. The loss in productivity from even a single day's shut down of a developed area is huge. That's not including the resources that are expended to rebuild structures which have already been paid for one time. With an extreme storm, many businesses just throw up their hands. That's a loss of jobs, loss of $ going to repair that could have gone into someone else's pockets and, eventually, into yours.

Of course, Camille was the strongest storm in modern times to make landfall, but down here on the coast, the region NEVER recovered until the early-mid 90s with the advent of dockside gaming.

I don't get the -removed- either, but, it doesn't make me mad or anything; it's sort of amusing.

[msbee]

maybe they are bored and want some excitement.
I had never been through a hurricane untuil I was a grown woman and living in St. Maarten. I was excited at the thought of seeing one.. It was exciting to look at the wave action on the ocean in particular.
Having now gone through way too many hurricanes and having seen first hand the destruction, I would never wish for another hurricane nor would I wish for anyone ever to have one come their way.
and people do not understand the serious economic repurcussions of a cane.
For instance, even though Frances only came close to us and Ivan will pass well South, we have not had cruise ship visits in a over a week. That has cost St. Maarten a lot economically and no cane has even hit us.
so please, all you bored people out there, and all you children, pelase do not wishcast a cane for anyone

[GalvestonDuck]

Because they're used to disasters and the aftermath being resolved in 2 hours or less due to overexposure to the Hollywood idea of what a disaster is.

[AL Chili Pepper]

I think Derek hit the nail on the head. I admit I was a wishcaster back in the early days when I didn't have to worry about a job, insurance, or a house. Now, I have a totally different perspective.

[mahmoo]

Because they're used to disasters and the aftermath being resolved in 2 hours or less due to overexposure to the Hollywood idea of what a disaster is.

That is an excellent point!!

[Rainband]

Because they're used to disasters and the aftermath being resolved in 2 hours or less due to overexposure to the Hollywood idea of what a disaster is.

That is an excellent point!!

I agree, excellent post shawn

[AdvAutoBob]

After moving here to Florida 31 years ago, and only hearing about hurricanes once I moved here, I myself experienced the power of a "no-name" storm while a Ft Myers Beach resident at the age of 10. That pretty much did it for -removed- for me. Throughout the years, whenever there was a possibility of a hit, I had already prepared for the storm (do so no later than June 30th every year), and was accused of -removed- (not that exact term) by my more complacent friends and relatives every time.
When Charley threatened, those very same people were calling me in a panic once they realized it was for real. My response to "Are you happy it's coming now?" was met with a resounding "NO!".
I remember a clueless moron on our coast interviewed on TV when Andrew came through. He said "I was kind of hoping for some death and destruction and am kinda bummed out we didn't get any over here.." I wanted to reach into the TV and give him EXACTLY what he wanted when I saw that. Some people.....

This all being said, I do respect the awesome power of nature in all its forms, and do wish Ivan would go spin some fish....

[Guest]

I have my own ideas on this....I am not a FL native but been here a few years...I think it (-removed-) comes down to people who have a desire to see mayhem in general...be it car crash, tornado, cane, whatever...some people get their jollies on this, some are just hyper-curious and yes some, twisted.

I profess to having a desire to see the power of nature in general, but once I see things like Charley's devastation, power loss, etc etc, it becomes much less interesting to have to experience it yourself.

Two closes calls in the past month are enough for me....thank you very much

To say a car crash is stupid,thats not nature.I love to feel the effects of what nature can do.Be it a hurricane,severe t-storms a cold snap etc.I dont want to see car crashes,terrorist acts,wars,etc.Having said that I dont think most want to be in a CAT 3,4 or 5 myself included.But to experience at least hurricane force winds is a great thrill & I am no teen..There are people who storm chase regularly & they are not teens..Many people love the power of nature..IMO people who track & follow or are fascinated by hurricanes but say they dont want to feel one is like a straight man admiring the beauty, sexyness & softness of a woman but doesnt want to go to bed with one(Of course this will be deleted,this board is rated G)..I'm tired of the politically correct people that feel that they have to say all the acceptable things & expect everyone else to do the same.I love hurricanes,this is earth & they will keep on coming so those who are so afraid or inconvenienced should move to Montana.

[calidoug]

The more interesting question is why so many people pretend not to be the rubberneckers that they are.

Humans are drawn to watch destruction. It's why 99% of the people on this forum are here, despite not being able to face up to it.

"Oh, I just PRAY it doesn't hit city X as a CAT 5, but I FEAR that is what is going to happen!"

Please.

Face it, weather disaster shows, 100 worst high-speed auto crash shows, etc., wouldn't be the hits that they are were it not for human nature.

[Storminole]

I think it's a fascination with severe weather and a desire for the excitement of witnessing mother nature in all her fury. That was true when I was young, wondering for years what experiencing a hurricane would be like. And it obviously helps when you don't have any real property at stake.

Some things just have to be gained through experience. All in good time, the people I disagree with' curiosity will be satisfied--and then replaced by the anxiety and dread that storm veterans know.

So I say, allow the people I disagree with their yearnings for that first storm. Many of us have been there, and in some ways its almost a rite of passage for young weather buffs.

[patsmsg]

It may be that some of these folks have been through hurricanes in the past, and as a result start thinking everything is coming there way whether they are "wishing" it or not.

Ie, when a child is bitten by a dog, they tend to see all dogs as a danger for a while.

Just a thought...

BTW, I've experienced several hurricanes myself, including Camille, and I know that I perk up when I hear GOM mentioned in a forecast. It definitely gets my attention.