Why the focus only on Florida?

[cind52]

Why the focus only on Florida when the central gulf coast is in just as much danger? New at this so sorry if this seems like a silly question? I live around New Orleans and the people here seems to be complacent because of all the attention going to Florida. Thanks for any insights.

[BigO]

I'm in Mid-City and I'm paying very close attention to it.

NOLA is "The City That Care Forgot"...we have a laid-back attitude about everything.

[Innotech]

some of New Orleans is laid back and some of it is happy to kill you for your money. I suppose that part really doenst care about the storm.

[janieb]

New Orleans here too. Getting just a little uncomfortable about this. Also have daughter in Auburn, AL so it seems as though I just can't away from this storm.

[vbhoutex]

Basically the attention is to your East because all of the current model guidance available suggests that the area of landfall will remain to your East. NEVER let down your guard during the hurricnae sesaon though. Always watch what is going on in the tropics and be prepared for an approaching storm as much as you can(supplies) early in the season.

[blumoon]

My guess is that Fla. is the first US landmass that Ivan could strike.

[LadyStorm]

You are absolutely correct. You should not be complacent to this storm. It has a good chance of hitting you as well. I believe Florida is the focus currently, because so far this season, it seems to have a hit me sign on it.

Why the focus only on Florida when the central gulf coast is in just as much danger? New at this so sorry if this seems like a silly question? I live around New Orleans and the people here seems to be complacent because of all the attention going to Florida. Thanks for any insights.

[Aquawind]

Well.. Us Floridians have had a rough season thus far and it wouldn't take a major for major Problems here. So were focused on the Ivan Cone which has been over me for 3 or 4 days now..The forecast is still for Florida and everyone along the GOM should have plenty of time to prepare at the speed Ivan is moving..

[TLHR]

It's a valid question.

For so long, we all thought Ivan was going to hit FL.
Now it's moved west.
But this storm is the size of South Carolina and Georgia combined!!

http://www.wunderground.com/global/Regi ... llite.html

All Gulf Coast residents should be monitoring Ivan.

[Us 2 cajuns]

Sitting here in Slidell watching anxiously also. Just took pictures of everything in and out of the house and plan on brushing off my window boards today and topping off the gas tank...just in case. Have a daughter and 3 granddaughters in Pensacola. She isn't worrying at all right now. (Guess it's an age and experience thing)

[wxwatcher2]

Focus on Florida because it has about a thousand miles of coastline compared to a couple of hundred in LA. (exagageration of course)

[HollynLA]

I agree that the people of SE LA are very complacent but with good reason. The forecasters are saying Florida, so when you ask somebody here about it, they say they are not worried about it, it's going to FL.

That does worry me in the case of a track change, of course, if the NHC is usually right, then we'll be fine. However, that would make landfall around the keys through Tampa, wasn't that the initial landfall forecast? Oh wait, it's moved around Pensacola now, or Pananma City, or Apalachcola (sp?), etc. etc. etc. I don't fault the NHC by no means, these storms are just about impossible to predict, especially days out.

[ExtinctionEvent]

And do forget about our fellow Yucatanites as this unpredictable storm changes directions, like i change underwear.

[cajungal]

I agree. Because Ivan still never made the north turn yet. And he may do like Gilbert who never took the turn north as predicted. They should not only focus on Florida, but the Central Gulf Coast too (Louisiana, MS, and Alabama.) And the Yucatan too.

[Jevo]

Why the focus only on Florida when the central gulf coast is in just as much danger?

Ohhh you didnt get the memo yet??

The universe revolves around us here in Florida and our brand new shiny Hurricane Magnet Machine


Seriously... The media loves a story and a triple shot would be great news for them... Personally you should be prepared for the worst and hope for the best...

I dont know about you but Im here in Fort Lauderdale counting my lucky stars... I get to sit back in my big Lazy Boy at 1 eat some nachos and salsa and throw back a few frostys and watch football.... which could have easily been wall to wall hurricane coverage like last week.

[SwampDawg]

As long as Louisiana watches, we're ok. It doesn't matter where the focus is. Oh, by the way, I had a car stolen in Lafayette one time Innotech.

[CYCLONE MIKE]

I live in SE LA also. Read the NWS local weather discussions for NO and Mobile areas from this morning. Sorry I don't know how to post the links, kinda new at this. They seem to think there are other scenarios in the making for Ivan also.

[sunflowerkist]

It is an economic conspiracy. Florida is getting the word from the locals that we are out of the woods, and they are focusing on you guys. The New Orleans economists are focusing on Florida so its tourists won't leave. It is economicz 101. The area down here has sold all the plywood and gasoline it has so its fat and happy and doesnt care because the money is alreay in the bank. Up where you are, they still have liquor to sell, generators to sell and plywood to sell. It will get tapped out but not before the tourists leave.

[SwampDawg]

wow...a little stuttering there sunflowerkist??

[Stephanie]

wow...a little stuttering there sunflowerkist??

fixed it!

Sunflower - As David mentioned above, the model guidance has so far been suggeting a hit somewhere in Florida. HOWEVER, the majority of the mets have been stating that the Gulf Coast should stay alert for any changes. When lives are in danger, economics and politics have nothing to do with this.