Evac orderd for ALL of MOBILE CO. and for BALDWIN S OF I-10

[Ixolib]

Yes, that's the true version. ALL of Mobile county and SOUTH of I-10 in Baldwin County. No matter - even if it was **just** south of I-10, that's still a H-U-G-E number of people!!

They do this for all MAJOR canes. No worries! The folks that live there know the vulnurable areas.

I hear what you're saying - but why institue "unrealistic" evacuation orders?? Seems to me that would make **less** people pay attention.

[Cape Verde]

Mandatory evacuations are just a threat from the government, and generally mean that they won't come rescue you if you don't leave. They're generally a little too busy to come arrest you, even if state law permits them to do so.

[Ixolib]

Mandatory evacuations are just a threat from the government, and generally mean that they won't come rescue you if you don't leave. They're generally a little too busy to come arrest you, even if state law permits them to do so.

Yeah, that's a good point... So actually, I guess, all evac orders are basically "unrealistic" in their stated expectation.

[Alacane]

Just a little FYI...2004 population estimates from census.gov: Mobile County: 400,256; Baldwin County: 156,701. Not sure how many in Baldwin County south of I-10, but most of the major towns in the city are south of I-10 (Fairhope, Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Foley, etc.).

[jes]

The news earlier today said that people got confused during Ivan when they ordered the mandatory evacuation in Mobile County South of I 10------so now they've decided, to prevent confusion, they will just order a total evaculation. That man is crazy ---- where are we all supposed to go --- there are no hotel or motel rooms available anywhere within reason. Does this mean the nursing home I was going to take my parents to will now have to close. I am just furious --- I can not handle them alone at home and can not get them out of town.

[Brent]

Good luck getting all the people out...

[wx247]

Good luck getting all the people out...

Don't know why you are laughing... this is serious.

[Cape Verde]

Yeah, that's a good point... So actually, I guess, all evac orders are basically "unrealistic" in their stated expectation.

<P>Exactly. They DO motivate the people who are too stupid to leave if they've done inadequate preparations, but they generally don't deter the stubborn and stupid, or the ones who have made a realistic assessment of their situation and have taken adequate preparations.<P>It will, though, have the effect of closing all businesses, and certainly all hotels and motels in the area.<P>If even 50% of those people in the affected areas comply, it's going to be a traffic nightmare and an economic punch in the gut.

[simplykristi]

I would take the evacuation order very seriously. I rather be safe than sorry.

Kristi

[Cape Verde]

The news earlier today said that people got confused during Ivan when they ordered the mandatory evacuation in Mobile County South of I 10------so now they've decided, to prevent confusion, they will just order a total evaculation. That man is crazy ---- where are we all supposed to go --- there are no hotel or motel rooms available anywhere within reason. Does this mean the nursing home I was going to take my parents to will now have to close. I am just furious --- I can not handle them alone at home and can not get them out of town.

<P>You can't order 450,000 people or so to leave their homes on 12 hours notice.<P>That would be bigger than the biblical Exodus by quite a considerable factor.<P>Are they really going to evacuate every hospital in Mobile County, including any intensive care patients? It's absurd.<P>If there aren't exceptions built into this order, call the Governor's office. A literal evacuation of everyone would probably end up killing far more people than a hurricane ever would.

[Lindaloo]

They are going to close 59 southbound at 6 AM tomorrow morning.

[mtm4319]

Here are the evacuation zone maps for Mobile and Baldwin counties (Adobe .pdf files). As you can see, over 70% of Mobile County is usually not ordered to evacuate even in the case of a major hurricane.

[jax]

I'm still headed over there and surfing tomorrow...

[Lindaloo]

I'm still headed over there and surfing tomorrow...

You better bring a boat then. Or bail money.

[baygirl_1]

well, so much for our plan to get a jump and leave before dawn! looks like we'll have much company on the road. i've lived here my entire like and have never seen anything like this. my fear factor just racheted up by about a thousand points! i am getting really scared now, y'all. be safe everyone.

[artinla]

My brother works for Baldwin County Emergency Management, so I have some unique insight into this subject.
The mandatory evacuation is also a way to avoid having to run any shelters. The governor says that they don't have any buildings that can stand up to 120+mph winds. Thats total BS and just a way to avoid any liability or responsibility for those who cannot leave. The overall effect is that many poor people try to ride out the storms in homes that are unsafe, and many people who need not evacuate are clogging the roads for no reason.

Funny that all the road workers, firemen, utility crews etc. seem to be able to find buildings that are "safe" for these type of winds.

I am voting Riley out just as soon as the polls open... He is clueless.

[Ixolib]

...I am voting Riley out just as soon as the polls open.

So, this post may not be too far off base??

gkrangers wrote:
Ok so how many people live south of I-10?

Rolltied Wrote:
Way too many to order them to leave. Either the order was some sort of a mixup or the govenor is clueless.

[dhweather]

I'm still headed over there and surfing tomorrow...

You better bring a boat then. Or bail money.

Speaking of, has anyone ever been arrested for not leaving in a
"mandatory evacuation"?

[drezee]

I was born in Mobile, AL and lived through Frederic. This is the dumbest thing ever. I mean ever. More people will die on the road than Dennis could have ever gotten. They are calling for 500,000 people to evacuate in one day. Please fire the EMA officials, Governor, and any other official who voted for this crap. This should be a case study of why elected officials should take a "common sense" test before starting....

[baygirl_1]

actually, i think this all comes from the fact that the red cross stated yesterday that they wouldn't man any shelters in mobile county because no potential shelter is rated for 120+ winds. our county commission prez wanted to go ahead and man shelters themselves, but i'm sure that was a logistical nightmare. i heard they will open shelters here in the county but only as a last resort for those without transportation out of county. also... baldwin announced earlier there would only be a special needs shelter over there. they planned to bus folks to shelters upstate starting in the morning. this is unprecedented and quite scary.