Guess I shouldn't have evacuated.

[pcolaguy]

I understand what you are saying, pcolaguy. This storm is very different than Ivan. Let's just hope and pray the damage is far different as well.

Finally someone who gets what I'm saying... these other people, I'm looking at where they are from and it's obvious none of them have dealt with a major hurricane in many years personally unless they moved from somewhere else. So, I guess I shouldn't expect them to understand.

[birdwomn]

I think Derek reacted strongly because he doesn't want people in evacuation areas to NOT LEAVE when a storm is headed thier way. I don't think you want that either. It is hard to tell whether you will get the worst of it or not. It sounds like you were not in a true "evacuation zone" aka low lying, unsafe building, etc. but wanted your family far out of harm's way. Which is a good thing. You made the prudent decision.

[FloridaDiver]

I'm watching this on TV and this storm is pathetic... Hurricane Erin was worse than this in 95 and that had winds only of like 90-95? At least it's good for the city, there will be only minimal damage. I'm going to equate this to about a catagory 1 as far as damage goes... very minimal.

Instead of sounding upset and let down because Dennis didn't live up to "your" expectations, you should be VERY thankful that Dennis decided to back off and become.. as you say.. pathetic. Obviously you have not experienced a catastrophic hurricane event first hand, if you did you would be wishing that EVERY storm that heads in your general direction remains pathetic, weak or becomes a fish.

I had the misfortune to experience Andrew in 92, I lived across the street from Black Point Marina in South Dade. I would NEVER want to experience that type of event ever again! I am sure those who lost there homes 10 months ago have a more "positive" opinion on the slow down of Dennis...

[Downdraft]

It amazes me that someone can actually speak like they are disappointed the storm "crapped out." Only my respect for this board keeps me from saying what's on my mind. You ought to be thanking God not making insane statements. Try to remember what month this storm hit in.

[Innotech]

all of you saying this crapped out obviously did not just see those reporters from CNN braving 120 mph winds in the west eye. that was EASILY as intense as Charley in some cases. What I saw on that video was incredible.

[VonBek_wx]

Not to mention the reportings of beachside houses with 6 ft of water in them. Storm surge and the flooding event to come will be the hallmark of Dennis before he is done.

[simplykristi]

Dennis is not done yet. Dennis will leave a trail of damage across the eastern part of the US.

Kristi

[SFloridaGirl]

its better to be safe than sorry..always evacuate if they say to..

[Rainband]

Unreal . I agree with the previous posts. And while you are at it.... Think about the 30 people killed so far in the path of Dennis.

[NFLnut]

I understand what you are saying, pcolaguy. This storm is very different than Ivan. Let's just hope and pray the damage is far different as well.

Finally someone who gets what I'm saying... these other people, I'm looking at where they are from and it's obvious none of them have dealt with a major hurricane in many years personally unless they moved from somewhere else. So, I guess I shouldn't expect them to understand.

Well, I'm a fourth-generation Floridian, and let me tell you, I've lived through a LOT of h'canes in my lifetime. I find your basis to be ridiculous! I am just waiting for reports from people to the east of you to see how sorry THEY were that they DIDN'T evacuate!! Given an extremely slight jog here or there, you would have been sorry YOU didn't! D was approaching Cat 5 this morning, and we watched yesterday as it deepened "insane[ly]!"

[aumoore]

Just because the reporters did not catch all the most intense winds to the east of the storm does not mean they were not there. I have not seen anyone report from Navarre beach or Ft Walton Beach. Also there have not been any reports from Pensacola Beach yet.

I evacuated to Phenix City from my home in Pace, FL. When the eyewall was reported to be inland around 2:35 pm CST my neighbor told me that he had been thru much worse thunderstorms. About 30 minutes later another friend called from out of town and asked if my house had lost power because his answering machine was not picking up. I called my house and no answer as well so I spent the next 45 minutes trying to get thru to the next door neighbor again. When his wife finally answered she said "we just got tore up and it is still storming". I guess my first call was during the calm before the storm.

Now my neighbor says it was much worse than Ivan. Trees that stood thru hours and hours of Ivans pounding were snapped like twigs and ripped out of the ground.

When the damage reports start comming in you will look like an idiot.

[Innotech]

also keep in mind Dennis was a FAST MOVER> Its winds were not going to be as long lasting and damaging for that very reason. Coupled iwht hte fact htat it was a VERY tightly wound compact storm, I am really not surprised at all that so many areas around landfall seemed largely unfazed. If the storm had gone in a few mph slower (forward speed) the result could have been MUCH different. however htis is the best people can hope for when a huge storm like Dennis heads for them. if it doesnt weaken much offshore, at least pray that it will pass quickly. In some cases that is enough to spare places from being destroyed.
In a way, this wasl ike Lili (yes I love to bring up that storm) in that massive evacuaitons were ordered, displacing hundreds of thousands, only to have the storm weaken and pass through quickly. HOwever the simple fact htat somehting horrible COULD happen should be enough persuasion to evacuate. At most it will cause a bit of expense and perhaps use osme of your time, but the advantage of not being there at landfall could mean hte difference between coming back to see your house destroyed, or other people finding your house destroyed with you in it (or parts of you)