posted on September 14, 2004 12:03:58 PM new
Glassgrl: The hurricane isn't even coming close to here.
Isn't that what the people said that were hit by Charlie. Ivan is coming wherever the prevailing conditions allow it to come. They don't issue evacuation warnings for nothing.
posted on September 14, 2004 12:28:27 PM new
Hi Everybody,
I am still at home. I'm packed and will head out tomorrow morning. I am going to head north towards Jackson and then veer West..and head for vicksburg.... since there are no motel/hotels available from here to Texas.. I will try and find a Mom & Pop or a Bates Motel along a less traveled route.
I'll just take my dogs and important papers and a few precious things I just can't part with.. and hope that I will have a house to return to..and I've decided to take the pickup instead of my car. Sure hope Ivan doesn't come up at the mouth of the Mississippi river, or New Orleans will be underwater for sure. It's shaped like a big soup bowl and once the levies go, it will just fill up..
Hope to be talking to everyone soon.. take care and be safe.. Maggie
posted on September 14, 2004 12:33:23 PM new
Bill, even the Emergency Management office here says they would prefer to lift the ban but is unwilling to take the chance that they might have to reinstitute it tomorrow if the storm turns.
Bay count is under a lever 3 evacuation, that means that only coastal areas, mobile homes and flood zones are being evacutated. That leaves 80% of Bay county that is not under the evacuation area. The people who are staying need supplies and services. To close up businesses this soon is irrespnsible.
The main problem in Florida is the number of people who have moved here since the early '90's who have never been thru a hurricane before. These people are scared to dead by all of the constant brodcasting by the Weather Channel. Anyone who has been thru a few strong hurricanes is going to stay home here and not be stuck out on the roads.
Personally, I'm glad the ones who are scared are leaving. The majority of them are lving in houses or mobile homes that are sitting on flood plains that should have never seen a house in the first place. It is only common sense. If a neighborhood has houses that are over 100 years old, its because the ground was high enough to survive the storms.
We've seen multiple subdivisions built since 95 that are in what locals know are swamps and flood plains. Old timers never had built on this land before because they KNEW what would happen in a hurricane. Bay county's population has doubled since 1990 and the majority of these people are lving in areas that could be very dangerous if even a cat 1 storm comes in.
I am still miffed as to why the local zoning boards allowed these homes to be built, but that involves greed which is a totally other subject.
As for Ebay, I'm wondering if all the hits are down because of everyone sitting on pins and needles watching the hurricanes. I was going to list this week but decided to wait until after the hurricane. It is just too much trouble to watch my auctions and have to answer all of the emails about the hurricane coming in from everyone.
As for those who might be in danger fromthe storm, I'm praying for a weaker storm and safety for all!
[ edited by ltray on Sep 14, 2004 12:37 PM ]
posted on September 14, 2004 12:53:28 PM new
Thanks, Itray. I have often wondered why the authorities allow homes to be built in flood plain areas. It is the same here in Texas, where people build along the coast (Matagorda Bay, etc) and scream like banshees when they are flooded. The same with the rivers, along the Guadalupe, etc. Along comes a few days rain and they are picking people out of trees with helicopters. Well, why in the heck did they build their houses there or why in the heck were they allowed to build their houses there! Just about as smart as the thousands of people who built their million dollar homes in the area where they knew D/FW Airport (one of the world's largest) was going to be built, and now cry and moan about the noise level.
posted on September 14, 2004 01:10:14 PM new
Itray: Just curious. You say that to close a store when residents need supplies is irresponsible. I agree, but explain this to me please. Some friends and I were talking last evening about the lines you see on TV at Home Depot, Lowes, grocery stores, etc before a hurricane is due to hit. People buying plywood, bottled water and the like. This just doesn't make sense to us. Wouldn't it be wise, if you live in an area that is subject to hurricanes, to keep some of these items in storage in your garage or somewhere as an emergency back-up so that you wouldn't be caught short when you needed them. How much room would it take to store a few pieces of plywood, a little bottled water, etc.
We have a storm cellar (tornado shelter) at my daughter's family's home near me. We have water, food, a phone, tools, and a first aid kit in the cellar. I hope to God we never need it, but if we do, it is there. Is it just procrastination, that keeps people from planning ahead. We have difficulty understanding this.
Bill
[ edited by etexbill on Sep 14, 2004 01:11 PM ]
posted on September 14, 2004 01:17:22 PM new
Maggie
Do you know where Ruston is? It's on 20 about 20 miles west of Monroe. If there is not a motel there, take Highway 2 North about 16 miles to Farmerville. You will cross over Lake D'Arbonne just as you are getting into town. There is a good motel just as you get on the other side. It's a small town and not on the main highway to Arkansas. You should be able to find a room there. I am sure they will let you bring your pets in.
This is my home town by the way.
Good Luck
Debbie
Be kind. Everyone is fighting their own secret battles.
...Author Unknown
posted on September 14, 2004 02:03:35 PM new
Good point Bill, we all know it is going to happen sooner or later, why not be prepared?
But the painful truth is many are not prepared. It is too inconvenient for them to keep this stuff stocked. After all we only have a major hurricane every few years , right? They will wait until the last minute and then drive everyone nuts screaming that it is not fair and they aren't ready yet.
I can see how my earlier post could be misunderstood. Sorry about that.
Funny, it seemed 90% of the people worried about being without services during Y2K. Why aren't they prepared now? How many people know how to survive 1 week without a grocery store, phone, gas station and electricity?
Just so others don't think I'm hard hearted here, I was raised by parents who grew up without electricity or indoor plumbing. If you ate, it was food from the garden. Water came from a well and the restroom involved a walk. Luckily, they taught me how to survive with the basics. The TRUE basics. Electricity is not a basic, it is a luxury.
My pantry is stocked with canned foods, there is water in the garage, duct tape in the tool box, candles in the candle box and tarps and nails standing by for roof repairs. I consider myself very lucky. I appreciate the everyday luxuries of my life, but I know how to live without them.
Many will be totally lost if the power is off for more than 24 hours.
Luckily, you can bet that where ever the hurricane hits, there will be food trucks and water trucks within the area hours after the storm leaves.
So, is it really irresponsible for the stores to close early ahead of the storm. Don't their employees deserve the right to evacuate if they feel the need? Yes, they do. But on the other hand, we seem to have created a society that expects others to take care of our every need and in that society, we are now obligated to provide services to those who can not or will not take care of themselves.
posted on September 14, 2004 02:15:20 PM new
I just heard from my friend in FEMA. He's from AL but is currently sitting in Tallahassee FL monitoring the storm. I asked him if the wind comes from the north or the south...and well anyway, here's his answer. I thought it was interesting.
"The latest track shows the hurricane going into the Mobile area. It is
turning counter-clockwise so the first winds will be from the east toward
the west. They will gradually change to from south to north and the last
winds will be from the west to the east. The strongest winds are on the
eastern side of the hurricane and in the NE quadrant. Sooo...... most
likely the strongest winds will come from the south as the eye comes
ashore. You might also take into account if you have any neighbors with
tile roofs. You will definitely want to board up windows on that side.
Marvelous (the hurricane answerman) Marv "
posted on September 14, 2004 02:43:42 PM new
Itray: We have a lot in common. I lived with my grandparents a lot when I was young. No electricty, no phone, no indoor plumbing, no car, no welfare or Social Security! We ate what we raised except for coffee, sugar, flour, etc. Took my baths in a round metal washtub. Helped my grandmother carry the clothes to the spring below the house, where she would make a wood fire under a wash pot and wash the clothes there. The great thing is, we didn't know we were "underprivileged". So was everyone else. Hasn't been all that many years ago, well 55 or so. Can't you just imagine a teen-ager living like that today. Talk about whining!!
I guess that's where some of my views come from. People whine about poor job, poor pay, poor me. I want to say "Get over it. You don't know how good you have it"!
posted on September 14, 2004 03:18:37 PM new
Gtootie, thank you for the information. I have written it down and checked my map, so I know where you are talking about. I don't know if I will make it that far.. hoping to find something out of the way of the storm..but I'd like to stay as close to home as possible.. thanks so much again for your help. I have a bad feeling about this one.. Take care.. Mags
posted on September 14, 2004 04:45:29 PM new
Between Charlie....Frances, Ivan....now possibly Jeanne...one after the other...many Floridians have developed the same mentality that a community develops when a serial killer is on the loose. We know it's going to strike, but where and when is the question. It was just days ago that I was considering evacuating SoFla for points north, like Tallahassee. My thoughts and prayers are with those who wind up in the area hit by Ivan. May you and your families and pets be safe...that's the main thing....and may your stuff survive intact as well.
