in which to shelter

yes, there are a lot of thrill-seeking idiots but there are many factors that play into why others stay

yes INDEED

I never evacuated either when I lived there, but I think I would have in this one.

Won't second guess them though.

Fingers crossed, vibes, prayers... all of it.

We're talking on FB, but I imagine all power will be out over the next hours as we move into the night.

Scary storm.

Many are in safe elevated locations.

Highest points in Key west are 16 feet and 12 feet.

Fingers crossed.

Some major concerns, but she would have trouble leaving.

Judging people who don't evacuate reeks of privilege. Where will they go? How will they get there? How will they pay to stay where they end up? What about their elderly or sick family members?

incredibly huge. in itself, that it would dwarf deaths from hurricane. 130 people died unnecessarily, many in their cars, when a "mere" 2.5 million were instructed to evacuate Houston in 2005, and the misery in those cars was far higher than staking out a place on a shelter floor. That's also a lot more than died this time in Houston, and, of course, most of those died unnecessarily also because they did not remain in places of safety.

Agree, though, that although sheltering in homes will end up best for most, everyone should have addresses, maps. transportation to the nearest public shelters and be monitoring projections continually to determine -- ahead of time -- whether they should head to one.

Last edited Sat Sep 9, 2017, 05:21 AM - Edit history (1)

... solidarity?

So I guess yes. Out of curiosity, I was checking shelter info in Manatee County, where we have, for the next day or two anyway, a mobile home. I guess Florida year-round residents know they would need to plan "shelter supplies," like for a camping trip, but I hadn't really considered it. Pets that haven't been vaccinated for rabies won't allowed in pet shelters, even in the mandatory carriers, papers required.

What to Bring to the Shelter
In addition to your emergency supplies (food, water, medicine, flashlights, batteries, first aid kit, etc.), the following are good items to bring with you if you must evacuate to a shelter:

Pillows, blankets, sleeping bags or air mattresses
Extra clothing, shoes, eyeglasses, hearing aids (and batteries), etc.
Personal toiletries, towels
Folding chairs, lawn chairs or cots ‰ Personal hygiene items (toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, etc.)
Quiet games, books, playing cards and favorite toys for children
Important papers and irreplaceable keepsakes (driver’s license, special medical information, insurance policies and property inventories, photographs)

Municipal, county, state, federal governments literally thousands of them, all with their own emergency plans designed to coordinate with others. And, of course, we're a far, far larger nation. But I don't know what you're thinking of here.

as is the power of Nature.

old buildings take little damage. They say none of the cats has ever been killed by a hurricane, so if the buildings do okay so should they. Must be feeling pretty freaked out about now, though.

As you might know, I'm a Brit, longtime resident in the Spanish Canary Islands. This side of the aNorth Atlantic Ocean we build strong, solid homes. It's in our blood.

Viewed from here, so much over there appears to be, unfortunately, extremely fragile.

But maybe that's just my always ignorant (and willing to learn) point of view as an environmental and so,cial scientist.

Unfortunately, changes to flood zones and land zoning come way too late, following delayed awareness of what climate change is meaning.

You're talking to someone, btw, who currently still has 2 very elderly vacation mobile homes down there. For sure one is about to be subtracted as Irma wipes out our wonderful little park on an estuary just off Tampa Bay, and then very possibly as she continues on, the other, which is inland but on a half acre of low ground surrounded by beautiful freshwater swamp and overarched by wonderful, giant old live oaks... On the plus side, we deliberately purchased very cheap so replacements could be towed on. If the land is still there... Suspect some developer will finally be picking up whatever's left of the park now after trying to get its happy snowbirds to sell out for decades. Terrific location every week but this one.

my thoughts and prayers to those that are left behind....may we see unexpected miracles.

The current path is not good for her

After the storm will suck of heat, humidity and mosquitoes.

But there is no way we can all leave.

I am sort of wishing that she left Fort Meyers

Then she should have gone. No loss of power and guaranteed meals. And a bar if that is her thing. But there are many hotels in the Orlando area I would not set foot on in good weather. In a bad storm they would be hell.

I hope it works out well for her.

WDW is shutting down tomorrow night until Monday.

WDW becomes a hub for those evacuating from the costs during a hurricane.

The hundreds of thousands of hotel rooms in central Florida are a little discussed blessing for our state in and emergency situation. They will be full of evacuees. And there are 1000's of never mentioned people who leave their home in a storm to take care of those guest.

Have a nice evening.

They went and got their provisions at the Publix and filled up at the gas station in Disney so they have a full tank. Meals may be boxed meals during the weekend, but otherwise things are just running on a skeleton staff. The parks are open until 9pm tomorrow night. Free Disney movies for the kids in the room for the duration. Another friend is a cast member down there and she said they are going to evac Ft. Wilderness Campground tomorrow. Relocating people to resort rooms and moving their campers grouped together in the Magic Kingdom parking lot, away from trees, etc. She did say that they are serious about people staying in their rooms during the worst of the storm, so she had me relay a message to my other friends to make sure they stocked up on drinks and food, and any other personal supplies they would need for Sunday and Monday.

They indeed have a skeleton crew. Enough to keep the guest safe. But you're not going to get a full buffet meal. Stock up on food, beer and bourbon! But the guest will be safe!

Hurricanes are horrible but many of the unionized Disney employees will make quite the paycheck this next week. And will take pride at keeping their guest safe!

... Thankz for this info...

for all those who are able to continue earning their livings in shelter. "...serious about people staying in their rooms..." If I'm ever trapped there, I'll now know to splurge for one of the big resorts. I love electricity.

There's no gas anywhere, the roads are parking lots and the storm didn't shift west till today.

Nowhere to go so we'll hunker down.

is in Ocala, I'm scared shirtless for her. I begged her 2 days ago to go get a room in Atlanta, refused to leave. And now forecast is worse.

It's not looking good at all. We may good to one of the schools tomorrow am to ride it out there.

Your mom can do the same. Many of the schools are shelters and they are all open.

You can type in a zip code to either find stations that are open and which ones have gas - or report on open/closed stations and those that have/don't have fuel.

Though I did hear on MSNBC tonight that a large percentage of Florida stations are already out of fuel, despite the governor's efforts. Stay safe...

http://tracker.gasbuddy.com/

Plus some of us aren't in an evacuation zone. I have shutters on every window and just waiting it out now. The waiting is the worst, though. We won't see anything until later tonight. We do have a few feeder bands right now in St Lucie County, but nothing bad just yet.

I will say this much - glad I stayed. We were supposed to go to the Orlando area. They may get hurt worse than us.

Inland you can hide from the wind.

You can't hide from water.

God be with those that stay in the storm surge areas.

They have made that choice themselves. I feel for their loved ones.

I broke out the chainsaw this afternoon and laid down a very large sweet gum in my backyard that could threaten my house. Cutting down a 2 foot diameter tree with a 16 inch blade chainsaw is exciting! It may sit there for several month before it is dealt with. But it will not be through my house!

Got lots of food and water. I am a Louisianan so I have 3 different propane cooking devices in the garage and 2 bottles of propane. Plus 4 large bags of charcoal. And my power is underground so even with 100 mph winds, I should have power soon. But we liberal rednecks tend to over prepare. I guarantee my family will be eating better than any others. Gumbo, etouffe, red bean soup, turtle soup, pork in sauce verde...I have it all in the freezer.

I have to be to work as soon as safe on Monday. We have thousands of tourist stuck in hotels that need a safe parks to escape to after 2 days stuck in their hotel room. And there will be trees down everywhere.

You have a nice evening and thanks again for your well wishes.

Been through a bunch of storms myself, that happens when a TN boy married a LA girl....stay safe bud, and hope you've stocked up on the hurricane essentials, i.e. Beer, wine, and water! Keep us posted!

But come Sunday night I will need my senses about me!

And once it passes I have to go straight to work.

I'll keep posting as long as I can. We learned in Charlie that cell phone towers go down.

I'm hoping someone starts a hurricane Irma experience thread. Maybe I will.

Have a great evening. And keep we Floridians in your thoughts

They plan to shelter in a large walk-in closet as it's the only place not near windows.

They aren't stupid or foolish.

My friend won't leave her father who is critically ill in the hospital there.

Yes, I'm worried.

They boarded up their place today and are heading to a place that is cement block construction with metal storm shutters on the third floor out of five. They feel it is safer than being out on the road and being stuck without fuel someplace on the way out of the state--with an uncertain storm path. They figure it's better to find the best shelter they can, rather gamble on getting out of the area fast and far enough to be safe...

I'm having trouble arguing against the logic even if I'm terrified for them.

Not everyone who stays is an idiot or suicidal.


Laura

while not post-Andrew construction standards, they believe it can withstand Irma's winds and debris.

Won't be with us in 48 hours

of me. Cat 1. not worried about the crib, but if it looks like extended power loss, I may leave after.

you prep and location to the coast line. I have 2 kids and 3 grand kids on east coast of florida....WPB and Delray areas....They have homes constructed like block houses, have all the storm shutters, generators, gas, food and water for 2 weeks. They are safer staying put than playing tag with a Hurricane.

We had up to 130 mph wind maybe more depending how close to coast you were.

It was a mess afterwards.

I had 15 people and pets in my house.

We lost power for weeks.

We made it.

Glad I am not in Florida.

Living in the midwest all my life, where the worst we can expect is a tornado, I feel pretty sheltered.

Not fun with no lights or ac.

My parents were still alive and would not leave.

I did get my parents to a place with power.

The dog and I stayed at the house.

Houston did slow down.

My friends came over and rode out Ike.

We were a full house.