Hurricane Gustav
Lest anyone think I am not taking this seriously, allow me to dispel that notion. I assure you, few people are more serious about this than me. After all, I spent seven years in the weather career field and I have been through four major storms, including one of the worst to ever hit the United States and I know full-well what they are capable of.
But at the same time, I am not willing to leave my home and possessions needlessly, especially if there is a reasonable chance that I would be safe in remaining. Evacuation is a hassle; you fight traffic, you have to worry about your home the whole time you are gone, we have to deal with six terrified cats in the car on an eight-hour drive to my parents' house, and then we have to be back right after the storm for Kanna to return to work. It's more trouble than it is worth for a little discomfort.
If I feel that we are significantly threatened, I will leave, but I won't have a solid idea of the level of that threat until Sunday. Right now, the storm is forecast to become a category 5, but it is still hundreds of miles from shore and there is a lot that can happen. Yes, it is rapidly intensifying. Yes, there is always a danger. Yes, it could turn and hit closer to us. But as of this instant, no one (and I mean NO ONE) can accurately predict what will happen. If by tomorrow evening, it seems as though we may be in the direct path (or even close enough that it could give us problems), we will evacuate, but I'm not making a decision until that time.
And if I hear one more person remind me that I was wrong about Katrina, I will scream. Katrina was a fluke; a one in a million shot. She struck at high-tide, lingered over the area for an exceptional period of time, and was fed by a low-pressure system that was in the region. Could it happen again? Sure it could; but Gustav could just as easily veer west or peter into nothing. We just don't know.
These storms are unpredictable; I understand that. But evacuation is a lot of effort and expense, with very little return, particularly if it is a false alarm. I'll leave when I'm certain there is a danger. I will not be panicked into fleeing if there is no reason to do so.
But at the same time, I am not willing to leave my home and possessions needlessly, especially if there is a reasonable chance that I would be safe in remaining. Evacuation is a hassle; you fight traffic, you have to worry about your home the whole time you are gone, we have to deal with six terrified cats in the car on an eight-hour drive to my parents' house, and then we have to be back right after the storm for Kanna to return to work. It's more trouble than it is worth for a little discomfort.
If I feel that we are significantly threatened, I will leave, but I won't have a solid idea of the level of that threat until Sunday. Right now, the storm is forecast to become a category 5, but it is still hundreds of miles from shore and there is a lot that can happen. Yes, it is rapidly intensifying. Yes, there is always a danger. Yes, it could turn and hit closer to us. But as of this instant, no one (and I mean NO ONE) can accurately predict what will happen. If by tomorrow evening, it seems as though we may be in the direct path (or even close enough that it could give us problems), we will evacuate, but I'm not making a decision until that time.
And if I hear one more person remind me that I was wrong about Katrina, I will scream. Katrina was a fluke; a one in a million shot. She struck at high-tide, lingered over the area for an exceptional period of time, and was fed by a low-pressure system that was in the region. Could it happen again? Sure it could; but Gustav could just as easily veer west or peter into nothing. We just don't know.
These storms are unpredictable; I understand that. But evacuation is a lot of effort and expense, with very little return, particularly if it is a false alarm. I'll leave when I'm certain there is a danger. I will not be panicked into fleeing if there is no reason to do so.