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Cody Dawg · Sep 23, 2005, 07:09 AM

If you lived in an area where a category 4 or 5 hurricane was coming ashore would you stay or leave? Why would you stay if you were staying?

And, what about if you had pets (as many of us do) and could not bring them to a shelter...would you stay or leave?

I've been watching as some people are interviewed on the news and they are refusing to leave (no mention of any pets) and I think, "You are being offered a ride on a bus out of town or to a shelter, so why do you refuse to leave?" I think, "Very poor decision to stay, stupid even."

But, then I look down at my little Katie dog and I realize that if I had to leave her behind, all alone at the house, I wouldn't leave either. I can't stand the thought of her being all alone, suffering, no food or water, sitting in a possibly flooded house that is hot and empty. I guess that makes me stupid also.

Fortunately, I have a car and I'd have tried to drive away, but if I didn't I guess I might be considered stupid because I stayed behind to take care of my pet.

I wonder how many people are in a similar situation?

Athens · Sep 23, 2005, 08:25 AM

if it was a home I built, prob stay, otherwise high tale and run

wdlove · Sep 23, 2005, 09:48 AM

Hi Cody,

A very difficult question. The last one heading toward New England we just taped up our windows. It would all depend on where my house was location in relation the ocean and storm.

Thanks for the chat special as always.

Millennium · Sep 23, 2005, 09:51 AM

I'd leave if I thought I had a good chance of getting somewhere safe before the storm hit. Being caught at home when a hurricane hits is bad, but being caught in the open when it hits is worse.

Leaving a pet behind would be a tough decision, but I'd probably leave. According to my friend in Houston, though, it's probably not going to be as much of an issue anymore. According to her, emergency workers told Katrina evacuees that they would have to leave their pets behind, and many people chose to stay in New Orleans rather than abandon their pets. With Rita, they're supposedly letting people bring their pets, hoping that this will get more people to leave. I hope this doesn't end up causing problems, but if it works well enough then they'll probably continue doing it in the future.

Agasthya · Sep 23, 2005, 09:53 AM

I'd stay if it was Cat 4 or lower. If it is a Cat 5, I'd leave.

Randman · Sep 23, 2005, 09:56 AM

I've been through two hurricanes and had to work then and would likely have to work again. Luckily, the office was also a hurricane shelter and we could bring our pets to work then.

wallinbl · Sep 23, 2005, 10:26 AM

I've never left, even when Charley? was headed here. I live in the Tampa Bay area, and they always miss, even when they are coming right at us. Two years ago, there was one that was headed due East right at us, and then turned South at the last second and went through Fort Myers instead.

wallinbl · Sep 23, 2005, 11:14 AM

Looks like a bus full of evacuees exploded, killing them all. So, evacuating isn't necessarily safe, either!

Eriamjh · Sep 23, 2005, 11:15 AM

With enough notice, I'd get the eff out! Take the pets with me!

nredman · Sep 23, 2005, 04:42 PM

i wouldn't live there in the first place but if i did i would leave

Teronzhul · Sep 23, 2005, 05:16 PM

I have stayed, and may again stay through a cat4 depending on the evacuation conditions. I'll be getting the hell out of dodge if a cat5 is on its way though.

residentEvil · Sep 23, 2005, 06:06 PM

should i stay or should i go now

paul w · Sep 23, 2005, 06:21 PM

Depends on whether I had someone as wonderful as you to ride it out with. We could talk and stuff. Drink some wine, etc.

Katies Human · Sep 23, 2005, 08:43 PM

I'd love to drink some wine, yes.

Riesling, please. Chateau Ste. Michele is best.

paul w · Sep 23, 2005, 08:47 PM

nah, drink reds, as you won't be chilling your whites when the power goes.

(oh and I was just filling in for wdlove, he'll be along shortly

)

The Godfather · Sep 23, 2005, 11:41 PM

If you had this Storm Room from the Dupont company, you would want to stay.
http://www.stormrooms.dupont.com/
Of course, it won't protect you from hurricane aftereffects: flodding, looting, diseases, etc.

JoshuaZ · Sep 23, 2005, 11:45 PM

I would leave. I think my own life is too valuable to risk in such a way.

IceEnclosure · Sep 23, 2005, 11:50 PM

Originally Posted by paul w

nah, drink reds, as you won't be chilling your whites when the power goes.

(oh and I was just filling in for wdlove, he'll be along shortly

)

eh, I would drink the white first. get nice and drunk off it while it's cold. better have a couple of bottles though.

-power goes out a few hours into the action-

get into the red in the wee hours of the night, carry on into the next day and beyond(obviously have 4-7 bottles of the stuff)

I'd be okay with the reisling, but any good white would do for me in a hurricane..

as for the reds, I'd go with the lighter varietals first. save the heavy cabs and such for stumbling through the streets later on, after the storm has passed.

Katies Human · Sep 24, 2005, 01:45 AM

Hi Paul W: Nice to make your acquaintance.

You, too, can be a member of the WDLove Club.

IceEnclosure · Sep 24, 2005, 02:32 AM

Originally Posted by wdlove

Hi Cody,

A very difficult question. The last one heading toward New England we just taped up our windows. It would all depend on where my house was location in relation the ocean and storm.

Thanks for the chat special as always.

WD, taping your windows will only...

well, it won't do anything. but if it makes you happy (as most things do).

Doofy · Sep 24, 2005, 03:34 AM

Originally Posted by IceEnclosure

WD, taping your windows will only...

well, it won't do anything.

Incorrect. It'll let your handler know that you need to meet with him.

nredman · Sep 24, 2005, 07:31 AM

Originally Posted by Katies Human

I'd love to drink some wine, yes.

Riesling, please. Chateau Ste. Michele is best.

mmmm riesling - if you haven't tried Columiba Winery's Cellarmasters Riesling you should, its the best riesling i have ever had...even better then all the german rieslings i have had.

http://www.columbiawinery.com/

Katies Human · Sep 24, 2005, 08:09 AM

Wow. I will try that, thank you.

Right now. At 9:00 o'clock in the morning.

wdlove · Sep 24, 2005, 09:38 AM

Originally Posted by Katies Human

Hi Paul W: Nice to make your acquaintance.

You, too, can be a member of the WDLove Club.

Hi Katies Human,

Very nice to have you as a new member. And welcome to the club. Look forward to getting to know you better.

Randman · Sep 24, 2005, 09:42 AM

Cody, what happened with your other dog?

ghporter · Sep 24, 2005, 10:25 AM

No doubt about it, we'd bug out. Get the pets in the cars, grab the important papers, lock the place up and head for higher ground inland in a heartbeat.

I sat through one hurricane (Frederick in 1979) in a shelter because we weren't given the option to evacuate-we were in the Air Force at the time-and that was more than enough. And old Freddie was only a Cat 3 if I remember correctly.

Nope, we're out of here if a storm threatened us.