20/20 hindsight is always nice.  I'm not sure what I would do until I was in that situation.  But I do know living with animals, loving them as part of the family and part of being a responsible pet owner I would leave with them.  I think the problem with Katrina is that they didn't evacuate in time, look at Gustav 2 million people evacuated before the storm hit!  Wow.  None of the help came for Katrina until afterwards.

I'd move and keep on moving.  I would avoid living in places that can be hit by hurricanes in the first place but, then that's just me.

Back when I was a teenager and involved in the Civil Air Patrol and the Ground Observer Corp, I went toward the hurricanes that came into the North Carolina coast. We hunkered down until it passed and then provided emergency power and communications. It was exciting, but I wouldn't do it now.

I grew up in tornado country and would much rather face a hurricane than a tornado. I also lived in earthquake country for awhile and rate hurricanes less scary than earthquakes.

I actually an a co writer on a book about Katrina survivors and I would be gone in a flash. 

If you would like to know more about the book or the research I have done, check out

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/994058/three_years_after_the_storm_anniversary.html?cat=9 

 

I would get out.  After the storm ends electricity would likely be out and branches covering the roadways.  I've seen cases where people get stuck in virtually inhabitable homes in sweltering heat with no way to cool off, little food,  and nothing functioning.  In such cases a Motel 6 will seem like a luxury penthouse (almost).

I used to live near Savannah, GA when I was growing up. I lived on an island and our backyard was the marsh. We would definitely head out of dodge when a hurricane was coming our way. I always made sure I took my baby, a Jack Russell Terrier dog.

I now live in Carrollton, GA a metro city of Atlanta. It so happens where I live we are in tornado alley. I would prefer to face a hurricane vs a tornado. A hurricane you have plenty of warning but with a tornado you sometimes have no warning. 

It was sad so many people / pets were lost and misplaced in LA and MS after Katrina hit. I was glad to see people evacuating early this time.

As a person who works with an animal rescue group during disasters I heard horror stories of what went on with the animals over there.  So sad.

I would go, but it would be extremely difficult with 3 cats, 3 parrots, and whatever fosters we had at the time.

I rode one out at a resort at Turks and Caicos about 9 years ago.....NEVER AGAIN!!!!!

It was only a category 1 but wow, was that scary. 

A tip for those with cats and birds: sew ribbons or ropes around the open end of pillow cases.  When there is an emergency and you have to evacuate the house, you can't possibly carry more than 2 plastic carriers at a time.  You can throw cats and parrots into pillow cases and carry up to a dozen at a time out of the house. 

LisaCarey said…

I actually an a co writer on a book about Katrina survivors and I would be gone in a flash. 

If you would like to know more about the book or the research I have done, check out

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/994058/three_years_after_the_storm_anniversary.html?cat=9 

 

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Nice article! We know a few people who relocated to NC from the hurricane area. I think it takes quite a while to feel settled after something like that.

I'm really enjoying reading everyone's thoughts in this post. Keep them coming!

Actually, it kinda sounds like riding one out would be fun.  That being said, I've never been in one either. 

Well, I just went through one in the last 24 hours, so hopefully I can offer you some useful perspective.

I think an important factor you have to look at is where you will go.  You have to have some kind of plan if you evacuate.  The ideal situation is to have a relative or friend to stay with.  Some people stay in hotels, but those fill up very quickly.  People with campers usually haul them to some safe place and wait it out there.  Otherwise, you have to find a shelter somewhere to stay at.

It also helps to know a little about the anatomy of a hurricane.  Because of the way a hurricane spins, northeast of the eye is the absolute worst place to be.  The eastern side of the eye usually has a lot more substance to it than the western side, so if you have a choice between going east or west, go west.

If you live in a sturdy structure (i.e. brick house), you live in a city where services are likely to be more quickly restored, and you are in a reasonably safe position relative to the hurricane, then staying may very well be your best option.  When in doubt, though, go west young lady.

By the way, in case you're wondering about me, I stayed with my parents in central Louisiana.  We got it pretty bad, and I would have probably been better off staying here.  Fortunately, my parents had no major damage.  They just had a lot of downed branches.

I too have lived in Tornado Alley (western Oklahoma), Earthquake Central (San Francisco) and now Hurricane Land (south Florida).   You are absolutely correct, hurricanes are the easiest disaster to weather, as you have full warning and can prepare.   

We always keep frequent-flyer airline tickets "in the drawer" for Evacuation Season (June-Nov).  Pets only go for Category 4 or higher;  otherwise the trauma they endure is greater than what they would suffer at home.  

Once you seriously evactuate for a "big one" you learn what is important:  insurance and legal papers, all forms of ID and home ownership, video of your home and contents, love letters, family photos, your favorite clothes, computer, and address books.   That's about it.  

You do also have to have a great plan in place, including EARLY hotel reservations or airline seats;  shutters, etc to protect your home;   a place to take/store your vehicles on high/dry land; plenty of beef jerky, fresh water and batteries;  prescriptions;  chargers for all your gear;  a way/plan to reach your friends if your entire town disappears;  an idea where you want to live next if your entire town disappears;  phone numbers for FEMA, Red Cross and your insurance companies;  a plan for your pets' comfort/needs in your absence;  and an idea how long the power's been off when you come home......before you decide whether to open your fridge and remove the food or just chain the whole thing and have it hauled away!  

JazzSinger said…

We got it pretty bad, and I would have probably been better off staying here.  Fortunately, my parents had no major damage.  They just had a lot of downed branches.

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Glad to hear you rode out the storm OK.  I'm sure it'll take some time to clean everything up!

steve9631 said…
Actually, it kinda sounds like riding one out would be fun.  That being said, I've never been in one either. 

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That's what we thought, but were we wrong. The staff at the resort told everyone to stay in their rooms while they went together in the main building. 

At first the wind was kind of cool, until the windows blew in and the roof started coming off.  The sound of the wind became so loud, it was terriffying.

We spent the rest of the night in the tub with the mattress over us.  In the morning we found the room was a total loss, including our luggage and clothes.

We had to wait another day for a flight out.

By the way, the staff at the resort was nonexistent the next day.  They never even bothered to check on any of the guests.  

I would want to go but my husband is one who would want to go down to the basement and ride it out. If I had time and a place to go and thought I would be safer, I would go and force my sons to go with me. I would not leave without my animals though.

I live in central New York where we get terrible blizzards and storms like that but we never leave. We just sit in the cold and dark and ride it out unless our roof caves in, which it has at least three times. To us, six feet of snow is just a nuisance and blizzards are an excuse to use our four wheel drives. But when it comes to hurricanes and such, that's VERY scary and I would rely on my husband to know what to do because he knows all about weather and how to survive in the worst of conditions.

I hope everyone here who has gone through this current hurricane (and any others) have gotten through it safely and with little or no damage to their homes.  Mother nature can truly be vicious at times.

JazzSinger said…

Well, I just went through one in the last 24 hours, so hopefully I can offer you some useful perspective.

I think an important factor you have to look at is where you will go.  You have to have some kind of plan if you evacuate.  The ideal situation is to have a relative or friend to stay with.  Some people stay in hotels, but those fill up very quickly.  People with campers usually haul them to some safe place and wait it out there.  Otherwise, you have to find a shelter somewhere to stay at.

It also helps to know a little about the anatomy of a hurricane.  Because of the way a hurricane spins, northeast of the eye is the absolute worst place to be.  The eastern side of the eye usually has a lot more substance to it than the western side, so if you have a choice between going east or west, go west.

If you live in a sturdy structure (i.e. brick house), you live in a city where services are likely to be more quickly restored, and you are in a reasonably safe position relative to the hurricane, then staying may very well be your best option.  When in doubt, though, go west young lady.

By the way, in case you're wondering about me, I stayed with my parents in central Louisiana.  We got it pretty bad, and I would have probably been better off staying here.  Fortunately, my parents had no major damage.  They just had a lot of downed branches.

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Great tips and glad to hear you guys are OK.

LibbyMcMillan said…

I too have lived in Tornado Alley (western Oklahoma), Earthquake Central (San Francisco) and now Hurricane Land (south Florida).   You are absolutely correct, hurricanes are the easiest disaster to weather, as you have full warning and can prepare.   

We always keep frequent-flyer airline tickets "in the drawer" for Evacuation Season (June-Nov).  Pets only go for Category 4 or higher;  otherwise the trauma they endure is greater than what they would suffer at home.  

Once you seriously evactuate for a "big one" you learn what is important:  insurance and legal papers, all forms of ID and home ownership, video of your home and contents, love letters, family photos, your favorite clothes, computer, and address books.   That's about it.  

You do also have to have a great plan in place, including EARLY hotel reservations or airline seats;  shutters, etc to protect your home;   a place to take/store your vehicles on high/dry land; plenty of beef jerky, fresh water and batteries;  prescriptions;  chargers for all your gear;  a way/plan to reach your friends if your entire town disappears;  an idea where you want to live next if your entire town disappears;  phone numbers for FEMA, Red Cross and your insurance companies;  a plan for your pets' comfort/needs in your absence;  and an idea how long the power's been off when you come home......before you decide whether to open your fridge and remove the food or just chain the whole thing and have it hauled away!  

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I wonder if there's a website that has a checklist for items to pack if you are getting ready to evacuate...looks like you've been there and done that.

mysticstarfish said…

steve9631 said…
Actually, it kinda sounds like riding one out would be fun.  That being said, I've never been in one either. 

---

That's what we thought, but were we wrong. The staff at the resort told everyone to stay in their rooms while they went together in the main building. 

At first the wind was kind of cool, until the windows blew in and the roof started coming off.  The sound of the wind became so loud, it was terriffying.

We spent the rest of the night in the tub with the mattress over us.  In the morning we found the room was a total loss, including our luggage and clothes.

We had to wait another day for a flight out.

By the way, the staff at the resort was nonexistent the next day.  They never even bothered to check on any of the guests.  

---

That does sound terrifying. Glad you made it through the ordeal in one piece, even if your possessions did not.

We talk about this all the time because we live on the ocean. It would depend on the wind gusts. We are on a 40 foot bluff so even if the tide rose a lot it has a long way to go to get here but the wind is another story. Our house wouldn't survive in 125 mile winds. We'fe seen gust of 60 mph. The windows are fairly new and it's weird to see them move i.e. give a bit rather than break. We'd leave for sure if a category 2 or more was headed our way. We'd take our dog and I'd take some jewelry and as many photo albums and pictures as possible and just head away. The bad thing about where we live is that there is one road out....

My husband put all the lawn furniture in the shed, covered the pool and put the toys away in anticipation of "Hannah".  I don't believe it will be more than a tropical storm with a lot of rain, but living this close to the coast, tends to make storms stronger for us.

I hate those awful NorEasters.  They can be as bad as hurricanes, but a little less predicatable, and during the winter months really bring damage with them.

I'll let you know how we make out when it's over.

Having never been in the situation before, I would say really it depends.  My problem relates mostly to "my stuff".  I'm a stuff person, I like my stuff, I spent time picking out my stuff, so overall, I'd at the very least pack up important stuff like photos, gifts, my favorite clothes and be ready to go at any time.  I'd have to own a travel trailer b/c i couldn't imagine leaving this kind of stuff behind without knowing if it will get destroyed.

If everyone else in the neighborhood was leaving, I'd definitely jump on board that train.  No need to stick around if the whole city is clearing out.  If no-one is leaving, I'd still probably pack up and organize my stuff so that I could be ready to go.  My worry would be that the news would say "it's fine, it's fine", and then all of a sudden they'd say evacuate and I'd have none of my stuff!  I really think the reason a lot of people do stay, even after the worst warnings, is because of their stuff.  They can't afford to pack up allllll their stuff, and they can't decide what stuff is important stuff.  If it wasn't for "stuff" everyone would probably clear out quickly with every warning.

These hurricanes do make me feel sorry for the people who live down there and have to think about all of this. I couldn't live in a place where natural disasters occur once a year or so.  I'd probably be more organized though b/c I'd want to know where all my important stuff is all the time :)  However, I'll stick with MI where our "natural distaster" is a couple feet of snow.  Same with what Patty said, it's almost no big deal for us.  The worst thing snowstorms can do really is shut off the power and get your job or school closed for the day (which hardly never happens even when it should!).  And all you gotta do is get a bunch of blankets and play board games. 

For those of you about the tornadoes - I'm so tired of tornado warnings here in MI.  I've not had one recently, but all summer we had watches and warnings and not a single tornado came anywhere near any county around here!  I wish they could learn how to predict those better.  It is nice with Hurricanes that you can see it coming from miles away.  Snowstorms can be a big surprise to us since the weather men never seem to know what they are talking about.

Katrena said…

The images of the Hurricane Katrina aftermath were horrifying. Seeing people standing on rooftops begging to be rescued really made an impression on me.

I can also see how difficult it would be to leave. Job. Pets. Possessions. Waiting in a line a mile long to board a bus going to a mystery destination. Previous false alarms. So, what would you do?

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We don't get too many false alarms here in Miami.  Usually if the National Hurricane Center says "it's going to hit/affect South Florida for sure," it does.

 My mom is not doing too well these days, so even if she were to change her "I'm staying put" position, she's too tired and frail to even think of being in a shelter.  We've never evacuated because (a) we are not by the beach and (b) we have the same "stuff" situation that vivasuzi has, or at least I do, so no. A Category 3 or worse could be coming (like Ike may early next week) and we won't budge.

I think the answer to that question depends on where you live.  I have personally lived through 5 hurricanes in my lifetime; two while living in Newport, RI, two while living in Hawaii, and one in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean. 

In Newport and Hawaii, there was little danger of flooding so we stayed put; but the wind is another matter altogether.  The best plan there is to board up the windows and head for the basement, or find a shelter to ride the storm out in.  At sea there was nowhere to run and or hide, and it was a wild ride indeed!   

Those who live in a flood zone should always leave.  Hurricanes are very unpredictable, deadly, large, and should be respected.  To do otherwise is to invite folly and dead!    

If one lives along any coastal plain on the East Coast or Gulf Coast of the U.S. not to be prepared to evacuate and resume life elsewhere is just plain ludicrous and inexcusable.  Compliancy in the face of the growing hurricane threat is inexcusable.  When I lived in Hawaii I had a hurricane kit I kept in the apartment just in case.  And while living in Newport we had plans as well.          

Fardreamer said…

Katrena said…

The images of the Hurricane Katrina aftermath were horrifying. Seeing people standing on rooftops begging to be rescued really made an impression on me.

I can also see how difficult it would be to leave. Job. Pets. Possessions. Waiting in a line a mile long to board a bus going to a mystery destination. Previous false alarms. So, what would you do?

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We don't get too many false alarms here in Miami.  Usually if the National Hurricane Center says "it's going to hit/affect South Florida for sure," it does.

 My mom is not doing too well these days, so even if she were to change her "I'm staying put" position, she's too tired and frail to even think of being in a shelter.  We've never evacuated because (a) we are not by the beach and (b) we have the same "stuff" situation that vivasuzi has, or at least I do, so no. A Category 3 or worse could be coming (like Ike may early next week) and we won't budge.

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I am so sorry to hear about your mother.  Ike is coming and it looks like it may be bad.  May I make a recommendation?  Please let your local police department know you will be riding it out just so they know you are there and what your situation is.

Good luck....you are in my thoughts.

TheBard said…

I think the answer to that question depends on where you live.  I have personally lived through 5 hurricanes in my lifetime; two while living in Newport, RI, two while living in Hawaii, and one in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean. 

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I know an old ''tin can sailor'' who lived through a typhoon in the Pacific during WW2.  Maybe you have heard the stories? He said the waves were so high they were breaking right over the ship's deck. If I'm not mistaken, several ships went down in the storm with everyone on board.

Thebard said: " At sea there was nowhere to run and or hide, and it was a wild ride indeed!"

Wow I would think you would flip for sure!  Did anyone get hurt or thrown off the boat?

Jo said…
We talk about this all the time because we live on the ocean. It would depend on the wind gusts. We are on a 40 foot bluff so even if the tide rose a lot it has a long way to go to get here but the wind is another story. Our house wouldn't survive in 125 mile winds. We'fe seen gust of 60 mph. The windows are fairly new and it's weird to see them move i.e. give a bit rather than break. We'd leave for sure if a category 2 or more was headed our way. We'd take our dog and I'd take some jewelry and as many photo albums and pictures as possible and just head away. The bad thing about where we live is that there is one road out....

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My husband had mentioned that they converted the interstate to all outgoing lanes to evacuate before the hurricane. I had never heard of that before, but it doesn't sound like a bad idea.