What would you do if warned about an oncoming hurricane?

[MoonRiver]

Lots of criticism here that people "asked for it" or "deserve what they got" by not leaving, but seriously, consider what YOU would do under the circumstances. And I honestly don't know what I would do. I live in tornado alley, and we have a well equipped basement to deal with those disasters. But if I had to disrupt my life every time I heard a hurricane was coming in, and most of the time they amounted to much of nothing, well, I just don't know.

14 votes, 0 passes | Time left: Unlimited
	I would get out of the hurricane's way!
	12 (86%)
	I would hunker down in my home and hope it's a false alarm.
	0 (0%)
	I would hunker down with my home fully prepared and fortified for the storm.
	1 (7%)
	Other
	1 (7%)
	0 DU members did not wish to select any of the options provided.
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[ProgressiveProfessor]

1. I would hunker down even if I thought I was in its path

My home is about as secure as it gets for those things. I am better off there than overheating on an Socal freeway.

Then again, I have a plan, equipment, and supplies. That makes me an exception to the rule

[gateley]

2. Hunker down. No money to get out of the way.

[HooptieWagon]

3. I'm in a non-evacuation zone, so I'd probably hunker down.

And be prepared for camping conditions for a week or so. But if I had elderly or kids to look after, I'd evacuate to middle of state.

[jorno67]

4. Well with my current situation in life, I would leave.

But a lot of people don't have that option in these end of month hurricanes. How and where are poor and elderly on Social Security gonna go during a storm that hits at the end of the month?

[MoonRiver]

5. Good point.

[taterguy]

6. Wonder why the fuck a hurricane was coming so far inland

[RebelOne]

7. I lived in South Florida and lived through many hurricanes.

Just buy emergency supplies and hunker down.

[Fla_Democrat]

8. Would depend on the hurricane.

Not all are created equal. It would depend on the path, right over, to the left or right of my location. It would depend on the speed, the path it had take to that point. Had it crossed land and was weakening, had it spent time in the gulf getting stronger?

I have done both..
"I would get out of the hurricane's way!" and "I would hunker down with my home fully prepared and fortified for the storm."

[gkhouston]

11. +1. n/t

[Indpndnt]

35. Yes. And if it was called "Frankenstorm" and another "Perfect Storm," I'd leave.

If I saw that gigantic vortex heading up the coast on radar, I'd leave tire marks on the road from leaving so fast.

There are hurricanes and there are HURRICANES. This was the latter and we all knew it long before it hit. Unfortunately, not everyone has the same resources to be able to leave.

[etherealtruth]

9. Who knows ..

I am inclined to think my reactions and actions would depend on my life circumstances at the time.

Regardless of what I may or may not do, I sure as hell hope I have compassion for those that have been impacted by tragedy (tragedy great and small)

[gravity]

10. Depends on how strong the hurricane is

and how close you are to water.

[BlueMan Votes]

38. yep.

elevation is another factor to consider.

[Honeycombe8]

12. You left out an important option: Govt says to evacuate.

My answer:
Govt says to evacuate, so I fill 'er up, board up the house, get all the food I can, medical supplies, emergency supplies (I prepared a pack ahead of time, right? I live in a hurricane zone...duh), pets, kids, and hit the road asap.

If govt does not require evacuation, I load up on ALL supplies asap (incl gas....I own a car that gets great gas mileage, right? Everyone knows to own a car that gets great gas mileage, right?), I board up windows, pack up valuables and put in attic, and I hunker down with my battery operated radio, prepared to go a week without power. My cell phone's fully charged, and I have a landline. I have lots of batteries and candles and super duper lights you can read by. I prepare a higher level to retreat to, if necessary. Otherwise, I stay in teh main areas.

[LuvNewcastle]

13. I live near the water in a flood zone, so I would leave.

I have a place to go, though. My parents live 20 miles inland, so I can always go to their house. If going to a shelter was my only alternative, I would seriously consider staying. I really, really hate the idea of being stuck in a crowded shelter for days. My apartment is on the second floor, so I could conceivably make it on my own if I was well-prepared and it wasn't a strong hurricane. I have to consider a lot of variables when making a decision.

[Speck Tater]

14. No hurricane could possibly reach me at home, but...

When Irene started heading toward the place where I was vacationing in N.C. I got the hell out of there in a hurry.

[LynneSin]

15. I truly cannot answer that question because that has never happened to me

I've lived near the coast all my life but never on the coast. Right now I'm about an hour from the Delaware Beaches and we've never had a direct hit.

So for me I know this - my house is 2 blocks from the highest point in the city PLUS there are no streams nearby that could flood even close to my house. My friend who lives in the suburbs has lost power during every major storm yet I rarely have a flicker. Plus I have this inane need to overprepare anyways. So more than likely I would stay at my house because I know I am safe there and I don't have to worry about what to do with my cats.

But if I lived at the beach and we were getting a close hit and they said evacuate I probably would. I do have enough common sense that's for sure!

[FirstLight]

16. never been in that situation

living here in the High Sierras, I think of superstorm BLIZZARDS and wonder if something as nasty as Sandy was headed our way what would I do?

I'd hunker down to some degree, got wood for the woodstove and a pantry full as well as a stash of extra food if needed. BUT if for some reason we had to bug out, there would be no way... if it snowed 10 feet we'd have no choice but to stay in and wait for the plow...
The longest we were without power was 5 days, and the kids thought it was funny that I could cook on top of the woodstove... but we all ended up sleeping in the living room by the fire, our rooms were too cold to stand. You don't realize how remote you are or how much you rely on the simple things like power and phone till they are gone for a significant amt of time.
I would like to be MORE prepared that's for sure...

[Tx4obama]

17. Did you mean TORNADO alley and not hurricane alley?

A basement is good for tornadoes but not too good for flooding/hurricanes

[MoonRiver]

19. Thanks. I changed.

[progressivebydesign]

18. I just had to check to see which one voted to stay put. lol nt

[KaryninMiami]

20. There is no one answer. Depends on the storm

I live on the bay in a 55 year old condo with high impact hurricane shutters on the 9th floor. I would probably stay here for up to a category 4- maybe 3 if it was heading straight for us. But anything less- chances are I'd get supplies and hunker down. I'm also in a tourist district so our power comes on sooner then other areas. But if a cat 3 or 4 was heading right for us- I'd pack up my cat and find somewhere to go. Somewhere with a generator!

[ohheckyeah]

21. I rode one hurricane out

because we had company and weren't paying any attention to the news and what was going on. When we realized a hurricane was headed our way it was too late to leave Key West.

I learned my lesson - never again. I get the hell out when a hurricane is headed my way....I left VA Beach twice because of a hurricane.

[spin]

22. It all depends on where I was living at the time. ...

If I lived in a flood zone and was told to evacuate I would do so. I have in the past.

If I lived in a strong well built home outside of the flood zone I most likely would choose to stay. Much would depend on the strength of the hurricane and if I was within 50 miles of the predicted landfall. A strong cat 2 would make me consider leaving and I most likely would leave if the storm as a strong cat 3 or above.

Of course if I did stay I would have a couple of weeks of non perishable food and water available as well as a generator and sufficient fuel for it. My vehicles would be gassed up prior to the storm and I would have enough cash to see me through the crisis. Batteries and a good first aid kit should also be available. I would also have all my important papers and a couple of bags packed with clothes and necessities if I decided at the last minute to evacuate.

In a hurricane aftermath you most likely will be on your own. You may not be able to contact the police and even if you do they may not be able to respond. Consequently I have firearms available for self defense and also have the training necessary to use them safely and the practice and skill to use them. I don't recommend them for everybody nor do I feel that they are a necessity but it is somewhat reassuring to have them available if you live in a ravaged area. Some predators do take advantage of such situations.

I have lived in Florida for 43 years mostly in the Tampa Bay area. I have seen a lot of tropical storms and have been on the outskirts of a couple strong hurricanes. I have a great deal of respect for such storms.

[mrsadm]

23. What we did - upstate NY

Stocked up on gasoline for generator

Oiled and gassed the chain saw for possible tree damage

Had extension ladder ready

Filled both cars with gas

Charged both cell phones and had spare battery charged

Went to ATM for cash

Had extra gas cans filled ready for generator or chain saw

Did all laundry

Had extra food, water and pet food on hand

[RichGirl]

24. The best thing about a hurricane...

Unlike a tornado which is so fast you have to act immediately...Hurricanes are slow. You have at minimum 24 hours to decide to leave or stay, pack up, etc. I've see many. Only left for one. The others were mostly nerve racking. Preparation is the most important thing. Stock up on food and drinking water and count on losing electricity, which means if you're in the country with a well, your water pump won't work so no water. Lots of batteries, candles and most important a generator and gas. Use sparingly.

I've gone over 10 days without electric and water...so it seems those on SI complaining about a few days...well, they'll learn...won't be their last hurricane.

But...if there's a mandatory evacuation you leave. ESPECIALLY if you have children. There is nothing more important than your lives. So, I honestly don't get why the people on Staten Island didn't leave. They're on an island, in the Atlantic, the biggest storm ever coming their way...and they stay???? Lots of shelters are set up for evacuees in schools and churches, with food, water and beds. No excuse. But...like I said...they'll learn.

[riderinthestorm]

25. As a large livestock farmer, this will never apply. However, for me it would depend on circumstances

At my farm in IL, I have 300 gal of fuel, the necessary equipment to power everything with generators, enough food and cash for at least 3 months etc. etc. No matter how severe the storm, we are prepared to ride it out here. We must. I have a responsibility to the animals.

In a hurricane situation without any large animal concerns - it would depend on whether it was a mandatory evacuation, and my proximity to the water and winds. I'm a safety gal so I know I'd have brought in enough supplies to endure the aftermath for a couple weeks if I were going to stay (if it could be reasonably ASSumed my place wasn't in the direct line of fire).

If I had a place too close to the danger zone, I'd go. Board the place up if there were time, get the pets in the car, and head for the hills. If you live in an area that's exposed to hurricane potential, you MUST have a plan. Its foolish otherwise.

[jbgood1977]

26. Another option is needed.

I would leave town but leave my home boarded up and well stocked for me coming home to an extended period of no electricity - just as I've done on several occasions. I USED to live on the Gulf Coast.

[malaise]

27. You are not told to evacuate everytime a hurricane is coming

What you need to do is to pay attention, prepare for after the storm and know where the storm is going and if you have to head to a shelter.

[Posteritatis]

28. Stock up and hunker down, pretty much

Hurricanes make it this far - I'm quite a bit north of NY - and smack my hometown directly every few years. In '03 we took the eyewall of a strong category 2 straight up the harbour at high tide and at least my part of town got away with minimal damage (trees notwithstanding). It's planning for the power outages that's the big thing here, and that's not hard to do during hurricane season in this climate.

[mrs_p]

29. have a little one and won't take chances

so I would get the hell out of Dodge.

[former-republican]

30. What I would do is not be in the situation 99.99% of people I see

[Viking12]

31. I'd shit my pants. I live in WI, and if a hurricane hits here, we're all in big fucking trouble.

[woo me with science]

32. Use my best judgment. nt

[saveallthekids]

33. NH

It wasn't that bad here though some of my friends were without power. Schools were closed in some areas. I feel for the folks that suffered tho.

[DearHeart]

34. Depends on the strength...

Category 2 or over...I'm buggin out! Been through a Cat 1-was bad enough. Now,back living in Chicago, only have to deal with blizzards and tornadoes! ugh!!

[LeftyMom]

36. I live 100 miles inland, and the water off shore comes down from the arctic.

If we ever have a hurricane here we're all long past fucked.

We're barely second to New Orleans in flood risk though. I suppose that's offset by being the only sizable California city nowhere near a fault worth noticing. I wouldn't trade, floods are slow and give plenty of warning.

Either way, the plan is the same. Put kid, cats and whatever isn't nailed down into the car, head over the Sierras to relatives in Nevada.

[XemaSab]

44. 50 pounds of soy curls...

[upi402]

37. Lucky to have runaway money. n/t

[LeftInTX]

39. Follow instructions, if in evacuation zone evacuate

Don't do what Houston attempted during Hurricane Rita which was the mass evacuation of several million

[sabrina 1]

40. We've been through several hurricanes and we always stayed.

We were always near the water and were always prepared for days without power. The longest time without power was ten days.

However, storms are getting bigger and more powerful so it would depend, as it always did actually.

We have animals so that would be a consideration, we would definitely not leave them behind. But we are fairly used to storms, nor'easters, hurricanes etc and don't generally panic, but we do prepare.

What people do not realize is that older people do not have access to the information we have and many of them have been through many storms. Also, as was the case in Katrina AND with Sandy, older people would not leave their animals behind.

There is also the problem in more congested areas such as NJ eg, older people often do not have cars. They use buses and subways. So unless they have someone to drive them, it would be difficult for them to leave, with their animals.

There is no point in trying to place blame on people for not leaving as there is no way to know why someone doesn't leave.

Eg, why don't older people leave their apartments in winter when they have no heat rather than stay and die, as often happens? Too many people are alone and have no one to look out for them sadly.

All that matters once the storm hits is saving lives regardless of why they need saving. I don't get the judgementalism at all. Didn't get it when the Republicans went after Katrina victims either.

[AsahinaKimi]

41. San Francisco has the most boring weather..

Here are your choices:
1. Fog
2. Scattered Showers
3. Sunny Days

IF there ever was a hurricane or cyclone..it would be the most freakish thing ever. About as rare as getting Snow in the city. (I think that happened once, in the 1950s..) I live approximately 2.1 miles from the Ocean. Our place was built to standard city code to account for earthquakes. My place is in the lower garage level..and we live on a hill slopping up from the ocean beaches below. Flooding waters would have to travel uphill to reach here.

I don't know where I would go if I had to evacuate. I don't have transportation, (car, bike, motorcycle) and would have to rely on
SF MUNI buses or cabs to go anywhere. I would have no choice but to hunker down and hang on for the ride. I rode out the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake so it probably wouldn't be that much of a stretch to say that I would survive that too.


**Edit to note: IF Godzilla EVER showed up, there would be no such promises!

[XemaSab]

42. .

[AsahinaKimi]

43. 1906! Very good!

Except it TOOK that earthquake for the city to create the standard codes of building in the City.. Look at the DIFFERENCE between that and 1989! Most of the major damage was across the bay! San Francisco did have the fires out in the Marina section..broken gas pipes, some building did collapse because they were built on sand in an area that was once part of the bay...which had once been water. Landfill I believe is what it was called. The rest of the city had some damage, just not anything like what happened in 1906.

Its BECAUSE of our building codes after 1906, that places around here, will hold up better than places without those kinds of codes.