happyhoix
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Post by happyhoix on Jun 29, 2012 13:53:20 GMT -5
Well I have heard one of the reasons people don't like to evacuate is because of looters.
After having lived through a massive tornado, I can say this was a major concern of everyone in our area. The tornado hit at 8 PM and as early as that night there were people coming into the neighborhood trying to salvage copper wiring and anything else that they thought they could sell.
I was astonished by the number of looters we had. Three immediate neighbors had people come into their damaged homes at night and cut up the drywall to remove the wiring. One neighbor whose house wasn't damaged took it upon herself to patrol the damaged part of the neighborhood at night. She caught two guys in a pick up with out of state tags - they were walking around someone's debris strewn property. She blocked their truck in and called the police. I saw the police arresting some guys digging plants out of a yard. Two guys broke into an electrical substation and, thinking the power was still out, tried to cut into the wires to remove them, and one of them electrocuted himself. Yah for karma.
It wasn't that our police were slackers. They imported extra police from other parts of the state, and we had the national guard. Sadly the vultures overwhelmed the good guys.
On the news they showed people living in tents in their yards with guns. They were willing to live without power or water or a toilet in order to keep people from picking the bones of their house clean. So I can understand a little bit why people are reluctant to leave everything you own - it's a great opportunity for slimeballs to have easy pickings.
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justme
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Post by justme on Jun 29, 2012 14:01:51 GMT -5
In Florida they won't rescue you if you stay. They tell you they won't. They don't. Good thing for all concerned. In some states if you hike or climb where you aren't supposed to, they charge you for the rescue. If you call 911 they'll take down your information and tell you that they'll send rescue workers once it's safe for them to go to your area.
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movingforward
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Post by movingforward on Jun 29, 2012 14:02:39 GMT -5
"So I can understand a little bit why people are reluctant to leave everything you own - it's a great opportunity for slimeballs to have easy pickings."
Let's see... having my TV stolen or having a tag on my toe. I think I will take what is behind door #1
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justme
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Post by justme on Jun 29, 2012 14:04:09 GMT -5
Isn't that what house/renter's insurance is for? I get that it sucks if they take personal belongings too, but won't insurance replace the rest of the stuff?
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midjd
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Post by midjd on Jun 29, 2012 14:08:41 GMT -5
Depends... if you don't have flood insurance, and your house floods, and then people pick the copper pipes out before you've made it back to secure the place... I doubt the insurance would cover that (since the incident that led to the looting wasn't covered).
A lot of natural disasters aren't covered by HO insurance.
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Waffle
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Post by Waffle on Jun 29, 2012 14:09:21 GMT -5
Couldn't money be a factor, too? I've often thought that if I lived in a hurricane prone area, I'd have to add a line to the budget for evacuation expenses. What if someone just doesn't have the money (gas, motel, whatever?) to get out of the area?
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midjd
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Post by midjd on Jun 29, 2012 14:11:12 GMT -5
Waffle, this is YM. You know the answer to that.
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Sum Dum Gai
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Post by Sum Dum Gai on Jun 29, 2012 14:12:09 GMT -5
Couldn't money be a factor, too? I've often thought that if I lived in a hurricane prone area, I'd have to add a line to the budget for evacuation expenses. What if someone just doesn't have the money (gas, motel, whatever?) to get out of the area? I'd rather evacuate even if that meant sleeping on a park bench in the next town over, than stay in my house because I can't afford a hotel and be burned alive. Maybe that's just me though.
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Peace Of Mind
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Post by Peace Of Mind on Jun 29, 2012 14:13:52 GMT -5
I don't think it should be legal but I think they should be on their own. But then I think of the kids and pets who are subjected to the behavior of adults and then I think it should be legal... So I guess I'm undecided. LOL!!
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Rocky Mtn Saver
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Post by Rocky Mtn Saver on Jun 29, 2012 14:14:22 GMT -5
Regarding looters: During our fire, they had the sheriff's department, helicopters, and then the National Guard patrolling the evacuating areas specifically to look for looters. They only found one person where he shouldn't be, and he was just posing as a firefighter for his own weird purposes.
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Rocky Mtn Saver
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Post by Rocky Mtn Saver on Jun 29, 2012 14:15:48 GMT -5
Couldn't money be a factor, too? I've often thought that if I lived in a hurricane prone area, I'd have to add a line to the budget for evacuation expenses. What if someone just doesn't have the money (gas, motel, whatever?) to get out of the area? It could be, but they immediately opened up a large evacuation center here when the first evac orders came up. People could shelter at the center and they provided meals. They even housed people's livestock in the arena barns, and the Humane Society and local vets took in people's pets.
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movingforward
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Post by movingforward on Jun 29, 2012 14:19:10 GMT -5
Couldn't money be a factor, too? I've often thought that if I lived in a hurricane prone area, I'd have to add a line to the budget for evacuation expenses. What if someone just doesn't have the money (gas, motel, whatever?) to get out of the area? I'd rather evacuate even if that meant sleeping on a park bench in the next town over, than stay in my house because I can't afford a hotel and be burned alive. Maybe that's just me though. I really did feel bad for the people in TX last year when we had the fires because some of them happened to be gone when the fires suddenly started and people were not allowed to go back in and get their pets. I know some pets were rescued but some didn't make it. I know it is not worth risking your life but I would really hate to lose my pet to something like that. Then you had those that were able to evacuate with their pets but had no where to take them. Knowing me I would probably drive 3 hrs away just to find a hotel that would allow me to house my animal.
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Rocky Mtn Saver
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Post by Rocky Mtn Saver on Jun 29, 2012 14:23:37 GMT -5
Couldn't money be a factor, too? I've often thought that if I lived in a hurricane prone area, I'd have to add a line to the budget for evacuation expenses. What if someone just doesn't have the money (gas, motel, whatever?) to get out of the area? I'd rather evacuate even if that meant sleeping on a park bench in the next town over, than stay in my house because I can't afford a hotel and be burned alive. Maybe that's just me though. I really did feel bad for the people in TX last year when we had the fires because some of them happened to be gone when the fires suddenly started and people were not allowed to go back in and get their pets. I know some pets were rescued but some didn't make it. I know it is not worth risking your life but I would really hate to lose my pet to something like that. Then you had those that were able to evacuate with their pets but had no where to take them. Knowing me I would probably drive 3 hrs away just to find a hotel that would allow me to house my animal. I think I mentioned earlier that the Humane Society was really great during our fire and went back in as soon as they could for people's pets and livestock. Many people also reported their neighbors helping trailer animals and what-not. As for housing the pets, the Humane Society, the local Veterinary Hospital, and several local vets were taking in pets free of charge as well.
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thyme4change
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Post by thyme4change on Jun 29, 2012 14:24:13 GMT -5
I remember listening to some guy who was out "working with the people" in New Orleans the year after Katrina. He told them to take a jar and put all their change in it so they would have enough gas money to get out of town if another hurricane hit. There are always shelters that are taking people, so he didn't mention that. He had some other things (buy a radio, etc.) But I recall thinking "Wow, not even enough money to buy gas, and that was enough to keep people in danger." Holy cow - I am surely priveledged.
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Rocky Mtn Saver
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Post by Rocky Mtn Saver on Jun 29, 2012 14:28:04 GMT -5
The upside to disasters like these fires is that it does make those of us who aren't affected give thought to what you'd do. What you'd take if you had to evacuate, how organized your documents are, whether you have an emergency plan and supplies, and what kind of plan your family should have in place. Evacuees will tell you that it makes a huge difference if you've made even mental preparation before the disaster actually strikes.
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Waffle
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Post by Waffle on Jun 29, 2012 14:28:07 GMT -5
Couldn't money be a factor, too? I've often thought that if I lived in a hurricane prone area, I'd have to add a line to the budget for evacuation expenses. What if someone just doesn't have the money (gas, motel, whatever?) to get out of the area? I'd rather evacuate even if that meant sleeping on a park bench in the next town over, than stay in my house because I can't afford a hotel and be burned alive. Maybe that's just me though. I can't see myself sleeping on a park bench - but I could camp out in my van. I'm a little torn on the original issue - but, my gut instinct is yes mandatory evacuations should be legal. I'm probably jaded by the fact that I, like another poster here, has a stupid cousin who rode out a hurricane with her kids rather than evacuate when there was time. No matter what is done, someone is going to come up with a disaster related circumstance that they think is lawsuit worthy.
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Sum Dum Gai
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Post by Sum Dum Gai on Jun 29, 2012 14:32:48 GMT -5
I can't see myself sleeping on a park bench - but I could camp out in my van. That works too. I'm just saying, getting burned alive is a pretty shitty way to go. If I had to list the ten ways I really really wouldn't want to die, being burned alive would be on there somewhere. So, if there was a massive wildfire near my house and we got the order, I'm getting the hell out. It wouldn't matter whether we had a hotel room lined up, a shelter to go to, etc. We'll make do, but I'm not going to stay and risk going out like that.
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Rocky Mtn Saver
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Post by Rocky Mtn Saver on Jun 29, 2012 14:34:10 GMT -5
I can't see myself sleeping on a park bench - but I could camp out in my van. That works too. I'm just saying, getting burned alive is a pretty shitty way to go. If I had to list the ten ways I really really wouldn't want to die, being burned alive would be on there somewhere. So, if there was a massive wildfire near my house and we got the order, I'm getting the hell out. It wouldn't matter whether we had a hotel room lined up, a shelter to go to, etc. We'll make do, but I'm not going to stay and risk going out like that. x100
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NomoreDramaQ1015
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Post by NomoreDramaQ1015 on Jun 29, 2012 14:38:33 GMT -5
Isn't that what house/renter's insurance is for?
Renter's insurance doesn't cover everything. We can't get flood insurance as renters. If you don't have flood insurance your house isn't covered if you own it.
But for me personally, it is just stuff. If it means me/my husband and my kid drowning vs someone looting my TV, screw the TV. We can always get another one someday.
I'd rather be alive with the clothes on my back than dead floating around with all my stuff.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 29, 2012 14:46:33 GMT -5
I feel mandatory evacuations should not be legal as some are better prepared than others for disaster.
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Rocky Mtn Saver
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Post by Rocky Mtn Saver on Jun 29, 2012 14:48:59 GMT -5
I'm not sure how you become better prepared for a 100-foot-tall, 50,000 acre wildfire bearing down on your house, though.
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Sum Dum Gai
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Post by Sum Dum Gai on Jun 29, 2012 14:51:29 GMT -5
I'm not sure how you become better prepared for a 100-foot-tall, 50,000 acre wildfire bearing down on your house, though. Haven't you seen Up?? You just need a crap ton of big balloons.
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Rocky Mtn Saver
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Post by Rocky Mtn Saver on Jun 29, 2012 14:53:00 GMT -5
I'm not sure how you become better prepared for a 100-foot-tall, 50,000 acre wildfire bearing down on your house, though. Haven't you seen Up?? You just need a crap ton of big balloons. and a boy scout and a talking dog to help you survive!
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Abby Normal
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Post by Abby Normal on Jun 29, 2012 15:07:17 GMT -5
I'm not sure how you become better prepared for a 100-foot-tall, 50,000 acre wildfire bearing down on your house, though. Haven't you seen Up?? You just need a crap ton of big balloons. and a boy scout and a talking dog to help you survive! I've got two out of three. Hmmm- where to find a crap load of balloons..
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 29, 2012 15:08:00 GMT -5
I'm not sure how you become better prepared for a 100-foot-tall, 50,000 acre wildfire bearing down on your house, though. Quick summation- all brick house, stainless steel roof, all metal soffits, fascia, window frames, door frames. Also metal screens on all attic vents behind the Louvre's. All steel outbuildings. Minimum of a 100 foot, cut to the ground firebreak. Outward facing impact sprinklers with a minimum 150 reach and a 50% overlap setup. Town water with a buried 2 gas water pump backups from the pond. I currently live in a very rural area with an as of today d-3 drought rating. I've been prepared since I built this property 12 years ago.
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Rocky Mtn Saver
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Post by Rocky Mtn Saver on Jun 29, 2012 15:15:34 GMT -5
I'm not sure how you become better prepared for a 100-foot-tall, 50,000 acre wildfire bearing down on your house, though. Quick summation- all brick house, stainless steel roof, all metal soffits, fascia, window frames, door frames. Also metal screens on all attic vents behind the Louvre's. All steel outbuildings. Minimum of a 100 foot, cut to the ground firebreak. Outward facing impact sprinklers with a minimum 150 reach and a 50% overlap setup. Town water with a buried 2 gas water pump backups from the pond. I currently live in a very rural area with an as of today d-3 drought rating. I've been prepared since I built this property 12 years ago. Many people think they're prepared for many things, but it's not always the case. This fire was sssccaarryy. But, the good news is that if you want to stay on your property during a mandatory evacuation, you'd be welcome to do so. You couldn't leave and come back, but you'd be free to stay.
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Peace Of Mind
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Post by Peace Of Mind on Jun 29, 2012 15:43:27 GMT -5
I'm not sure how you become better prepared for a 100-foot-tall, 50,000 acre wildfire bearing down on your house, though. Quick summation- all brick house, stainless steel roof, all metal soffits, fascia, window frames, door frames. Also metal screens on all attic vents behind the Louvre's. All steel outbuildings. Minimum of a 100 foot, cut to the ground firebreak. Outward facing impact sprinklers with a minimum 150 reach and a 50% overlap setup. Town water with a buried 2 gas water pump backups from the pond. I currently live in a very rural area with an as of today d-3 drought rating. I've been prepared since I built this property 12 years ago. Wouldn't the smoke penetrate your house and kill you?
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Rocky Mtn Saver
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Post by Rocky Mtn Saver on Jun 29, 2012 15:45:20 GMT -5
I had a friend who was a logger back in the old days when the loggers used to fight the wildfires themselves, and he had a scary story about almost being suffocated when the fire surrounded him. He had to take cover under his bulldozer and the fire sucked all the oxygen out of the air around him. He said that many fire victims actually succomb to the lack of oxygen rather than the actual fire.
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Angel!
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Post by Angel! on Jun 29, 2012 15:51:07 GMT -5
Couldn't money be a factor, too? I've often thought that if I lived in a hurricane prone area, I'd have to add a line to the budget for evacuation expenses. What if someone just doesn't have the money (gas, motel, whatever?) to get out of the area? Here at least they were very quick to set up shelters for evacuees. I volunteered at one near my house the night all the homes were burning & it was amazing how quickly they got things set up to take care of people. You still would be living in a shelter, but they had lots of food, even pizza, a movie set up for kids, computers for contacting loved ones, a nurse & equipment on staff. Given that it was all put together in a few short hours, I was impressed. It was a little different from a hurricane in that you didn't need to evacuate very far, but people were helping each other get out. A lot of people with horse trailers were helping to evacuate the horses in the first 2 days of the fire. If you needed help, they would also send an officer to help you get out of the area. Money IMO was not a reason to stay behind in this situation. People were out there willing to help everyone get out.
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Angel!
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Post by Angel! on Jun 29, 2012 15:53:26 GMT -5
Quick summation- all brick house, stainless steel roof, all metal soffits, fascia, window frames, door frames. Also metal screens on all attic vents behind the Louvre's. All steel outbuildings. Minimum of a 100 foot, cut to the ground firebreak. Outward facing impact sprinklers with a minimum 150 reach and a 50% overlap setup. Town water with a buried 2 gas water pump backups from the pond. I currently live in a very rural area with an as of today d-3 drought rating. I've been prepared since I built this property 12 years ago. Wouldn't the smoke penetrate your house and kill you? I would think that would be very likely.
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