milee
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Post by milee on Sept 5, 2017 10:56:09 GMT -5
I've lived in Florida most of my life so know how the hurricane prep deal works. Some things you can prepare pretty well for, some you can't. But in any case, there's a very standard way the majority of people operate when a hurricane is forecast.
5-7 days out: Weather forecasters declare the world will end and your bunker needs to be nailed shut NOW. Floridians yawn, go about their lives, head to the beach
3-5 days out: Weather forecasters declare you will all die. Floridians roll their eyes and as long as they have a loaf of bread and some milk, consider themselves prepared.
1-2 days from touchdown: Weather forecasters start doing their forecast while actually wearing foul weather gear. People start to head to the grocery store, gas gets a bit scarce.
24 hours before hurricane lands: All weather forecasts are done from the nearest waterfront, forecasters stand knee deep in whatever water they can find. People are now in full panic mode and go buy all the bottled water.
But not this time. I can only assume that the recent footage of Harvey woke some people up because they are prepping much sooner than normal and the agitation level is high. Normally, I'm the only one who's topping up their supplies a week beforehand, but this morning my normal stops at Walmart and Costco were insane. Even though the earliest that our area would possibly see any rain, much less the beginnings of Irma is Saturday (4 days from now), the stores are mobbed. There is no bottled water and people were fighting in Walmart. The atmosphere in the store was one of barely suppressed panic - people pushing and acting aggressive, which is very unusual for this area. I have never seen so many people inside Costco - there were no carts available and the lines for the checkouts stretched to the back of the store. I looked at the lines and there was no way I was standing in an hour + line so just left. The lines for gas at Costco were even worse. And the general atmosphere in and just outside Costco was just plain scary - people grabbing at carts and jostling each other to grab things. This is totally abnormal for what is normally a very quiet community of predominantly retirees.
Glad we topped up the gas tanks and are pretty well set for supplies. Gas was just under $4 a gallon at the stations I passed on the way home.
Edited to add: I wasn't in Walmart or Costco for hurricane supplies. Although I planned to pick up some extra bottled water while there, this was just normal grocery shopping. We have enough emergency supplies already.
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MJ2.0
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Post by MJ2.0 on Sept 5, 2017 11:10:37 GMT -5
I think it's good for people to prepare ahead of time. I don't think people should panic while prepping unless they are extremely unprepared. It really should be something you have already made/mostly made (minus the perishables). I am slowly building an emergency kit.
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wvugurl26
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Post by wvugurl26 on Sept 5, 2017 11:14:53 GMT -5
I am trying to be better about not being completely out of groceries, etc. After standing in stupid lines last year when the snow was coming, I'm over it. I do routinely gas up at the half empty mark unless I'm traveling.
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milee
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Post by milee on Sept 5, 2017 11:24:36 GMT -5
I think it's good for people to prepare ahead of time. I don't think people should panic while prepping unless they are extremely unprepared. It really should be something you have already made/mostly made (minus the perishables). I am slowly building an emergency kit. We're generally well stocked for hurricane provisions. The two things we need to get within the week before the hurricane arrives is: 1) Gas. Although we have 20 gallons of extra gas storage in portable cans available, gas doesn't store well. So about 5-7 days in advance of a hurricane, we not only top up the tanks in the cars but we also fill the portable gas cans. 2) Bottled water. I hate to buy bottled water. Not only does the plastic taste nasty to me but I think it's a type of environmental sin. So that's another thing I buy 5-7 days out. That's normally plenty of time. To be safe, I probably should just keep some empty gallon containers around that I can fill with tap water the day before the hurricane; I just don't have much storage space so haven't done that until now.
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Cheesy FL-Vol
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Post by Cheesy FL-Vol on Sept 5, 2017 11:27:52 GMT -5
I just stopped out at the local grocery to pick up extra water. The shelves here are already empty in the water aisle. Walmart parking lot and the grocery store parking lot was packed. I am about 5 miles inland from the gulf about 35 miles NW of Tampa.
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Anne_in_VA
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Post by Anne_in_VA on Sept 5, 2017 11:29:41 GMT -5
We are usually pretty well prepared for hurricanes. We top up the gas for our cars, fill up the extra gas cans, make sure the grill has gas along with an extra tank, and buy a little extra water. We have several 5 gallon buckets we fill up with water so we can flush toilets as necessary. Fill up the tub and any other large containers with water too helps.
We're prepared if it comes up this way.
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zibazinski
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Post by zibazinski on Sept 5, 2017 11:41:56 GMT -5
Thankfully no one is panicking in Tampa. Stores are normal and gas prices were high thanks to the excuse of Harvey. I did top off. My handyman says his daughter is on a cruise ship coming into the port of Miami this weekend. That would not be fun to be on that ship in those waters.
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mmhmm
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Post by mmhmm on Sept 5, 2017 11:43:19 GMT -5
I think, possibly, the fact that Irma increased to a Category 5 hurricane might have something to do with the panic. That, coupled with what happened to Texas as a result of a Category 3-4 would scare the pants off me! Not only that but Irma is expected to continue to gain power over the next couple of days. Saw a report this morning of max. wind gusts of 213 mph.
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Tiny
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Post by Tiny on Sept 5, 2017 11:43:34 GMT -5
I bet the flooding in parts of Florida (from the Tropical Depression that stalled over the state for a week that overlapped with Harvey) is still fresh in everyone's mind as well.
Be safe out there!
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mmhmm
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Post by mmhmm on Sept 5, 2017 11:45:32 GMT -5
Thankfully no one is panicking in Tampa. Stores are normal and gas prices were high thanks to the excuse of Harvey. I did top off. My handyman says his daughter is on a cruise ship coming into the port of Miami this weekend. That would not be fun to be on that ship in those waters. Ack! I don't know anybody who goes on a cruise in that part of the world in September! I'd hope that cruise ship changes course and docks somewhere else!
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zibazinski
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Post by zibazinski on Sept 5, 2017 11:49:15 GMT -5
I'm sure it has to. It's not like she doesn't know about the season. But cruises are cheaper in the summer so people take chances.
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zibazinski
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Post by zibazinski on Sept 5, 2017 11:51:30 GMT -5
I took one at the end of November one time thinking I'd get lucky. Rained every day and the seas were rough. I knew better but it was close so I took a chance. Fail. The cruise actually gave us free booze because they couldn't dock in ports and half our money back.
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swamp
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THEY’RE EATING THE DOGS!!!!!!!
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Post by swamp on Sept 5, 2017 11:53:03 GMT -5
DH was looking at surprising me with a long weekend in Key West this weekend.
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zibazinski
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Post by zibazinski on Sept 5, 2017 11:58:12 GMT -5
DH was looking at surprising me with a long weekend in Key West this weekend. SURPRISE!!!🌊⛈
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Cheesy FL-Vol
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Post by Cheesy FL-Vol on Sept 5, 2017 11:59:33 GMT -5
I bet the flooding in parts of Florida (from the Tropical Depression that stalled over the state for a week that overlapped with Harvey) is still fresh in everyone's mind as well.
Be safe out there! The ground here is still very saturated and areas of standing water in spite of little to no rain over the weekend. That makes me very nervous about flooding.
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milee
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Post by milee on Sept 5, 2017 12:04:06 GMT -5
I bet the flooding in parts of Florida (from the Tropical Depression that stalled over the state for a week that overlapped with Harvey) is still fresh in everyone's mind as well.
.... That's true. We got 13" - 16" (depending on exactly where you were) last weekend over a little more than two days. Flooding in some areas.
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milee
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Post by milee on Sept 5, 2017 12:05:27 GMT -5
DH was looking at surprising me with a long weekend in Key West this weekend. I'm betting they'll issue evacuation orders for the Keys by tomorrow and even that will be cutting it close. Takes 2-3 days to evacuate since there's only one way out...
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swamp
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Post by swamp on Sept 5, 2017 12:07:02 GMT -5
DH was looking at surprising me with a long weekend in Key West this weekend. I'm betting they'll issue evacuation orders for the Keys by tomorrow and even that will be cutting it close. Takes 2-3 days to evacuate since there's only one way out... That's what he figured. We aren't going.
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bean29
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Post by bean29 on Sept 5, 2017 12:08:06 GMT -5
We are water snobs? My DD and one of my DH's employees only drink Dasani H2O. I noticed I have a case of Dasani sitting in my Garage, I probably have one in the basement, and there is a case of Dasani sitting under the outdoor patio bar and we have 3/4 of a case of mini water bottles in the garage left over from a party.
We are more likely to be snowed in during a blizzard than to have to worry about our house flooding and flood waters that shut down the grocery store are really unlikely. We do regularly get Tornado warnings though.
I hope the FL Hurricane Prep is unnecessary. Stay safe.
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happyhoix
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Post by happyhoix on Sept 5, 2017 12:34:03 GMT -5
I took one at the end of November one time thinking I'd get lucky. Rained every day and the seas were rough. I knew better but it was close so I took a chance. Fail. The cruise actually gave us free booze because they couldn't dock in ports and half our money back. DS did one of those, they thought they might have to come back to a different port (which would be bad, since his car was at the port they left from) but in the end they came back to port a day after the hurricane had come through - fortunately it wasn't a bad one. Gas prices were a little higher than normal, but they were able to get on the interstate and get home without a problem, gas (expensive gas) was available on the interstate.
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happyhoix
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Post by happyhoix on Sept 5, 2017 12:43:53 GMT -5
The weather forecasters have been hyping Irma for several days now, which I think is a disservice.
Yes, it's a big hurricane and people should know it's headed in our general direction so they can make or change plans (for instance, not going down to Key West for the weekend ) but at this point they aren't certain where it will go. Last I looked it won't be here until maybe Saturday or Sunday, and the path can veer significantly. Maybe it will veer suddenly and go up the coast but stay out at sea. Maybe it will cut across the Gulf and find Texas again, because God really has it in for Texas (Kidding!).
It might be a five (or, as one station insisted, a SIX!) when it gets here, but it can also fizzle out and be a lot weaker. No point in horribilizing it and scaring the retirees.
They do the same thing here. We don't get hurricanes but we very occasionally get ice storms or snow storms which we don't deal with very well because we aren't used to it and don't have the equipment for it. A week or so in advance the weather forecasters start in on it, making everyone rush to the store for milk and bread. Usually, it turns out to be a cold rain or a frosty day with no precip at all (but we still shut down schools).
Oh well, I guess weathermen have to do something to make up for the months of 'hot day, no rain' forecasts we have most of the summer.
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Tiny
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Post by Tiny on Sept 5, 2017 15:36:00 GMT -5
IDK. I've been watching Hurricanes/TS/etc since I bought the Shack in the Sun (about 7 years ago) - I find it's more socially acceptable than tracking Train Deaths (there's a lot of train traffic in my Real Life.... )
NOAA Hurricane Center has been showing Irma's track over the last few days as moving more and more "north". It's current project track doesn't have Irma making land fall in Florida YET. I'm willing to bet it WILL make land fall in Florida - not just brush past and head into the Gulf.
I hear Miami-Dade county is also betting that Irma's gonna make landfall - they've started evacuations.
The ocean's much warmer than it typically is -- Irma's got the potential to be a HELL of a storm when/if it makes landfall.
It's already breaking records.
I'd keep an eye on the 'reliable' news you are comfortable with and plan accordingly. Yeah, it's 'just a hurricane' -- but the circumstances are very different this year. (trying NOT to mention climate change - cause, you know, that isn't real).
Oh and hey! If Irma doesn't hit Florida - Jose is right behind it....
www.nhc.noaa.gov
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Tennesseer
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Post by Tennesseer on Sept 5, 2017 18:10:33 GMT -5
DH was looking at surprising me with a long weekend in Key West this weekend. I'm betting they'll issue evacuation orders for the Keys by tomorrow and even that will be cutting it close. Takes 2-3 days to evacuate since there's only one way out... They did. Mandatory evac for tourists in the Keys beginning at 0700 tomorrow morning. 'Mandatory' evac for residents beginning at 1900 hours tomorrow.
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milee
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Post by milee on Sept 5, 2017 18:32:10 GMT -5
Tonight Home Depot was eerily deserted. And largely empty of stuff. The remaining staff was really friendly and one even came running over to us conspiratorially exclaiming, "We just had two tarps returned!!! Do you want them?" We thanked him and declined since we already have plenty of tarps and plastic, but it was nice of him to offer.
People are driving oddly. Everybody seems very distracted.
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Pants
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Post by Pants on Sept 5, 2017 18:51:18 GMT -5
I work at an insurance company. It's been a crazy week. And we are beginning Irma prep early because it requires potentially diverting resources currently in use for Harvey. Everyone is running around like chickens with their heads cut off.
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Jaguar
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Post by Jaguar on Sept 5, 2017 18:53:33 GMT -5
Stay safe and sane everyone. I'm hoping this ain't bad for Florida, Harvey scared me shitless. << BIG HUGS >>
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mmhmm
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Post by mmhmm on Sept 5, 2017 18:54:05 GMT -5
DH was looking at surprising me with a long weekend in Key West this weekend. Now, that would be a surprise for the record books!
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NancysSummerSip
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Post by NancysSummerSip on Sept 5, 2017 19:05:48 GMT -5
I am concerned, but hardly freaked out. Lived here since the mid-1970s, so I've dealt with a storm or two. Hurricane season begins June 1. You should have the basics stocked by then. Many people don't, so now they are panicked and crying in stores because there's no CHEAP water left and they have to buy the more expensive stuff. At this point, DH and I are as ready as we can be. I will be out early tomorrow, and will top off my gas tank on my way to working out. I will do a grocery store run Thursday, which is my normal day. By then, we will have a very good idea of the forecast track. I will get some sandwich fixings and a few other things. Aside from that, we are set, done and ready as we can be. Jim Cantore has not shown up yet, so it can't be all bad.
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ken a.k.a OMK
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Post by ken a.k.a OMK on Sept 5, 2017 19:44:50 GMT -5
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Tiny
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Post by Tiny on Sept 5, 2017 21:18:41 GMT -5
Well, my Property Management company for my Shack in the Sun, sent me an email about the Hurricane preparedness they have sent to my tenants and that my tenants have been notified of their responsibilities and the list of shelters and other helpful phone numbers. I hope my tenants make good decisions and stay safe. I've talked to my family there and they too are taking the warnings seriously (it's their first Hurricane). The 17 inches of rain last week/2 weeks ago and the attendant flooding has them on edge as well. The Shack came thru the 17 inches of rain with flying colors -- high and dry (on the inside - the outside got wet of course ) Everyone (including the Shack) are somewhat more inland - so it's gonna be all wind and flooding damage. Be safe out there!!!
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