Katrina again?????

[josh.schreiber]

I don't know how many of you have been paying attention to Hurricane Ike, but this thing is huge. I've been reading the news stories covering all the folks that are just gonna "hunker down" and "tough it out."
hhhmmmmm
Where have we seen this before? I was living in Mobile when Katrina hit. (I wasn't a moron though--I "toughed it out" 400 miles away, here in Huntsville). Anyway, all the folks on the coast had ample warnings and time for that storm, got all messed up, then blamed the government. Don't get me wrong--It was a terrible tragedy. I feel bad for all those hurt by it. What drives me nuts though is how all these folks KNOW this thing is coming, they have TIME to get out (its been moving right at 12 MPH), and they're just going to gamble on their lives.
I've seen all this happen before.
Lets just hope and pray this thing somehow miraculously dies down.
Anyone else with me on this?

 

[mallardecho]

It's their choice, as long as they do not expect rescue of gov't intervention I have no problem with them staying. Plus there is this thing called the Darwin theory.

 

[Buoy-Master]

Those signs should have read "Its IKE, Lets take a Hike!"

 

[TAzGa]

some official down there asked the folks that stayed to write their social security number on their arm.... I don't think I would have stayed.

 

[timbo]

Just a question to ask...If you were told to leave your home, leave all your belongings for a few days because of the POSSIBILITY of a storm coming through, would you leave your home knowing full well that police protection in going to be minimal at best, and non existant at the worst? Then add to the fact that the last time you abandoned your home, you sat on a highway for 19 hours and the storm veered off and it didn't even rain at your house. The damage you had is when the low lifes came through the neighborhood and broke into every home on the block.

I lived 60 miles NW of Houston when Hurricane Rita was supposed to hit. It took my sister 19 hours to get to my house to weather the storm when it's normally an hour and a half drive. I saw the freeways gridlocked from Houston to Austin. This would be like seeing I24 gridlocked and not moving all the way from Chattanooga to Nashville. You would have to live through it to understand. The fact of the matter is and Cat 2 storm is bad, but it's not that bad. If I lived right on the coast, heck yeah. I'd be gone in a sec as soon as the storm was pretty close. In Houston. I'd probably weather the storm out.

Almost all of my family lives in the Houston area, some evacuated and some stayed. I've heard from most and they are weathering the storm just fine so far.

 

[Ronnie Garrison]

Everyone has the choice to stay or leave - but with every choice comes responsibility. They should be responsible for their choice and not depend on the government (us) to bail them out if they make a bad one. Not much responsibility left in our society though.

 

[timbo]

I agree, no one should be expecting a handout and should take responsiblity for their actions. When tropical storm Allison flooded Houston in 2000, We picked ourselves up, helped our neighbors. didn't look for help or point fingers at anyone. Unfortunately, that wasn't shown or sensationalized on TV. Most Texans don't see themselves as victims, which is a major difference between New Orleans and Houston. Also, Houston is not below sea level. It's real easy to say what others should do when you're sitting 1200 miles away and haven't been through what we've been through.

As you can tell, I'm one proud Texan. I'm also relieved because I've heard my family and friends.

 

[EricM]

Glad they're OK!! emoThumbsup

 

[josh.schreiber]

Timbo:
You are DEAD RIGHT!
That's one point I was going to make--the difference in New Orleans residents vs. those of Houston. I believe in general Texans don't (refuse, even) to see themselves as victims.
About the former post-
I do feel bad for your family members. To leave for safety, knowing of the possibility (okay, probability) of your stuff being stolen/destroyed is really being stuck between a rock and a hard place.
When it comes down to it though, the choice is easy. Given how unpredictable those storms can be, safety for you and yours comes first.
I cant say I know what it is like to have to evacuate your entire family, but I can empathize with the general scenario.---I lived in Mobile when Katrina hit.

Bottom line-
I think we see eye to eye on government dependency/personal responsibility.
More than that though I'm relieved your family came through okay.
-Josh