# Hurricane Irma \[and Maria\] **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 4, 2017, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-irma-and-maria/795446 "2017-09-04T01:56:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 12
**Author:** ![Grumbacher\_Red](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/85e7bf/32.png) [@Grumbacher\_Red](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grumbacher_Red)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2017, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-irma-and-maria/795446/221 "2017-09-09T16:04:48Z")
> [@Sir\_T-Cups](#): > > I’m kinda-sorta halfway in this camp. > > I recognize this is an asshole thing to say, but we better get SOMETHING semi-significant because if we have this buildup for nothing again I’ll be beyond pissed I am with ya! I feel horrible for thinking the things I am thinking, but seriously, if Irma only grazes the tip of Florida and maybe gets the keys…well I can only imagine the rage of everyone who sat for hours on Interstates. And please, don’t misunderstand, I am so very beyond grateful that we aren’t like those poor people 100 years ago and we now have systems and technology in place to even get this much information, but as storms get more unpredictable (and people seem to have less and less common sense every day) maybe we need to find ways not send everyone into blind panics running off cliffs like a bunch of lemmings. Of course I am not talking about any of the good people here at the Dope. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Grumbacher\_Red](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/85e7bf/32.png) [@Grumbacher\_Red](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grumbacher_Red)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2017, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-irma-and-maria/795446/222 "2017-09-09T16:06:41Z")
> [@PastTense](#): > > Aren’t there any fines for ignoring mandatory evacuations? It is my understanding it just means you are on your own so don’t call 911 for anyone to come get you. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2017, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-irma-and-maria/795446/223 "2017-09-09T16:20:06Z")
> [@Grumbacher\_Red](#): > > I am totally out of the cone now, yet we are still under mandatory evacuation. None of my neighbors are leaving. Who knows where this thing is going to end up. Like Snowboarder Bo, I wouldn’t be surprised if it has so much westward momentum it barrels right out into the gulf. Irma is seriously screwing with us. > … Remember the cone is the probable path of the center. If you (any you) are right on the coast the storm surge can be significant even a couple hundred miles away from the eye. At my house in Broward right now they’re expecting almost zero chance of hurricane winds \*and \*a 100% chance of a 7ish foot storm surge. Wind get all the headlines. Storm surge is what kills people and destroys high-dollar property wholesale. > [@Grumbacher\_Red](#): > > … > If it misses Florida totally, nobody will budge for the next storm. > [@Sir\_T-Cups](#): > > I’m kinda-sorta halfway in this camp. > > The buildup to Matthew was pretty big over here, we got off work, stocked up on supplies and Ms. Cups panicked…and we got absolutely nothing. > > Now we have even more of a buildup, even more days off work and way, way more panic. I recognize this is an asshole thing to say, but we better get SOMETHING semi-significant because if we have this buildup for nothing again I’ll be beyond pissed Agree that these are real common reactions. The widespread efforts to reduce the death toll by early and aggressive evacs will mostly train the public that the authorities are sissy scaredy-cats. Which ignorance on the public’s part will eventually come back to bite them collectively in the ass. What’d really be nice would be an aggressive legislative response to Harvey, Irma, and whatever the second half of the 2017 season holds. One that puts real teeth into multi-county flood control regulations that can’t be ignored by local authorities and developers. As well as aggressive retrofit requirements for stormproof roofs, windows, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Ann\_Hedonia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ann_hedonia/32/319_2.png) [@Ann\_Hedonia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Hedonia)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2017, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-irma-and-maria/795446/224 "2017-09-09T16:20:57Z")
I apologize if levity is inappropriate, but I’m 1000+ miles away and watching the seemingly non-stop news conferences. Because of the deaf interpreters. I’m finding them hysterically funny. I guess they are trying to use facial expressions to emphasize the urgency of the situation but the expression and pantomimes they are using to convey “get the hell out” are making me laugh. Even though I know they are being serious and acting in good faith, at times it looks like they are mocking Rick Scott with the over the top facial expressions and physical gestures. And THAT is funny. Good luck to all the Florida Dopers. I hope all these efforts turn out to be unnecessary. ---
**Author:** ![Grumbacher\_Red](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/85e7bf/32.png) [@Grumbacher\_Red](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grumbacher_Red)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2017, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-irma-and-maria/795446/225 "2017-09-09T16:44:44Z")
Ann Hedonia, you are a person after my own heart. That lady with the short hair signing for Gov Scott was quite…animated. ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2017, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-irma-and-maria/795446/226 "2017-09-09T16:48:58Z")
Both of you are in the hearts of the Cups household. We are finding the interpreters just hysterical. Takes some air out of the tense atmosphere over here ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2017, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-irma-and-maria/795446/227 "2017-09-09T17:14:59Z")
> [@Ann\_Hedonia](#): > > I apologize if levity is inappropriate, but I’m 1000+ miles away and watching the seemingly non-stop news conferences. Because of the deaf interpreters. I’m finding them hysterically funny. I guess they are trying to use facial expressions to emphasize the urgency of the situation but the expression and pantomimes they are using to convey “get the hell out” are making me laugh. Even though I know they are being serious and acting in good faith, at times it looks like they are mocking Rick Scott with the over the top facial expressions and physical gestures. And THAT is funny. > > Good luck to all the Florida Dopers. I hope all these efforts turn out to be unnecessary. Kinda like Giuliani’s swearing in some years back where his son was on camera, too (and knew it), and acted up. _Zehr_ funny. ---
**Author:** ![amarone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@amarone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarone)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2017, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-irma-and-maria/795446/228 "2017-09-09T17:27:55Z")
> [@Grumbacher\_Red](#): > > I am totally out of the cone now, yet we are still under mandatory evacuation. None of my neighbors are leaving. I am also in Chatham County, but a long way east of I-16. Right on the marsh, so storm surge is a big concern. Quite a few neighbors left early, but a lot who are still here intend on staying. The various authorities have obviously realized many people are refusing to evacuate and are issuing severe warnings as to how bad things could be. But things like publishing flood maps for Category 2-5 hurricanes are not very scary when we are no longer expected to get anything like that. I realize things can change. We are monitoring and will get out if projections get worse again. ---
**Author:** ![Grumbacher\_Red](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/85e7bf/32.png) [@Grumbacher\_Red](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grumbacher_Red)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2017, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-irma-and-maria/795446/229 "2017-09-09T17:52:23Z")
> [@amarone](#): > > I am also in Chatham County, but a long way east of I-16. Right on the marsh, so storm surge is a big concern. Quite a few neighbors left early, but a lot who are still here intend on staying. > > The various authorities have obviously realized many people are refusing to evacuate and are issuing severe warnings as to how bad things could be. But things like publishing flood maps for Category 2-5 hurricanes are not very scary when we are no longer expected to get anything like that. I realize things can change. We are monitoring and will get out if projections get worse again. I am just west of I-95 in Chatham County but lived on Wilmington Island right on the marsh for years (bought out there after Floyd but sold before Matthew, whew!) and I think I am fine. My sis lives in Wilmington Park, and is waiting until tomorrow morning to decide to leave. If I were you I would be much more serious about leaving, our house out there on a tidal creek got to where water was creeping ever closer to the house just with Spring Tides. I am very glad NOT to own coastal/marsh property anymore. ---
**Author:** ![Grumbacher\_Red](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/85e7bf/32.png) [@Grumbacher\_Red](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grumbacher_Red)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2017, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-irma-and-maria/795446/230 "2017-09-09T17:59:09Z")
Didn’t mean the tone of that last line to sound like I think you aren’t taking it seriously. Sorry! Stay vigilant and safe! ---
**Author:** ![amarone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@amarone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarone)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2017, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-irma-and-maria/795446/231 "2017-09-09T18:18:54Z")
> [@Grumbacher\_Red](#): > > I am just west of I-95 in Chatham County You are off the hook. Governor Deal just rescinded the mandatory evacuation for zones B and C. They are now “general evacuation”. The ME remains in place for zone A (my zone). > [@](#): > > but lived on Wilmington Island right on the marsh for years (bought out there after Floyd but sold before Matthew, whew!) and I think I am fine. My sis lives in Wilmington Park, and is waiting until tomorrow morning to decide to leave. > > If I were you I would be much more serious about leaving, our house out there on a tidal creek got to where water was creeping ever closer to the house just with Spring Tides. I am very glad NOT to own coastal/marsh property anymore. We are on Skidaway. We are serious about leaving if we need and are monitoring the storm surge forecasts carefully. Reports on TV are that it could be 3ft higher than Matthew because of higher tides, but we had at least 6ft to spare with Matthew. Our house is elevated. High tide Monday is in the middle of the day, so easy to follow what is happening. The garage would flood long before the house, though, so we would have to drive away before our living accommodations got wet or we would be stranded. Even then, all we’d have to do is go upstairs until the tide went out. Low tide is more than 7ft lower than high tide. ---
**Author:** ![Grumbacher\_Red](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/85e7bf/32.png) [@Grumbacher\_Red](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grumbacher_Red)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2017, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-irma-and-maria/795446/232 "2017-09-09T18:24:58Z")
> [@amarone](#): > > You are off the hook. Governor Deal just rescinded the mandatory evacuation for zones B and C. They are now “general evacuation”. The ME remains in place for zone A (my zone). Great, thanks for letting me know, I hadn’t checked again. Sounds like you got it under control. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![LouisB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dfb087/32.png) [@LouisB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LouisB)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2017, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-irma-and-maria/795446/233 "2017-09-09T20:01:31Z")
I’m in St. Petersburg (Florida, not Russia) about seven miles east of the Gulf and one mile west of Tampa Bay in a condo on the ground floor. I’ve taken all the precautions I can and I don’t intend to leave. There are quite a few of us in my condo development who plan to ride it out. ---
**Author:** ![janis\_and\_c0](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/janis_and_c0/32/21_2.png) [@janis\_and\_c0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/janis_and_c0)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2017, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-irma-and-maria/795446/234 "2017-09-09T20:13:02Z")
We are packing up the cat and the rats and going to my Mom & Daddy’s about 15 minutes from here… No way I am staying in a trailer… OTOH, I thought [this](https://scontent.ftpa1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/21432734_10203498530661838_5831915325657604892_n.jpg?oh=488198ff0047d6819b4bda4f2ee1c94f&oe=5A5D6B4A) was funny. In Tampa, BTW. ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2017, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-irma-and-maria/795446/235 "2017-09-09T21:29:23Z")
More evidence that I’m probably making too light of the situation (I mean…the hurricane is coming…what the hell else can I do?) The ABC station has on a pretty near-constant hurricane ticker that gives the same 6 bits of information over and over and over. That’s pretty annoying as-is, but the stupid hurricane ticker is over the score bug for the football games. Look, I know there’s a hurricane, you’ve been telling me for a week now, can’t I just watch football in peace? ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2017, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-irma-and-maria/795446/236 "2017-09-09T22:47:56Z")
> [@Ann\_Hedonia](#): > > I apologize if levity is inappropriate, but I’m 1000+ miles away and watching the seemingly non-stop news conferences. Because of the deaf interpreters. I’m finding them hysterically funny. I guess they are trying to use facial expressions to emphasize the urgency of the situation but the expression and pantomimes they are using to convey “get the hell out” are making me laugh. Even though I know they are being serious and acting in good faith, at times it looks like they are mocking Rick Scott with the over the top facial expressions and physical gestures. And THAT is funny. My understanding is that that is sort of the Deaf equivalent of TYPING IN CAPITALS ON THE INTERNET. And facial expressions are an integral part of Sign. Keep in mind, too, that not all Deaf people are equally adept in Sign - some of the over-the-top may be to communicate to the less-than-fluent. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2017, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-irma-and-maria/795446/237 "2017-09-09T22:51:19Z")
> [@LouisB](#): > > I’m in St. Petersburg (Florida, not Russia) about seven miles east of the Gulf and one mile west of Tampa Bay in a condo on the ground floor. I’ve taken all the precautions I can and I don’t intend to leave. There are quite a few of us in my condo development who plan to ride it out. If you’re friends with anyone on a higher floor, I’d be asking if I could spend the night. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2017, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-irma-and-maria/795446/238 "2017-09-09T22:54:24Z")
> [@filmore](#): > > A lot of those portable 12-volt car battery jump starters also have USB ports. Probably a good idea to charge those up if you have any along with any other rechargeable things you have. Those are great. I have a plow truck that it will jump start easily (Dodge V-8 hemi), and it can charge my phone. The new systems are small and light. About the volume of a football or small shoe box. Maybe 6-7 pounds. And as others have said, fill every thing you can with water. You need 3 things to survive. In this order- Shelter. Water. Food. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2017, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-irma-and-maria/795446/239 "2017-09-09T23:10:01Z")
Nothing in Orlando(ish) yet. We’ve had rain on and off but I don’t think that’s related to the storm. It’s supposed to hit early Monday morning. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2017, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-irma-and-maria/795446/240 "2017-09-09T23:29:44Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > You need 3 things to survive. In this order- > > Shelter. > Water. > Food. Some people need their prescription medicines. But if this is all you have you will probably quickly get bored stiff (except during the height of the hurricane). So you want radio/TV, phone and books. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-irma-and-maria/795446.md?page=11) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-irma-and-maria/795446.md?page=13)