The only hurricane experience I can claim was in 1993. We had rented a condo in Emerald Isle on Bogues Banks, SC, for a week. On the third day a mandatory evacuation was called due to Hurricane Felix making its presence felt in the Atlantic. My husband and I fell swiftly, and deeply, into depression at this unwelcomed news and our then newly-turned five year old became the voice of reason. We did NOT want to leave and he calmly stated we WERE leaving. So off we went (literally), one car in a long line of motor vehicles, and headed inland to spend the night hoping we could return very soon. But, as luck or hurricanes would have it, Felix decided to hover....and hover....and hover off the coast, never making land fall BUT definitely ruining our much needed vacation.
Pubic officials have to make a judgement call. If they don't, tragedies could happen which may well have been avoided. And when they do, criticism erupts. The situation boils down to one word - choices. The weather experts do their best. The government officials do theirs. Then the citizens make their own decisions. To stay. To leave. To procrastinate. To walk out on a pier when the waves are over 20 feet tall. To board up windows before driving away, watching their home disappear in the rear view mirrors hoping its still standing when they return.
Irene made her mark on the season of 2011. Personally I believe that respecting these forces of nature is the only intelligent course. Acting responsibly saves lives and protects property. I'd much rather be relieved with a 'non event' as some have called this than attend a funeral.
