[jambo101]

Originally Posted by Sweetbottoms

You start to see all the posts for just a Cat 1 storm.

"Do I put up my shutters"
"How much food should I have stocked"
"Should I evacuate"

Those of us who have been around the block (28 years here now) probably won't even watch the weather channel till it hits and only to watch them try to impress us by standing in the street with 70mph winds telling us how we should never attempt that. Its great to go to the store just to watch you're own live version of Jerry Springer. I think everyone just needs to chill out, we all know the news and weather hype you up (more ratings of course) and the storm either always changes or is a slight rain and wind maker!

So you are advocating to new residents be a part of the local culture to ignore hurricanes as worrying about them some how makes you stand out as a newcomer or a veritable sissy.

That kinda logic can cost you your life.

[the awesomee]

Unless that sumbitch a 4 or 5 and going to direct hit your town within 100miles, its a day off work and invite friends over to get drunk

[Mike1306]

Originally Posted by the awesomee

Unless that sumbitch a 4 or 5 and going to direct hit your town within 100miles, its a day off work and invite friends over to get drunk

While it may not amount to much and I don't advocate the get crazy over a little storm issue, where the storm is predicted to come up puts Tampa Bay in the NE quadrant which is the area which spawns the most tornadoes and is something to be watched.
And a 2 or 3 can seriously affect many

[Sgt. Buzzcut]

I would think the truly new ones are the type who want to go play and surf in the storm, the rest of us who have been around for awhile ought to know better.

[Magnolia Bloom]

Originally Posted by Momma_bear

If there is a possibility of being locked in a dark house with no electricity, canned food and three kids we always stock up on beer. Always.

LOL! Several years ago we evacuated for that exact reason- but after the fact I realized I could have bought a generator with the money the hotel cost. Adult beverages and games for the kids is a part of my hurricane kit!

[ChrisA70]

6 hurricanes and 17 tropical storms later... These are NOT to be taken lightly by we who have been here and been through them, or anyone who has never been. Water, canned food, a way to heat food/water(grill, gas hotplate). Flashlights, portable radio... And... Liquor of choice. lol.

[Magnolia Bloom]

Is there a phone app that replaces the need for a radio with batteries?

[ChrisA70]

Originally Posted by Magnolia Bloom

Is there a phone app that replaces the need for a radio with batteries?

For local news most channels have an app. For music Pandora or iheart radio.

[CrowGirl]

I moved to Tampa from the east coast where I experienced three direct hits and a lot of damage, including having to re-do my entire kitchen. all the drywall on one side of the house, new roof, professional mold remediation (complete with tenting and hazmat suits). Had a tree in my yard pulled down by the storm and miss my bedroom by 7 inches. Listened to the weather report during the storm as tornado after tornado popped up. Had my skylight torn off while I was in the house (not fun). I've been up on my house to tack down tarps and lived without electricity in the hottest time of the year living out of canned goods and wondering when the streets will become passable. And so on. Waiting for normalcy to return while I fought with the insurance company and contractors.

To me it has always seemed that the newbies are the ones that don't take them seriously. I've been here almost ten years and thanks, I'll keep taking them seriously. I think one of the reasons Wilma ended up being so destructive is that she was supposed to be a tropical storm, but nobody told her that. I think only me and one other house on the block boarded up for her, even though by hat point pretty much everybody had shutters. Problem is, by the time folks realized she was going to be stronger than predictions it was too windy to put up the shutters.

So no of course don't panic and yes the Weather Channel is hugely sensationalizing it but if there is a chance she may head this way I may board up. Heck, I could use the practice since I haven't put them up since I bought them almost three years ago.

[CrowGirl]

Originally Posted by Magnolia Bloom

Is there a phone app that replaces the need for a radio with batteries?

In Frances, Jeanne and Wilma cell service was one of the first things to go. I have a battery-powered radio and also a hand-crank radio. I also have an old-fashioned corded phone, which kept working throughout even after cell service, cable and electricity went down.