[GrainOfSalt]

I agree the media hype is BS.

I bought into it this time because I am new to Florida. I should have known better .

[hiknapster]

Originally Posted by GrainOfSalt

I agree the media hype is BS.

I bought into it this time because I am new to Florida. I should have known better .

I think all newbies do that. I sure did.

This page got me started on learning about hurricanes.

National Hurricane Center

Dr. Jeff Masters is great to follow, as well.

http://www.wunderground.com/blog/Jef...?entrynum=2207

[bbronston]

You have to take it seriously but you have to also understand the news process. I'm watching CNN right now and they are hyping up Isaac as if it's the second coming of Katrina and questioning whether the RNC should go through with the convention or tone it down. And, they are not just touching on it...Wolf Blitzer brings it up every few minutes. I guess it's just the nature of the news business.

[vaughanwilliams]

The Weather Channel is the ultimate hypesters-they're worse than the local stations. That said, I'm glad REAL, non-panicky meteorologists keep us informed. I've never forgotten the devastation that followed Andrew.

[Donna-501]

I have lived in FL for many years and every one use to have hurricane parties and never took warnings seriously. The hurricanes always seemed to not hit FL until Hurricane Andrew. That one no one was prepared for because all the others didn't hit. The last day everyone was scrambling (I lived in Broward where we were suppose to be the target) for water, batteries, etc., etc. We had Bahama shutters but many weren't as lucky as Home Depot didn't have enough plywood.

Now I get supplies in the beginning on June and don't have to worry as much. I will go get gas and cash when they first start talking about it so I don't have to wait on hour long lines.

Always, always be prepared because you never know.

[beachmouse]

95% of the time, tropical cyclones just end up being particularly breezy rainstorms.

It's the 20th time that gets you. We were here for Ivan and Dennis, and, while we don't overreact to storms, we do top off on water, D-cell batteries, and gas when the warnings go up for any storm.

[jghorton]

Originally Posted by kyle19125

Just found this via a friend on Facebook. It think it kind of sums it up....

Love the pic! -- That's about how the hurricane drama looks to Floridians actually on the ground!

As several have suggested, there are always the "Andrew's, Katrina's, Opal's, etc" -- that allow the media to pretend to be serving the public interests. We get the same thing from the politicians in D.C. when it comes to all of the bureaucratic, grant-funded, "oversight" groups that spend our money under the pretense of taking care of us.

But, with hurricanes, there is a more serious side to the irresponsible negligence of the public media. After watching a dozen or so of these "sky is falling, run for the hills disasters" ... that at their worst, knock down a palm tree and a few lawn chairs ... sensible people stop 'boarding up' and evacuating -- then, a big one hits!
(It's like the little boy who cried 'wolf!' too many times). The American public deserves better!

[FlyMIA]

This has been an over hyped storm form SOME of Florida but here is why:

First I didn't notice much hype till about Wednesday or so. I think a normal Floridian knew when issac was two days out there wasn't much to worry about. There will always be people who over react though.

Anyway why more hype than usual? Well first it is the first storm to threaten Florida later in the season when storms are much stronger. Second and probably the most important factor this storm was very very difficult to predict and the location it started out in usually brings large, dangerous powerful storms. If there wasn't a large amount of dry air and windshear distributing issac early on before it got past the leeward islands issac could have been a monster of a storm. Some models predicted a monster. It's a dangerous location for a storm to start. Thankfully issac never got its act together and it is still having a hard time.

But this will be a major rain even for the gulf coast which needs the rain, we just need to hope the leevees do well in NOLA.

Issac was difficult to predict and had the potential to be a significant storm, that is why there was more than normal hype. Also every day, every year we are more and more connected to the media making every news story seemed more hyped.

Was there too much hype? Yes. Was the 24/7 coverage when we knew it was a TS too much? Yes. But at the same time this was the most windy day I've seen in Miami since Wilma so it was an event nonetheless.

[THX 1138]

We got over 12.5" of rain here, lakes and canals are overflowing, some flooding....other than that it was nothing spectacular and I am thankful for that, I just feel bad for New Orleans, hope they get by okay.

[hiknapster]

By the way, this is NOT late in the season for hurricanes. I want to nip that in the bud before people think it is all over. Hurricane season is from June 1 to November 30. Most hurricanes occur in the fall. The peak is early to mid-September.