Way To Go Jeb

[docjoe]

Taken directly from the NWS local statement in Tampa
...STORM SURGE AND STORM TIDE...
TIDES WILL BE 1 TO 2 FEET ABOVE NORMAL THROUGH THIS EVENING. THE HIGH
TIDE LATE TONIGHT AND TUESDAY AFTERNOON COMBINED WITH THE SURGE
FROM ALBERTO COULD CAUSE COASTAL FLOODING FROM TAMPA BAY NORTH
THROUGH CEDAR KEY. A STORM SURGE OF 4 TO 6 FEET IS EXPECTED IN THE
TAMPA BAY AREA...5 TO 6 FEET ALONG HERNANDO AND PASCO COUNTY...6 TO 8
FEET IN CITRUS COUNTY...AND 7 TO 10 FEET IN LEVY COUNTY. THIS IS ON
TOP OF THE ASTRONOMICAL TIDE. THE STORM SURGE JUST TO THE RIGHT OF
WHERE ALBERTO MAKES LANDFALL COULD REACH 8 TO 10 FEET ABOVE THE
NORMAL TIDE.
To my way of thinking if 6-10 feet of surge is projected then who gives a $#@% whether the system is a TS or a full blown cane. I feel that Gov. Bush is absolutely doing the right thing.

docjoe

[GalvestonDuck]

I swear that I can never remember any governor or authoritative agency in the past declaring a state of emergency and mandated evacuations for a tropical storm!

Being from Florida, the name Allison probably doesn't mean much to ya, now does it?

[wsoutherland]

I'm with Terry...can't stand Jeb 99.9% of the time (particularly his education policies, not to be political or anything...) but when it's time for the ol' EOC press conference he always pulls it off with a certainty and charisma that make him come across as a voice of reason in emergency situations.

I mean, regardless of what the decision is, evacuate or not, etc.. he always delivers the verdict with enough weight to make one trust his judgement (or that of his advisors).

Funny thing, though...no matter what anyone says Floridians, as a rule, stay pretty darn well put, riding storms out with big duct-tape X's on their windows.

Myself included, though I'm not in an evac zone (barely) and I've managed to cut plywood for about half of my windows over the last three years or so. I mean, what's the rush? Too hot for workin', anyway. Besides, the dogs are safe under the porch and the tarp's over the pickup and weighted with cinder blocks, so all's pretty much covered, I'm guessin'.

[tropicstorm]

I'm sorry - I can't agree. Any governor or government leader that instills panic and fear in their own citizens unnecessarily when their perception of the risks is way out of line with the true reality of any situation is not serving the best interests of the citizens that they govern. This cry wolf scenario is not helpful to the public and could very well cause people to ignore future warnings when the dangers do become real with a tropical storm that will rapidly intensify and strengthen into a dangerous hurricane. I'll stick to my guns here - Jeb exaggerated the risk of Alberto and caused a disservice to the citizens of some of the Florida Guf Coast counties. I sure hope they listen to him next time when a real hurricane will surely threaten their lives and properties.

[Cookiely]

My only semi-political rant of this hurricane season.

Look at the job Jeb's administration has done with all the hurricanes that hit Florida in 2004-2005.

Then look at the Katrina fiasco.

It's a no brainer who I would prefer to have in charge. Most Floridians with half a brain were not dependent on a FEMA employee with a truckload of Tobasco sauce to feed them.

We planned and we prepped. Thus the government could focus on those residents who really needed the help, the elderly and infirmed.

So if Jeb wants to advise evacuations for a Tropical Storm, it's for a reason. And unless you were here for the No-Name winter storm, you would not understand the paranoia about coastal flooding from almost any system which approaches.

I saw huge yachts pushed onto the main road about a block from my house from the no name storm. In certain areas storm surge is dangerous with Tropical Storms. Why take a chance with people's lives. Be as conservative as you want Jeb, I will applaud you for your actions. You also have to take into account any possible tornadic activiity as far as government preparation. Sometimes the tornado damage is worse than the actual storm damage. I think also its good practice for the rest of the state, its going to be a long season. Those not prepared, Alberto is a warning shot over the bow. Get ready.

[swimaster20]

I'm sorry - I can't agree. Any governor or government leader that instills panic and fear in their own citizens unnecessarily when their perception of the risks is way out of line with the true reality of any situation is not serving the best interests of the citizens that they govern. This cry wolf scenario is not helpful to the public and could very well cause people to ignore future warnings when the dangers do become real with a tropical storm that will rapidly intensify and strengthen into a dangerous hurricane. I'll stick to my guns here - Jeb exaggerated the risk of Alberto and caused a disservice to the citizens of some of the Florida Guf Coast counties. I sure hope they listen to him next time when a real hurricane will surely threaten their lives and properties.

OK, how is he crying wolf? With an 8-10 ft. storm surge predicted, shouldn't there be evacs?? IF there would be people who died from storm surge because an evac wasn't issued, everyone would blame the gov't so IMO Jeb Bush did the right thing and should be applauded for it. I know some officials here in LA could take some advice from him!

[SeaBrz_FL]

Hi Tropicstorm (location unidentified) --

I work from home so was able to watch each and every FL EOC briefing today and I watched the procedure for the evacuation (and other) decisions.

First of all, JEB BUSH doesn't unilaterally make the decisions on evacuations, but he does rely heavily on the expertise of his Director of Emergency Services. All of them rely on the NHC, and depending on the number of people affected -- when the NHC calls the "H" word -- action needs to start NOW. The timetable and scenario is probably one of the EASIEST decisions that J Bush needs to make all year since it's based on factors from other agencies.

That said, regardless of my political affiliation, I am so happy to have Jeb Bush as my governor for the past few years overseeing the hurricane and recovery operations. I didn't know how lucky I was until I watched other state governments totally botch it (Texas excluded).

Great Job, Jeb!

(P.S. -- how long will this thread remain in this forum ... hmmmmm)

[gatorcane]

I'm sorry - I can't agree. Any governor or government leader that instills panic and fear in their own citizens unnecessarily when their perception of the risks is way out of line with the true reality of any situation is not serving the best interests of the citizens that they govern. This cry wolf scenario is not helpful to the public and could very well cause people to ignore future warnings when the dangers do become real with a tropical storm that will rapidly intensify and strengthen into a dangerous hurricane. I'll stick to my guns here - Jeb exaggerated the risk of Alberto and caused a disservice to the citizens of some of the Florida Guf Coast counties. I sure hope they listen to him next time when a real hurricane will surely threaten their lives and properties.

OK, how is he crying wolf? With an 8-10 ft. storm surge predicted, shouldn't there be evacs?? IF there would be people who died from storm surge because an evac wasn't issued, everyone would blame the gov't so IMO Jeb Bush did the right thing and should be applauded for it. I know some officials here in LA could take some advice from him!

Honestly I don't think that anybody is panicking....I think there is no harm in what he is doing. ITS FLORIDA we know the difference between a TS and a major hurricane!!!

[Deb321]

that is your opinion and you are entitled to it. However if indeed Alberto causes flooding in the areas mentioned then everyone will be glad he made the decisions he made.

[HurricaneBill]

Is the "No-Name Storm of 93" the Superstorm of March 1993?

[vbhoutex]

Keep the politics out of the discussion!!

This is not about Pres. Bush. It is about what Jeb Bush has done and peoples opinions concerning it. DO NOT MAKE IT ANY MORE POLITICAL THAN IT ALREADY IS!!

[Weather Watcher]

He was also quick to act in the 2004 season, so I don't think it was just last season to why he did this, although I am sure it did help. I think he is a great governor and also think he made the right call. Too bad we can't re-elect him back into office this next term as he has already served 2. Way to go Jeb. *applauds*

ditto

[cmdebbie]

I don't think there are too many people in this country that are more capable than Jeb to handle decisions based on tropical weather, and Jeb has proven that time and again. Go Jeb! I suppose you also would have been the first to accuse him of not acting had he not done what he did and the storm turned into a monster? Thought so.

[Brent]

I think it was a great call. I only wish he had been in charge of the New Orleans evacuation and the post-Katrina response in LA/MS. Things would have been so much different...

[wayoutfront]

Most likely he cannot mobilize the National Guard and similar action until there is declared state of Emergency

[dixiebreeze]

Is the "No-Name Storm of 93" the Superstorm of March 1993?

Yes it is. And also, about ordering evacs, folks need to remember that Florida has tons of elderly people who don't move all that quickly. They have special needs and have to have help getting out of the way of storms.

The Gov. is good.

[Pebbles]

I don't understand why it is thought the order for evacuations and declaring a state of emergency is over reaction in this situation. 8 to 10 feet of storm surge is nothing to sneeze at. And remember surge doesn't die down as quickly as winds. I don't see anyone running around screaming the sky is falling. Just a general do what needs to be done or you may face these consequences. I've had quick spring thunderstorms blow through in the past 3 years which have (edit: in different storms) taken down a whole fence, Knocked down several large tree branches that were well over 8 feet in length and torn off siding on my home.

This is a more sustained storm with storm surge added to it. It can do damage and extensive flooding to those in low areas. Older buildings and older mobile homes can sustain quite a bit of damage and severe flooding. Just because most of the state may not experience this doesn't mean that some won't and thus the calls for evacuation are indeed warranted. And while the sky may not be falling.. to any who do lose their home or belongings (and there probably will be) it will seem to have.

[mf_dolphin]

By declaring a State of Emergency the Govenor makes resources available to state and local agencies to use as they access the situation. Your "cry wolf" scenario just doesn't hold water. Jeb did EXACTLY what he should have done and should be applauded.

[SeaBrz_FL]

Most likely he cannot mobilize the National Guard and similar action until there is declared state of Emergency

Your question has been answered, but here's a link to the actual Order if you care to read. Quite interesting who gives/gets control of what.

http://www.floridadisaster.org/eoc/eoc_ ... lberto.pdf

Overkill or not, as far as I'm concerned, this is EXCELLENT, invaluable training for ALL of us (state government included) for the remaining season.

sb

[Noles2006]

GalvestonDuck -- actually, the remnants of Allison in 2001 caused some pretty decent flooding in North Florida/South Georgia... I believe there were a few drowning fatalities in Tallahassee because of Allison, if I remember correctly!