Mandatory Evacuation?

[Stormcenter]

I've always gotten a kick out of this. How does anyone have
have the right to order you to leave your own home or
property? I was in that situation and because of circumstances
beyond my control I didn't leave even though it was consider "mandatory". Fortunately I was spared any harm.
I personally would leave in a hearbeat if I was again in that situation. But I just think if someone decides to ride out a storm or protect their property it's their right to. End of story.

[drudd1]

I have a younger brother that is a police officer on the coast. In a situation like what is coming, I guarantee you he will be put in danger more than once, coming to the aid of those who refused to leave.

I will have to agree that it should be ones' right to remain, as long as another person doesn't have to place themselves in harm's way due to their stubborness. In other words, if you stay, you should be on your own until it's over.

[Brent]

I've always gotten a kick out of this. How does anyone have
have the right to order you to leave your own home or
property? I was in that situation and because of circumstances
beyond my control I didn't leave even though it was consider "mandatory". Fortunately I was spared any harm.
I personally would leave in a hearbeat if I was again in that situation. But I just think if someone decides to ride out a storm or protect their property it's their right to. End of story.

People do ride out storms during mandatory evacuations. The police tell them though if something happens and they need medical attention, it won't come. I remember during Isabel when people stayed in the Outer Banks they were getting their next-of-kin info.

[goodlife]

Well....that's the thing. When Georges was making a beeline right towards us....the police came around door to door telling everybody we were under a mandatory evacuation. We lived only a block off of Lake Pontchartrain which always floods its seawalls. Anyway, they were telling people that if you decided to stay anyway and anything bad happened, they were NOT going to risk the lives and safety of their policeman, firefighters, emergency personnel, etc. to come and help you. If you stay, you're on your own.
I thought it was a most excellent point.

[Mattie]

To add to that, they usually ask for "next of Kin" so they can notify them if necessary. I wouldn't weather a storm (after being in Camille and Betsy) if a mandatory evacuation was declared because the destruction and devastation is massive with a direct hit. Back then, the forecasting isn't what is is today and I can assure you after seeing houses blown off their foundations, boats blown 1/2 a mile inland etc. that it's way better to be safe than sorry. You can't protect your personal belongings or your life with 100+ mph winds knocking at your door.

[opera ghost]

Frankly, there aren't mandatory evacuations in Texas- so it's a moot point for you.

However I've heard a number of stories of emergency services people going door to door and asking that next of kin information be written in sharpie on your arm if you stay behind.

That way when they find your body they know who to call.

Only idiots ignore repeated evacuation calls and stay behind to "protect" thier property from a natural disaster. Would you stay behind to "protect" your beautiful mountain villa from the approach of Lava? The ocean doesn't care whether you stay behind... it's going to do what damage it does... and if you get in it's way- you can become jsut another figure on the damage sheets.

People have a right to attempt suicide- police have a responsibility to attempt to stop them from jumping off a skyscraper.

[wx247]

Sometimes people need "help" in determining whether or not to stay. These evacuations are never mandatory per se, but give residents a guide in determining how serious the situation actually is.

[Mattie]

[quote="opera ghost"]Frankly, there aren't mandatory evacuations in Texas- so it's a moot point for you.

You are absolutely correct about Texas, but I'm originally from South Louisiana with family still there - so I do watch these things very closely - so I wasn't speaking as to "Texas". . . . only as to the importance of heeding warnings whereever you are.

[Stormcenter]

Frankly, there aren't mandatory evacuations in Texas- so it's a moot point for you.

However I've heard a number of stories of emergency services people going door to door and asking that next of kin information be written in sharpie on your arm if you stay behind.

That way when they find your body they know who to call.

Only idiots ignore repeated evacuation calls and stay behind to "protect" thier property from a natural disaster. Would you stay behind to "protect" your beautiful mountain villa from the approach of Lava? The ocean doesn't care whether you stay behind... it's going to do what damage it does... and if you get in it's way- you can become jsut another figure on the damage sheets.

People have a right to attempt suicide- police have a responsibility to attempt to stop them from jumping off a skyscraper.

I'm sorry I forgot to mention that I was living in the Big Easy when I was "ordered" to evacaute not in Houston.

[opera ghost]

I was more talking to the origional poster Mattie No hard feelings?

[vbhoutex]

Sometimes people need "help" in determining whether or not to stay. These evacuations are never mandatory per se, but give residents a guide in determining how serious the situation actually is.

Technically you are correct Garrett, but I believe that if one refuses to leave they are actually violating the law if the evacuation is mandatory. However as stated by OG it is a moot point here in Texas as there are no mandatory evacuations allowed by state law. The next of kin requests are used often here in Texas when evacuations are requested.

And GOOD MORNING GALVESTON DUCK!!! I FOR THE LIFE OF ME DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY PEOPLE INSIST ON BUILDING HOMES ON BARRIER ISLANDS!!!! These islands are/were natures way of providing some protection of the coasts in storm situations. Man, to say the least has pretty much negated that protection with his building of structures on these islands that change forever the shape and characteristics of what mother nature put there for our own good. JMHO and Duck and I have a years long ongoing friendly disagreement about this that will never change in case anyone wonders why I pointed her out specifically.

[Mattie]

Just because our locations say "Texas" or any other non-coastal state, doesn't mean the experience isn't there. 35+ years of watching hurricanes from south Louisiana does provide a bit of wisdom.

[seaswing]

To add to that, they usually ask for "next of Kin" so they can notify them if necessary. I wouldn't weather a storm (after being in Camille and Betsy) if a mandatory evacuation was declared because the destruction and devastation is massive with a direct hit. Back then, the forecasting isn't what is is today and I can assure you after seeing houses blown off their foundations, boats blown 1/2 a mile inland etc. that it's way better to be safe than sorry. You can't protect your personal belongings or your life with 100+ mph winds knocking at your door.

Very good point Mattie....just came back from the Lesser Antilles a couple of weeks ago where they have seen their fair share of hurricanes. I asked them what they do if a big one is coming.... they said they take every precaution, board up, and depending on the track, either leave (go to an on island shelter) or they stick it out inside their homes, play cards and make sure they do not get too drunk in case they have to go outside for some reason. Very simplistic but it is their way of life.... they average two hurricanes a year with direct hits......

[opera ghost]

I am AGAINST anyone ignoring evacuation notices. Completly AGAINST it. I'm not sure where in my post I wasn't clear enough... but I'll be blunt- only idiots ignore evacuation warnings and stay behind to "protect" property.

HEED EVACUATION NOTICES. It may be your life on the line... and every life is a million times more precious than the land it came from.

[GalvestonDuck]

And GOOD MORNING VBHOUTEX!!! I FOR THE LIFE OF ME DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY PEOPLE INSIST ON BUILDING HOMES ON MOUNTAINS THAT SLIDE AND IN FORESTS THAT BURN AND IN EARTHQUAKE ZONES AND IN FLOOD PLAINS AND IN BIG CRIME-RIDDEN/DISEASE FILLED CITIES AND IN TORNADO ALLEY!!!!



I'm impressed...you waited until August this year. *snickers*

[vbhoutex]

And GOOD MORNING VBHOUTEX!!! I FOR THE LIFE OF ME DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY PEOPLE INSIST ON BUILDING HOMES ON MOUNTAINS THAT SLIDE AND IN FORESTS THAT BURN AND IN EARTHQUAKE ZONES AND IN FLOOD PLAINS AND IN BIG CRIME-RIDDEN/DISEASE FILLED CITIES AND IN TORNADO ALLEY!!!!



I'm impressed...you waited until August this year. *snickers*

[Pebbles]

You 2 so crack me up HAHAHA!!!!

[Mattie]

Seaswing - even the Marines in Japan have strict orders for the typhoons - (and it wasn't always the case) - they are not allowed to go outside, have to have their necessary supplies and CANNOT drink because they may be called to duty after the storm passes. We always had hurricane parties and by the time I was in college, we had some people that we so smashed they would have never known anything hit them and were definitely unable to take necessary action if circumstances warranted. Being one that likes to party and have a good time, major hurricanes (i.e., direct hit forecasted, or near direct hit) are not the times to have a party to see who can get the drunkest! LOL But it IS a great time for neighbors and friends to get together if they are not in an evacuation zone and watch the radar <grin>, cook on the Coleman stove, light the hurricane lanterns and listen to the wind and rain!