Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Thanks for thinking of me - initially I made sure leaves were out of the outside stairwell and the drain wasn't covered, etc. It does look like we'll dodge most of it but I know it's still early and it could dump a ton of rain early next week - I hope not. My family in NC had a mandatory evacuation and they are all in MD (made the long, traffic-filled trip yesterday). My family in Charleston (as well as my neighbors vacationing there) - have opted to stay
The initial reports of up to 2' of rain had me worried as well as high wind warnings (house is surrounded by huge old trees) - and I seriously thought about heading North - knock on wood didn't have to.
My thoughts are w/all those who will be affected by Florence - it has grown so much!
Just an update: the town of New Bern which was hit w/flooding pretty hard (that's the town the Today show had on quite a bit this morning) - is where they live. They don't live in the actual downtown but aren't that far outside it - just a few miles South) - hoping their homes are okay.
Flamingo, I pray and hope your family were able to evacuate and are safe, even if their area flooded. I saw that about 200 people in New Bern had to be rescued and another 150 were still awaiting rescue, but may be waiting a long time as the conditions are too dangerous to get them out. The Cajun Navy (a rescue group organized after Katrina) is in New Bern and has received more than 500 calls for assistance.
They did evacuate and made it to MD w/various family members on Wed. - I saw that about the Cajun (I thought it was Army but could be wrong - I was once before - I've just been thinking about their homes - they are older and all retired (and one is in very fragile health - but they have lovely homes and thought these would be their forever homes. (That's where I go visit when I can and the plan had be for my next visit to be this fall... we'll see). It was sad and good to see those being rescued today - I have mixed feelings about people not evacuating but seeing the area they were in I know it's low income, mostly seniors, etc. and sometimes people just have nowhere to go - breaks my heart.
Glad to know they're safe, Flamingo. Hope their property is safe too. Please keep us updated.
I understand that some people have reasons not to evacuate. One woman has 7 rescue dogs (looks like they're all large dogs too) and she couldnt find a place that would take her and all of them. If I were her, I wouldnt have left them either, as impractical as that might sound. Fortunately, some friends took up a collection and rented a van for her to evacuate.
Glad to know they're safe, Flamingo. Hope their property is safe too. Please keep us updated.
I understand that some people have reasons not to evacuate. One woman has 7 rescue dogs (looks like they're all large dogs too) and she couldnt find a place that would take her and all of them. If I were her, I wouldnt have left them either, as impractical as that might sound. Fortunately, some friends took up a collection and rented a van for her to evacuate.
Couldn't rep you again but agree that there are often reasons that some just can not evacuate (I don't have much sympathy for those that are able both physically, financially, etc. and risk the lives of others to save them). I know lots of folks in NC and now see that it's hitting Washington, NC (another town I thought I might like to move to) - just hoping for everyone to be safe and no more deaths.
I agree about those who choose to stay, even though they're capable of leaving, and then call for help when their house floods, putting the the lives of first-responders in danger. But I also agree that the sick/elderly or those who live in isolated areas and dont have transportation may not be able to evacuate. Here's hoping the rain doesnt stick around as long as the weathermen are predicting and also that the looters stay away.
The authorities have arrested several looters. I absolutely do not understand that mindset: "Hey, it's a crisis so let's go loot." Karma will get them. Yes, indeed.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.