I get so frustrated coming on threads like this and reading how stupid people were not to leave, how stupid families were for allowing their loved ones to stay, how stupid people are for living there to begin with.
There was only one post in this thread that characterized the people who stayed behind as 'stupid' and it was removed by an Admin Mod.
I came to this thread to find information, not the above. I only mentioned that the media made it seem this storm would take a much different path, and that may be why some people chose to stay.
Part of the information that is being offered here is that people should bear in mind that these storms have historically shown a propensity for unpredictably changing direction and should thus be prepared accordingly.
See post #138. The weather forcasters are now predicting that the storm will be making a straight-line path along the coast toward Long Island. Given what these storms have done in the past, I would be very surprised if Charley did not take another unexpected diversion in course.
It has also been noted in this thread that people in the affected area were given mandatory evacuation orders and when interviewed said that they would not leave.
I just saw an interview on the Weather Channel of a woman shouting over the howling winds [with palm trees bending all around her] saying how much she loved the 'power' of the storm.
Some of us are also frustrated' by people who needlessly risk their lives -- and those of rescue personel -- when they deliberately choose to ignore explicit warnings of impending disaster. It is not fair to characterize such a point of view as callousness. Analyzing and learning from mistakes made by others is not blame; it is very useful information.
It almost seems that some are arguing that others in the future should not be expected to avoid making the same poor choices that cost these people their lives. Is that compassionate?
"I just saw an interview on the Weather Channel of a woman shouting over the howling winds [with palm trees bending all around her] saying how much she loved the 'power' of the storm.
Some of us are also frustrated' by people who needlessly risk their lives "
So true, we have to remember there are real people out there who are "adreniline junkies". They get a rush out of storm chasing. There was a segment I saw once on how many people are addicted to cable t.v.'s "The Weather Channel". There are vacation trips where Europeans come to America and go on storm chasing "tours" to see tornados! Too weird for my comprehension. Different strokes for different folks.