[Netizen]

That Ross Cavitt reproter stressed that port Charlotte wasn't expecting a category 4 hurricane and that it was supposed to be a Tampa Bay hurricane, and so people were not prepared.

As you pointed out though hurricane warnings went up for the west coast faily early on and that means 'pay attention'.

I hope they don't try and blame this on Jeb Bush, he did the best he could with the information given to him.

[Diddle E. Squat]

That Ross Cavitt reproter stressed that port Charlotte wasn't expecting a category 4 hurricane and that it was supposed to be a Tampa Bay hurricane, and so people only complete fools were not prepared.

What the heck do some people think a Hurricane WARNING means? They were under warning, any idiot knows that hurricanes are unpredicable. I'm sorry for the destruction, injuries, and death, but people have no one to blame for themselves, not the gov't that issued the evac orders and warnings. Yeah, I think the weather service dropped the ball on this a bit, not emphasizing enough the possibility of rapid intensification and unpredictable movement, but still.

[Amelia]

That Ross Cavitt reproter stressed that port Charlotte wasn't expecting a category 4 hurricane and that it was supposed to be a Tampa Bay hurricane, and so people were not prepared.

You can still find the reports from the News-Press about how the Lee County residents on the barrier islands were still trying to decide whether or not to obey the mandatory evacuations yesterday.

Anyone who lives on the coast *ought to know* these projections are not an exact science.

[Howlin]

That Ross Cavitt reproter stressed that port Charlotte wasn't expecting a category 4 hurricane and that it was supposed to be a Tampa Bay hurricane, and so people were not prepared.

I'm not going to question people's judgment, but it seems to me that if you lived on the west coast of Florida and if a hurricane was moving past your location -- even if you thought it was on the way to somewhere else -- since you would be on the LEFT side of the hurricane, you'd make some kind of preparations -- just in case.

I mean, I'm in North Carolina and I know what's going on.

[sunshine state]

I know Sarasota County took it very seriously. Mandatory evacuation of the barrier islands yesteday. People were doing the usual stocking up; I've never seen so many stripped shelves at the grocery store. In my neighborhood, all the lawn stuff was put away.
I've had it with the media trying to point the finger of blame. Hurricanes are unpredictable. They issued warnings for the entire Gulf Coast of Florida. If people choose not to heed the warnings, what can be done?