One thing though and I have mixed feelings about this... (not on Galveston Island) but in other places around Houston...people were told NOT to leave...to save space on the highways for the ones closest to the coast....they weren’t even told to wait until a certain time, just “stay put” the Mayor and Judge said. I can understand the frustrations of those that chose not to go b/c the gov’t told them not to (to be heroic and let your neighbors evacuate). Then when they needed the fire/police..they were not available... I can truly understand that...Plus, they had school in many places on Thursday, making people feel obligated to stay...
Thoughts?
I’d say, “Screw them”. If I thought that leaving would be safer, I’d go. They can’t make you stay any more than they can make you go.
There’s something about the mentality of listening to the government like that when they’re telling you to stay in the face of a dangerous storm that bothers me.
They should have canceled school by Thurs anyway. It is not that important in light of what they were facing. One more day off wouldn’t have hurt the kids.
Our students don’t seem to feel obligated to stay at school when bad weather threatens...
I think if I felt I needed to evacuate, I would go whether or not the government told me to.
Good question, but frankly, this country can’t be running around paying for these gigantic evacuations for major US cities everytime a cat 2 storm approaches. I was under the impression that they ordered mandatory evacs from all flood prone areas, but voluntary for the rest. ???
Like you, I have mixed feelings about it all. If you choose to live in coastal areas though, you have to be ready for certain risks. I don’t like my tax dollars being used to rebuild folks houses that get blown away every 3-5 years.
I know..it sounds cold hearted. Sigh......
In a nutshell, nobody was forced to shelter in place in Houston, just as nobody was stopped from remaining on fragile barrier islands. I'm getting very concerned about the nanny state explosion replacing common sense.
I believe the week of tv drama watching airlifts following Katrina has blossomed into an expectation of spectacular rescues for everyone. It has become a basic right. As someone said on another thread when Ike was looming large..."Rescue workers are paid with my tax dollars and they are trained for these situations."
Incredible.