Re: Question about evacuating

I used to live on the Gulf Coast and "survived" Andrew when it hit Louisiana after hitting Florida. When we decide to stay or go, it's not only the winds but the flooding!

My parents went through a tropical storm in Houston- Alice, I think. They had a nice, strong house, but they lived near a creek. There was so much rain the creek flooded over and my folks got 3 feet of water in their house- lost everything! Other families who were at a lower elevation got 5 feet of water in their house. Those who had 2 story houses moved upstairs, but got trapped and had to be rescued with ladders, ropes, and boats coming to their second floor windows. They all stayed at a Red Cross center set up at an elementary school until the water went down.

In a more recent storm in Houston (2001) some people were trapped in their attics and feared drowning or heat exhaustion. The only way out was through holes they made in their roofs. Unsettling to say the least to see whole families on top of their roofs waving to rescue helicoptors or in the tops of trees.

Since you have a toddler, I'd think about your elevation and proximity to creeks, lakes, storm sewers, etc. as well as the beach.

Hope Ivan doesn't come your way.

Blessings,
-Donna Tweet