Here we go again (another hurricane)

[AnnieA]

Disney World ….

Hoping this broad expanse of human and animal life is secure and stays safe.

I'm on another board with a Central Florida woman who said she books a room at Disney every time it looks as though there's a dangerous hurricane heading her way because they have damage mitigation down to a T. She's weathered out three there, once years ago when her children were young. She said there are always three meals a day and Disney provided them with diapers and formula once their stash ran out. She said they had kids areas throughout the resorts with Disney characters reading to and playing games with the kids.

I'm betting they have things just as together when it comes to animals.

 

[squatting dog]

Not much I can do but hunker down. I'm prepared as I can be. My fear is for my brother as he's right close to the Gulf. Tried to get him to come inland to where I'm at, but, he said no.
Have plenty of water on hand... spare gas for the gen, diesel for the tractor, moved all loose things that could blow around.
Test fired the generator and cleaned off the solar panels and charged all the spare batteries I've got.

 

[KSav]

@jujube and @squatting dog, and all others here in Milton's path, I hope you stay safe. Please keep us posted if you're able.

 

[HoneyNut]

I don't know who this meteorologist is, but he seems chipper and educational:

 

[Trade]

Examples of that Irresponsible development in Pinellas County. It will be interesting to see what Milton does to this.

Giving our bays “the finger”: digging up the dirt on the history of local dredging - Bay Soundings

 

[seadoug]

There's a lot of rumors floating around about FEMA funds. Some are saying it was all used up to house immigrants, legal and illegal, mostly transporting them to and putting them up in motels and delivering 2 meals and a few apples or bananas every day. And some are saying this is why someone in congress proposed we stop funding sanctuary cities.

Anyway, I believe the new fiscal year begins in Oct, so FEMA's tank will get topped off soon as the 2025 budget passes. It's only a trillion short right now, so, lookin' good.

There are stories about police and city officials turning away individuals and organizations who have volunteered to help people who are trapped and hungry and have no clean water. Stories of regular Americans who own helicopters and boats being told they would be arrested if they helped with searches & rescues, and charities that had their truckloads of donated food and water seized and redirected by some sheriff. Reports confirmed that sheriff and his city supervisor are now on administrative leave, so, that might be true.

But what a mess. This would be the first time regular citizens were prohibited from helping their fellow citizens. There were times when helpers were strongly cautioned, but never prohibited under threat of arrest. That's crazy.

There is no need to bring politics into this so it is best not to continue to spread these rumors. There are people in dire need in states like NC who are being blasted with misinformation and are not only turning away help but confronting volunteers. These are lives that are being affected. The rumors have proven to be untrue for anyone who has taken the time to do the research.

https://www.npr.org/2024/10/07/g-s1-26584/helene-recovery-north-carolina-tennessee-flooding-fema

 

[Murrmurr]

There is no need to bring politics into this and it is best not to continue to spread these rumors. There are people in dire need in states like NC who are being blasted with misinformation and are not only turning away help but confronting volunteers. These are lives that are being affected. The rumors have proven to be untrue for anyone who has done the research.

https://www.npr.org/2024/10/07/g-s1-26584/helene-recovery-north-carolina-tennessee-flooding-fema

That wasn't political. Not at all. FEMA has no political affiliation, and I'm pretty sure the city or county official who stuck up for the sheriff was appointed, not elected. Unless she was a mayor....but still, none of the reports I saw mentioned politics, and neither did I. Everyone was just mad at that sheriff; an unknown until this debacle happened.

 

[seadoug]

That wasn't political. Not at all. FEMA has no political affiliation, and I'm pretty sure the city or county official who stuck up for the sheriff was appointed, not elected. Unless she was a mayor....but still, none of the reports I saw mentioned politics, and neither did I. Everyone was just mad at that sheriff; an unknown until this debacle happened.

But the rumors started about taking FEMA funds and diverting them to immigrants were purely political and aren't helping anyone. I wasn't referring to the sheriff. I'll leave it at that.

 

[Murrmurr]

But the rumors started about taking FEMA funds and diverting them to immigrants were purely political and aren't helping anyone. I wasn't referring to the sheriff. I'll leave it at that.

But I did say those were rumors.

The story about the guy with the helicopter was confirmed, though.

 

[Warrigal]

Not much I can do but hunker down. I'm prepared as I can be. My fear is for my brother as he's right close to the Gulf. Tried to get him to come inland to where I'm at, but, he said no.
Have plenty of water on hand... spare gas for the gen, diesel for the tractor, moved all loose things that could blow around.
Test fired the generator and cleaned off the solar panels and charged all the spare batteries I've got.

Respect

 

[Radrook]

Here comes Milton!

 

[AnnieA]

The story about the guy with the helicopter was confirmed, though.

I saw video of two different guys with helicopters who had been working for the first few days and were then forbidden to help anymore though no official agency helicopters were coming in to replace them at that point. And the poor soldier who was so upset talking about how their hands were tied is likely in a lot of trouble since she was in uniform. I hope her emotional state at the time of her video is taken into consideration when she's called on the carpet ...or before military court.

 

[Jules]

Wishing the best for everyone, especially our members, in Florida.

 

[mrstime]

Milton to make landfall tomorrow. Those of you in Florida anywhere near please get the heck out while you can, we don't want to lose any of you.

 

[Murrmurr]

I saw video of two different guys with helicopters who had been working for the first few days and were then forbidden to help anymore though no official agency helicopters were coming in to replace them at that point. And the poor soldier who was so upset talking about how their hands were tied is likely in a lot of trouble since she was in uniform. I hope her emotional state at the time of her video is taken into consideration when she's called on the carpet ...or before military court.

I think it was the National Guard who spoke up for her, talking about how frustrating the situation was for everyone, so I think she'll be ok. Or it might have been her own superior and unit.

The sheriff who threatened to arrest that one volunteer chopper pilot might have misunderstood orders from the local military base. The base was designated the primary operations point, but it wasn't operational until the next day...a whole day after the sheriff ordered chopper pilots to stop rescuing people.

One of the people that pilot needed to rescue was his own son. He'd left him on a mountainside with the husband of a woman he'd just dropped off where the sheriff was. He did go and get his son, but then he went home, leaving the woman's husband behind. Imagine having to explain to that poor guy that the sheriff ordered you to leave him there. That's so messed up. I bet that pilot didn't get much sleep that night.

 

[seadoug]

A message from a paramedic about FEMA's support and their role in this catastrophe. It is also clear that people from outside the area who want to volunteer are not helping, but hurting. Put your money where your mouth is and donate. World Central Kitchen is a great cause.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1842877970840420717

 

[Murrmurr]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1842877970840420717

Doug, I'm not saying the gov't wasn't there, but there was a lot of confusion, errors were made, and that caused a ton of rumors to circulate. One reason for that was that there was no internet and phone service in key areas, and therefor no communication. Another reason is that when people are in extremely desperate situations it feels like help takes forever. It does take time for the gov't to coordinate all the proper agencies so that everything runs smoothly. They tackle the most urgent stuff first, other stuff can take several hours, less crucial stuff can take a day or two.

Meanwhile, citizens do what they can.

 

[Radrook]

 

[rgp]

A question came to mind while watching hurricane coverage .

Question being, if a person, say a senior is on medication, and their prescription is low, can they 'order' ahead ? I mean if that person has only one or two days left, and the storm hits , who knows how long it might take before the pharmacy is back up and running ? Not to mention the ability of the patient to get there.

Jus wondering ?

 

[VaughanJB]

If you live in Florida, then you know these are going to roll through annually. Some better, some worse, but inevitable.

 

[rgp]

If you live in Florida, then you know these are going to roll through annually. Some better, some worse, but inevitable.

Are you replying to me ? I get your point but, can a person 'stockpile' medicines ? I mean mine are for 30 days each, I sometimes won't hear from the pharmacy till the 29th day. Then i go get them.

 

[Paco Dennis]

If you live in Florida, then you know these are going to roll through annually. Some better, some worse, but inevitable.

If the Gulf keeps getting hotter, these powerful hurricanes will be regular, and they will get larger and more powerful from year to year now.?

 

[Paco Dennis]

Are you replying to me ? I get your point but, can a person 'stockpile' medicines ? I mean mine are for 30 days each, I sometimes won't hear from the pharmacy till the 29th day. Then i go get them.

Excellent question!! I had to actually go see a doctor yesterday to renew my prescriptions. Especially for controlled substance. If I were there and had to flee, and the pharmacies are all hit, how do I get the medicine they put me on, and if I quit taking them, it will cause possible tremors, and terrible withdrawal. They would have to give me enough to get through the emergency.?

 

[Dr. Jekyll]

A question came to mind while watching hurricane coverage .

Question being, if a person, say a senior is on medication, and their prescription is low, can they 'order' ahead ? I mean if that person has only one or two days left, and the storm hits , who knows how long it might take before the pharmacy is back up and running ? Not to mention the ability of the patient to get there.

Jus wondering ?

In Florida, the governor's emergency declaration authorizes pharmacies to do early prescription renewals.

 

[VaughanJB]

Are you replying to me ? I get your point but, can a person 'stockpile' medicines ? I mean mine are for 30 days each, I sometimes won't hear from the pharmacy till the 29th day. Then i go get them.

More of a general comment. If you live in LA, the idea of a hurricane is horrendous. Or, for example, if you're in the UK. But for Floridians, these things happen. They're not good, but at the same time they're no entirely shocking.