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Original poster

TRIGGER WARNING I can’t believe some people aren’t evacuating in Florida

607 replies

Newsenmum · 09/10/2024 16:17

I really don’t mean to be insensitive. This hurricane Milton is terrifying but I’m really struggling to understand this. I know there are some awful situations where people can’t drive/are disabled or elderly and feel helpless but what I CAN’T understand is people not trying. Like they’re completely putting their head in the sand.

I’m part of a few mum Facebook groups that are mostly American. I kid you not, people are staying in zones with their little babies where there is mandatory evacuation. Some reasons why they aren’t leaving:

  • my dog is aggressive and won’t be allowed in the shelter, so I’m staying put with him and going to hope and pray. Why is the dog worth more than a kid?
  • i have too many animals which don’t fit in the car, I’m worried about the chickens (!!) again.. wtf? Basically suicide for their kids because they don’t want to leave chickens!
  • im from flORIda so I’ll be fine! Hopefully it’s not as bad as they think. I don’t want to disrupt us. wtf??
  • my babies have a block safe room and that’s ‘normally fine’

There are other Americans trying to send them money, urging them to go storm shelters or at least a bit more inland!

These are people in areas that have 15ft storm surge, there is so much debris already around that is going to be trashing their houses. If they want a certain death for themselves then fine but can’t get over them not saving their babies 😭😭😭 all because they won’t leave the bloody chickens that are going to drown either way!!

OP posts:
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35
Begsthequestion · 09/10/2024 20:47

CharlotteLucas3 · 09/10/2024 20:42

Do you not own a dog? I love my children more than anyone else of course, but my dogs are second on the list and they look to me to protect them. I don't know what I'd do but I don't think I could leave them. My heart would break.

Do you think you would leave your children without a parent to save your own feelings?

Drinas · 09/10/2024 20:47

Garlicbest · 09/10/2024 20:42

This is fascinating, thank you. I've had it open for about ten minutes and the waves have got noticeably bigger in that time. I can actually understand people going down there - there's something very exhilarating about the power of an angry sea! Hope they all clear off in the next half hour, though.

Show quote history

What the…!!

SassK · 09/10/2024 20:48

The storm surge with milton is the most worrisome aspect (not to dismiss entirely the winds! Which are also incredibly damaging). I wonder if those in the direct path who're choosing to hunker down aren't grasping the gravity of the expected storm surge, or are just hoping it won't go as high as the predicted 15ft.

I'd do everything in my power to take my dog. Clearly though I wouldn't risk my child - I'd do whatever I needed to do to keep my daughter safe. But leaving my dog would break me, I know it would. Absolutely break me.

Dogondoolally · 09/10/2024 20:50

Surely people barricading themselves in are going to be hit by a 15ft wall of water! The storm surge may travel 1 to 2 miles inland. That’s f ing terrifying

QuestionableMouse · 09/10/2024 20:50

Soubriquet · 09/10/2024 17:01

As cruel as it might sound, I would humanely kill my pets and get my kids to safety if I was there right now. But I’m not. I’ve no experience with hurricanes. They do. They know what to expect and they also know that most hurricanes down grade before they hit land and I guess they are hoping for the best.

It can’t be cheap to evacuate either

No you fucking wouldn't.

For a start there no way to "humanely kill" animals at home.

IsThisIt2021 · 09/10/2024 20:50

I’m following this closely due to having friends there.

i have just lost 10 mins watching the webcam and I must say, Im not even surprised at the stupidity.

fashionqueen0123 · 09/10/2024 20:51

Wow look at these

TRIGGER WARNING I can’t believe some people aren’t evacuating in Florida
fashionqueen0123 · 09/10/2024 20:51

IsThisIt2021 · 09/10/2024 20:50

I’m following this closely due to having friends there.

i have just lost 10 mins watching the webcam and I must say, Im not even surprised at the stupidity.

Don’t worry the rubber rings will save them

dottiehens · 09/10/2024 20:52

I have spoken to friends in Florida in the past.They all said that they are always with the hurricane season scares and do not longer worry too much. I hope it is a milder than expected one.

Bunnycat101 · 09/10/2024 20:54

The webcam is really insane. What are they doing? I’m genuinely quite worried that the current selfie idiot is going to be washed away.

CharlotteLucas3 · 09/10/2024 20:54

My dogs aren't as important as my children but it's not up to anyone here to tell someone else what to think. It's totally subjective. To some people (not many I wouldn't have thought) their pets are as important as their children. Just because you think that's wrong, it doesn't change that fact.

We're all animals. Who the hell do we think we are to think that we're the most important animal? We're probably the least important animal in that our actions are very likely to destroy the planet for all animals including ourselves. So we're the most intelligent? Big deal. Crows are as intelligent as the average seven year old so that argument isn't relevant.

IsThisIt2021 · 09/10/2024 20:54

@fashionqueen0123

They were who I was referring to. As if the rings will help 🙈🤣

Sunnyswfl · 09/10/2024 20:55

I am in Ft Myers Florida, I am not in an evacuation zone. I have hurricane windows and plenty of supplies. We went thru hurricane Ian two years ago with little damage. I would rather be in my home than on the road, a lot of the places people have run to will also be affected by the hurricane. We have had 50 tornado warnings in South Florida already today. It is a personal decision to not evacuate. Floridians are used to extreme weather and maybe we see things differently than others do, but don’t judge people until you have walked in their shoes.

oakleaffy · 09/10/2024 20:56

biscuitandcake · 09/10/2024 20:31

There is also a theory this is why so many romans stayed in Pompeii when there were already signs of seismic activity. A few years before there had been a massive earthquake caused by the volcano's activity and a houses destroyed/people killed. But the people that survived had a false sense of security, because their houses had survived the last earthquake/because the Gods had seen fit to spare them and would again. They were used to living next to a volcano and you probably do get used to earthquakes/scary rumbles. Instead of an earthquake what happened was a massive burning cloud of ash was released by the volcano.
Plus, people with nothing couldn't afford to flee easily. People with wealth/possessions didn't want to leave their property to looters. Same dilemma then, same dilemma now.

Same as with Fire of London 1666
Wealthy wanted to protect their money and valuables from looters.

Shmoigel · 09/10/2024 20:56

fashionqueen0123 · 09/10/2024 20:51

Wow look at these

That's an extra kind of stupid!

TRIGGER WARNING I can’t believe some people aren’t evacuating in Florida
fashionqueen0123 · 09/10/2024 20:58

Sunnyswfl · 09/10/2024 20:55

I am in Ft Myers Florida, I am not in an evacuation zone. I have hurricane windows and plenty of supplies. We went thru hurricane Ian two years ago with little damage. I would rather be in my home than on the road, a lot of the places people have run to will also be affected by the hurricane. We have had 50 tornado warnings in South Florida already today. It is a personal decision to not evacuate. Floridians are used to extreme weather and maybe we see things differently than others do, but don’t judge people until you have walked in their shoes.

Fair enough if you’re not in an evacuation zone. I think it’s more the people who have been warned you will die if you don’t leave.

Shmoigel · 09/10/2024 20:59

We got a winner! The lady on the left sitting on the bloody wall in a swimsuit to take a selfie! (Click on the whole image)

TRIGGER WARNING I can’t believe some people aren’t evacuating in Florida
XenoBitch · 09/10/2024 20:59

I think it is easy to judge them when you have not been faced with the same situation.
Having to leave your safe space.. your home, all your belongings and memories, maybe even several pets.. it is not going to be easy. And facing the real possibility that none of the above will be there to return to.
It is easy to criticise them from the UK, when the worst we have is your bottom floor getting flooded.

oakleaffy · 09/10/2024 21:01

The biggest wind I was in was a very violent Mistral that sounded like a living being roaring around the house and riffling about under the tiles on roof
I was alone with little DS on a hill facing the sea-
I closed all the shutters tightly but still felt very vulnerable.

Goodness knows what a true hurricane would feel like.

oakleaffy · 09/10/2024 21:02

Shmoigel · 09/10/2024 20:59

We got a winner! The lady on the left sitting on the bloody wall in a swimsuit to take a selfie! (Click on the whole image)

Edited

Bloody idiot.

Putting rescuers lives at risk.

IsThisIt2021 · 09/10/2024 21:02

@Shmoigel

The one standing on the wall seems to be having a great time, she’s been there (goes out of view
then back again) the whole time I’ve been watching! Which I don’t even want to think about how long that’s been now.

dottiehens · 09/10/2024 21:02

MyLeftFootIsBlue · 09/10/2024 20:09

I always marvel when people say their dog /pet is just as important as their children. That's unthinkable to me. I understand if people choose to value their animals as much as themselves (well I don't but it's up to them). But how do they value an animal as much as their own child? When did human lives start having so little value? It's actually a little scary for me and I worry for a world that equates human and animal lives

May be the animals life started to have more value?

daisydaisyrose · 09/10/2024 21:04

I am also watching the webcam literally with my jaw on the floor. What the actual?????
I know they aren't directly in the line of the hurricane but seriously.

Had to stop watching because I am too scared that one is going to get swept away at any moment and I can't watch that!

Candaceowens · 09/10/2024 21:04

oakleaffy · 09/10/2024 21:02

Bloody idiot.

Putting rescuers lives at risk.

Show quote history

They should be exempt from rescue. Or at least bottom priority after sensible people.

Garlicbest · 09/10/2024 21:05

XenoBitch · 09/10/2024 20:59

I think it is easy to judge them when you have not been faced with the same situation.
Having to leave your safe space.. your home, all your belongings and memories, maybe even several pets.. it is not going to be easy. And facing the real possibility that none of the above will be there to return to.
It is easy to criticise them from the UK, when the worst we have is your bottom floor getting flooded.

Edited

People in the highest-risk zones have been told that if they don't leave THEY WILL DIE. So what you're saying is that they literally choose death over losing their house/pets.

Not sure I would.