On Thu, 2 Sep 2004 23:29:43 +0100, Brendan DJ Murphy wrote:

rushed to fortify their homes with plywood and storm shutters,

I'm sure a bit of ply nailed over a window is going to help stop
100mph+ average winds... Might slow down debris a bit though and save
the glass I guess.

and buy water, gas and canned food.

This I don't understand, they live in an area that gets hit by
hurricanes (huge or small) fairly frequently. Would it not be prudent
to stock up with this stuff at the start of the season? Canned/dried
food has "Best Before" dates 12 to 24+ months into the future and will
be edible long after that, not that is particulary relevant as you'd
rotate the stock in the off season anyway.

I'm gradually checking and building up the winter supplies here "just
in case".

He had enough cash and clothes to get through about five days,

Cash? Well I guess if people stop taking plastic when the power goes
dollar bills are the only useable alternative. Clothes, funny mine
don't fall apart or wear out in 5 days. Might get a bit smelly but a
bucket, soap and water will cure that for me and the clothes...

"I figured it was smarter to get out of here now. It was a snap
decision,"

Following the evacuation shouldn't really be a snap decision, you
should be taking with you at least the essentials for survival, like
your own food, water and warmth (blankets etc). This needs a little
bit of planning, just leaping into your car with your wallet and a bag
of clothes is not responsible behaviour.

--
Cheers
Dave. pam is missing e-mail