Very thoughtful and caring article, Rebekah. I'm originally from the Biloxi area and live now in FL. I've been through many hurricanes, and I'm afraid my experiences have caused me to only add to the problem. At first, I was quick to evacuate if that was the prevailing recommendation. In almost every evacuation, my experience was such I wished I had stayed and riden out the storm. The evacuation facilities were woefully inadequate. Toilets backed up almost immediately, and the only supplies available were those you brought with you. And the evacation process itself was traumatic. I remember one evacuation in FL where we left nearly threee days before the hurricane struck. There was wall-to-wall traffic already on I-75. Gas stations were mobbed, and you could not find a parking place at any of the rest centers. And no one had bothered to open up the other side of the highway for people exiting FL. God help the state if a massive evacuation is ever required. Long story short, my experiences have caused me to no longer consider evacuation. That included Ian, which although I live in Cape Coral, I chose to ride out. I had some scary moments, but came out okay. People who went to the shelters said it was miserable.
My hope is that I convince you to heed all evacuation recommendations, even if it may be difficult. A lot of people who lived through Camille died in Katrina. And with rapid intensification becoming more of a norm, the storm you think you're riding out can strengthen overnight.
I lived through Katrina in Waveland, Mississippi. This article is so spot on. I was a teacher at Hancock High School and since I had a decent income I got no help really to rebuild. I did have FEMA insurance so got some money for my home and contents but not enough to rebuild. The neighborhood where I lived has never come back. Insurance companies fought almost every claim for relief. And Ms. Jones is right. The emphasis was all on NOLA and not on the Mississippi coast. Even the National Geographic special just released does the same thing. My friends who still live in Gulfport are disappointed that their coastal area will be forever changed! Thank you for this insightful piece!
You just hit the nail on the head again. Grew up in Florida, lived on the Gulf for many years. I remember orange groves for miles and miles and white beaches and land. Loved that state. Thank you.
Very thoughtful and caring article, Rebekah. I'm originally from the Biloxi area and live now in FL. I've been through many hurricanes, and I'm afraid my experiences have caused me to only add to the problem. At first, I was quick to evacuate if that was the prevailing recommendation. In almost every evacuation, my experience was such I wished I had stayed and riden out the storm. The evacuation facilities were woefully inadequate. Toilets backed up almost immediately, and the only supplies available were those you brought with you. And the evacation process itself was traumatic. I remember one evacuation in FL where we left nearly threee days before the hurricane struck. There was wall-to-wall traffic already on I-75. Gas stations were mobbed, and you could not find a parking place at any of the rest centers. And no one had bothered to open up the other side of the highway for people exiting FL. God help the state if a massive evacuation is ever required. Long story short, my experiences have caused me to no longer consider evacuation. That included Ian, which although I live in Cape Coral, I chose to ride out. I had some scary moments, but came out okay. People who went to the shelters said it was miserable.
My hope is that I convince you to heed all evacuation recommendations, even if it may be difficult. A lot of people who lived through Camille died in Katrina. And with rapid intensification becoming more of a norm, the storm you think you're riding out can strengthen overnight.
What an absolutely incredible post.
Thank you.
I love that you said “what we choose “ perfectly describes so many issues these days and thank you
I lived through Katrina in Waveland, Mississippi. This article is so spot on. I was a teacher at Hancock High School and since I had a decent income I got no help really to rebuild. I did have FEMA insurance so got some money for my home and contents but not enough to rebuild. The neighborhood where I lived has never come back. Insurance companies fought almost every claim for relief. And Ms. Jones is right. The emphasis was all on NOLA and not on the Mississippi coast. Even the National Geographic special just released does the same thing. My friends who still live in Gulfport are disappointed that their coastal area will be forever changed! Thank you for this insightful piece!
You just hit the nail on the head again. Grew up in Florida, lived on the Gulf for many years. I remember orange groves for miles and miles and white beaches and land. Loved that state. Thank you.
Terrible you and your home were raided. That sounds like what organized crime does