With Hurricane Irene bearing down on the East Coast, many are asking themselves if they should evacuate to safer places. While residents should obviously pay attention to guidance from local authorities, my own experience would say, "If in doubt, get out!" Don't mess with winds that can gust beyond 100 MPH. The winds and the accompanying storm surges and flooding can be deadly.
I have survived a direct hit by a super typhoon (the Asian version of a hurricane) with sustained 130 MPH winds. I did this with my family in a house with a corrugated tin roof and large glass sliding doors. It is amazing that we made it through without any injuries. Not all were so lucky in that same storm. In that situation in 1970 in the Philippines, there were no evacuation shelters to go to. Had there been, it would have been wise to have use them.
Don't mess with Category 3 and Category 4 hurricanes. If you are in a vulnerable area or live in less than a sturdy home, evacuate. It is simply not worth taking the chance. Historically, many who have stayed in less than safe situations have perished, and those who did survive would often have made different choices. I know I would today. It is very scary and dangerous to sit out the storm.
Once you are trapped by the high winds and accompanying water, there is little chance to change ones mind. If you do not evacuate early, there comes a point where any attempt to evacuate only exposes you to greater risk. So evacuate early and ensure your safety. Don't risk staying in harms way.
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