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stormchaser06's Blog

by stormchaser06 from Conroe

Last Post 109 days, 2 hours Ago


Impending Disaster
May 21, 2008 | 11:46 PM
Category: Weather
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We are being set up for another horrific scenario this Hurricane Season already.

 

Sounds like quite the claim, doesn't it? Well, it may have some truth to it. I came to this sudden and abrupt realization earlier this morning. I'm gonna use a four-letter word to Houstonians now. Remember Rita? (there's that ugly word!) Remember how everyone tried to leave all at once and jammed the freeways and there was no gas to be found after the storm passed? Remember how after that episode of ill-preparation, a plan was put in place to surge supplies, including gasoline, into the area along evacuation routes? Sounded like it would work at the time didn't it?

 

Here's what I'm getting at with all this. Since that time two and a half years ago, the price of gas has gone significantly up. (Duh). Look at this chart:

 

 

We can surge all the gas we want to into evacuation zones, but what good will it be if people cannot afford to put it in their tanks in order to evacuate to safety? Chances are that you would need more than one fill-up to get to safety, more cars on the road, more idling, more gas used. Even if the New Evacuation Zone plan works, people will still not be able to drive 70 mph up to safety.

 

We will end up with people unable to get out of harm's way. There will be desperate calls for help during the storm from people who would have otherwise left. The government cannot foot the bill to evacuate all those in harm's way. And I don't believe that 2-1-1 helps with this either. Not everyone can rely on 2-1-1 to get them out.

 

The idea behind this blog is not to be the alarmist weatherman or anything of that sort. I'm just wondering if this thought has occurred to anyone else. Plus this is also IF we are threatened by a storm this year.

 

So my question to you is, how do we fix this problem?

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Member Comments Total Comments: 8
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PBMom read my blog view my photos
May 21, 2008 | 11:57 PM

I think if the areas that are most critical to be evacuated enlisted every bus available, including school buses, got every plane that could take off at the local airports in and just load people on them and if a town/city is near rail, get the rail industry involved and taken to designated points, it could very well be done very efficiently. The problem: People won't do it. Once people reach designated areas, then they can arrange for their own transportation to wherever they want to go to. Have planes that are leaving for X cites, have buses leaving for X cities and rail leaving for X cities and let people decide which city they want to head to so you give them some control. You are right -- this is an impending disaster.
Isci_the_Weatherman read my blog view my photos
May 22, 2008 | 6:20 AM

Can you imagine the price of gas this summer if a cat 4 or 5 goes through the Gulf? If another Katrina-like storm enters the Gulf we could see 6 or 7 bucks a gallon easily.
RadarDude read my blog view my photos
May 22, 2008 | 12:38 PM

Hey Stormchaser I got another scary word for you...Humberto. The suprise attack.....Now yes he did miss us and was only a Cat.1 at land fall...But think about it, had Humberto been able to strengthen into a Cat.4 in that short amount of time(unlikely but you should never dismiss the idea), imagine the mad rush to not only the gas pumps, but the freeways. We thought Rita(sorry) was bad...For some reason this never leaves my head...we wont always get a week to prepare an evac of the area...Humberto proved that. Imagine gas prices then...........
BethelOutreach read my blog
May 25, 2008 | 4:56 PM

One way to help is to educate the communities around where you are. Get all the info you can and then share it. That is what a Church in Urban Houston is doing on the 31st. Check it out www.floodshappen.com
Gottaluvit read my blog view my photos
May 26, 2008 | 11:26 AM

God help us all if we get a direct hit. We already know from 2 1/2 years ago how it will go down. Only the people closest to the coast should be allowed to leave first. then Angleton, Friendswood and so on in an orderly manner. It didn't happen then and it will not happen next time. It's like shouting fire in a theater. Everyone panics and nobody gets out.
If we can just let the costal occupants leave first and then follow them it might just work.
I personally don't think it will work in this town. Myself, If I see one coming I will pack the family way ahead of time and get out. We need to plan ahead or see another 100 mile parking lot. B-safe
drjim read my blog view my photos
May 27, 2008 | 5:48 PM

I like to think about the good ole days when gas was 1.92 and everything was right in my gas tank! Stormchaser...thanks for the nice look down memory lane, but I'm not so sure I'm happy about looking into the future!
I-RIGHT-I view my photos
May 28, 2008 | 4:15 PM

"Can you imagine the price of gas this summer if a cat 4 or 5 goes through the Gulf? If another Katrina-like storm enters the Gulf we could see 6 or 7 bucks a gallon easily."

It sure would help if you media types would start asking some hard questions about why no new refineries in the past 36 years.
Sassy11 read my blog
May 28, 2008 | 9:37 PM

I actually have been thinking about this. Since we live so close to the Gulf, this is always on my mind. What about the gas companies briefly lowering the price of gas. This would enable many to evacuate.

Additionally, PBMom's idea is exactly how I've always thought we should organize our evacuation. To heck with Perry's idea of a superhighway. Sorry Gov. Perry, it really is a horrible idea. Back to my train of thought. Really think all buses, vans, medical units, planes and railroads could get on board with the evacuation. I'm actually thinking about this, why is it such a delayed effect for anyone to leave? Many people don't have the luxury of leaving - due to their jobs requiring them to stay. In fact, making it mandatory for them to stay. More shelters should be initiated. All gas stations should not shut down. That was a major problem during Rita. Many left with city. More refineries should be operational. That alone is stifling the economy. With anyone likes it or not, there is a definite need for more refineries.
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stormchaser06

I am going to school to become a broadcast meteorologist, look out Houston! Here comes your next Local TV Weatherman!

Member Since: 1/29/2007


 

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