Hurricane Frances evacuations in Florida: WTF?

[DemoTex]

NBC Nightly News showed video footage of the clogged northbound lanes of I-95. A few cars zipped southbound at speed limit+. WTF? Why are they not using both sides of I-95 for the evacuation? This is insane. This works against the governments efforts to get folks to evacuate.

They also reported on gasoline shortages. Again: WTF? This storm has been on the radar for weeks according to meteorologist John Cessarich of WYFF Greenville, SC. Why didn't George, Jeb and their oil buddies make sure that supplies were adequate? This is un-fucking believable.

[calico1]

1. I couldn't believe when I saw this one old lady

that is not leaving her home for fear of looters. She's got a rifle and is prepared to take them on. There are always people like this every time there is a storm like this. I am worried because they are saying it is bigger than Andrew and will be slow moving. I have two aunts and some cousins down there. I am worried. This does not sound good at all.

[Columbia]

35. Her fears are not unfounded

Many people in previous hurricanes had homes that were undamaged by the storm, but lost everything to looters.

[belle]

45. jeez, i guess. but i mean: the looters can't drown you, you know?

horrible situation, poor Floridians. like they don't have enough problems already.

[Columbia]

60. Drowning in debt is almost as bad

And some who have limited income (like retirees) may never be able to recover if they lose everything.

[hang a left]

2. Big time.

Florida Orders 2.5 Million Residents to Evacuate Atlantic Coast As Hurricane Frances Approaches

Jennie Amsel, 104, far left, and Patricia Henkel, third from left, are helped to awaiting ambulances that will evacuate them from a Miami Beach, Fla., assisted living facility, Thursday, Sept. 2, 2004, by unidentified workers. More than a million people threatened by Hurricane Frances were told to evacuate Thursday (AP Photo/Bill Cooke)
09-02-2004 2:22 PM
By TIM REYNOLDS, Associated Press Writer

Listen to audio
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Residents and tourists in cars, trucks and campers clogged highways Thursday in the biggest evacuation ever ordered in Florida, fleeing inland as mighty Hurricane Frances threatened the state with its second battering in three weeks.

About 2.5 million residents were told to clear out ahead of what could be the most powerful storm to hit Florida in a decade. Other people in the 300-mile stretch covered by the hurricane warning rushed to fortify their homes with plywood and storm shutters, and buy water, gas and canned food.

Already a Category 4 storm with 145-mph winds and the potential to push ashore waves up to 15 feet high, Frances could make itself felt in the state by midmorning Friday.

At 2 p.m. EDT, the hurricane was centered 410 miles southeast of West Palm Beach and was moving at close to 13 mph.



http://sandiego.cox.net/cci/newsnational/national?_mode...

[Bombtrack]

3. I just moved 35 miles inland on higher ground. It's dumb to go up I-95.

Unless you are like just south of Daytona beach. Some people are going to freaking Georgia and Alabama.

I'll be reporting from the inland brunt of the hurricane.

[DemoTex]

4. "It's dumb to go up I-95." Well, yes. Appears it is.

Why isn't southbound I-95 available to the evacuees? I-65 in Georgia uses all lanes for evacuation.

I'll be watching for your dispatches, Bombtrack. Above all, stay safe.

[alarimer]

64. I don't get it either

Here in Corpus they open all lanes of I-37 to San Antonio when there is an evacuation. There is no mandatory evacuation. The sheriff's department cannot force you to leave. I always thought that was strange but hey, this is Texas. Also they have no shelters in town. At all. So unless you brave the traffic and go inland, you have to stay home or you are basically screwed. How's that for compassion? I think their aim is to make people leave rather than depend on shelters.

[DoYouEverWonder]

66. So far the evacuations have gone smoothly

I95 & I75 were a mess yesterday, going northbound. We were at least two days out from the storm. It made no sense at the time to close half the highway. It would have made things much, much worse if they did.

Today northbound traffic has been heavy to normal. Most of the people who were going to get out, have already done so or will go to a nearby shelter when the time comes.

[AnnInLa]

15. stay safe and let us know what's going on....n/t

[soup]

5. The gas shortage is being explained this way:

>snip<
The monthlong break on the state's 8-cent gas tax ended earlier this week, which meant more drivers statewide were filling up last weekend to get a last cheap tank, lowering supplies, Smith said.

Also, he said, South Florida's gas is delivered by ship, and with ports closing and the seas churned up, no one is delivering.

Gas wholesalers also need to keep their huge storage tanks relatively full to keep them from collapsing in the storm and spilling gas. That means, they're not releasing gas to stations.
>snip<

"You've got a situation where you had a run on gas at retail facilities at the end of the month of August, then you couple that with the rather bright move to get out of Dodge and the fact that the terminal facilities need to suspend sales and keep product in their storage tanks so they do not collapse," Smith said.
Gasoline in short supply as Frances approaches
:shrug:

[Pallas180]

37. You forgot to mention that the official advice was to top off your gas

tank, which also facilitated a run on gas, when there wasn't enough to begin with, and that 2 million people were told to evacuate.

Hard to evacuate when you cant get gas.

Another Bush (Jeb) brilliant strategy.

[belle]

46. why did they say to top off the gas tank?

[Media_Lies_Daily]

6. Alabama has done the same stupid thing in the past....

...by not using the southbound I-65 lanes to clear out more people along the coast in a lot faster time.

[DemoTex]

7. Eisenhower must be spinning in his grave.

His system of interstate highways was built for the national defense and civil emergencies.

[susanna]

38. Yet we have turned them into

vital arteries for "commerce."

My own opinion from where I'm at (Detroit). I KNOW the surface roads running N-S, E-W. If an emergency were ever declared, if I had non-essential business, that's where I would go; NOT to the interstates.

As a matter of fact, during the blackout of 2003 I stuck to surface streets away from the highways.

IMHO, BOTH NB/SB lanes of I-95 should be open to evacuees (wow that looks weird, it's not a word I use often). As an example: just Tuesday, the powers that be shut down an Interstate in my neck of the woods so * could come play president. It can't be that hard...

[Jacobin]

8. Not enough cops or national guard to do the exit blockades

that would be required to turn the intertate into one way only.

Think of all the entrances and exits that would have to be barricaded and guarded. Doable, for sure, but need lots of those....er ...um national guardsmen....now, where did they go?...

[DemoTex]

9. Georgia has special barracades on I-65 to do just that. Why doesn't FLA?

Hell, Florida isn't the Sunshine State ... it is the Hurricane State. It is criminal not to use this great highway system for what it was originally intended. Why are there not enough cops or National Guard? The cops need to be pulled in from the rest of the state. We know why our domestic safety level is very low vis-a-vis the Guard. I am sickened. The Florida public has been left alone and naked, figuratively speaking. It is a political thing, and the fucking hurricane hasn't even hit yet.

[gardenista]

56. Because Jeb is another incompetent Bushco family member

whom they would foist upon us in 2008.

[Massacure]

10. I thought the Interstate system has a ramp every 1 mile...

They should need a couple of hundred policemen/guardsmen at most.

[DemoTex]

13. Are you kidding?

Have you never seen the gage bumping "E" and the sign saying "Next Exit 11 Miles"? So that would mean fewer police/guard/trained-volunteers to close ramps. The ham radio community, of which I am a proud member, would love that kind of public service opportunity. In fact, I am contacting the ARRL about this issue. It might already be a part of the very effective SKYWARN program.

[Jacobin]

16. It's doable, but I don't think they have the manpower

I'm trying to visualize a cloverleaf interchange. Might take more than one patrol car with flashing lights and barricade per interchange. Couldn't leave them un-attended because of the horrible possibility of some doofus going the wrong way on an interstate and causing head-on collisions. Probably not one EVERY mile, but there are bound to be quite a few the length of the peninsula.

This is the kind of thing they should plan for WAY in advance.

[camero]

70. Not really

It has a straight stretch of 1 mile for every 5 miles of roadway so planes can land on them in an emergency.

It was originally conceived as a military and commerce supply route.

If they wanted they could block all southbound traffic.

[Pallas180]

39. Jeb says there's 13,000 National Guard & Army in Fla. because of

the bases here...

[DemoTex]

11. I don't mean to be anal about this, but I am extremely concerned.

I've been through a couple of hurricanes and a wicked typhoon in Vietnam, and I just hate to see people "stick-it-out" because evacuation is such a hassle. It's kind of like my feelings about airport security (changed a little bit since 9/11). There needs to be a consistent national policy. Of course that means a stronger central government, which the RePubs abhor. The post 9/11 airport security scene is certainly more centralized now, as it should be. It is still riddled with holes, but it is better than the local, shoot-from-the-hip approach of pre-9/11.

Well folks. Hurricane Frances might be our meteorological 9/11. If not Frances, there will be another. Ask Florida writer Carl Haisson. We are crusin' for a brusin', as we said in high school in the mid-60s.

[David Zephyr]

14. It's Slowed A Bit, But This Thing is Monstrous In Size.

This thing just really looks bad to me, DemoTex.

[RebelOne]

12. I live in the Atlanta, GA area and I heard on the radio

that all hotels are filled up. I also have a daughter who lives in South Florida -- Hollywood -- and she and her husband just boarded up their home and are going to stick it out. She also said that they will be leaving the boards up until hurrican season is over.

[Corgigal]

17. Was she living in the area

when Andrew hit? I never heard of one person who went through either Hugo or Andrew (probably Charlie too) and decided to stick it out again. It seems like all humans do it once and never do it again.

[fishnfla]

18. Now dont you start

the storm is 36 hours away. the storm has been on the radar for days, not weeks, 3 weeks ago another storm was on the radar,right? everyone will get along up the road just safe, unless there is more hysteria thrown on the tempest

One cannot blame the goverment for mother nature's whims.

[DemoTex]

23. I have been watching this storm for over two weeks. That's a fact Jack.

It is the proverbial whiff of disturbed air from a butterfly's wing in the Sahara. There is nothing subtle or mysterious about Frances. And sir, call me a fool, but I will blame the government for lack of preparation. That has absolutely nothing to do with the whims of Mother Nature, as you suggest.

And your reference to Charley is erroneous, too. Everyone did not get up the road safely. The casualty count bears out that fact, Jack.

[Malikshah]

19. Live in Sunrise Florida...

My partner went through Andrew living in Kendall--near Ground Zero in 1992.

We've got the hurricane shutters up on the Eastern side of the house, boarded up windows on the West side, and will be putting up plywood tomorrow a.m.

We've moved most of our stuff in the house-- and are beat. So what do we do...we decide to decorate the house...

Yes, we decided we are too gay for our own good. :)

As we're around 6 miles in from the coast, we've opened up our house to friends/colleagues who live nearer the coast.

Folks around here are taking it seriously -- which is good.

We *did* spray paint "Shoo, Go Away Frances" on our boarded up windows though ;)

[hang a left]

20. good luck to you. n/t

[Malikshah]

22. And to us all :)

Thanks-- we'll all make it through here in Florida.

The only "good" thing is that Frances may take the attention of the news in the next few days.

[DemoTex]

24. You will all NOT make it out.

At least 50 people will die in this storm in Florida alone. Think of it as two weeks in Iraq.

[Malikshah]

26. Well, aren't you a littly ray of sunshine.

Personally, I'm an optimist who is preparing for the worst

Allow me my little idiosyncracies.

[DemoTex]

27. Ever been through a hurricane?

I experienced Camille at Ft. Polk in 1969. I experienced Alicia in Houston in 1985 (?). I experienced a 170-mph typhoon in Vietnam in 1970. Yes, I am a little ray of sunshine. I'm just hoping you will still be posting this time next week. PM me then as to what an asshole I am. However, not one minute before!

[Malikshah]

28. Uh, unclench.

Yup--been through hurricanes here in Florida

I'm being optimistic and preparing for the worst in order to keep spirits up.

Should folks like to spread doom and gloom -- hey, the tents big enough for all of us.

For the record, I did not refer to you as an asshole. You did that all on your own.

[DemoTex]

29. Read my post carefully. Word-by-word.

Then tell me that I ever accused you of calling me an asshole. I basically set up a scenario where I was the heavy, but not necessarily an asshole.

BTW Malikshah, if you stay for the storm, please report to DU. Good luck and Godspeed.

[belle]

47. Jesus.

:eyes:

[Tsiyu]

33. LMAO

Be careful, you interior decorating fools you!

We'll all be thinking of you, and everybody else in Florida.

[LSK]

48. WOULD YOU PEOPLE PLEASE LEAVE

Dont be a fool and stick it out. GET OUT!!!

[Malikshah]

63. 2nd attempt due to power outage

Thanks to all who've wished all Floridians good luck (no, I don't speak for all Floridians...duh!)

As for us--we're southeast of Lake Okechobee (or as my older brother's partner calls it, Lake Chokeachubee) in Broward. Frances is now Cat 2 and the millibars have risen-- in the end that don't mean crapola as Hurricanes love to change in a heartbeat (i.e. Andrew, Charley)

She's large and nasty and the fear now from folks in my neighborhood is flooding above anything else (we're on the southeast side of Frances at this point)-- 6-24" of rain ain't good. We might be 6 miles from the cost but all of a Florida's a flood plain (think of it as a huge plank jutting off the continental US--and no---don't get any ideas about cutting us off after Nov 2...)

As for "leaving"-- easier said than done-- we've got 2.5 under mandatory evac orders. In one county they can hold 80,000 in shelters --with well over 400,000 needing to evacuate. You do the math.

Those that can move inland....those that aren't thinking straight (IMHO) move northwards (uh, 95 is packed northbound----and the damn thing is going to hit north of South Florida...)

We've opened up our house to colleagues and friends who need a place to come as shelters are always the last resort

We've had family help us and vice versa to get ready. We talk to our neighbors and help each other out

In other words it takes a village to get through this stuff.

For the moment I consider myself lucky-- we're not in the direct path, and we're not in a mobile home--we're all still in trouble, but we'll do our best to make it through

Right now, though-- the worst thing is the waiting. It's like that line Pippin said in the Return of the King (I know, I know--geek test!) Being in a battle is bad enough, but waiting for one is almost worse (or something to that effect)

We just want Frances to make up her mind, get off her fat behind and get down to the job (preferably in the Atlantic ocean)

Think about it-- folks are holed up in their homes, shelters what have you. No light because the shutters/plywood is up. If they've got electric--they can deal. Without it-- it makes it all the worse. We expected it to start already--now--it won't be here for another day-- another day of being holed up in the home, kids scared/bored/excited--parents frayed/nervous/frustrated.

It aint fun no matter how you cut it--so it should come as no surprise that some of us try and be happy--not deluded, naive, or blind to it--just happy-- Light a candle or curse the darkness--you take your pick.

Have fun all-- and, oh, btw-- screw the CNN polls-- I've seen more Kerry/Edwards stickers down here than ever before. My tactic-- publically shame any Bush/Cheney supporter. No violence, just public shaming!!!!!!

Thanks again for listening :)

[hatrack]

21. Still Cat 4 as of 8:00 PM AST - Max Wind Speed 140+ 355 Miles Out

Get where you need to be, guys, hunker down and best of luck! :scared:

EDIT

AT 8 PM EDT...0000Z...THE EYE OF HURRICANE FRANCES WAS LOCATED BY
RECONNAISSANCE AIRCRAFT...SURFACE OBSERVATIONS...SATELLITE IMAGES
AND RADAR...NEAR LATITUDE 24.3 NORTH...LONGITUDE 75.1 WEST OR 65
MILES...105 KM SOUTHEAST OF NORTHERN CAT ISLAND. THIS IS ALSO ABOUT
355 MILES...570 KM...EAST-SOUTHEAST OF THE LOWER FLORIDA EAST
COAST.

FRANCES IS MOVING TOWARD THE WEST-NORTHWEST NEAR 9 MPH...15 KM/HR
...AND A WEST-NORTHWEST TO NORTHWESTWARD MOTION WITH SOME DECREASE
IN FORWARD SPEED IS EXPECTED DURING THE NEXT 24 HOURS. ON THIS
TRACK...THE CORE OF HURRICANE FRANCES WILL CONTINUE TO MOVE NEAR
OR OVER THE CENTRAL BAHAMAS TONIGHT...AND WILL MOVE OVER THE
NORTHWESTERN BAHAMAS ON FRIDAY.

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE NEAR 140 MPH...220 KM/HR...WITH HIGHER
GUSTS. FRANCES REMAINS A DANGEROUS CATEGORY FOUR HURRICANE ON THE
SAFFIR-SIMPSON HURRICANE SCALE. SOME FLUCTUATIONS IN INTENSITY ARE
POSSIBLE DURING THE NEXT 24 HOURS.

HURRICANE FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 80 MILES...130 KM...
FROM THE CENTER...AND TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP
TO 185 MILES...295 KM. SAN SALVADOR REPORTED SUSTAINED WINDS OF 120
MPH WHEN THE LEADING EDGE OF THE EYEWALL PASSED OVER THE ISLAND...
AND SUSTAINED WINDS OF 101 MPH IN THE TRAILING EDGE OF THE EYEWALL.

THE MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE RECENTLY REPORTED BY RECONNAISSANCE
AIRCRAFT WAS 948 MB...27.99 INCHES. SAN SALVADOR REPORTED A
PRESSURE OF 948 MB ABOUT TWO HOURS AGO WHEN THE EASTERN PORTION OF
THE EYE PASSED OVER THE ISLAND.

STORM SURGE FLOODING OF 6 TO 14 FEET ABOVE NORMAL TIDE LEVELS...
ALONG WITH LARGE AND DANGEROUS BATTERING WAVES...CAN BE EXPECTED
NEAR THE EYE OF FRANCES ON THE WEST SIDE OF ELEUTHERA ISLAND...AND
ON THE NORTH SIDE OF GRAND BAHAMA ISLAND. STORM SURGE FLOODING OF
4 TO 6 FEET ABOVE NORMAL TIDE LEVELS CAN BE EXPECTED ON THE WEST
SIDE OF THE OTHER ISLANDS OF THE BAHAMAS. COASTAL STORM SURGE
FLOODING OF 6 TO 11 FEET ABOVE NORMAL TIDE LEVELS...ALONG WITH
LARGE AND DANGEROUS BATTERING WAVES...CAN BE EXPECTED NEAR AND TO
THE NORTH OF WHERE THE CENTER MAKES LANDFALL IN FLORIDA.

EDIT

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/refresh/MIATCPAT1+shtml/022335.shtml?

[DemoTex]

25. Stick this out? Insane.

Nikita Kruschev said it best: "WE WILL BURY YOU!" I'll add, "IF WE CAN FIND YOUR ARROGANT BODY!" Stupid, stupid people.

[Pallas180]

40. I'm 5 miles inland.no choice but to stick it out- there's nowhere

to go - if you've seen the roads heading North - they're crawling -
people heading up towards Melbourne - and being told not to stop -
they're still filled up from evacuees from Charley - normally from
Palm Beach Count to Georgia would be about 8 hours...with crawling
traffic? who knows how long - and all the motels and hotels along the way are filled up. 2.5 million people displaced and nowhere for them
to stop. And not enough gas. Get out and go? ha.

There's no choice but to re-inforce home, fill the water buckets, make
thermoses of coffee, get cans of food that taste good cold - and wait.

And by the way, I've been in "the storm of the century" on the West
Coast of Flordia in 92. My car drowned. I was fortunate that I didn't. Watched the typhoons come off the water and become tornadoes.

We'll make it through, with a bit of luck and a bit of help, and if
my roof stays on .

There's no choice.

And after what happened in Goss's Punta Gorda, most people are getting
out to shelters if they can't re-inforce the homes.

Great - latest prediction 10 " of rain from Saturday to Sunday.

Oh carp.

[LSK]

50. Alligator alley

Just get in your car and go to the western coast and then up. Do it now.

Do not stay.

[TroubleMan]

30. Our family's staying in West Palm Beach

We're all going to my parents' house a little further west. We boarded up today.

It's about 20-25 miles inland, so we'll be okay.

By the way, my Mom is Scarlet Lib here on DU. I'll try to post as soon as we get power back. I'm pretty sure the power's going out for at least 5 hours.

[LSK]

51. "It's about 20-25 miles inland, so we'll be okay."

How quickly you forgot the last hurricane!!!

[Campaign]

31. If you use both sides of the highway

then emergency, supply, and work vehicles would be blocked.


I am not sure whether or not George or Jeb can do anything about the fuel problem.



And you are right. The storm has been on the radar for a while. People should try and think for themselves sometimes. The government is not there to babysit you. Thank you.

[DemoTex]

32. Then how does Georgia do it?

Whose radar has the storm been on? The peoples or the governments? I rest my case.

[Campaign]

41. What case are you resting.

I personally have been watching Frances since it started spinning off Africa. I have this thing called the Weather Channel. It is amazing. You can actually see radar as well as satellite images on your TV screen while at your home. I predict that the storm will turn north at the last minute and kick Charleston SC right square in the balls. Lets watch. Thank you.

[Eloriel]

34. The govt IS there to properly prepare people and facilities

and get warnings including forced evacuations, etc., executed.

That, in fact, is the MAIN purpose of government. If you're ever looking for some good reading material, consider cracking open the Constitution.

[DemoTex]

36. Bingo

Thanks for the support.

[Name removed]

43. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[RobinA]

68. Yeah, I Mean,

isn't this what even most conservatives will admit government is for???

[gardenista]

58. Standard procedure to leave a lane open for emergency vehicles.

It can be done by the government, if there are COMPETENT people in the government. It is clearly not the case right now.

And THIS is the sort of thing we pay all those taxes for. Oh, except the top 2%, but I guess they could all afford to fly out of town on Tuesday when it started to look really bad.

[silverpatronus]

42. my family couldn't get out...

they tried to get home to trinidad, the flight was cancelled. they tried to head north, back here to DC or to montreal, couldn't get out. the only way for them to escape this storm is to get out of state, and they can't. they are stuck right in the hurricane's path.

please please PLEASE help me pray for them if you believe in prayer, or send good vibes their way if you don't believe in prayer. i am just so worried right now.

[JBoris]

44. Tell them to head south

the Keys don’t have a hurricane warning in effect and by the storm’s projected path, the farther south, the better. Anyway I’m here in Boca and I think even this will be south enough. I hope anyway.

[Pallas180]

49. tell them to get into one of the shelters offered & STAY PUT.

.

[althecat]

52. This is starting to look like an almight screwup....

Just had a look at where the I95 is
http://www.usa-chamber.com/fmbeach/flmap.html

If the new forecast I just posted here...
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x2303276

Turns out to be correct.... and it is a possibility, though maybe a bit remote... then the I95 is the last place anyone should be.

Someone needs to pull out all the stops and get these people out of the way of this storm now.

[Zan_of_Texas]

61. Pallas - HOLY Carp!

Be safe, we need ya!

I've been through a few of these. Even what was probably a tornado too. And an earthquake once too.

Use common sense. Don't stay in a mobile home. Get your car off the ground if possible -- sometimes a few extra inches can save it from being flooded. Work with your neighbors to help rescue those who were unlucky.

Government can be very helpful. If it's not run by Bushes. But, in a disaster of any size, the people who are paid to do stuff are quickly overwhelmed. People need to marshall their resources as a community to do whatever needs to be done. It's remarkable -- I've seen it.

[kerry-is-my-prez]

53. We've always known that I-75 cannot handle a large hurricane evacuation.

The shit may very well hit the fan with this storm.

[Poll_Blind]

54. LIVE webcam images embedded...refresh to update.

Much thanks goes to First Coast News of Florida for providing the images(you can find more at their webcam page here).


..........I-95 at Pecan Park Road...................................I-95 at Old St. Augustine Road......................I-95 at Duval Road



PB

[gardenista]

55. This should be POUNDED. A practical example of Bush mishandling

The beauty of this is that there's a Bush to blame no matter what. Jebby can't point a finger at the Feds because that's Chimpy's territory. And vice versa.

Here is a perfect example of the incompetence of both administrations. There should be a much better plan in effect.

[JCMach1]

57. I-95

Are they whacked???

Go ahead... evacuate along the coast INTO THE PROJECTED PATH of the storm.

[gardenista]

59. A Jeb screw-up of the highest magnitude. It's the incompetence, stupid! nt

[neverborn]

62. DOWNGRADED -- Category 3

[kerry-is-my-prez]

65. The whole city of Naples is out of gas. Probably the same in all FL & GA.

Wouldn't you think that they would have some trucks lined up to give a fresh supply of gas? This is especially dangerous since people are trying to flee a hurricane....

[Deadwood]

67. I bet

Bush is behind the whole thing.

[kerry-is-my-prez]

69. There was an article in the paper that said the Governor is "In Charge"

of all hurricane decisions and is essentially "Commander in Chief" of all of it.

So - any screw-ups and it should be Jebbies ass on the line (of course, we know how likely THAT will be).