I live in Tampa, Fla., which may be in the direct path of Hurricane Irene. Bay News 9 is telling us the hurricane will pass on the other side of Florida, but there is always a chance Irene will have different ideas. As Florida residents, we are often in the path of hurricanes, but we have not had a direct hit. A direct hit by a strong hurricane in the Tampa/St. Petersburg area would do a lot of damage and destruction. If Irene hit our area directly, the flooding and devastation would mimic the disaster in New Orleans from Hurricane Katrina.
“I’m buying cases of water and watching the news 24/7 to get news about the hurricane. I live in St. Petersburg and I believe hurricane Irene would be devastating to our area. Our economy is already in a shambles. We have tons of canned goods ready for this storm. Each year, I expect something like this to happen and sigh in relief every time a storm misses us.” — Christian E., vendor, St. Petersburg
“I’m not preparing for the hurricane. I expect it to go by us and leave us lots of rain like most of these hurricanes do. We usually buy extra water this time of year, but I am not concerned. If the news tells me to be concerned, I will worry a little bit more. We have our car gassed up and ready to go just in case.” — Megan Coffie, student, Riverview
“I’m keeping my eyes on this storm. Whenever the news tells us the hurricane is close, I pay attention. I always keep the necessities around in case a storm like this hits us hard. If Bay News 9 tells us to hunker down, we hunker down. I guess they may evacuate St. Petersburg if the storm gets close, but we shall see. Hurricane Irene is just like any other hurricane: dangerous if it gets too close.” — Kurt B., hospital employee, St. Petersburg
“I have kids and I always worry about hurricanes. I know that big storms like Hurricane Irene can be dangerous and I am aware enough to pay attention to the authorities. I lived in the Philippines and I know a direct hit from hurricanes and typhoons can destroy the lives and dreams of people in the path. We prepare for hurricanes every year. We buy more water and food just in case a storm like this hits our area. We make sure the grill, generator and vehicle all have gas. Hurricanes are dangerous and I don’t want to be any near one when it comes.” — Emelita Legaspi, accountant, Brandon
“I have lived in the Tampa area for 15 years. We prepare the same every year. We buy more water and food, we keep our eyes on the news and we keep ourselves ready in case the big storm comes. We have been lucky so far because the hurricanes usually go around us. We get winds and rain, but we don’t get hit too badly. There is always a chance a hurricane like Irene will hit the Tampa area, but we will be prepared if it does.” — Doug Kalbach, teacher, Tampa
“I just moved to the area, so I don’t know too much about hurricanes. I am nervous, but I am following the news and they say the hurricane won’t hit us. I am going to the store to buy supplies just in case the worse happens. I knew when I moved to Florida this could happen, but I did not expect it so soon. Hurricane Irene, please go the other way.” — Mark H., beer distributor, St. Petersburg
“I’m not worried about hurricanes. We prepare every year, but I am not concerned. If the hurricane hits us, it will likely be an end of the storm because we don’t likely get the brunt of hurricanes in our area. We all know the big one can hit us and destroy our world, but that is what prayer is for. We prepare like everybody else. We always have extra water on hand, we have a radio, we have a generator, and we have plenty of canned goods. We are prepared for a hurricane, but how much can you really prepare?” — John Seymour, executive, Tampa
“We live on the beach in St. Petersburg. We are preparing for the hurricane like it is going to hit us. We boarded up our windows; we bought more food and water. We will leave the area if we have too. We have friends near Atlanta and will travel there if it becomes important. Living on the beach in Florida, but we always have to be ready for hurricanes like hurricane Irene.” — Eileen Adams, retired, St. Petersburg
Sources
Bay News 9
Huffingtonpost.com
nationalgeographic.com