Should the government be allowed to force people to evacuate ahead of hurr

[snooper2]

CNN Poll..
on front page:
www.cnn.com

I say no...

It's running pretty much 50/50 right now...

comments?

[GreenArrow]

1. Nein

Stay at your own risk, but no one should be forced to go. What are we, chattel?

[htuttle]

2. Have they ever done that? Are they talking about doing that?

Every time there's a disaster in the US, you hear about some numbnuts who decided to stay, and are now buried under 30ft of volcanic ash, washed out to sea by a tidal wave, or are burned to death by the forest fire they were trying to fight with their garden hose.

Why is CNN asking this?

[nannygoat]

4. I heard there were mandatory evacuations in NC today n/t

[janekat]

6. I stayed when Tampa had a manadatory evacuation.....

believe me they are TOO busy to bother with people who refuse to leave.

We we told that if we DID leave we wouldn't be able to get back. This is what we were told:

Q: How much time do I have to evacuate?

Q: What if I refuse? Will I be arrested?

A: You could be cited for a misdemeanor and face up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine for refusing an order to evacuate. Deputies and police are likely to be too busy to arrest those who refuse, but they point out that the evacuation order is for the protection of those who live in Zone A.

I think they would only bother doing anything to you ONLY if you got in their way - or did something totally idiotic.

[karlschneider]

8. Hurricane Elena? I did the same thing, refused to leave.

I lived by Rocky Creek, it overflowed and flooded my yard but no water got in the house. All my neighbors went to shelters, I told the cop who came by I was no way in hell leaving. He just went away. The storm blew a few shingles off the roof (actually a lot of them and my insurance got me a new roof)
I seem to recall the power was off for a day or two but I had a generator...
(Rocky creek in Town & Country area by Woodbridge school)

[bowens43]

3. No.

[pnb]

5. No forced evacuations

But if it decided that it is very unsafe and you choose to stay anyway, they should'nt have to then go in and save your ass either.

[DealsGapRider]

7. Yes.

Of course the government should be able to force people to evacuate to save them from natural disasters. So what if they choose to be stupid and stay. When they get hurt or killed as a result of their stupidity, who bears the cost? The public. So, the public should have the right to have their elected representatives act for the sake of the public good and move people the hell out of the way of the hurricane.

[pw]

10. As long as the government has to rescue or bury them

Mandatory evacuation seems like a good idea to me. It's pretty much aong the lines of the laws forbidding people from wandering out on the highway in front of speeding trucks.

[el_gato]

13. pathetic paternalism

[DealsGapRider]

18. Is Social Security pathetic paternalism?

It's the mandatory confiscation of wages. Do you think it's a bad idea? I don't.

[snooper2]

14. What Cost?

?

[Ivory_Tower]

9. I seem to remember

...that instead of forcing evacuations or fining/jailing people who refused to leave, there was a case a few years ago where authorities just asked for names of next-of-kin if you insisted on staying put. (I can't remember what this was for -- a forest fire maybe?)

If I recall, that approach made people think twice about staying.

[karlschneider]

11. I believe that was a hurricane that hit Biloxi/Gulfport area. Forget name.

several years ago but I definitely remember the 'next of kin' thingy...

[ronzo]

16. Hurricane Georges... and what I know about "mandatory"

We get twitchy down here during the season peak. The first place around here to get evac orders is a little strip off the Louisiana coast called Grand Isle. They know from experience that if a big one's coming, you need to go. When they call for a mandatory evacuation and you don't heed the warning, you're on you're own during the storm. Likewise, the coastal areas. You inevitably get a few morons who ride it out, but I don't think they send the National Guard to your door.

[Jacobin]

17. Camille

It was a category five and a real doozy.

[HawkerHurricane]

12. Old story about Hurricane Ginger

a LONG time ago; police told people to evacuate, anyone who refused was told to give the police thier next of kin info.

[Jacobin]

15. The way they do it in some coastal regions in Louisiana

Sheriff knocks on front door and says "There is a mandatory evacuation. We suggest that you leave immediately."

Homeowner says: "I think I'll ride this one out."

Sheriff says: "Please give me the name and address of your next of kin."

Works like a charm 90% of the time. I say let the other 10% stay behind. Helps cleanse the gene pool.