They didn’t release my husband from base until noon, and as I work as a civilian on base, I wasn’t released from my responsibility to report tomorrow until about an hour ago. Heck, they didn’t even cancel school today, and my kids didn’t get home until an hour ago themselves. There was no mandatory evacuation. The only friend I have that has left was a women who has horses and wanted to be sure she had a spot in Raleigh for them at the fairgrounds.
The Navy released us all at the same time with Hugo, though there were some who took leave and left a day early. We had no compunction about pulling our kids out of school to evacuate, it just made sense. But most of us working there grew up with these fiesty storms and knew it was coming at us no matter what the weather channel said. You just have to follow your instincts and pray. These storms can be rough, sure, and cause a lot of damage but if you are prepared you can make it. Remember they are all sound and fury and you will be inside and to the interior of your house. Use common sense - DON’T let the media scare you and be prepared to be without air-conditioning for several weeks. It will be a good time to get to know your neighbors and share. Hugo did damage, but he also brought neighbors together.