[ClearBlueSky]

Oh Lord- here we go again. It's either Hurricane Season, Prepare for Hurricane Season, or Hurricane Season is Over But Let's Talk About Past Hurricanes Season! Look- here in N.O. we all know that no matter WHERE the hurricane is off the Coast of Africa it is going to get US! It knows we're here. And they're ALL 'devastating' and 'awesome' even though we don't bother to take our lawn chairs in for less than 75mph winds. The weatherboobs have sensationalized every pathetic little tropical system that holds together long enough to be named SO badly that the adjectives won't mean anything when attached to REAL dangerous storms. And anyone who has lived on the coast long enough knows the ones to worry about.
I'm surprised the roving reporters aren't already lashing themselves to trees to film street signs swaying in 'punishing, unleashed power of nature pounding the vulnerable coastal residents with 45mph winds'! LOL
IMO -if the coast is such a dangerous place to live, and we're all DOOMED, why are we here at all? Shouldn't sensible, caring governmental officials stop all construction, stop luring businesses and residents, and just evacuate all coastal communities permanently? With hurricane season as long as it is, and as much time as they say is needed to evacuate cities like N.O. ahead of a storm, we might just as well abandon the city from May till December!
I'm tired of the sensationalism re. hurricanes. My ancestors were here before there was advance warning of storms,and before there were levees and seawalls. The city didn't get overwhelmed by 30 feet of water then and if we're in WORSE shape now- after billions spent for protection- then living here is an even more stupid idea than the weather gurus say it is.

[varina davis]

I wouldn't trade living on the GOM for anything, but it doesn't hurt to at least be somewhat prepared. I wasn't during Elena '85 and learned a lesson. Besides, we weather buffs dearly love pondering the tropics. Stay safe in N.O.

[SAJ]

Don't knock it. Just buy November FCOJ straddles on the New York Board of Trade. Do it every year at this time and you'll WAY more than pay for any damage a hurricane **might** do to your home.

[DontMessWithMyCountry]

And anyone who has lived on the coast long enough knows the ones to worry about. E-x-a-c-t-l-y. Have lived in a hurricane zone for a substantial part of my life, and what's certain is that there is plenty of advance notice, so if anyone has any sense at all, they should not be injured (property damage is, well, not something you can do a whole lot about, short of battening down the hatches and taping the windows). I wish, for the benefit of our folks in the midwest and panhandle, especially, that they'd channel their hysterical energy into finding ways to provide better advance notification of those truly horrifying and deadly tornadoes!