[glennaro]

The responsible thing to do to prevent people from becoming indifferent to these important alerts is issue an advisory on a prediction, then elevate it to a warning as the area of impact is better defined, then issue a state of emergency when it hits.

As for your personal animosity: Be advised that what you think of me -- what you think of anything for that matter -- means so little to me that I have difficulty putting it into words ... and I am very good with words. Know that if I want an assessment of my intellect similar to that which you took time to post, I don't need to go the effort of posting my opinion on FreeRepublic, I simply have to say something -- most anything -- to my lovely bride of 38 years. So I've already had that assessment today!

Now Nauti, go forth, play nice and be well. Cheers!

[NautiNurse]

LOL! You are a good sport.

Florida lives with hurricanes annually. As such, there is remarkably little complacency. Our lives depend upon paying attention during the silly season. It is the price we pay for living in paradise.

Also note the geography of the Florida peninsula. A large state, surrounded by water, we have limited routes of egress and for pre-positioning assets, including fuel. Add in the seasoned citizen population and there is sufficent rationale for declaring a state of emergency when a storm is certain to make landfall.

[NautiNurse]

Another benefit for the Florida Emergency Declaration (remember the senior population):

Florida Law Reminder for Early Prescription Refills

This notice is a reminder that all health insurers, managed care organizations,
and other health entities must comply with provisions of section 252.358,
Florida Statutes, which allows for early prescription refills in the event the
Governor issues an executive order declaring a state of emergency. This
mandate remains in effect until the Governor's executive order is rescinded or
expires.

[rodguy911]

Watch how you talk about NN. She has more experience doing these threads than anyone and knows what she says.She gets expert after expert on here as well,they dont come to just anywhere so you really should STHU!

[MD Expat in PA]

but to place much of Florida in a formal state of emergency when it’s not even raining cheapens the phrase “state of emergency” and conditions people not to believe what they actually see.

then issue a state of emergency when it hits

Waiting until it is raining or until the storm makes landfall before enacting a state of emergency, is too late. All this does is allow the Florida Division of Emergency Management to begin staging resources and Floridians have plenty of time to prepare if needed.

If the forecast changes or the storm fizzles out, no harm no foul.

I get what you are saying about creating “indifference” but ignoring it until the last minute creates chaos and can cost lives.

The very same people in some instances who say what you are saying are sometimes the first to cry "why didn't you warn us, why didn't you have resources in place ahead of time?"