[edited because phone glitch posted my reply before I was done, and to remove quote]
Ummm, I've tried to stay out of the debate about "cancel the plans and leave resources for locals" vs "stop the doom and gloom, this thread is about helping fellow DIS'ers figure out what's what during Irma", but "locals should know better" has pushed me over the edge.
REALLY?!? This thread has had multiple posts about "oh, Irma's not comparable to Harvey" and "oh, the storm is weakening"
My brother works in construction. Yesterday, he spent time boarding up houses in Lee County, per his bosses orders. My sister works in Home Depot. She has spent several days this week working 12 hour shifts so that people can get the supplies they need to be prepared. As recently as Thursday, it appeared that the storm would potentially be primarily an East Coast event.
A good chunk of my family is in harms way, and I would appreciate it if this thread wouldn't refer to them derisively as "locals", and imply that it's their fault if they stayed behind. They aren't in a mandatory evacuation zone, and their job needed them to be there. But I AM worried about their safety during the storm, and their access to resources later.
A little compassion for everyone please.