A few weeks ago, I mentioned -- in the context of TS Hermine -- that I was totally down with the idea of an abundance of caution. This week, we are seeing the problem with the "abundance of caution" scenario: If everyone makes the storm a big deal and nothing happens, people are less likely to heed warnings the next time. As we prepare to get slammed by Matthew (and I'm definitely taking this seriously!), I'm hearing locals say, "I'm not going anywhere! Look at what happened last time -- nothing!" My friend who lives at the beach said a few minutes ago, "I'll be fine. The house is block and sits up high." She lives literally four blocks from the ocean. Crazy. Oh, and did I mention there's a mandatory evacuation there?
I'm not sure whether my neighborhood will be evacuated. If it is, I'm ready to go. If not, it will be a rough few days. Right now the models show the hurricane gaining strength (back up to a Category 4) and hitting about seventy miles south of me. I'm trying not to worry. Instead, I'm softening butter to make cookies. If I stay, I might have company, and we can enjoy cookies. If I leave, I'll take them with me. There's no downside to making cookies.
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