The New York Times (click here) has some amazing graphics that show the danger as it mounted.

As I read reports of one kind or another I was surprised at the reporting of flooding shelters.

The graph is best viewed online, but, it is the loss of power as the storm roared into land. It happens quickly and there is not a darn thing the utility companies can do about it if there is flooding and winds above 35 mph. Why risk ones' life with such realities obvious to everyone?

One elderly man tried to plug two extension cords together, was electrocuted and lost his life. Please leave the area and find a safe haven outside the storm's footprint. Do that early on. 

Make plans with a enough savings to see you through. It is emergency money and it has to be a reality everyone faces regardless of their circumstances. Shelters used to be the place where people went when they were in need and now the shelters are in the path of the storms. The old methods just don't work anymore.

I am sure people understand the old idea of a "Christmas Club" or "Vacation Club" where people would squirrel away money every week until the time came and they received a check from the bank. Well, now, folks need to have a "Hurricane Club" where available monies are squirreled away specifically for the time when the storm warnings come and evacuation is the smart way to go.

Please, please get out of the way of these storms. They are merciless.