Tuesday, Jun 05,2012
By: Carrie Van Brunt-Wiley
Hurricanes which make landfall can have a major impact, causing large numbers of home insurance claims, knocking out power and destroying homes. However, one storm expert says many people ignore warnings when storms approach.
Florida State University professor Jay Baker recently told The Associated Press that many people choose to ride out storms inside their homes because they feel they are safe. This remains a constant, he says, even when officials have issued warnings urging people to evacuate before the storm.
"When you ask people 'Why didn't you leave?' the most common reason is they didn't think they needed to," Baker told the AP.
For example, the news agency reports that only half of Tampa Bay area residents in the most vulnerable locations fled before Hurricane Charley approached in 2004. Baker said local officials need to make it very clear when they are issuing evacuation orders so consumers understand the severity.
This year's Atlantic hurricane season has gotten off to a quick start, with two named storms already. Forecasters at Colorado State University have already increased their earlier predictions for this storm season.
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