Question for those who live in hurricane prone areas

Mominohio · ‎08-08-2010

All during the last couple of weeks, one question has really haunted me as I watch the preparation for these hurricanes to arrive.

If you have a job, how and when do you make the decision to leave?

I know police, fire, many medical personnel etc. have to stay. They know going in, that it is part of their job. That I get. Same for some others like power company workers etc.

But what about others? When the media and the experts are warning days and days and days in advance, they know it is going to be bad, then the evacuation calls start coming, how do you decide whether you risk your job at the supermarket or the office or the call center, or whatever else would be considered non essential, and pack up and go?

This isn't trivial for so many people. The storms are bad, but the possible loss of not only your property to come back to, but no job as well.....what all do you consider before deciding to stay or to go. Do you send out as much family as you can ahead of you (like a man sending the wife and young kids on and joining them later, or maybe he ends up riding out the storm alone)?

Has anyone here been forced to choose between keeping their job (because they demand you stay to a certain point), and evacuating early?

I can't imagine the added stress in an already stressful situation.

And I know there has to be a good number of people who have experienced this, having companies and bosses who demand you get to work. I know it happens here in bad snow storms. Some places close down, and others, that one would not consider essential at all, tell their employees to get to work regardless of the snow level or the penalty for violating it.

Please share your experiences or those of people you know who have faced this.

catchersmom · ‎07-20-2017

I have been fortunate; my employer has both essential and non-essential employees and they made the decision (back when SC was in the bullseye for a landfall from Irma....wow does that seem like a long time ago!!!) to close for all non-essential staff until Tuesday.

My nephew (in Florida) has worked for Publix for many years. The store he works in let their employees know they wished to stay open as long as they could to allow the community time to get any supplies they might need; but they also stressed if any employee felt they could not be there the employee would not be penalized. Not surprisingly most employees showed up to do what they could and the store closed at noon yesterday.

I know every employer is not as lenient as the two examples from my family, and I feel very blessed that is not a choice we have had to make.

Perhaps with all of these recent, horrific disasters employers will reconsider some of their stances in these situations. I realize there are two sides to every story though, and I imagine some of these businesses might have reasons for needing to open that are beyond my knowledge.

Never mistake kindness for weakness

Laura14 · ‎06-09-2014

I can say in my experiences with natural disasters my employers closed. Granted I didn't work in civil service but unless you are in a supermarket or other type of retail that people depend on for prep, you closed. You weren't going to have customers anyway.

And those last minute retailers normally did like some do at Christmas time where they had a final day or hour that they were open until and then they shut it down so their employees could take care of their own families and evacuate if necessary.

I am still oxox · ‎03-09-2010

If your town/county is in a State of Emergency and it is flooded, your would not be expect to be at your desk, much the same with blizzards in NY

Stop being afraid of what could go wrong and start being positive what could go right.

Lucky Charm · ‎03-09-2010

If the governor declares a state of emergency, then anyone on the roads is breaking the law.

Unless you are an essential employee at your company.

You would have either/or a document stating such or a sticker on your employee badge.

Sooner · ‎03-10-2010

It's is terrible and yes a lot of people will lose their jobs. Some bosses make people stay and it is basically a pride thing MY employees didn't leave.

Some convenience stores and gas stations and such really have to stay open and may let go people who leave "early." They don't HAVE to let you go and many many won't.

I keep thinking about those poor people under financial or social pressure to stay or lose their job. It is just awful. A lot of people have to endure a lot to stay employed.

SilleeMee · ‎05-22-2016

On more than one occasion, we had severe blizzard conditions here, not a hurricane, and I was ordered to stay in my position at work. I was part of an emergency service crew so it was part of my job description to provide help when needed. We rotated duty hours. Food and sleeping facilities were provided so there wasn't any issues with that. My biggest concern was my dog at home. Thankfully I had a friend who could check on her.

gmkb · ‎07-29-2012

We are experiencing the hurricane as I speak.
I am in the hospital and there is a full staff on duty. There seem to be too many employees here because there is a lot of chit chat among the younger ones going on all day.
My husband has a part time job for a private company and was expected to be there today even though there is a curfew in effect.
He is there until 9:30 tonight.

happycat · ‎09-18-2010

@gmkb, your poor husband, I think his boss should be in trouble. Praying you both stay safe. Holy moly.

Himi lover · ‎03-10-2010

I was wondering the same thing too. I would think a lot of businesses are closed. I was watching TWC, video from Miami. With all that wind and flooding, who could be expected to go to work?

I think some hospital personnel are probably sleeping there.