Mad Eyed Screamer
Moderator
Well the mass evacuation was based on the storm being predicted to be greater than the one 2 weeks ago which brought wide spread flooding and major damage.Looks like the damage from storm surge and wind has been minimal in comparison to the warnings originally stated upon approach. Whilst this is great in terms of reduced casualties and financial damage, it does raise the question many Floridians ask as to whether the mass evacuation was necessary and required.
I guess until daylight the extent won’t be an accurate picture, but I’ve not seen anything to suggest a large storm surge along the coastline. The only flooding seems to be from the large quantities of rainfall.
To not have issued evacuation orders and the worst happened would have been politically disastrous for those involved.
And in the Tampa area itself where the direct hit was predicted, the hurricane should be called Hurricane Nunez as it missed its intended target, thus preventing a worse situation in Tampa (though not in Sarasota)