Apparently, that holds true for big blows, as well.
As Isaac shows up to dampen the neighborhood, the locals are going through the preparations that are pretty much second nature to them.
It's, literally, one of those "comes with the territory" things.
And, having lived there through my junior high, high school and college years, I can testify that nobody down there takes these storms "lightly" and everyone has a healthy respect for what's involved and what is necessary to deal, as best as can be dealt.
That said, those same locals also know the difference between distraction and disaster.
Media, on the other hand, not only doesn't know, they obviously don't care.
"ISAAC ON THE SAME KILLER TRACK AS KATRINA....EXPECTED TO CRASH ASHORE SHORTLY".
That's the "responsible media" spin.
Here's a little something a little closer to reality.
Isaac's top winds are expected to be in the 85-90 mile an hour range.
While, say, folks in Ohio might be heading for the underground shelters in a case like that, the hale and hearty who call New Orleans home know that 85-90 is in the "heavy spring winds" category when it comes to hurricanes.
And as far as comparisons to the 2005 megastorm that killed 1800 people are concerned, to paraphrase the famous old Lloyd Bentsen slam of Dan Quayle, "...we know about Katrina....we lived through Katrina..and Isaac...you are no Katrina".
Is it possible that heavy rains will cause heavy flooding?
Certainly.
Or that 85 mile an hour winds will take some shingles on an unexpected fly by?
Yup.
But, "killer track" and "crash" ashore and all that other sensationalistic, over the top, national media hyperbole does nothing but add stress, worry and/or fear to a situation more in need of calm support.
Once again, shame on you, "respectable media".
Just like news of killer hurricanes, your Chicken Littling might sell papers.
But like killer hurricanes, it really blows.
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