Many Rockaway Residents Ignore Warnings and Stay Put

[steve2470]

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/28/nyregion/some-residents-of-rockaway-peninsula-stay-put-as-irene-nears.html?_r=1&hp

Despite well-publicized warnings that the Rockaway peninsula in Queens was under a mandatory evacuation alert, many residents defied the order on Saturday and insisted upon riding out the storm at home.

“I’m not taking this lightly, but a flood can only do so much,” said Laquan Bostick, 22, who lives in a ninth floor apartment in the Beach 41st Street Houses, a public housing complex, with his mother.

Mr. Bostick said his mother left and urged him to come with her. But he declined, and instead bought food, batteries, ice and even vitamins to wait out the storm.

“I feel comfortable staying here,” he said. “It’s better than being put in some school turned into a shelter.”

[Ilsa]

1. "...a flood can only do so much..." this resident doesn't understand the power of water.

He is clueless how water is an incredible force that can move concrete barriers on highways, just for starters.

[DesertFlower]

2. i agree. nt