Preparations
By November 18, a hurricane warning was in effect for the southeast and central Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands. While Kate was moving through the Bahamas, the National Hurricane Center issued a hurricane warning from Jupiter to Fort Myers, Florida, including the Florida Keys. After peaking in intensity in the Gulf of Mexico, the National Hurricane Center issued a hurricane watch from Grand Isle, Louisiana to Cedar Key, Florida on November 20. Later that day, a portion of the watch area was upgraded to a warning from Bay St. Louis, Mississippi to St. Marks, Florida. After Kate moved ashore, the NHC issued wide gale warnings along the East Coast of the United States from St. Augustine, Florida to Chincoteague, Virginia.
In preparation for the hurricane's arrival, officials forced 360,000 people to evacuate in north-central Cuba. Then-Governor of Florida Bob Graham declared a state of emergency for six counties in South Florida. However, it was reversed following the relatively minor effects in South Florida. Three shelters were opened in Key West, though only 500 sought refugee during the storm, with most citizens on the island rode out the storm in their homes.
20,000 employees on oil platforms in the Gulf of Mexico were evacuated, many by helicopter.
Read more about this topic: Hurricane Kate (1985)
Famous quotes containing the word preparations:
“At the ramparts on the cliff near the old Parliament House I counted twenty-four thirty-two-pounders in a row, pointed over the harbor, with their balls piled pyramid-wise between them,—there are said to be in all about one hundred and eighty guns mounted at Quebec,—all which were faithfully kept dusted by officials, in accordance with the motto, “In time of peace prepare for war”; but I saw no preparations for peace: she was plainly an uninvited guest.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
“Whatever may be the reason, whether it was that Hitler thought he might get away with what he had got without fighting for it, or whether it was that after all the preparations were not sufficiently complete—however, one thing is certain: he missed the bus.”
—Neville Chamberlain (1869–1940)
“In all the important preparations of the mind she was complete; being prepared for matrimony by an hatred of home, restraint, and tranquillity; by the misery of disappointed affection, and contempt of the man she was to marry. The rest might wait. The preparations of new carriages and furniture might wait for London and the spring, when her own taste could have fairer play.”
—Jane Austen (1775–1817)