It just strikes me as odd.

"About 1.45 million Floridians are without electricity, power company officials said as the outer edges of massive Hurricane Frances moved into the state. Frances -- with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph -- stalled Saturday off the coast of Florida, lashing the area with bands of heavy rains."

These things happen down there regularly. And 1.45 million - well, that's a lot of folks. As a matter of fact, that's a big bunch of people. If it were me, I'd have a generator, along with fuel for it, and a separate "box" with the circuits I'd power uf so as to keep my power system off the failed grid. (I do, but it's mostly for fun, I guess, because I don't lose power very often.)

I would also buy plywood for my windows once, and keep it after I'd fit it to the windows and made the holders. In fact, I'd probably build decorative shutters which would expand to cover the windows.

It seems that every time there's a hurricane most folks are taken by surprise, and are minimally prepared. Or maybe that's just the media. But it's a bit puzzling - kinda like being surprised by rain in the Northwest. Lindy is clearly the exception - she has a generator, and will be OK.

Arf