A drop in temperature causes an emergency evacuation notice and panic as California braces for further cold weather. Thousands begin exodus from state.
SIMI VALLEY, Ca. — After searing temperatures and fires, the National Weather Service is forecasting colder weather for California next week, prompting Governor Schwarzenegger and several mayors to issue an evacuation notice, urging Southern Californians to pack up and evacuate to warmer climes.
GETTING OUT OF DODGE: Panicky Los Angeles motorists clog the major transit arteries like little blobs of fat. In coming days, temperatures are expected to be two degrees colder than normal. Hotels in Nevada and Arizona have been bombarded with business since the announcement and most are already booked. Howard Jackson, the owner of Bob’s Adult Motel in Winslow, Arizona, describes the evacuation situation as chaotic, “I don’t have the staff to handle this number of people. I can barely get the sheets changed in this place as it is. I hope people aren’t expecting much. This is an adult motel, it’s not the Hampton Inn. Some people are bringing kids with them. They better bring earplugs too.”
"It’s global colding. Everybody's been so caught up in global warming that they’ve missed the signs..."—
Dr. Harold Bobkin, meteorologist
Government officials decided to evacuate California because of what occurred with the natural disasters wrought by Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita. Dr. Shirley Kaharty, with the California Department of Health Services, believes that the evacuation is absolutely necessary and will save hundreds of lives, “We know that cold weather can kill people, animals, plants, and damage property. Why risk it? Going to Arizona and Nevada for the weekend could be fun. People should think of this as an adventure and stop complaining. I’m going to Mandalay Bay in Vegas and I intend to have a good time.”
It also appears that the evacuation may be mandatory. A Schwarzenegger spokesperson said they will not be squeamish about dragging people from their homes. “When the governor makes a declaration he’s not messing around. Look at what he’s doing with the war on obesity. We’ve got plenty of ways to get people to do what we want.” When asked about the people who have no resources to leave Schwarzenegger’s spokesperson responded with a shoulder shrug and jumped into a black Yukon and took off.
Most meteorologists are at a loss to explain the drastic change in the weather, but one of them, Dr. Harold Bobkin, has some ideas, “It’s global colding. Everybody's been so caught up in global warming that they’ve missed the signs of global colding and now it’s about to hit us in the face like an icy snowball.”
Marcus Brashear of San Leandro has decided to follow the emergency evacuation order, but his wife is staying. “I think this is a good time for him to leave," she giggled. "I’ll be okay — with a new hot tub and a new friend to keep me warm.”
Environment & Weather
