Why would one be stuck in an office building?

Various reasons, but two from my own experience spring to mind.

First was what we "affectionately" call "Tornado Day". Downtown Nashville, TN, was hit by an F4 tornado one Thursday afternoon in mid-April several years ago (Ca 1997, but I'm fuzzy on the exact date), effectively shutting down the city. Several co-workers & I were at a job fair, away from our office when it hit (just missing the building we were in). One of my co-workers (another self-reliant type) had ridden with me; we decided to leave to return to our office, & then our homes, as the situation permitted. We got out of the center of downtown just as the Police department closed the streets. Being in a GMC Suburban (curb? what curb?) helped us then. We were last car out.

Back at our office, we checked our options, & decided to stay there for a while, until the panic & traffic both died down.

The other instance was the winter of 2003, when an unusually heavy snowstorm shut down middle Tennessee. It started after everyone was already at work. We were permitted to go home around 10:00AM. Foolishly, or not, I chose to wait until all the people who don't know how to drive in bad weather were safely in the ditches before starting home, about 3 hours later. However, during that time, I very contentedly surveyed the contents of my desk, & of one of my winter bags from my truck (Dodge Ram 4x4, this time) for lunch, & potentially supper & breakfast, too. Several co-workers asked what I would do if stuck. I replied that I'd get my sleeping gear from my truck & sack out.

Building power & heat were OK, plenty of water in the 5 gal jugs (beyond my own supply). Internet connection up & running, portable TV & radio both working--heck, I've stayed in hotels that weren't that comfortable!!!

Was I really stuck in these two instances? No, but easily could have been. It was a comfort to me to be prepared, and know that I would be fairly comfortable if things got worse.

Good topic, "Sarah"!

David