http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5glUtWAW1BlcQcj1enZzk-kmvVSvwD93JQV980

Was there a media blackout? Apparently a no fly zone was instigated over the Bolivar and Crystal beach area just after Ike made landfall.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=ua8-XAuLAVs

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Ge0dxJfxsa8

If Ike hadn't killed them, one of the next ones probably would have, because they would have stayed for that one, too.

They say the road to Hell is paved with good intentions. I guess the road to the cemetery is paved with stubborn self-righteousness.

You pays your money and you takes your chances.

Poor baby, poor pets.

RIP, Fools... 'tis a pity your families can't.

Sue

The "no fly zones" are normally made to assist in controlling rescue aircraft. However, I was under the impression there were altitude limits on most of them after disasters. Anyone have copies of NOTAMs for that time period? They should have been published and detail the effective altitudes.

There is also no reason that helicopters engaged in news gathering activities could not be permitted, with prior notification, from being in a "no fly zone". This would keep any other "sightseeing" aircraft out of the way, but protect the 1st Amendment right of freedom of the press.

http://tfr.faa.gov/tfr2/list.html

Nothing shows up for Temporary Flight Restrictions on this list. Perhaps it only shows active ones.

While it is tragic that such deaths have happened, I do not feel badly for these people.....their families....yes.

We see it a lot here in Fl. People think....oh they (meteorologists) were wrong that Hurricane XYZ was going to hit us and it didn't (for whatever reason).....then the next time they think...oh they'll just be wrong again.....or they 'forget' what it was like after the last one hit.....so they stay.....then they call us to come get them, despite the repeated warnings they were given......it reminds me of the joke about the guy who refuses to evacuate during (insert major event here). He keeps telling his neighbors "G_d will save me." NOAA alert, Weather forecaster, neighbor, rescue boat and ultimately (while the guy is on his roof) a SAR Helicopter all come by to 'rescue' him and he tells them all, "G_d will save me." He drowns. Upon reaching heaven he meets G_d and asks him why he didn't save him. G_d replies, "What!?! NOAA, a meteorologist, your neighbors, a boat and a helicopter WEREN'T ENOUGH!?!"

They'll continue to do it......"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." -- Thomas Jefferson ....so to it seems that 'some' people need to have these deaths occur so to remind them that things like this not be taken lightly.

One word:

Darwin

If I were working airborne SAR, I'd want them kept as far away as possible.

Once their allowed in and are in the air, it's hard to keep them out of the way of legitimate SAR aircraft.

Unfortunately, we all must pay for their chance taking.

I wonder, if you take out a life insurance policy, then commit suicide, doesn't that pretty much void the liability? Why would it be any different for those who refuse to avoid the threat and stay where they don't belong? And yet, we insist on bailing them out or worse.

Well said. Those who left, lived.

Doubtful that those not heeding the warning and then dying from related trauma would be labeled suicide...it would probably be called accidental due to whatever they suffered. What insurance does with that would be interesting. I'd imagine this has been to the courts several times.