Almost one-third of coastal residents in the U.S. southeast and Texas would not abandon their homes, even if ordered to do so in the face of an impending hurricane, according to a Harvard University poll released this morning. That is an increase from about one-quarter in last year's poll.
The telephone poll, which surveyed 5,000 residents living within 20 miles of a coast in eight states, also determined that 78% of the people who would stay behind believe their homes would withstand a significant storm. More than half thought roads during an evacuation would be too crowded, and more than a third believed their personal safety would be an issue.
The safety concern recalls the horror stories about New Orleans residents who sought refuge in the Superdome in the wake of Katrina. It is sadly telling that many of us would rather spit in the face of, say, a Category 4 hurricane than to hunker down in a shelter with our fellow man.
Those who want to live on the coast but are worried about having to make the decision to stay or leave do have some options. Some coastal cities have much better track records when it comes to storms than do others. In the last 100 years, for example, the geographically blessed Savannah has suffered just one storm that packed winds over 80 miles per hour, and that one came across the panhandle of Florida to whack the Georgia city in the backside. No really big Atlantic storm has reached the city, which is the most western of all east coast cities. Before any hurricane can snuggle its way into Savannah's harbor, the gulf stream moves it up the coast. Savannah's gain is Charleston's loss.
More details about the Harvard study can be found at the university's School of Public Health web site [click here].
Like most par 4s at Coosaw Creek, what the 9th lacks in length -- it is just 358 yards from the back tees -- it makes up for in challenge, especially off the tee.
Coosaw Creek, North Charleston, SC
The semi-private Coosaw Creek is an excellent course for those of us who don't hit the ball as far as we used to but can still manage our way around 18 challenging holes. In other words, if you drive the ball no more than 230, you can play from the tips with the longer hitters and still feel you have a chance to put up a competitive score. The big boys, on the other hand, might find themselves grabbing for three and five woods on some of the par 4s and 5s.
Coosaw Creek plays to a reasonable 6,593 yards from the tips with a rating of 72.7 and slope of 140. The slope rating gives you a fair idea of how tough the Arthur Hills track can be if you don't follow a simple game plan - middle of fairways, middle of greens. The sloping greens provide many dicey pin positions in front of, to the sides of or behind undulations. Although the greens were fast, I left more putts short than long.
The golf course winds its way through a community of mostly well-tended brick homes about 30 minutes or so from Charleston, SC. Landscaping in the community is consistently professional, and although virtually all holes are lined with homes, the flora that separated course from backyards was ample enough to provide breathing room. Coosaw is just 10 minutes from Charleston's main airport and on a hot but calm day, we seemed to be directly in the path of takeoffs. Those looking for nothing 
louder than the chirps of crickets might not be comfortable living at Coosaw, but having lived near or in cities all my life, it didn't bother me.
The sound of a big old jet airliner might be a small price to pay for a facility as well tended as Coosaw Creek. The course was in very nice condition, the fairways well clipped and the greens quite slick and smooth. The clubhouse is of modest size but with the requisite modern accoutrements -- locker room with polished wood and brass storage lockers, as well as dining and bar areas that were sleek and comfortable. Service in the food facility and the pro shop was professional and friendly. The practice range, which is barely long enough to contain 275 yard drives, is a short ride from the clubhouse with enough stations to accommodate everyone on a busy day (which this was not). The nice, but modest-sized, putting green is just behind the clubhouse, a short drive from the 1st and 10th tee boxes.
Read more: Review: Coosaw Creek Country Club, North Charleston, SC
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