Melrose: Better safe than sorry
Lightning coach Barry Melrose and wife Cindy last week found a home in the Tampa area to rent for the upcoming season. Melrose said he and Cindy already bought furniture. But when reports began coming out that Tropical Storm Fay could turn into Hurricane Fay and (at the time) was headed, it seemed, straight for the Tampa Bay area, Melrose and Cindy flew out of town to their home in Glens Falls, N.Y.
"We were going to stay but with the weather looking the way it did, we left early," Melrose said.
Told the newest storm track had the brunt of the storm missing the area to the east. Melrose allowed he had been told by hurricane-savvy Floridians the storm was not going to be much to worry about, relative to some of the other huge storms that have come through the state.
"I know it's not going to hit there, as you experienced Floridians say," Melrose said. "But I didn't want to get caught with my pants down."
Follow the Lightning through the season with beat writer Damian Cristodero and the Times sports staff. We invite your participation in the comments area.
It's either he picks up and leaves or he runs to every Publix and buys everything that can last a week. Way to set the example Barry!
Posted by: Jim- NJ | August 21, 2008 at 08:00 PM
Safe is death!
Posted by: Jeremy | August 20, 2008 at 02:38 PM
Barry needs more Cowbell, stat.
Posted by: Will Ferrell | August 20, 2008 at 12:44 PM
It's 1:45 pm and I'm looking out at this incredible hurricane, the winds are nearly tearing at the palms, and the rain, dear God, the rain! Will it ever....
Begin? *LOL*
Holy Jeebus, I'm literally looking out the window in Sarasota and I can swear the sun is about to break through the clouds! *LOL* And we've had maybe, best estimate here, ZERO RAIN! Melrose, I love you man, but buckle up for being ridiculed when we play against the Hurricanes. *L*
Posted by: MaxHunter | August 19, 2008 at 01:51 PM
Wuss
Posted by: Koz | August 19, 2008 at 01:05 PM
What a waste of cyber space.......
Posted by: matt | August 19, 2008 at 11:16 AM
Its alright Barry, its not the same hurricanes - these ones don't dive.
In all seriousness though... you're fine man. Stick around, stock up on beer and propane and get to know your neighbors.
Posted by: Bryan | August 19, 2008 at 10:03 AM
Time for damage control, put some spin on it. Your guy didn't evacuate, he went to NY for vacation and to evaluate talent in a local beer league.
Posted by: Steve R | August 19, 2008 at 09:08 AM
Barry, Barry , Barry. Even the panther players stay in town for storms. Gotta hope that this doesn't translate into bail out when clouds are on the horizon for the team.
Have to agree with Maxhunter on this one though.
Posted by: chris | August 19, 2008 at 08:59 AM
nobody told him about hurricane parties?
Posted by: rob | August 19, 2008 at 08:56 AM
D.T.,...I would agree if the area was dead in line for a bad one. Not the current situation...
Posted by: Boltflasher | August 19, 2008 at 08:46 AM
Give it a rest. He is a from Canada. He doesn't understand hurricanes. And any one of us, if we had the $dollars to just pick up and leave, we probably would. Smart Move for you and your wife Barry.. GO BOLTS!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: D.T. | August 19, 2008 at 06:20 AM
Not a ringing endorsement for the locals...Barry,...this is not even a bad one...
Posted by: Boltflasher | August 19, 2008 at 12:27 AM
Barry:
You coach an NHL hockey team and a hurricane drives you out of town? What a wuss!
Hopefully, your coaching style doesn't mirror your flight over fight meterological disposition.
Posted by: Tom | August 18, 2008 at 11:58 PM
Lets just hope he does not go running if a storm hits in October or November.
Posted by: buck | August 18, 2008 at 09:42 PM
You're kidding right? Barry actually left town for a little ole tropical storm?
Posted by: Nan | August 18, 2008 at 08:31 PM
Don't worry Barry, Hurricane Katrina couldn't blow your hair out of place.
Posted by: Patrick | August 18, 2008 at 08:10 PM
Hey Melrose,
I know you're inexperienced with the nuances of Florida and Hurricanes. So as a favor to you I'm going to offer you some advice that the rest of us Florida Men know. If you get scared and decide to "evacuate", never, ever, ever, under any circumstances, take this decision on your own shoulders - that's what your wife is for. Always blame it on the wife for evacuating.
Same goes for getting caught with your pants down - wife again.
Posted by: MaxHunter | August 18, 2008 at 08:09 PM
THERES A BIGGER STORM IN TOWN AND ITS CALLED THE TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING!!!
AND THE CAROLINA HURICANES ARE NOTHING TO BE WORRIED ABOUT. THEY SHOULD BE CALLED THE CAROLINA TROPICAL STORMS. LOL
Posted by: slapshot | August 18, 2008 at 08:08 PM
Let's hope he finds a way to man up against those OTHER Hurricanes!
Posted by: Jeff Odell | August 18, 2008 at 07:40 PM
Aw jeez, thanks for the lasing image of Melrose with his pants down. :-)
Posted by: Cleo | August 18, 2008 at 06:39 PM
Aw come on DC...this makes Melrose look just plain silly.
Maybe if he sticks around a few years he'll man up and find a hurricane party next time the situation arises.
Posted by: Eric | August 18, 2008 at 06:31 PM
Melrose, it's not even a strong storm??? lol
Posted by: David | August 18, 2008 at 06:22 PM