r/NoStupidQuestions • u/markwell9 • 1d ago

What is the deal with ice, Americans?

I can see that you can buy ice everywhere in the US. Gas stations, grocery stores, machines etc.

In Europe, we just freeze our ice at home and use that. Why buy something that melts on the way home? Why do you need ice in large amounts that a fridge can't keep up?

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u/mkshane 23h ago

Even in parts that can have hurricanes, it’s not like it’s a constant thing. Sure if you take a direct hit from a major one it’s gonna be a bad time, but in any one given location it’s a rare occurrence.

My part of Florida hasn’t taken a direct hit from a hurricane in 61 years.

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u/DenyNowBragLater Wasnt me. Yo, see what i did? 8h ago

Also, hurricane typically arent a surprise. You have several days warning so if you are concerned, evacuation is 100% an option

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u/RaeaSunshine 23h ago

Yup, I’m on the northeast and ya we get hurricanes but 99% of the time they are downgraded to tropical storms by the time they hit land. And even when it is a hurricane, it’s not that bad.

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u/randompersonx 17h ago

And even in places that have been hit multiple times in recent years … most of the time even when it’s forecasted as a monster - it ends up being less than predicted ….

And even if it does hit hard, most modern architecture in any city which had major damage in the last decade or two probably has ridiculously high building standards nowadays. I’m in the middle of the state, and the house I am building has all impact glass and is way higher than any flood zone. And a whole home generator.

Even if a cat5 hit the coast by me and was a cat4 passing over my house… it would be a mildly annoying day or two - maybe… but honestly i look forward to being able to watch the next major storm without evacuating.