Tornado alerts and such...

[connie254]

I just heard that LBV was under a tornado warning. What happens in the parks during that time other than some rides being shut down that might get struck by lightning?

 

[Tess]

Absolutely nothing. . .life continues as it did before the warning. If minor hurricanes and tropical storms don't close the parks, a little thing like a tornado warning surely won't. All kidding aside, when you are there you rarely hear about the warnings unless you happen to be in your room, lobby, etc. The rides that are able continue to operate as do the shows and people continue to move about.

 

[TandLMommy28]

Wow, that's crazy to me. We were at the Indy 500 one year and there were tornado warnings and the whole place shut down in no time flat. It was the craziest thing I've ever seen. I'm suprised it's not a bigger deal at Disney. interesting.

 

[jazz0007]

Last August when we were there we were swimming when a wicked storm hit. Everyone ran for their rooms....we kept swimming and had the pool to ourselves!! It was awesome! Best pictures in the rain too!

 

[AmyM]

I just heard that LBV was under a tornado warning. What happens in the parks during that time other than some rides being shut down that might get struck by lightning?

I was there during Wilma. She came through during the morning hours and they did close WDW for the 3rd time in history if what I was told is correct. The weather broke late morning and they opened EPCOT (and maybe MK - can't remember) at 1pm for resort guests only. During the hurricane they constantly updated us via voice mails on our resort phone. They served meals in the convention center (we were at BWV) and escorted us there through indoor CM-only areas. They would not allow people outside. I was very impressed with the level of information and alternative plans (meals, etc.) they put in to action.

The night before there were tornado warnings all over. I laughed as I was sitting in our room because I had NO idea which county I was in or where most of the landmarks were that they were talking about We ended up sitting on our balcony the next morning watching the hurricane. We had a corner room at BWV overlooking the canal and SWAN. Little to no wind in our corner, but we were watching the white cap waves on the canal

All in all, we felt quite safe and the CMs did an excellent job during a difficult situation

 

[abooch]

Last August when we were there we were swimming when a wicked storm hit. Everyone ran for their rooms....we kept swimming and had the pool to ourselves!! It was awesome! Best pictures in the rain too!

I'm really surprised they didn't tell you to exit the pool...
Swimming is not really wise when a storm hits...

 

[sissy_42]

I'm really surprised they didn't tell you to exit the pool...
Swimming is not really wise when a storm hits...

It's fine as long as it is not an electrical storm.

 

[larryz]

Summer 2008 -- DHS around 1 pm and the sky looked apocalyptic -- real Wrath of God kind of clouds, and I felt like I was in a Spielberg movie . We made the decision to head for the exits, and caught the tram to the parking lot. Unfortunately, the storm caught the tram, and we were pelted by huge raindrops, buffeted by high winds, and regaled by some of the fattest blue bolts of lightning I've ever seen!!!

When we got to the van (at the end of the row away from the tram, of course!) we were soaked, windblown and worried.

Listening to the radio on the way home, the weatherman reported a tornado warning in the Lake Buena Vista area due to rotation in the clouds detected by doppler radar.

No reaction while we were in the park -- no announcements, no warnings, no evacuation -- nothing.

 

[sissy_42]

Summer 2008 -- DHS around 1 pm and the sky looked apocalyptic -- real Wrath of God kind of clouds, and I felt like I was in a Spielberg movie . We made the decision to head for the exits, and caught the tram to the parking lot. Unfortunately, the storm caught the tram, and we were pelted by huge raindrops, buffeted by high winds, and regaled by some of the fattest blue bolts of lightning I've ever seen!!!

When we got to the van (at the end of the row away from the tram, of course!) we were soaked, windblown and worried.

Listening to the radio on the way home, the weatherman reported a tornado warning in the Lake Buena Vista area due to rotation in the clouds detected by doppler radar.

No reaction while we were in the park -- no announcements, no warnings, no evacuation -- nothing.

There is no cause for reaction to a tornado warning. All a warning means is the conditions are right for a tornado to form.
A tornado watch means one has been sighted. That is the time tornado sirens will go off and you should take cover. Even then most tornadoes to not touch down.

 

[larryz]

There is no cause for reaction to a tornado warning. All a warning means is the conditions are right for a tornado to form.
A tornado watch means one has been sighted. That is the time tornado sirens will go off and you should take cover. Even then most tornadoes to not touch down.

Wait - scratch that - reverse them - then you've got it right.

Watches are for watching.

Warnings are for taking cover right now.

You live in Tornado Alley -- you should NOT get those mixed up!

http://www.weather.com/encyclopedia/tornado/index.html

 

[WilsonFlyer]

Wait - scratch that - reverse them - then you've got it right.

Watches are for watching.

Warnings are for taking cover right now.

http://www.weather.com/encyclopedia/tornado/index.html

EXACTLY.

Warning means that rotation has been AT LEAST doppler sighted but does not mean a tornado is on the ground. It's called a signature on doppler.

Watch simply means conditions are "favorable" for the formation of rotational systems (in the case of a tornado watch) and one should be aware of the conditions around them.

 

[Dan Murphy]

There is no cause for reaction to a tornado warning. All a warning means is the conditions are right for a tornado to form.
A tornado watch means one has been sighted. That is the time tornado sirens will go off and you should take cover. Even then most tornadoes to not touch down.

Reverse those.

 

[jsilvers]

I was there during Wilma. She came through during the morning hours and they did close WDW for the 3rd time in history if what I was told is correct.

Not correct; it was the 5th. Hurricane Floyd in 1999; 9/11; Hurricane Frances in 2004; Hurricane Charley in 2004; and only then Hurricane Wilma in 2005.

 

[AmyM]

Not correct; it was the 5th. Hurricane Floyd in 1999; 9/11; Hurricane Frances in 2004; Hurricane Charley in 2004; and only then Hurricane Wilma in 2005.

Thanks for the correction CM thought it was 3rd, but wasn't sure. Still an amazing record for WDW! Has it closed since?

 

[LilyWDW]

Wait - scratch that - reverse them - then you've got it right.

Watches are for watching.

Warnings are for taking cover right now.

You live in Tornado Alley -- you should NOT get those mixed up!

http://www.weather.com/encyclopedia/tornado/index.html

Warning = We are "warning" you of the danger in the area... DANGER DANGER!

Watch = We are "watching" the conditions in the area... something might happen!

At least, that's how I remembered them when I was a kid. I had the hardest time getting them right back then.

I am sure Disney keeps a dang close eye on things and has a system in place if it is needed. However, it does no good to freak people out unless there is a reason to do so.

 

[Pineapple Whip]

The castle can withstand a Cat 5 Hurricane, I'm sure if a twister formed in the path of the park they would take everyone to a safe area. Worry about it IF it happens.

Hurricanes and Tornados are scary, but they are managed well. Just pay attention to the instructions.

 

[Goofy4]

I was there during Wilma...(we were at BWV)

Another Wilma vet here. BWV, 5th floor (great view ).

Yes, they did a nice job. MK opened up as well.

It was interesting how some folks were very worried about the tornado warnings, and others not at all.

 

[AmyM]

Another Wilma vet here. BWV, 5th floor (great view ).

Yes, they did a nice job. MK opened up as well.

We were on 4th floor...GREAT view! You were maybe above us??? I have pictures somewhere...

 

[carrie1626]

There is no cause for reaction to a tornado warning. All a warning means is the conditions are right for a tornado to form.
A tornado watch means one has been sighted. That is the time tornado sirens will go off and you should take cover. Even then most tornadoes to not touch down.

YOU'RE KIDDING RIGHT

WARNING-WARNING= DANGER-DANGER

 

[seashoreCM]

When a hurricane threatens, there is time (in hours) for Disney to prepare. Guests are told when to leave the park, and loose items like chairs and banners are taken in or tied down. Disney plays it a little safe, they would be prepared if the hurricane actually hit but full preparations could be done and then the hurricane misses.

Tornado watches are frequent enough that Disney doesn't spend the effort putting things away to not blow around in the wind. But if the watch turns into a warning, we're only minutes away from an actual tornado hit if it does, and the only thing that can be done is tell guests (over the PA system) to take cover. (Various safe areas including cast-only areas are opened up for guests.)