About Frances...

[pumpkinfish]

I know it is still early, but I am already concerned for the folks in FL that this will be another big hit. Maybe someone from FL will fill me in on what they have heard. I have been tracking her since the begining, and I would hate for anyone ANYWHERE to be affected after seeing what happened by Charley...

I am not so concerned about our trip, but for the people in FL...

 

[susy]

We won't know much until at least Tues. Our plans are up in the air. I hate this.

 

[Blueberry]

I hate for this to be happening to Florida again so soon..my thoughts and prayers are with you all down there and hope this stays away from you all.....

 

[Kay1]

This is a tough one as it's already so powerful and it's possible it will be around on Labor Day weekend. We live in the Tampa Bay area but have family scattered throughout the state - some who may need to evacuate here. Of course, we may need to evacuate, or it may go out to sea! To complicate matters, we have reservations at Disney next weekend. I suppose they'll let us cancel should we really need to. ( I hope.)

 

[pumpkinfish]

Ok...looking for an update from FL locals. Our news is covering more Gaston than Frances right now...

 

[SouthFLMommy]

Our 5 O'clock news says that we still have to watch the storm very carefully. Wednesday will be the day that we know more, if Frances is going to turn or not.

Here is a link to my local station:

http://www.tcpalm.com/tcp/wptv/article/0,1651,TCP_1213_3146537,00.html

 

[pumpkinfish]

Thanks SFLMommy...
I am still very concerned for everyone down there. frances is definately NOT what you all need right now!

 

[daisylove]

I am really worried. In a catagory 2 if it hits nearby my house will be 8 feet under water. It is a cat 3 now with lots of warm water to pump it up between us. My 5 year old is worried about her toys being destroyed. We had to explain hurricanes to her for Charley because she saw it on the news and my wonderful? mother told her hurricanes can destroy houses and toys. TTTHHANKSSS Mom. We will have to evacuate if it hits near the east coast. me DH two cats, two birds and a fish. My husband is joking we can leave the fish because he will have lots of water to swim in Sat. Not funny dear. Obviously my DH And DD (and DMom and Ddad and Dsis and her family who all live near and are in same boat) are more important than anything but our whole life is in our house. I will take clothes and pictures etc too but still this is our house. i am really getting worried and sad about what could happen. been through Andrew so i know I am not being unrealistic in my worry either. I had several friends hiding in closets when the house was torn away from them to leave nothing. My brother-in-law's brother died. Please send Lots of Pixie Dust and prayers to Florida (both for Charley victims and to ward off any more storms this year.)

 

[SnackyStacky]

I don't think it's too early to be prepared.

BUT, I do think it's far too early to worry. It is definitely a powerful storm, but there's SO much that can affect it. Within the next 5 minutes, it could take an eastward turn and head back to sea.

Charley had no place to go because it was pretty much land locked, which affected the way the winds were driving it.

The storm could blow east first, and then continue north, and hit the carolinas. It could just go right back out to sea. It could move north, and lose some steam.

I'd wait to worry until Wednesday.

 

[safetymom]

Just watched the news here in Orlando. There are no steering currents at this time to turn Frances out to sea.

But they are telling everyone to be prepared and thats a good idea.

You are right, they won't know the exact path or close to the path until later in the week.

Those of us in FL are just watching and waiting like the rest of you.

 

[FLgirl1203]

This is a busy hurricane season for my fellow Floridians and I this year! We are in SW FL....about 40 miles from where Charlie hit and we were very lucky that we just had a little wind damage.

Funny us...we made resie's for WDW Labor Day weekend. It was a last minute decision....you would of thought we would look at the weather before making the call....but no!

If it stays on the predicted track we will not go....noa is predicting it will hit around west palm and cut right across the state...pretty close to Orlando. We will be safer staying at home.

Does anyone know if Disney will refund your deposits if that is the case? I'm not counting on it.

Wherever it goes, I hope it doesn't strengthen anymore. Good luck Floridians!

Here's the most accurate site to check which direction it's taking
www.nhc.noaa.gov

 

[safetymom]

My advice would be to check several weather sites. With Hurricane Charley local stations predicted the turn the hurricane took before NOAA did.

 

[MrsJWB]

We are waiting and watching too . . . we are scheduled to leave Thurs afternoon! We've planned this for a year and we are just sick . . . hoping for the best and planning for the worst. The CSR I talked to at WDW this morning said "we had nothing to worry about" . . . she did mention we are past the 5 day cancellation point, there would be a penalty at this point. We're welcome to reschedule, IF they have availabilities . . . so we're praying, turn North, Frances, North!!

 

[PMart]

Please everyone just pray Frances turns north so it doesn't affect anyone. I lost my house (well one wall was standing LOL) during Andrew, I know how horrible it is and don't want too see it happen again. As for those who got hit by Charley they are in my prayers as well.


PMart

 

[pumpkinfish]

PMart, don't worry, I have gotten my prayers in for everyone. I wish she would just diminsh. I know that won't happen and more than likely will make landfall....but as long as people prepare and pray that is the most we can do.

 

[daisylove]

To those of us who may have to evacuate. Since we do know it could happen so far in advance I will share my hurricane evacuation tip. I get those large plastic bins from Walmart or Target and the things that we just have to have i.e. clothes, computer, DD's fave toys, pictures etc. i pack in those bins and pack the cars with them. I also put our water supply,food, tuna, cat food, cat litter ,trash bags, portable dvd player, flash lights,etc in one as well. this way I figure that where ever I go will be further inland than where i live now and even in the car it will have a better chance of surviving then staying at home. If who ever's house or hotel I get to has the room I just unload. I learned from Andrew about losing it all so i try to pack at least some stuff to give us a shot at normalcy after the storm.

 

[safetymom]

daisylove, great tips. I put all my stuff in suitcases by the door. Stuff inside is in ziploc bags.

I also decided to get busy and get all those one of a kind family photos scanned and saved to CD's. You can't take everything and to know that I had a set of those pictures with relatives would ease my mind.

I restocked about Hurricane Charley and we made a run to the store today for a few other things. The shelves were stocked after the last hurricane when the shelves were bare.

After Charley and I heard all the moaning and groaning my house made I have a new respect for the power of a hurricane. The hurricane passed over our county with Cat 3 winds and we lost quite a few shingles on the roof but our house is still standing and no leaks.

It also was amazing to see how they had cleaned up MK the morning after the storm. It was amazing what the CM's did.

So I would be just as glad if the storm stayed out to sea but I doubt it is going to. I just want everyone to stay safe.

 

[Princessmom2]

Thank you Daisylove and Safetymom for the tips--never thought of using plastic containers, we have a bunch of them too! much easier to transport pictures that way, too. Don't forget to video your house and all its contents for insurance purposes--remember to bring the tape with you! (yes, I stayed up late before Opal (1995) videotaping and almost forgot to take the tape with me--okay, so I was a little sleep deprived that night lol)

Up here in the Panhandle we are also watching and hoping for it to turn to the north. That would be best scenario. . ..

 

[daisylove]

And don't forget a can opener. We did when we left for floyd (which never came here) and realized we had all this canned food and no way to get at it.
I never stocked for Charley and really we are so close to the water that if a big one comes through we either won't have a house left or certainly won't be living in the mess that is left prior to power etc being back on. so I really only need food etc for a bit. After andrew and camping out and paying $10 for a jug of water I am thinking that Iwill insist that we go somewhere with water etc until it is livable again. Hey DD was just saying she wants to go back to WDW. (Me trying to look on the bright side.:0))

Wish I had gottn around to scanning everything. I just got the digital camera for birthday in April and have not got to point of scanning all the old pics or my DD's art etc. Thought about it but had not done it yet. DH will copy computer tomorrow at least on disc.

good idea about the plastic bags. will put on my list. I use them for WDW why not Francis?

 

[Suzanne74]

We are waiting and watching too . . . we are scheduled to leave Thurs afternoon! We've planned this for a year and we are just sick . . . hoping for the best and planning for the worst. The CSR I talked to at WDW this morning said "we had nothing to worry about" . . . she did mention we are past the 5 day cancellation point, there would be a penalty at this point. We're welcome to reschedule, IF they have availabilities . . . so we're praying, turn North, Frances, North!!

I can relate - we have been planning our daughters's first disney trip and 3 b-day for a long time. Her b-day is the 5th which is when they are thinking the hurricane could hit. I am so upset. I would think if people need to cancel ressies related to a hurricane, disney would do it. I hope. Either way, we are heading down Friday AM - unless it is going to be a direct hit. Then we may wait a few days to go. Only time will tell.

I do feel the most for people living near all of this. I would be so nervous right now - our prayers are with you. Move away Frances!!!