Frances question for long time FL residents...

[PoohnPglet]

I am wondering how many other people who live in the Orlando area are planning on leaving for Frances?

It is my understanding that this does not happen in Orlando often, so what do the folks that have experience with hurricanes in other areas recommend: evacuate or stay?

I ask because my inclination is to ride it out where I am with my son. However, I do not want to make a foolish decision and put my son in danger due to my inexperience with hurricanes. (Go ahead and ask me about a blizzard...I know those.)

I so hope this wasn't one big ramble. Any input?

 

[DukeStreetKing]

I would follow the suggestions of the local officials. The more people that evacuate, if they decide it is necessary, the less people they have to worry about when the hurricane hits. If I am asked to evacuate again, I will, although I don't see that happening to the Tampa area.

 

[bsnyder]

It's my understanding, from what the emergency management folks here told us during Charley that they would rather those people who are not in an evacuation zone stay put.

Of course, you need to use common sense, and if there's a reason to suspect your individual structure would be unsafe or you have some type of special needs, then go to a friend's house, or a shelter.

The whole idea is to find a safe place that is closest to where you live, in order to minimize the traffic congestion of those who have to leave.

 

[PoohnPglet]

Thank you for responding. I will just keep watching like everyone else.

One of the news channels is reporting that it could veer off to the north and we would just get skirted. I hope that is the case.

 

[Feralpeg]

I think you would have a hard time finding a place to go even if you want to evacuate. With all of the folks heading away from the coast, it will be hard to get accomodations anywhere. We are also new to Orlando and I keep looking around to see if anyone is doing things to prepare that I am not. Other than picking up things outside, I don't see anything. I don't feel brave enough to sit at home with DD through Frances. We did it with Charley and it was creepy. With Charley, we were in an area that had very little damage. I'm afraid Frances will be different. I made reservations for DD, my sister and I at AKL. We will be doing the hurricane thing with Disney. I figure a big structure like the lodge was built to withstand pretty strong storms. We will just feel better being with other people. If you are feeling insecure, you might want to go to a place where others will be. Maybe you could ride it out with friends or even go to a shelter. It is true. Misery loves company! I hope everything goes well for you. I hated the blizzards, but this is much scarier!

 

[gshoemate]

I know about snow to, we're from Michigan. PoohnPglet I sent you a PM.

 

[Luv2Roam]

There are a lot of people leaving. And I have to say it has crossed my mind that now would be a good time to visit my old Indiana stomping grounds.
Like others here, we were one of the fortunate few who were barely impacted by Charley.
I know many around me are either leaving or already finding shelter on Disney property. I imagine the rooms are near booked up now.
There are hardly any people when Charley damage that had time to fix those issues.
Between the debris and already damaged property, this one is really gonna hurt on those counts alone!

I work with many who are long time residents, None have ever experienced this before. Even those who were not concerned over Charley, are now.

 

[parrothead365]

I say go with your gut/heart. This storm is nothing to play with. If you decide to ride it out let poeple know your staying. Check in with them as soon as you can after it clears. Give them the local police/emergency/ neighbor's numbers to call if they don't hear from you in a set amount of time after the storm. I would find out where the nearest shelter is and be prepared to bug out if this storm doesn't ease up after it makes land fall. Get your supplies if you have not got them already. Me I'm gonna ride it out and bug out if I have to.

 

[taylor1293]

Originally posted by PoohnPglet
I am wondering how many other people who live in the Orlando area are planning on leaving for Frances?

It is my understanding that this does not happen in Orlando often, so what do the folks that have experience with hurricanes in other areas recommend: evacuate or stay?

I ask because my inclination is to ride it out where I am with my son. However, I do not want to make a foolish decision and put my son in danger due to my inexperience with hurricanes. (Go ahead and ask me about a blizzard...I know those.)

I so hope this wasn't one big ramble. Any input?

I'm not a long time resident, but I wanted to reply anyway .

I think it partially depends on where in the Orlando area you live. We have decided that if it follows the projected path, we will not stay. I don't see how the roof of my house can survive being battered for 20 hours by up to 110 mph sustained winds and possible 140 mph gusts. Plus, I have a huge fear of the possible tornadoes.

I didn't think Charley was too scary, but my oldest DD was terrified. She would not be able to go back to the closet again, especially for such an extended time period.

So, we are likely spending the holiday weekend in Alabama! We considered going to a Disney or Universal hotel, but they really don't offer much more safety than a home, IMO. I would rather just be no where around when Frances arrives!

Teresa

 

[Poohbear123]

Our problem is, we have pets and many shelters will NOT take pets, so, we will be sticking it out here, like we did with Andrew. We are NOT in an evactuation zone, so its not necessary for us to really evacuate. I am hoping we don't get it, not as bad as they think we will, and everything will be OK.

 

[Shutterbug]

Thing with this hurricane is that its moving alot slower than Charlie. I was looking at the flhurricane.com website and looking on how far it will move from 2pm Saturday to 2pm Sunday. With the size of this thing you are going to be subjected to the winds, water, possible tornadoes for a long time. Its not just going to be zipping by in hour.

 

[Poohbear123]

You are SO right, and I dread that.....I will most likely miss 2 days of work many more if I have damage, or if the store itself is damaged.....

 

[bsnyder]

It feels like Frances is holding the entire state of Florida hostage....

 

[Cinderpals]

Hi, I just cut short my week long trip to WDW with my kids. This was our first trip there. We were planning to be there until Sunday, but with the possible CAT 4 Hurricane Frances hitting the area (eventhough we're inland), I decided to change my plans and return to No. Virginia today. (Weds.) I've never been in a Hurricane and didn't want to experience this one, even at WDW, with my two children. It wasn't worth the risk for me. My husband and I decided for me to bring myself and the children home. We were keeping an open mind initially. I figured how often unpredictable these storm's paths are. I thought that we would make a decision on Thursday to return on Friday if needed. We had a ton of food already in our hotel room. I packed it up and left some sodas, bottles of water for the maid. She expressed an interest in them. The CBR hotel was very good about my decision to check out early. I saw grounds people this morning cutting tree branches and picking up stuff off of the ground. (Don't know if this is normal procedure) Eventhough, I don't expect Disney to get a hugh impact from this Hurricane, I just didn't want to be wrong and subject my kids to this also big unknown. MCO was very calm this afternoon when I had left, but I overheard several travellers on their cell phones saying that the threat of Frances is a reason for their leaving the area.
I'm still praying that Disney and Florida will be 'safe' from Frances.

 

[Luv2Roam]

I am in a quandry. DH wants me to pack up the car with our two (large) dogs and leave for family in northern IN, while he stays behind to brave the storm alone.
I just don't like that idea. Separated and wondering is bad enough. But then top it off with driving so far with two dogs.
I feel both choices are poor.
It's just a no win situation.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

I'm so undecided...Well one I am in Melbourne I KNOW I need to get out (DH HAS to stay, he's a police officer), I have a room reserved in WDW, I have a room reserved in Ft. Lauderdale and my mom has now offered for me to go to Tampa to stay at a friend's house. I have pretty much eliminated Orlando, I really hate the thought of still being on the east coast in Ft. Lauderdale, so I may head over to Tampa. Thoughts? I'd be leaving tomorrow morning, if I was going to Tampa.

 

[bsnyder]

Just make sure you realize Tampa could get hit from the east with this storm. It will have weakened considerably by then, but still...

This happened to some of my relatives with Charley. They went to Orlando to stay with friends and ended up right in the path.

Do you have anyone closer by, that you could stay with? All the county officials are urging people to find the safest place that's closest to their home.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

Seeing that I live right where it is supposed to make landfall, I don't know if there are any safe places here, I don't know if I even trust the shelters. Plus I would be alone unless I go to Ft. Lauderdale or Tampa, and I don't want to be alone.

And with some of the models projecting a more northward turn you can't even plan to go out of state.

 

[bsnyder]

I know Miss Jasmine, it's a big problem! But I do know that all the officials say to try to stay within your county, if you do evacuate.

And the shelters are generally safe, just not very comfortable.

We have a (private) shelter here that we used for Charley (we've had it in mind to evacuate there for a long time, but have never had to do so). It's a commercial building, and it was built in 1920, solid as a rock, so it's obviously been through some hurricanes in its' time. When the storm was still bearing down on us, and it looked like Tampa was sure to take a direct hit, I felt incredibly safe. It was very reassuring! And it was only a 15-20 minute drive from our home, so next time, I'll feel comfortable waiting even longer before we evacuate.

Can you think of anything like that in your area, that you'd have acess to, through friends, neighbors, co-workers, etc?

 

[Miss Jasmine]

Yeah, I happen to work in an airport. Nothing seems like the right decision.