Governor Bush discouraging visitors

[Kay1]

I've mentioned a few times that I thought relatives around the state would want to evacuate to our house in the Tampa Bay area. Last night we got what I thought would be " the call, " but our relatives in Orlando and DeLand are evacuating to central Georgia! Can you believe it? They have kids and my s-i-l is expecting and they aren't willing to take the risk.

The NHC shifted their track somewhat to the south which is worse for them as the most powerful part of the storm is supposed to be NW of the eye.

Now we need to worry about friends and relatives in the Keys and Homestead. At least they'll be on the south side of the storm.

 

[C.Ann]

My brother and his GF have decided to leave their home in Vero Beach and go to.....Port St. Lucie.. Does that make sense? While I know that they're saying basically all of Florida could be at risk - and it's wise to not be right ON the beach - will they be any safer in PSL than if they had gone inland further?

 

[mamalle]

really doesnt make sense unless they are on the barrier islands and have to move inland BUT as of 8am it looks to be making landfall at the Jupiter Inlet or Martin County. My sil and family live in PSL and will be staying there thru the storm also. we life in western plam beach county and are taking this storm very seriously. You have too.

 

[JayBee]

Originally posted by C.Ann
My brother and his GF have decided to leave their home in Vero Beach and go to.....Port St. Lucie.. Does that make sense?

Port st Lucie is still east of I-95....I thought it was safer to go further inland?

 

[Kay1]

I'm sure they'll be guided by local authorities, C.Ann. Sometimes people evacuate to avoid the storm surge, then need to evacuate again because of winds and flooding.

We had to evacuate Key Largo during Andrew. We went to my parent's home in Homestead which is very far inland and in the middle of preparing their home and homes of elderly friends, someone came by in a truck and announced via a bullhorn that their home was in an evacuation zone. By the time we finished preparing, it was too late to leave, the roads were jammed, and we rode it out in their well-prepared house.

The next morning the neighborhood looked like several bombs had been dropped on us.

Don't worry, the evacuation zones will be added on as the day goes on. You should encourage them to listen and obey. Good luck to them and all of us.

 

[C.Ann]

Originally posted by Kay1
I'm sure they'll be guided by local authorities, C.Ann. Sometimes people evacuate to avoid the storm surge, then need to evacuate again because of winds and flooding.

We had to evacuate Key Largo during Andrew. We went to my parent's home in Homestead which is very far inland and in the middle of preparing their home and homes of elderly friends, someone came by in a truck and announced via a bullhorn that their home was in an evacuation zone. By the time we finished preparing, it was too late to leave, the roads were jammed, and we rode it out in their well-prepared house.

The next morning the neighborhood looked like several bombs had been dropped on us.

Don't worry, the evacuation zones will be added on as the day goes on. You should encourage them to listen and obey. Good luck to them and all of us.

--------------------------------

Thanks for that info! I'm such a nervous wreck about this because my brother has always been the type to put on his "rose-colored" glasses and not take things seriously until it's too late..

Will there be ANY chance that I can reach him on his cell phone once this storm hits? If not, I don't know how I'll go through days and days of not knowing if he's okay.. I also have other family members down there (in various areas of Florida - but none as close to the beach as he is) and I'm hoping we can communicate by cell..

LOADS of prayers being said for all in Florida..........

C.Ann

 

[Grumpy92]

CAnn, That was one of the hardest things Punta Gorda had to deal with was no Cell phone service. I know residents were begging the media to use their cell phones if they worked.

I am sure like the rest of us your brother will take safe shelter and we all just pray then.

For those who are arriving this weekend you might want to check out Deb's sight for information:
http://www.allearsnet.com/news/hurricane2.htm

 

[gonna go cruising]

Has anyone gotten credited yet for their cancellation? I have been watching my account and so far nothing. She said it would be immediate. I think not!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Originally posted by poohkinandpiglet
There is always a chance that they will close the parks anyway if they think it's going to be bad weather. Those decisions come from state government.

NO--govt issues the evacuation orders--but they do not force businesses to close.

Some place in our town there was a bar open--the only thing once it started getting bad was he was told her could not sell liquor b/c of curfew hours--other than that, he was not forced to close.

Disney and Universal and all the theme parks make their own decisions but will follow the lead of what govt is doing in case of curfews and such.

I've seen Disney open in some pretty nasty long-lasting weather in years past--and the threat of Floyd as the first time it ever closed in it's 25+year history.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Originally posted by gonna go cruising
Has anyone gotten credited yet for their cancellation? I have been watching my account and so far nothing. She said it would be immediate. I think not!

I would call and follow up and have your cancellation # ready.
I'm sure they have a ton of cancellations that they are processing.

 

[DMRick]

I have been watching my account and so far nothing.

I was credited pretty quickly, as well as I got a receipt in the mail saying I was credited. On the same paper we get when we make a ressie.

 

[gonna go cruising]

Thanks for the advice. I just got off the phone from them and they were unable to find out what was going on with my refund. They will email accounting and told me to call back if no refund by end of the week. I am glad you all encouraged me to call again.