Hilton Head next week---HELP!

[tigger2esq]

OI have been planning this vacation for 7 months and now it looks like Hurricane Jeanne has decided to make a beeline for the Carolina COast! HELP!! I need some advice... we are supposed to arrive on Sunday and stay till Friday. How does Disney handle these situations? What happens if they decide to evacuate the island? what if they dont evacuate but the island is a mess? Will we get our points back? will we be able to bank them even though we are now past our deadline? OK I need everyone to face East and BLOW REALLY HARD to send that Hurricane back out to sea!!!!

 

[canda]

We were in the same situation with Ivan. Models kept showing that after it it FL, it was going to pass over HHI. We went anyway. The weather was very nice except for Monday. When we got there on Sun. the weather forcast was to be thunderstorm every day until we left. That never happened. Everyday we would wake up and the forcast would say today would be a stormy day. It was always nice.

I think you would be ok unless it hits directly, but that has not happened in 100 years. I think there is a current or something that keeps 'canes pushed out of HHI. (atleast that is what I was told.) After Ivan had passed up into NC that day, I have never seen it so nice in HHI. It really was the best weather I had been in. The beach was not too cool, the sun was shinning, but it was not too hot.

If the Island was to evac. then it would be a mess. There is one bridge on and off the Island. It can be a mess during lunch time trying to get off on a regular day.


I know how you feel, cause it is not a ruined vacation, but the saftey of your family. But last week before we left, I had considered not going because of the rain and wind that was forcasted for the entire week. I would have been sorry if I did not go, because the weather was fine.

 

[dis-happy]

I was just looking at the storm plot on hurricane.terrapin.com (great website, there's no www in the beginning). Right now it does look like it's going directly over HH, but that's after it's already made landfall in Florida. Plus, it looks like it's moving very quickly---passing over HH on Monday at 3 pm---but keep in mind that is still 5 days away, a lot can change.

HH did a voluntary evacuation for Charley. I would never evacuate for a voluntary evacuation---it's a huge traffic mess and was totally unnecessary---Charley went north and the weather in HH was gorgeous and sunny. If they do a mandatory evacuation, it would be by Sunday, the day you're arriving anyway. To be on the safe side, why don't you do a back-up reservation at a hotel off 95? (make sure it's refundable if you cancel). Then, if they evacuate, you're set for a night or two, and can continue on your vacation the rest of the week. Because it's such a fast moving storm, it looks like you'll only have rain for a day or so, and can still enjoy the rest of your vacation.

Let me know if you want me to call in a gate pass for Sea Pines Plantation.

Hopefully, this is all academic, and Jeanne won't effect you at all!

 

[wintergreen]

Arrgghh, tigger2esq, we're with you on this one. We are supposed to arrive on Saturday, and leave on Monday. Saturday looks fine, but Monday is iffy. Big problem is that we are flying down, and I'm not sure if I will be able to salvage $$ paid for airline tickets. On the other hand, I don't want to put my family in harms' way.

 

[tigger2esq]

the good news is we are driving and spending Saturday night at my sister's place in raleigh NC. I suppose we can check the forecast Early Sunday morning and decide if we want to head there or wait until Monday. at least we have that option. I know my parents were at my sister's last week and the forecast said rain all weekend at Myrtle Beach where they wanted to go for the weekend. they went anyway and it was beautiful.

I dont care if it rains on my vacation--I can find lots to do inside or undercover (I just dont want to be stuck anywhere with my 16 month old without power or water etc. around a bunch of people panicing or overreacting). I just feel bad for DH who was REALLY looking forward to some top quality golf!!! he has tee times scheduled for Monday Wednesday and Thursday. Looks like he may have to cancel at least Monday. I am keeping my fingers crossed!

 

[wintergreen]

Just spoke to DH. We are going to go and hope for the best!

 

[tigger2esq]

maybe we will see you there. I will be the crazy woman sitting by the pool in the middle of all the rain. I havent had a vacation since January and by golly I am going to have a good time jeanne or no Jeanne.... LOL!

 

[wintergreen]

I'll be looking for you. My kids will swim in just about any weather! I just need the break. Hot tub will suffice!

 

[Skip Wiley]

We are in the same situation; we’re planning to arrive Sunday after stopping over around Charlotte the night before. DW is really looking forward to a vacation; DS is 7 months old so we haven’t been on vacation for a year. Once in Charlotte I’m going to check the forecast and then decide if it’s worth driving to HH. If HH/Carolinas is going to take the brunt of the hurricane and not Florida, I’m going to drive to WDW and stay there instead. If it hits Florida and then HH we’ll wait and see.

DW will be fine, she’s glad to be going anywhere, we’ll find someplace fun to stay if the hurricane gets in our way. I’m a little concerned for our guests, her parents, teenage sister and friend, who are staying with us. I don’t think they have the same “whatever happens, happens” attitude as us and will be miserable if our stay at HH is delayed or cancelled. They are only staying until Wednesday so I think if HH is out they will return home. No matter what happens, we’ll make the best of it. Good luck everyone!

 

[wintergreen]

Just cancelled for this weekend. United allowed us to rebook for next weekend, and MS will also make changes for us on Monday. Good luck to everyone that is going, and we hope to see some of you under better circumstances next weekend.

 

[bbowers]

Please everyone who is going - watch the news for riptide warnings. We were there right after Frances and saw people letting their little girl (5-7) go into the ocean with riptide warnings, 35 mph winds, completely overcast, and tornado warnings all over South Carolina. I know it's hard to be there and not let them play in the water, but sheesh!

 

[wintergreen]

I just got off the phone with MS. We were able to reschedule our trip to HHI, that was supposed to have been this past weekend, to next weekend. I had to take a studio instead of a 1BR, but was very happy that the whole thing worked out. I have my fingers crossed that no more storms are lurking out there in the Atlantic! Would appreciate any info. from any DISers that actually went to HHI this weekend to see how they fared!

 

[Skip Wiley]

We arrived Sunday and the weather has actually been pretty good. It rained Sunday but Monday actually turned out to be pretty nice, a little sun, no rain, but very windy. Saw a few people in the ocean, but it was pretty rough, apparently Jeanne missed us to the west, we never experienced the severe thunderstorms that were supposed to hit today. Rest of the week looks good, guess we lucked out this time.

 

[tigger2esq]

i am so glad we decided to stick with our plans. except for some rain on Sunday it has been absolutely beautiful. the storm pretty much missed HHI completely. monday was breezy but sunny. one family in our group did decide to cancel and we were able to bank our points through member services which was nice. i have to agree about the crazy parentws who let their kids in the ocean with riptide warnings. we stuck with the baby pool yesterday, today we are heading to the beach house!!!