Hurricane Ernesto - headed for WDW

[JimMIA]

Keep an eye on this hurricane. It is currently classified as a tropical storm but will reintensify into a hurricane as soon as it moves offshore of Cuba.

The 5 AM forecast track calls for Ernesto to intensify to a Cat 2 or possibly Cat 3 storm, pass right over Miami, and go directly up the middle of the state, right over the top of WDW, with Vero in the right front quadrant, which is usually the most intense area.

Ernesto is expected to hit Miami overnight Tuesday night and the Orlando area on Wednesday.

The track has been shifting a couple hundred miles to the east each day, and hopefully it will do that today and miss us all. But for right now, it looks like a direct hit for both Miami and Orlando.

 

[JohnBJr]

Keep an eye on this hurricane. It is currently classified as a tropical storm but will reintensify into a hurricane as soon as it moves offshore of Cuba.

The 5 AM forecast track calls for Ernesto to intensify to a Cat 2 or possibly Cat 3 storm, pass right over Miami, and go directly up the middle of the state, right over the top of WDW, with Vero in the right front quadrant, which is usually the most intense area.

Ernesto is expected to hit Miami overnight Tuesday night and the Orlando area on Wednesday.

The track has been shifting a couple hundred miles to the east each day, and hopefully it will do that today and miss us all. But for right now, it looks like a direct hit for both Miami and Orlando.

Best of Luck with the storm JimMia. We folks in St. Petersburg were concerned but it looks like a drift to the east side of the state might again spare us. We will get ours eventually. We had to cancel ressies for this weekend at SSR due to some back surgery I have to have Thursday but we rescheduled for 9/24 week. That will probably be the week we get one on our coast!

 

[Granny]

Jim...the same storm going after both of your "homes"? I'd be wondering if Mother Nature was after me!

It does seem that we are in a period of time where hurricanes are going to be an annual thing. I remember you posting figures a couple of years ago indicating that those storms were the first hurricanes to make landfall in Florida in a while, and that on average there was only one hurricane for every "X" number of years? For whatever reason, it looks like multiple high-category hurricanes per year are with us for a while in the Caribbean region.

My best wishes and prayers for all who may be impacted, and here's hoping that it downgrades and misses Florida altogether.

 

[beachblanket]

Given the current projected track (which puts WDW, DVC Vero and DVC Hilton Head much to too close to the bullseye), I'm surprised there isn't more concern being shown on these boards.

 

[Laurabearz]

Hey Jim! Thanks for the heads up. Good thoughts for you and yours as it goes thru.......

 

[StacyPop]

For those of us that live here and are used to 10 or so storms a year, we know that these predictions are OFTEN off. There is no way for them to know exactly where it will make landfall until a day or even a few hours before. A couple miles off track and it could miss you completely. Most of the danger of severe destruction lies in the tornados that result from the storm. There is no way for them to tell us where those will land. The worse that NORMALLY happens from a storm is power outages and tree fallings.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

The worse that NORMALLY happens from a storm is power outages and tree fallings.

Well here's hoping that's all that results from this one too !!!

Anything can happen between now and Wednesday (if that's even accurate), rest assured that you've got lots of DIS friends that are saying an extra prayer or two over the next few days.

 

[Fitswimmer]

I'm leaving for HHI on Saturday morning and I'm a bit concerned, but it's out of my hands. My folks have lived in Florida for 7 years and they said not to get really concerned until it gets closer. The projected path is just that-projected. A lot can change with these storms even in a few hours let alone a few days.

 

[JimMIA]

You'll notice, from the 11 AM map Beachblanket posted, that the track has shifted 75 miles or so east from the 5 AM map I was referring to above.

At 5 AM, the storm was forecast right up the middle of the state on the west side of Lake Okeechobee, and passing out to sea around Daytona Beach. Now, it's on the east side of the lake and going out to sea around Vero/Ft Pierce.

Currently, it's slated to just regain Cat 1 status shortly before hitting us in Miami. Hopefully this eastward drift of the last several days will continue -- at least enough to put us all on the soft side of the storm.

We'll be getting the shutters out anyway.

 

[Fitswimmer]

You're all in my prayers. We've been blessed so far this season that the forecasts were wrong. I hope they're wrong again!

 

[Pocahantas]

Take care Jim!! I am hoping it continues to shift to the east so it won't be a direct hit on any of Florida's cities.

 

[KyleRayner]

I'm arriving in Orlando on Friday (9/1) around 10pm and leaving on Monday (9/4). What do you think my chances are of missing Hurricane Ernesto???

 

[LisaS]

Currently, it's slated to just regain Cat 1 status shortly before hitting us in Miami. Hopefully this eastward drift of the last several days will continue -- at least enough to put us all on the soft side of the storm.

I hope it continues to move eastward. You all deserve a break after last year.

 

[StacyPop]

I'm arriving in Orlando on Friday (9/1) around 10pm and leaving on Monday (9/4). What do you think my chances are of missing Hurricane Ernesto???

If the storm stays close to the projected track, you should miss the bulk of it.
They just said on the radio that they had reports from the Cuban weather authority that the storm was weakening (more than they had expected).
It is only a tropical storm now.
I will be there Saturday (9/2), the only thing I am worrying about is being able to wash my clothes before I leave-hopefully I will have power to do so!

(I am just North of Ft Lauderdale)

 

[disneycrazycatlady]

If you are staying on site- I dont think there will be a problem with power- we are arriving on Sat also- at the BWV- we are driving north from palm beach county- the storm will hit us on Wednesday morning and by Sat morning everything will be fine.

 

[disneycrazycatlady]

Stacey- I just reread your post- I think you meant you hope you had the power in Lauderdale to wash your clothes- well- if you dont= just bring them with you and wash them in your villa- thats what I am going to do if I need to. Stay safe and have fun this weekend.

 

[StacyPop]

Yes-I thought of that too!
As long as I get to go-dont care what I wear!
You have fun too!

 

[MissD]

You'll notice, from the 11 AM map Beachblanket posted, that the track has shifted 75 miles or so east from the 5 AM map I was referring to above.

At 5 AM, the storm was forecast right up the middle of the state on the west side of Lake Okeechobee, and passing out to sea around Daytona Beach. Now, it's on the east side of the lake and going out to sea around Vero/Ft Pierce.

Currently, it's slated to just regain Cat 1 status shortly before hitting us in Miami. Hopefully this eastward drift of the last several days will continue -- at least enough to put us all on the soft side of the storm.

We'll be getting the shutters out anyway.

Hopefully we'll all get lucky and just get a glancing blow.

I can't imagine my fellow Dis-ers or my beloved VB taking yet another hit. Stay safe!

My DS12 is heavily rooting for a school closure

 

[MissD]

If you are staying on site- I dont think there will be a problem with power- we are arriving on Sat also- at the BWV- we are driving north from palm beach county- the storm will hit us on Wednesday morning and by Sat morning everything will be fine.

Seems as if all we Floridians are 'evacuating' to WDW!

We'll be checking in at SSR Saturday

 

[MiaSRN62]

Thanks for the head's up Jim
Hope you and the other native Floridians stay safe. Here's hoping it weakens big time.