Hurricane Frances

[the Dark Marauder]

From things I've heard, this will be a SLOW moving storm. Supposedly it will take around 24hrs to clear the state. This means there's a chance that all the parks (Disney, Universal, Sea World) may be closed on Sat & Sun.

 

[Selina]

We have been following the news here in the UK. Do you think generally these storms are getting worse over the years? - where once the ferocious damaging storms were very isolated cases in a person's lifetime, they now seem to be happening regularly and not just in Florida but all over the world.

Our thoughts are with you all. I know I'd be terrifed and it's so frightening for the children. I read Molokai Gram's good advice and thought it was useful. Take care and check in when it's over if you can.

 

[Slacking]

Looks like my prediction was wrong and that my 3-day weekend has turned into a 4-day weekend.

 

[themepark]

I just wanted to pop in and say good luck to all of you in Florida. Be safe. You are all in my prayers. I am really hoping those of you already hit will not be in the storm's path again.

 

[the Dark Marauder]

I'm not going to school tonight because I need to pack as much stuff into boxes and bags as I can.

Early Saturday, we're moving in to a friend's place for a few days...

 

[Jenny&Trey]

All of you are in my thoughts as well. I know I don't post alot here but I read everyday.

My sister lives about 20 miles north of Orlando and my parents had planned for awhile to drive down and spend a week with her and my nephews and they still decided to go. My sister asked that she bring water and batteries as all the stores in her area were sold out. I am worried about them but you know how stubborn some people can be.

I hope all of you are okay and maybe this will weaken (fingers X'd)

Jenny

 

[momof3disneyholics]

Originally posted by the Dark Marauder
I'm not going to school tonight because I need to pack as much stuff into boxes and bags as I can.

Early Saturday, we're moving in to a friend's place for a few days...

I was wondering what you were going to do this time with your house still being damaged from Charley. Good luck and I hope you stay safe, you'll be in my thoughts, DM.

 

[Blueberry]

Good luck Dark Marauder our thoughts and prayers are with you and all Florida residents and visitors right now...

 

[goofy!]

Stay safe everybody! And anybody who has to work to help keep others safe (Dark Marauder who has to work tomorrow and any others), thank you! Our thoughts and prayers are with all of our Florida listmates and their families.

Post as soon as you can after so that we can stop worrying about you all

 

[A Mickeyfan]

Originally posted by phamton
I think we can all use a little humor to lighten the situation.

[
• Bleach. (No, I don't know what the bleach is for. NOBODY knows what the bleach is for. But it's traditional, so GET some, dammit!)


funny that is worded like that! The day before Charley hit us, my son's girlfriends Mom had said that she went out to buy bleach & all she could find left was that new Clorox Bleach Pen so she bought it. I asked her why & her answer was, I don't know, they tell you to buy bleach I guess bleach would be good if you still have water after the storm, we didn't so we ended up not needing bleach

I also want to say, I hope all of you in Orlando end up with very little damage & remain safe!!! If any of you have a damaged roof (even minor damage)... don't stay in your home (the Dark Marauder, I see you are leaving your's). It may not hold up to winds that can come thru... What ever is of sentimental value take with you, everything else can be replaced. Main thing is for you to remain safe.

 

[jtopicz1]

Good luck everyone. I'm in Tampa and all we should get is 60-80mph winds and a lot of rain, if that. Had planned to go see the Cubs take on the Marlins in Miami Saturday and Sunday, but thats not gonna happen.

Some things everyone who may be coming to central Florida or in the area who haven't experienced a tropical system before may need to know:
1) Interstates will likely be closed or one lane eastbound, with all the other lanes open westbound overnight to aid in last minute evacuation.
2) All ports in Central/south Florida are CLOSED. Much of Floridas fuel supply comes from the Port of Tampa. Because of this, most gas stations could possibly be "out of gas" until Tuesday, possibly later. Conserve gas I suppose.
3) Check with your area to see curfew times.
4) Power will generally be turned off intermittently by the power company during the storm, and obviously sometimes lost for extended time due to winds.

I've lived in Florida all my life, and a lot of people just don't understand how awful these can be. Even a strong tropical storm is intimidating and can wreak havoc. We've been lucky for a few years so I guess it's are turn. And to think there is another forecast on the same track less than a week behind.

Stay safe!

 

[phamton]

I am a regualr poster on snopes.com bulletin board. Someone asked what we Floridians were planning on doing. I posted this:

My husband is volunteering at a shelter. The shelter is at the school he teaches at and they really needed some help so he's been there all day. I haven't decided if I'll go to the shelter or not as I'd rather stay here and make sure the dog is OK and any water leaks/weather damage are taken care of. Of course, if it looks really bad tomorrow then I'll go to the shelter. It's less than a half a mile from our house. My two teenage sons will be at the shelter helping their dad.

Right after I hit submit, I looked up and saw my husband on tv (WESH tv.) They were showing his school gym (Liberty M.S.) and all of the people who are there now. They were interviewing people and announcing that the shelter is now full. Just a little surreal as I was watching Dateline while typing about the shelter my husband was helping at and then look up and there is my husband on tv instead of Dateline.

Bev

 

[damo]

Well, at least you know where he is .

Keep safe all you guys, it sounds like it has been downgraded but don't take any chances! Keep us posted.

 

[Mickeygirl]

I don't post alot on here but I drop in and read just about every day I just wanted to tell you all that all of you are in my thoughts and prayers and I can't wait to log in to read and see that all of you are safe

PLEASE BE CAREFUL

 

[phamton]

Orlando checking in:

Several tornadoes have already sprung up here. One threw a police car into a median.

We are getting some wind and horizontal rain but nothing serious yet. Just lost electricity for 1 1/2 hours but it is back on. I don't know why we lost it as the storm hasn't hit here yet. We are expected to have 75 mph winds by 8:00 AM Sunday.

They suggested for those here who think that is no big deal that they ride in a convertible going down the highway at 75 mph for 24 hours and watch out for flying debris.

If I don't post again, just know it is probably from lack of power and nothing else. We won't start getting the bad weather until after midnight.

 

[Eclpz314]

Phantom, we've been watching the news about the storm all day up here in De. Eerie pictures of everything being closed down and damage already occuring from wind. Sounds like a lot of flooding is going to happen too. Hang tough! good luck to you and all who are still down there.

 

[phamton]

No rain right now and no wind but OMG, the skies are beautiful! The whole sky is a lovely shade of light purple and the clouds are pink.

I've never seen anything like it! Amazing! If I didn't know there was a storm coming, I could really enjoy this. My son has been taking pictures.

Bev

 

[Slacking]

In the last few hours we just got the first band associated with the storm. Some rain and wind (can hear the wind howling), but thats it, nothing serious at all. Everything is still closing early this morning despite the majority of the storm coming tomorrow.

 

[Molokai Gram]

Our aloha to all of you in Florida. Please keep safe and check in when you can.

 

[robvia]

We've got some wind here in Plantation, but it's not that bad. Some tree branches are down, and the road is a mess with leaves. Lucky for me, we still have power and internet. Cable went out, but I can get the local channels using a regular antenna. The hurricane coverage gets old after a while. The hard part is waiting for it to be over, since the storm slowed down.
For those in Orlando, go rent some movies if you can, and plan an all day activity, like organizing your home, because you're going to be stuck inside all day.