HURRICANE INFORMATION (AUGUST 15, 2004): All parks except TL are OPEN

[hearts8701]

the news in orlando said all parks are closed at 1:00 pm
all disney parks, universal & sea world are closed

 

[TN Traveler]

Was told that CRO wouldn't close until 1 EST (12 CST) so called about 10:30 CST (11:30 EST to give final payment on 2 client's bookings. Offices were aleady closed. Called a friend of mine in Bradenton to check on her. She's fine. Talked to someone else in Naples -- winds are 35 mph and sun is shinning. Calm before the storm? We had winds up to 104 mph 3 weeks ago here in Nashville so 35 would seem like a cake walk! Continue to pray for these folks. Not only do they ahve to worry about water surges, winds and rain but tornadoes often pop up from hurricanes. I've been through 3 tornadoes....not fun!


Karen

 

[whjoyjr]

Best of thoughts for you...

 

[princess pooh]

I was at WDW when hurricane Erin hit and they really did their best to get things up and running as soon as possible. I don't think it was a strong hurricane but the parks had opened again the day after it hit. Disney definately has an emergency plan for these types of events. It wasn't a great situation and it was kind of scary, but it's still my most memorable vacation ever. I just hope that everyone will be okay.

 

[daisylove]

They just announced that at the 2:00 advisory that Charley may be upgraded to a catagory 4!!!!!! That is bad for those of you not from here. Andrew was a 5.

 

[BrianD]

Originally posted by safetymom
The current track of the storm takes it closer to Orlando so there will be hurricane force winds in the area.

This is the first storm since the 60's to follow this path.

I don't want to make lemonaid I just want my house to be safe.

You're right, safetymom, from what I'm reading now, I see how this can cause the eye to pass closer to Orlando.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you folks down there...

I went through a major hurricane in Houston years ago, and they can be scary. The best everyone can do is follow all the advised preperations, and STAY INSIDE!

 

[daisylove]

Weather channel just announced that at 2:00 Charley may be upgraded to a 4!!! Watch the tv and please keep informed.

 

[jcemom]

I think it's difficult for those who've never lived through a hurricane to truly appreciate the potentially devastating forces involved. DH and I lived in the far eastern portion of Orlando (near UCF) during Hurricane Andrew. At one point Andrew was projected to make landfall just south of Cocoa Beach...approximately 50-60 miles from where we were living. We thought it was just crazy the way people were buying up everything in the stores, after all, we were SO FAR inland...how bad could it be?!? Can you believe we were joking about it?!? Talk about being young and stupid. OMG! As we were watching the devastation throughout south Florida unfold, we were in shock. Had it hit further north... We would have been totally unprepared. I still get chills just thinking about it. We actually thought we were safe! How stupid.

Hurricanes are definitely serious business, and better safe than sorry never applied more than it does in this kind of situation. I'd much rather be sitting in my resort room safe, than be smacked by a piece of flying debris while shopping.

I hope all of our DIS friends, CM's, and vacationers stay safe. I'll have all of you in my thoughts and prayers.

 

[daisylove]

Charley is being upgraded now to a 4!!

 

[sters]

Some more info on this site: http://allearsnet.com/news/hnews.htm#36

and on another thread HURRICAINE SAFETY TIPS (can you BELIEVE what a CM said to a guest???)
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?threadid=624058

I hope that everyone stays safe. I'm sure the CM's will do what they can to entertain the guests as best they can under the circumstances, but safety will come first.

 

[BCV23]

Keep safe, safetymom and everyone else down there.

Our older son is at WDW too right now visiting his DF who is a CM.

Prayers for everyone.

 

[Firebug]

Good luck to everyone in Florida or on the way to Florida.


FB

 

[BrianD]

from the National Hurricane Center:

AT 115 PM EDT...1715Z...A U.S. AIR FORCE RESERVE UNIT RECONNAISSANCE
AIRCRAFT MEASURED 10000 FT FLIGHT LEVEL WINDS OF 162 MPH AT A
DISTANCE OF 8 MILES FROM THE CENTER OF THE HURRICANE. THIS GIVES
AN ESTIMATED SURFACE WIND OF 145 MPH...CATEGORY FOUR ON THE SAFFIR
SIMPSON HURRICANE SCALE. A SPECIAL ADVISORY WILL FOLLOW SHORTLY.

 

[daisylove]

This thing could get to a 5. Thats 155 mph. Better news for orlando is that it seems to be coming in at Ft. Meyers area not Tampa. At 2 they will have the update. For those of you not local CNN is spending most of there day on the hurricane. They are not so hyper as the weather channel on there prerdictions of doom so I find them better to watch.
Prayers andpixie dust to everyone.

 

[FlynnStone]

I am not sure if WDW Resorts have their own generators - most likely they do. But for those of us who have been through a Cat 3-4 Hurricane, you know that its not a matter of "if you lose power" but WHEN you lose power.

Most major utilities cut the power before the hurricane strikes (or as it is hitting) to prevent electrical problems. Downed power lines and blown transformers are nothing to sneeze at. Then once the hurricane passes, they bring back sections at a time, checking for damaged transformers and power lines.

Good luck to you folks in FL right now. My thoughts are with you.

 

[pumpkinfish]

Yes, I am a storm nut. I get it from my mother. I make sure I prepare at any chance, and keep myself as updated as possible. My DH just got off the phone with his grandparents that live in Ocala. He said they played golf this morning and were not too concerned. Please, somebody put my mind at rest, and let me know if this is going to impact the Ocala area. I appreciate the info.

 

[peaches]

DW and I stayed at the YC During Hurricane Floyd. An we received memos under our door at least twice a day concerning the hurricane. It was really different Disney experience. All of the huge flower pots and outside chair were removed. The parks closed early but we thought we would make the best of it and make priority seating for the Flying Fish for dinner and Spoodles for breakfast. Wrong, they would be closed in the next coming hours. Because they were extremely short of cast members! The ones we spoke to said many called in to board their homes up and prepare their families for the hurricane. On Sept 14th we received a letter stated: Due to the proximity of Hurricane Floyd, The possibility is imminent that this are will be under hurricane storm conditions. Please do the following
1. keep away from windows and stay on far side of room
2.keep you conecting room doors open during periods when privacy is not necc.
3.so that we may reach you in the event of an emergency do not double lock door
4.leave your guest room blinds and drapes shut and all patio furniture to be kept in room.
5.fill you bathtub with water for an emegency back up supply
6.effective emmediately it is necessary to modify our food service.
"LIMITED FOOD SERVICE IS PRESENTLY AVAILABLE"
7.Do Not Leave the room until personally notified!
DW was really scared, But thank God it passed with out any harm ! I must say it was one of the most relaxing WDW vacations I have ever had. Well physically not mentally.....And I kidded my wife, what better place to die for two diehard disney nuts. Our prayers and wishes go out to the people that will be experiecing this hurricane. and a hurricane is no match for Disney Magic!

 

[daisylove]

jcemom
I know what you are talking about. Andrew took us by surprise. I remember hearing about it and living through it within less than 2 days. Nobody understood what it could do. It was supposed to hit at the end dead on to my house nad at the last turned to homestead. No one was prepared. I have had friends live by hiding in a closet with a matress over them when there house was torn away around them and I had one friend die while trying to save his boat and because of the last minute change in direction actually ended up turning it into the storm instead of away. As for Charley it also looks like it could get stronger. it is at 145 now and a 5 is 155. With Andrew they did not even realize and upgrade it to a 5 until years later.

Please everyone take care stay inside. Latest advisor will be at 2pm. For those of you not local Cnn is giving good coverage and not as hysterical as the weather channel.

 

[dijid]

Originally posted by pumpkinfish
Please, somebody put my mind at rest, and let me know if this is going to impact the Ocala area. I appreciate the info.

They sent some of the people being evaculated to Ocala. It is not in the main path of the hurricane.

 

[pumpkinfish]

Thank you for that. My heart goes out to all of you taking shelter at this point.