Hurricane Irma- Now a tropical depression

[wonder whisper]

If it were me I wouldn't cancel quite yet. You still have almost a week, this is a pretty fast hurricane (it's suppose to be in GA by Monday), and it could be a very very bad storm for Orlando, but it could also shift/fall apart quickly over land. Hurricanes are so incredibly hard to nail down- some unexpectedly strengthen and wobble, some stay right on track, some hit land and just fizzle.

If you can cancel the hotel up until the 13th and have insurance on the flight you really have nothing to lose by waiting through the weekend. Worst cause you still cancel.

Recent pictures from Orlando:

 

[wonder whisper]

Sit in a bathroom or other enclosed place and wait. This one has me more nervous though.

You aren't alone in having that sentiment; this is a storm people should be wary of. Which is why the authorities in southern Florida are getting increasingly blunt with those who have not yet evacuated. A county Administrator down there just announced "leave now, while you have a chance, because when you dial 911, you will not get an answer."

 

[gotomu212]

Recent pictures from Orlando:

I'm not sure why you quoted me- the PP asked if she should cancel her trip scheduled for a week from now. She's not buying lumber, water, or even attempting to ride out the storm...she's asking about coming after the storm is gone to stay at a hotel.

I am IN NO WAY saying that she will make it; I said given there is no financial risk I would wait and make a decision once there is more complete information. Right now we have predictions, on Monday will be know exactly 1) where the path was-yes all of FL is going to see TS but that's very different from hurricane, 2) how strong the storm was and 3) what damage there is.

If she was asking about putting herself at risk in the storm-easy No
If she was asking about the risk of losing money if she didn't make a decision now- fairly easy no
She's basically asking how soon will WDW and Orlando be up and running and we don't know-so without any risk why make that decision now?

 

[Shutterbug]

NHC track is now agreeing with the Ukmet track with a landfall on western side of the tip. Possibly near Naples. Though with all the wobbles, it could move more west or east. Then straight up the state. I really hope they can get the freeways cleared by then.

 

[kimblebee]

I hope no one gets offended by this..just trying to have a moment of levity.

 

[BrinkofSunshine]

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I hope no one gets offended by this..just trying to have a moment of levity.

No offense taken; I will say that I'll take a once in a while storm than freezing in snow every year! The last time I was in a hurricane was 13 years ago, and it didn't affect us other than some power outage.

Anyway, I'm worried for south FL but it looks like Irma is going to quickly lose power once it's over land.

 

[cabanafrau]

DD is s freshman at Flagler College in St Augustine. She flew home to NJ this morning to wait out storm. Looks like we made the right decision because there is now a mandatory evacuation in downtown st Augustine and for her college

Her dorm is on the lobby level which flooded during Matthew. She out everything up as high as she could and we are hoping for the best!

A friend's daughter was planning to stay, refused to listen about leaving. Now they have to leave and it's challenging. After a lot of stress and worry she booked a flight this morning and should be taking off tonight. Now we just have to cross our fingers she makes it to the airport. Her friends are staying in Florida, arrangements uncertain, despite being invited to join her and fly out. I've forgotten what floor she was on during Matthew, but she was shocked to arrive back afterwards to find the storm had blown her window open. She was fortunate in that not much water appeared to have gotten in.

 

[NFLDERS]

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I hope no one gets offended by this..just trying to have a moment of levity.

I don't think disers will. I've been posting with some humour sprinkled in 'cause if I don't I'll cry more often than I am. We have relatives in Jacksonville, friends through out the Keys, St. Maarten, and Florida too.

Everyone in Irma's path is being thought of, and prayed for.

 

[Feralpeg]

The hotel padlocked the doors? What if there had been a fire? I can't believe that is legal.

They only did this to the large main doors. There were plenty of exits from the building, but you couldn't enter or exit through the main doors of the Lodge. We could not go out to go to the food court area. They took turns serving meals at Boma and Jinko.

 

[Domo]

I feel so bad for those in the path of this monster. I complain about the rain over here, yet we never have any extreme weather. We can go for years without a drop of snow. I guess I should count my lucky stars!

 

[Domo]

They only did this to the large main doors. There were plenty of exits from the building, but you couldn't enter or exit through the main doors of the Lodge. We could not go out to go to the food court area. They took turns serving meals at Boma and Jinko.

Seems like a good idea to play safe in the face of this monster. I'd definitely high-tail is over to a resort for the peace of mind, assuming that I could afford it!

 

[CarolAnn856]

Here is the dynamic that is really sad to be seeing on the DIS: this storm is planning on churning up the center of Florida. Lots of rain, Lots of wind and over multiple days. Peoples lives are going to be impacted for quite some time and it will be far from "business as usual" in Orlando after the storm.

But amidst that, what are many DIS members soley focused on? How many minutes after the winds go below 75 mph can they check in at Grand Floridian and get their MNSSHP tickets?

Which leads any sane person to ask what on earth is the matter with people who want to be in the middle of a natural disaster by choice?

There are events all over the world every day where "people's lives are going to be impacted for quite some time." It is possible to acknowledge those events while still continuing on with your own daily life. There is nothing wrong with discussing vacation plans that may be impacted by a hurricane.

As others have already pointed out, as Irma travels north, its strength will decrease. The path can still vary, which can have a significant effect on how greatly any given area is impacted. WDW has seen hurricanes before; there is a decent chance that they will be open next week. Suggesting that the poster wait until after the weekend to decide whether to cancel or not is sound advice.

 

[nd5056]

...
As others have already pointed out, as Irma travels north, its strength will decrease. The path can still vary, which can have a significant effect on how greatly any given area is impacted
...

Unfortunately, IMO Irma is so big, I don't think much can alter it's path dramaticly...

 

[wonder whisper]

Suggesting that the poster wait until after the weekend to decide whether to cancel or not is sound advice.

It most certainly is if Central Florida suffers flooding and major wind damage. Can you guarantee the poster that won't happen?

 

[wonder whisper]

Present situation in Palm Beach......

 

[CarolAnn856]

They're now saying it will again be a cat 5 when it hits Florida.

Can you guarantee the poster that won't happen?

Don't need to. Nobody is suggesting the poster drive down to Orlando tomorrow. As long as waiting until Monday won't mean losing money, there is absolutely no harm in waiting until then to assess the situation and decide whether to cancel or not.

Not sure why you are so worked up over advising the poster wait until after Irma passes to make the decision.

 

[gotomu212]

It most certainly is if Central Florida suffers flooding and major wind damage. Can you guarantee the poster that won't happen?

You are taking the initial post completely out of context. We were suggesting to the poster that she did not need to make a decision today about a trip scheduled for next week. She doesn't need a guarantee it won't happen. If it does happen and the area is a disaster zone she'll just cancel on Monday and, for her, there's no adverse risk to canceling 2 days later.

I also fail to see how someone thinking about their vacation plans, on a vacation board, can't also mean that they have enormous sympathy for folks that may be affected by this storm.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

Present situation in Palm Beach......

Well the blowhard that said this was all a conspiracy buggered off on his private lifeboat. I sincerely hope nobody paid attention to him and everyone got out or will get out of hazardous storm surge areas.

I said lifeboat to fit the theme, not to mean literally that he left on a boat.

 

[Oreo Cookie]

Prayers to everyone in Florida. This just sucks. We chose to evacuate to the Orlando area because we were worried about running out of gas if we tried to go to Atlanta.

Based upon the latest updates, I don't know if I'll have a home to go back to in Naples. We're in the storm surge 1 area, my house is a little less than 2 miles from the gulf if you drew a straight line.

Praying everyone is safe. Things can be replaced, people people can't.

 

[CarolAnn856]

I heard an interview with someone who made a good point. Many people think that if they are on the third floor, they'll be okay, since the storm surge won't get that high, but they couldn't be more wrong. Here's an example from Sandy showing what an 11' storm surge can do: