Hurricane Irma?

[zuzu310]

An UPDATE: After 2 hours I made it through to guest services and got the nicest CM ever! I rebooked our trip to 12/10-12/17 and she honored my free dining because it was also a period of dates released in April for free dining. I had to pay the difference in the room rate and tickets because we bought the tickets last year on a bounceback but I am GRATEFUL and don't care about the extra cash at this point. There was no change fee. So there is hope!!

 

[wonder whisper]

I have visited WDW 7 times in 10 years, every time driving from Canada. We are scheduled to make that road trip again, beginning Friday morning.

My travel plans have me leaving Friday morning, stopping in Georgia for the night and checking-in to Pop for one night, Saturday afternoon. We are then checking-in to Sheraton Vistana Resort on Sunday. Seriously considering canceling or rebooking, if possible.

Hope DVC people still planning to check in this week don't have local grocery orders. Florida stores are being stripped bare as we speak:

 

[DLM1980]

Hope DVC people still planning to check in this week don't have local grocery orders. Florida stores are being stripped bare as we speak:

Right after hurricanes are the best time for floor resets. No need to clear shelves first as the guests did it all for ya!

 

[Slaterdom]

I'd like to know if the supermarkets and stores based in the center and northern parts of florida are being stripped of food, or is it the southern shops mainly?
We are a party of 11, coming on Friday. Will we need to go to a few different stores to get enough supplies for 4-5 days..... cheers

 

[trevelbond]

Well folks, I have officially canceled. It took two hours to get through to the right people at Disney guest services. In chatting with them they mentioned that they have indeed been inundated with calls for changes and cancelations. They actually stayed at work more than two hours later than normal to deal with the volume of calls. BTW - They didn't volunteer that info, I asked.

I feel bad for everyone involved. I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel a little sorry for myself. It's a strain on all parties. Remember that the folks answering the phones are having a rough go as well, as nobody is happy to change or cancel their vacation.

 

[DLM1980]

I'd like to know if the supermarkets and stores based in the center and northern parts of florida are being stripped of food, or is it the southern shops mainly?
We are a party of 11, coming on Friday. Will we need to go to a few different stores to get enough supplies for 4-5 days..... cheers

I'm in Tallahassee. Went to sams on Tuesday got two cases of water from the water aisle. Went back Wednesday morning. Entire aisle of water was empty. There was 5 cases left on a pallet. I picked up one and the rest were gone shortly after

Went to two Walmarts and grabbed a few snacks. Water - gone. Canned fruit - mostly gone. Tuna packets just the exploded bad ones left on the shelf. Peanut butter. Ok. Jelly. Grape was in short supply. Bread. Tons left

Batteries. No D's to be found all other sizes available

I started thinking if power is out for awhile I'd like hot food eventually and so I was pleasantly surprised in the supply of tiny charcoal grills so I picked one of those up and charcoal however starting fluid was hard to find. Luckily a case was against the wall on the rack but I couldn't reach it so I grabbed a rake from the lawn area and pulled it forward and got my bottle

I have read earlier in this thread that publix has more shipments in their warehouse on the ways to stores today and tomorrow of water

 

[Southernmiss]

I'd like to know if the supermarkets and stores based in the center and northern parts of florida are being stripped of food, or is it the southern shops mainly?
We are a party of 11, coming on Friday. Will we need to go to a few different stores to get enough supplies for 4-5 days..... cheers

News reports from across the entire state indicate people are taking the storm seriously and are emptying store shelves of necessities.

From Pensacola to Jacksonville to Gainesville to Orlando and South to Miami and the Keys.

Google Orlando Sentinal- the local newspaper and news in any region of Florida and look for the State of Florida website. And the Florida State board of tourism.

The preparations under way in all 67 counties of Florida for a major storm impact whether coastal or miles inland are no joke.

 

[Jerseylocks]

are they during the hurricane timeline?

Yes for the 12th

 

[xWilliam]

Lurker here.

Both the ECMWF and GFS models for 00z Sep 6th are showing a near identical paths for now. Both show hurricane Irma running along/into the eastern Florida coast and then heading straight for Georgia/South Carolina.

I understand things are still within the margin of error and not 100%, but since I've following this for the past couple days, this is the first time the two most trusted models are near identical. We should be getting a clearer idea

 

[Lesverts]

Can you please tell me if I am nuts or does this make sense to anyone...

The cost of changing my trip to later in the month will cost me:

517 dollars in additional hotel costs
17 hours of lost wages compared to my current plans, equaling out about 400 dollars

The cost of adding an additional day to make up for any potential loss (assuming Matthew like interactions which is reasonable since there is thinking that the storm will weaken to a 3 before landfall and the GFS tracking has it going more eastward) is only about 200 dollars.

So there is a 700 dollar swing, all to not risk being in the path of a hurricane. Or risk being in the path of a hurricane.

I will also add that I have had a pretty terrible year and this has been a bright shiny yonder star to get me through the days.

 

[Lesverts]

Lurker here.

Both the ECMWF and GFS models for 00z Sep 6th are showing a near identical paths for now. Both show hurricane Irma running along the eastern Florida coast and then heading straight for Georgia/South Carolina.

I understand things are still within the margin of error and not 100%, but since I've following this for the past couple days, this is the first time the two most trusted models are near identical. We should be getting a clearer idea

Can you post a link please? I would like a look.

 

[xWilliam]

Can you post a link please? I would like a look.

https://www.tropicaltidbits.com/ana...=seus&pkg=z500_mslp&runtime=2017090600&fh=240

That's the link to the latest ECMWF model, from there click global button and select GFS to see the latest GFS model, and make sure you are on forecast hour 00 and hit play

 

[Lesverts]

https://www.tropicaltidbits.com/ana...=seus&pkg=z500_mslp&runtime=2017090600&fh=240

That's the link to the latest ECMWF model, from there click global button and select GFS to see the latest GFS model, and make sure you are on forecast hour 00 and hit play

So if I am reading it right, it won't impact Central Florida until Monday before making landfall in Georgia/S. Carolina on Tuesday?

 

[goopysolelady]

Hi all and wishing you all well. Having just been through the horrific experience of Hurricane Harvey I "feel your pain". We're fortunate to live further inland and experienced some tropical storm winds and "only" 23 inches of rain. I'm sure you've all seen the horrific footage from the coastal area damage and the Houston area flooding. DON'T MESS WITH A HURRICANE. This storm is currently bigger than Harvey; our area was the "perfect storm" for the rain event and hopefully Irma will not bring 50+ inches to the state but Florida is "in" for a very stressful few days. Grocery store shelves will not be fully stocked again for weeks and with a storm this size they'll be terrible damage to buildings/highways/trees/traffic lights, etc. Our church undertook a huge volunteer effort to prepare hot meals for victims. We delivered to any area effected we could get too. Our grocery shelves were bare; we'd wait for a delivery and take items directly off the truck. We continued for 5 days until shelters became organized. Now we're helping supply meals to first responders and the National Guard troops. The citizens of Florida will have a difficult time; don't add "vacationers" to it, especially if you've never experienced a hurricane. It's VERY scary. Houston airports were closed for days; Orlando's could also have major damage. It's hard to cancel a Disney vacation...you've planned and looked forward to it for months. Disney would take very good care of you but resources will be strained. Hugs and prayers to all and we'll keep you in our prayers. Hoping the storm turns north but not looking like that now. Good luck with your decisions.

Houston flooding:

Some of the flooding DH and DD drove through delivering meals:

 

[xWilliam]

So if I am reading it right, it won't impact Central Florida until Monday before making landfall in Georgia/S. Carolina on Tuesday?

With the current models, Central Florida should still get some rain and decent wind speed, but won't take the brunt of the force.

But I'm personally waiting until Friday before making any decisions, as models can still change by then. It's just significant that all models shifted east for their 00z readings today and the two most reliable models are near identical.

Personally if the current model holds, I'd still go, but if it looks like Orlando is going to get hit hard when Friday's models roll out I'd avoid at all costs

 

[Lesverts]

With the current models, Central Florida should still get some rain and decent wind speed, but won't take the brunt of the force.

But I'm personally waiting until Friday before making any decisions, as models can still change by then. It's just significant that all models shifted east for their 00z readings today and the two most reliable models are near identical.

Personally if the current model holds, I'd still go, but if it looks like Orlando is going to get hit hard when Friday's models roll out I'd avoid at all costs

I have to make the call today because I leave tomorrow. I am just frustrated now because I am trying to change my plans to make sure I at least get my priorities if a day or two gets washed-out.

 

[jjdynomite]

I have to make the call today because I leave tomorrow. I am just frustrated now because I am trying to change my plans to make sure I at least get my priorities if a day or two gets washed-out.

We did same thing. We changed a bunch around in case we need to cut trip short.

 

[SpookyJ]

Good morning everyone, 5 pages in. We have decided we are going and extending through to Thursday or Friday instead of leaving Tuesday. If I die, at least I die at WDW. Kidding not kidding . I have no kids, no shiny career to lose, and no hope for the future, so might as well live it up while I can. Hopefully I'll post back here not dead by this time next week. Before you call me dramatic, I was dramatic two days ago. I am calm, cool, and collected now. We're going for it.

 

[lawboysam]

Good morning everyone, 5 pages in. We have decided we are going and extending through to Thursday or Friday instead of leaving Tuesday. If I die, at least I die at WDW. Kidding not kidding . I have no kids, no shiny career to lose, and no hope for the future, so might as well live it up while I can. Hopefully I'll post back here not dead by this time next week. Before you call me dramatic, I was dramatic two days ago. I am calm, cool, and collected now. We're going for it.

This is about where I'm at. We leave Saturday, just going to go and hope for the best and try to make lemonade out of lemons.

 

[SpookyJ]

This is about where I'm at. We leave Saturday, just going to go and hope for the best and try to make lemonade out of lemons.

I'm not so great at making lemonade so I may take a visit and borrow some of yours.. One thing is for sure, I am packing tupperware and smuggling as much Peco's bills rice and beans out of the park as I can. No $5 ham sandwiches for this guy.