Official Hurricane Frances Thread - Part II

[HumanCookie]

000
WTNT31 KNHC 031140
TCPAT1
BULLETIN
HURRICANE FRANCES INTERMEDIATE ADVISORY NUMBER 38A
NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL
8 AM EDT FRI SEP 03 2004

...SUSTAINED WINDS OF 100 MPH IN ELEUTHERA...

A HURRICANE WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA
FROM FLORIDA CITY NORTHWARD TO FLAGLER BEACH...INCLUDING LAKE
OKEECHOBEE. A HURRICANE WARNING ALSO REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE
CENTRAL AND NORTHWESTERN BAHAMAS.

A TROPICAL STORM WARNING AND A HURRICANE WATCH ARE IN EFFECT FOR THE
MIDDLE AND UPPER FLORIDA KEYS FROM SOUTH OF FLORIDA CITY SOUTHWARD
TO THE SEVEN MILE BRIDGE...INCLUDING FLORIDA BAY.

A HURRICANE WARNING MEANS THAT HURRICANE CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED
WITHIN THE WARNING AREA WITHIN THE NEXT 24 HOURS. PREPARATIONS TO
PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY SHOULD BE RUSHED TO COMPLETION.

AT 8 AM EDT...1200Z...THE CENTER OF HURRICANE FRANCES WAS LOCATED
NEAR LATITUDE 25.3 NORTH...LONGITUDE 76.4 WEST. THIS POSITION IS
OVER ELEUTHERA IN THE BAHAMAS AND ALSO ABOUT 260 MILES...400
KM...EAST-SOUTHEAST OF THE FLORIDA LOWER EAST COAST.

FRANCES IS MOVING TOWARD THE WEST-NORTHWEST NEAR 9 MPH...15 KM/HR. A
WEST-NORTHWEST TO NORTHWESTWARD MOTION WITH SOME DECREASE IN
FORWARD SPEED IS EXPECTED DURING THE NEXT 24 HOURS. ON THIS TRACK
...THE CORE OF HURRICANE FRANCES WILL CONTINUE TO MOVE NEAR OR OVER
THE NORTHWESTERN BAHAMAS TODAY.

FRANCES REMAINS A STRONG CATEGORY THREE HURRICANE ON THE
SAFFIR-SIMPSON HURRICANE SCALE WITH MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS OF NEAR
120 MPH...195 KM/HR...WITH HIGHER GUSTS. SOME FLUCTUATIONS
IN INTENSITY ARE POSSIBLE DURING THE NEXT 24 HOURS.

HURRICANE FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 85 MILES...140 KM...
FROM THE CENTER...AND TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP
TO 185 MILES...295 KM. ELEUTHERA RECENTLY REPORTED SUSTAINED WINDS
OF NEAR 100 MPH...161 KM/HR AND NASSAU JUST REPORTED A 75 MPH...120
KM/HR WIND GUST.

LATEST MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE REPORTED BY A RECONNAISSANCE PLANE
WAS 957 MB...28.26 INCHES.

STORM SURGE FLOODING OF 6 TO 14 FEET ABOVE NORMAL TIDE LEVELS...
ALONG WITH LARGE AND DANGEROUS BATTERING WAVES...CAN BE EXPECTED
NEAR THE EYE OF FRANCES ON THE WEST SIDE OF ELEUTHERA ISLAND...AND
ON THE NORTH SIDE OF GRAND BAHAMA ISLAND. STORM SURGE FLOODING OF
4 TO 6 FEET ABOVE NORMAL TIDE LEVELS CAN BE EXPECTED ON THE WEST
SIDE OF THE OTHER ISLANDS OF THE BAHAMAS. COASTAL STORM SURGE
FLOODING OF 6 TO 11 FEET ABOVE NORMAL TIDE LEVELS...ALONG WITH
LARGE AND DANGEROUS BATTERING WAVES...CAN BE EXPECTED NEAR AND TO
THE NORTH OF WHERE THE CENTER MAKES LANDFALL IN FLORIDA.

RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 7 TO 12 INCHES...LOCALLY AS HIGH AS 20 INCHES...
ARE POSSIBLE IN ASSOCIATION WITH FRANCES.

SWELLS GENERATED BY FRANCES WILL BE AFFECTING PORTIONS OF THE
SOUTHEASTERN COAST OF THE UNITED STATES. THESE SWELLS COULD CAUSE
DANGEROUS SURF AND RIP CURRENTS.

REPEATING THE 8 AM EDT POSITION...25.3 N... 76.4 W. MOVEMENT
TOWARD...WEST-NORTHWEST NEAR 9 MPH. MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...120
MPH. MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...957 MB.

FOR STORM INFORMATION SPECIFIC TO YOUR AREA...PLEASE MONITOR
PRODUCTS ISSUED BY YOUR LOCAL WEATHER OFFICE.

THE NEXT ADVISORY WILL BE ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER AT
11 AM EDT.

FORECASTER AVILA

 

[CM_Mom]

Here's a great map of the Bahamas that has stuff identified.

The little dot below Moore's Island is Gorda Cay otherwise known as Castaway Cay

http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/americas/bahamas.gif

The map also has logitude and latitude so you can see exactly where the hurricane is.

Weaken Frances Weaken

 

[selvey]

We still haven't received a call yet about the 9/4 cruise and I'm just sitting on hold with them now. Does anyone know the new schedule - wondering where we will stop? Thanks

 

[ganurse]

apparently we will not know until we sail. i guess it will be a mystery cruise. i am glad we wont be the only ones on there!

 

[TROD]

Looking at the radar this morning - looks like Frances went right over Castaway Cay. Has anyone heard how they are? We are scheduled to go Oct 31.

 

[femmfaerie]

Spoke with a friend who works on the Magic last night. They are staying out at sea 2 more days, docking on Monday. How do you think this will effect the following cruise?

 

[232271]

Disney Cruises are significantly affected by Hurricane Frances:

The current 7-night sailing of the Disney Magic has changed its ports to avoid the storm. Because of the closure of Port Canaveral, it will stay at sea until Monday, making it a 9-night cruise!

The 7-night September 4 sailing of the Disney Magic will be postponed to Monday, September 6 and will now be a 5-night cruise. Passengers on this sailing will receive a 40% rebate of the cruise fare, a $200 stateroom credit and 25% off a future cruise (through October 2005). Expect "surprise" ports, probably in the Western Caribbean.


The 3-night sailing of the Disney Wonder on Thursday, September 2 plans to depart as scheduled and will be routed around the hurricane, visiting the port of Cozumel. Because of the closure of Port Canaveral, it will stay at sea until Monday and this is now a 4-night cruise!


The 4-night September 5 sailing of the Disney Wonder will be postponed to Monday, September 6 and will now be a 3-night cruise. Passengers on this sailing will receive a 30% rebate of the cruise fare, a $100 stateroom credit and 25% off a future cruise (through October 2005). This cruise will not visit any ports.


Disney is waiving the rebooking fee for anyone who was scheduled to sail between now and September 5 and would prefer to reschedule their cruise. If you choose a more expensive sailing date, you will have to pay the difference in price, but you won't pay the extra rebooking fee.


The Canaveral Port Authority administrative offices will be closed on Thursday and Friday, and are not scheduled to reopen until Tuesday, depending on the storm path. All vessels must be moved out of the harbor by 10:00 am on Friday, at which point the port will close.


Brevard County (where Port Canaveral is located) is under a mandatory evacuation order for the Barrier Islands and manufactured homes.

 

[selvey]

ganurse,
I'm wondering how many people have cancelled? Maybe they can upgrade all of us into the top cabins if they don't show up
Wouldn't that be nice!!!

Still haven't received a call. I tried calling but don't have time right now to be on hold for so long.

Keep me posted if you hear anything.
Karen

 

[magazineprincess]

I called DCL last night because I had not yet received a phone call from them. I stayed on hold a little over an hour, but I did get the info I needed! Finally!

We were offered the 30% refund, $100 per room credit and the 25% off coupon for our next cruise. The CM did tell us that we had to book our next cruise by October 1st to redeem the coupon. I also thought she said we have to sail by October 1st, but I'm not sure...

We were told that we'd be sailing out of PC on Monday, and that the ship would sail at 6pm. I asked about the traffic into FL since we are driving down from Virginia, and the CM suggested that we drive as far south as possible, and get to the port as early as possible on Monday.

She also told us that if we could not make it to port because of the traffic, to make sure to call. She made it very clear that we shouldn't be "no shows". I assume if we cannot get into FL, DCL will refund our money or rebook us.

I also asked about an upgrade because of cancellations, and the CM told me that they were not offering upgrades at this time. They were having enough trouble keeping their manifests straight, and didn't want to make any changes. She did tell me that "anything could happen" once we got there, so who knows?!?

We hope that it won't be necessary to rebook because of traffic, we really want to cruise!

We're praying for you guys in Florida. Try to stay safe!

 

[lovepuzzles]

It looks to me like the storm is due to hit the port late afternoon to evening on Sunday. Do you think they will still dock at Port Canaveral on Monday if this is the case? I just don't see how they could. Plus, I can't get any flights into Orlando until around 6pm on Monday evening because they have cancelled all of them. Is anyone else having flight problems and what are you planning to do? Does anyone else think that Disney may change their already changed itinerary? I'm so confused about what to do!!

 

[selvey]

I hate to say it but if you can't get a flight and are too far to drive, I think you better cancel. We are driving from SC and I am worried about the winds on Sunday. Traffic is a whole other problem too. I bet it will be awful. We have 2 hotel reservations for Sun. night - just hoping we can get to one of them.

Can anyone tell me how to put the "Cruise Countdown" thing at the bottom of my threads. I'm not a computer expert so I haven't been able to figure it out. Thanks,
Karen

 

[HumanCookie]

Interesting view. Wonder what Cruise Ship is docked?

http://webcam.keywest.com/mallorycam.htm

 

[gatour]

Definetly a Celebrity Ship

 

[ksjayhawks]

selvey

Try this link. Follow the instructions that are given.

http://psiklops.brinkster.net/CDTimers/CDTimerGen.htm

Hope it works!

 

[gatour]

It is Celebrity's Century

 

[magazineprincess]

We have hotel reservations at PC Sunday night, but I am very doubtful that we can make it there. I also worry that there won't be electricity in that area. Speaking of electricity, what about the Disney terminal? I assume they have their own generators or something. Does anyone know?

lovepuzzles, are you from Arkansas? My Virginia license plate is personalized. It says SOO-IEEE! We just moved here in March. DH builds stadiums (he's an engineer), and we met when his company renovated the Razorback football stadium. Now he's working on Lane Stadium here in Blacksburg. Virginia is awesome, especially the weather, but I miss home!

Are you sailing on the Wonder or the Magic?

 

[selvey]

ksjayhawks,
Thanks for the info. on the countdown. I will try it.
karen

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Just read the Magic is off to Galveston, Texas for 9/4:

Good luck from UK for anyone in Frances track

 

[selvey]

I just want to see if my countdown works.

 

[GrayFal]

Disney Cruise Line® –
Important Information
Friday, September 03, 2004 2:01:11 PM

Due to the impact of Hurricane Frances, we have made the following modifications to our itineraries for upcoming sailings:

Disney Magic
The August 28, 7-night Western Caribbean sailing will be extended by two nights, arriving in Port Canaveral on Monday, September 6 at 11 am.

The 7-night Eastern Caribbean sailing, scheduled for September 4, will be shortened two nights, departing on Monday, September 6 at 6 pm from Port Canaveral and arriving back as scheduled on Saturday, September 11. To avoid the effects of Hurricane Frances, we will be sailing a modified Western Caribbean itinerary.

Disney Wonder
The September 2, 3-night Bahamas sailing will be extended one night, returning to Port Canaveral on Monday, September 6 at 6 am. Since it is unlikely that our scheduled calls to Castaway Cay and Nassau will be possible, they will be replaced with a Saturday, September 4 call to Cozumel, Mexico.

The 4-night Bahamas sailing scheduled for September 5 will be delayed and shortened one night, departing on Monday, September 6 at 6 pm from Port Canaveral, arriving back as scheduled on Thursday, September 9. Since it is unlikely that our scheduled calls to Castaway Cay and Nassau will be possible, guests will enjoy two days at sea, a safe distance from the effects of Hurricane Frances.

Guests sailing on these modified itineraries have been contacted or are in the process of being contacted by our reservations staff. Fares for the shortened cruises will be discounted, and guests will be offered special incentives for sailing.

We appreciate all of our guests’ patience as we respond to the unavoidable circumstances created by Hurricane Frances.


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