Vero Beach-We made it through Jeanne. MS just called.

[floridafam]

Hi everyone.

Well, we decided to tough it out here during Jeanne. It was a long night. I've never heard sounds like that in all my life.

Our apartment made it through with little damage-just some water near the front door.

We took a drive the next day. There was no power anywhere and we decided to take off for Orlando.

Damage is much worse than Frances, IMO.

As far as I know, the barrier islands are still closed and you can only get on to them if you are a resident or own a business over there.

We saw many concrete power poles snapped in two.

I'm sure the resort suffered greater damage this time.

MS just called to cancel our Halloween reservation. I'm still hoping they open up sooner than planned like after Frances. I feel awful for the CM's there that aren't working right now and I hope they can all make it through this.

We returned on Thursday from Pop Century. Our power came back on last night.

Ice and water trucks are brought in under armed escort and we have seen many national guard troops. It does get emotional sometimes but we consider ourselves LUCKY-we had gas jn our vehicles and had the luxury of evacuating to Orlando. I'm sure many others are not as lucky.

Once again, my DH's employer paid him for days missed, gave all their employess generators and is providing a hot meal every evening. We are amazed. We just couldn't ask for more.

As soon as they allow, we'll drive by the resort to see what it looks like.

 

[CarolMN]

So glad you are safe - we were all wondering (and saying a prayer or two, as well). Nice to hear that your apartment had only minor damage.

Thanks for the report. Hope all can recover as quickly as possible.

Best wishes -

 

[sheryl0521]

Thanks for the update, I think I learn more about actual conditions from this board than from the news!

Also good to hear you are doing well, been keeping an eye out for your posts.

Take care,
Sheryl

 

[nickglover]

Thanks for the update and I am glad you survived another storm. We lost power in Tampa, but not as long as with Francis. We had some trees down, but no injuries or house damage, so we feel very lucky.

Looking forward to your assessment of the resort. We have reservations for 11/6.

 

[mbb]

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Hi, floridafam. I'm glad to see that all is going as well as can be expected.

Please keep us informed as you learn any updated info, especially about the Ocean Grill.

Thanx for the update...

MG

 

[spiceycat]

lots of folks were worry about you....

glad to here you are fine.

your husband boss is a very rare one.

I though last time DVB stayed close longer because of the condition of VB. I guess this was wrong.

I happen to love Pop Century - did you enjoy it?

 

[pumpkinboy]

Glad you are all OK! Our thoughts and prayers are still with you and your neighbors. May the damage be less than everyone initially thought and recovery faster than expected.


So maybe you're missing Midwestern weather just a little now? Maybe not in January tho.

 

[ErinC]

Glad to see that you all made it through okay. Sorry to hear that things are as bad as they are. We still have not made it down to our beach areas here to see the damage from Ivan. I think unless you are a resident in Gulf shores and Orange Beach, they are still limiting access. I hope this will be the last storm for all of us for awhile.

 

[jekjones1558]

Welcome back to the DIS! We've been worried about you (check out this link).
It sounds like you have your usual positive attitude. It is sad to hear of all the suffering of so many in Florida. Glad to hear that your life is going as well as can be expected.

 

[JudithM]

Glad to read you & your family made it through Jeanne safely.

 

[madcoco]

Great to see you are all OK! Drop a PM if you need any help. Mike

 

[tinkgrl]

Hi,

I'm glad you are okay!!!! I'm sorry your trip was canceled!

Allison

 

[cindylovesokw]

Thanks for checking in and glad your OK!!

 

[anabelle]

Glad you are ok. God Bless

 

[PamOKW]

Glad to hear you made it through safe and that your husband's company is trying to help out. You sure have gotten a real "welcome to Florida"! You deserve a great winter after all of this!

 

[WithDisneySpirit]

We, the Dis, are so happy to hear you and yours are okay. We've been waiting...glad you got to spend some time at wdw during all the power outages

Hope your new hometown recovers quickly

Lisa

 

[lenshanem]

So glad to hear you're all OK. We were worried about you!


You mentioned gas...
We're driving down to Orlando today on I75. Is this something you think we need to be concerned about?

 

[floridafam]

Thanks for all of the well wishes.

We are going to take a drive today and see if the barrier islands are open yet.

Spiceycat,

We really liked Pop Century. Everything is new, the food court is amazing and my children loved the arcade. Not bad for a stay on short notice.

Yes, my DH's employer has been wonderful. They are still serving meals every night, they also gave him a generator and gasoline and they brought a washer and dryer in to the office so people can do their laundry if they don't have power. I'm really still in shock about everything they have done.


Gas is plentiful in the area. The thing that scares me a little is all of the people filling their gas cans while the cans are still in the back of the vehicles. In Michigan, they have signs at the gas stations about how dangerous this is but everyone does it down here.


I'll check on the Ocean Grill today if we can get over there.

We are still hoping the resort opens sooner than planned so we can spend Halloween there and spend some money. I'm sure the CM's want to get back to work as soon as they can.

 

[pumpkinboy]

Thx so much for the ongoing updates!

Nice to see your DH's company excercising progressive HR management, which doubtless will pay off in increased employee retention, the next time that the labor market tightens up.

I'll keep my fingers crossed for the CMs at the resort, and hope they can get back to work, and some semblance of normalcy, at some point soon.