Weather update for those flying in/cruising this weekend

[snelsonbrown]

Hi this is Shirley over in Cape Canaveral - Norm did speak with his son who is in Key West and they got about 40 mile wind with almost no damage - just a few trees down - in fact he was at work - the seas were up, but that is not unusual - I have heard throughout my life that there were 2 hurricanes that hit Florida back to back and read up on it - did a lot of damage - Key West has not had a direct hit since 1919 - Now things here are very "Quiet" - the roads are clear and we are at home - my son Mike is on his way over here from Sarasota - he was in an accident yesterday morn when he was hit backside from someone who was trying to get out of Florida in a hurry - my son wasn't hurt, but his car was totalled - he is on his way now heading this way and he says it is so quiet and still and hardly any cars on the road between the west coast and here - we are expecting high winds and pray everyone will be safe - it has been up graded to a number 4, but hope that once it comes on land that it will settle down to nothing - anyhow all keep in touch and let the board know how each is.
Blessings to all
much love
shirley and Norm

 

[Mary Anne]

Originally posted by tvguy
According the www.portcanaveral.org the port has ordered the only cruise ship in port today, the Soverign of the Seas out by 2 pm, 3 hours early, and then the port is closed. They will reevaluate tomorrow morning, so the Magic may not make it in tomorrow.

If the magic can'd doc in PortCanaveral where will it dock? Just wondering.

 

[luvalldisney]

I have been lurking on the board for several months now. I really didn't have anything much to say until now, but have enjoyed everyone's information and chatting. I live near Ft Lauderdale and survived the category 5 Andrew. Inside my house with shutters my sliding glass doors were bending. After Andrew we saw radar clips that were taken prior to the destruction of the national hurricane centers radar that showed red (the worst winds) over my area. Not much rain, just high winds and sounds and it was scarey. I too thought I had lived through hurricanes before Andrew, but during Andrew I new better. My maker and I had long conversations through that horrible night. Now Charley is trying to do to the west of Fl what Andrew did to the east. I hope that this storm looses power quickly so less people are in its strongest path. I wish everyone much pixie dust and my prayers. Unfortunately, I have family in this one's path. The only thing I have to say is if the powers that be say evacuate and you have that ability DO IT! Don't try to ride it out just to say you have been through a hurricane. Keep the prayers and pixie dust up for those FL residents now in Charleys path. As for weather here, we have had rain and some wind gusts but nothing serious and I am glad for us...but scared for others. Best of luck and I hope that tomorrow just brings a wee bit of rain and nothing more.

 

[nuts4sn00py]

Prayers & PD to all you Floridians who are living through this scary situation. One of my co-workers just drove down to Florida yesterday & is on her way to Orlando. I spoke to her about an hour ago & she said she was in Daytona & Charley was expected to hit their in about 2 hours! They were trying to buy whatever food & water they could find. As others have stated, hopefully this storm will lose some of its strength when it hits land. I for one will be keeping all my FL Dis friends in my thoughts & prayers! Best of luck & stay safe! Kathy

 

[dclwdwlover]

Thank you all. Gotta sign off now. Storm's here & lightning & thunder & heavy rains all coming at once. Will let you know how me & my family fare.

 

[myfairygodmother]

Prayers and Pixie Dust to all in Florida. Hurricanes demand serious attention and the best thing to do is get out of their way. Hurricane Hugo hit Charleston in 1989 and it definately gave me a new respect for mother nature.

As far as where the Magic would go if it can't dock in the am(and my guess at this time would be that it might not). It seems like once in the past the ship couldn't dock due to weather so they docked in Miami and bussed everyone back up to Canaveral. Due to the travel issues with this one, they may just stay out to sea and extra day and come in on Sunday.

 

[MarkRG]

Once the seas calm the port will probably reopen tomorrow and the Magic will probably still be able to dock. Just a good bit later than the usual 4am. They'll probably just take their time sailing back from CC.

 

[rae519]

Originally posted by snelsonbrown
Hi this is Shirley over in Cape Canaveral - Norm did speak with his son who is in Key West shirley and Norm

Thanks for the info, Shirley! We were hoping you made it back before the weather changed. Sorry to read about your son - glad he is alright!!

Hopefully this will peter out and be only a bad storm -

Batten down the hatches and stay safe,
Rae

 

[RJake1]

We just rode out Charley at Doubletree - Downtown Disney. We were very fortunate...the eye of the storm passed a few miles east of Disney. I saw part of a very large lighted signboard get blown out, and I actually felt our building moving, but otherwise so far so good.

We're driving to Cocoa for Aug 14 Western Cruise tomorrow. I think the storm will miss the Port so hopefully everything will work out.

WDW and all other theme parks were closed at 1 pm. That was really strange.

I'm starting to get over the worry caused by the storm (will we get to Orlando, will the ship sail, etc etc) and now I can start to relax and get excited about the cruise.

 

[rae519]

Thanks for that info. Have a safe trip and great cruise!

Rae

 

[CM_Mom]

This message is posted on the DCL website.

Disney Cruise Line® - Important Information
Tropical Storm Update

Guests sailing August 14th and 15th that have questions regarding their voyage and the affects of Hurricane Charley should be aware that the safety of our guests and crew is always our first priority at Disney Cruise Line, and we continually monitor a storm’s progress through the National Weather Service. Based upon the current projections of the storm’s path, we do not anticipate a need to alter our operations for our weekend departures from Port Canaveral, FL. Should weather conditions change, our Captains can alter the ships’ course or itinerary for the safety and well being of our guests.

NWS Tropical Prediction Center at 9:00 EDT posted:

AT 9 PM EDT...0100Z...THE CENTER OF HURRICANE CHARLEY WAS LOCATED
NEAR LATITUDE 28.4 NORTH...LONGITUDE 81.4 WEST OR ABOUT 15 MILES
SOUTH-SOUTHWEST OF ORLANDO FLORIDA.

CHARLEY IS MOVING TOWARD THE NORTH-NORTHEAST NEAR 25 MPH AND A
GRADUAL INCREASE IN FORWARD SPEED IS EXPECTED TONIGHT AND SATURDAY.
THE CENTER OF THE HURRICANE WILL PASS NEAR ORLANDO IN THE NEXT
HOUR...AND IT SHOULD MOVE ACROSS THE NORTHEASTERN PORTION OF THE
FLORIDA PENINSULA INTO THE ATLANTIC LATER TONIGHT.


The link is http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/index.shtml? for those that are interested. They also have info on the next storms that are developing.

 

[CM_Mom]

Server busy and hit the button too many times.

The link is http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/index.shtml? for those that are interested. They also have info on the next storms that are developing.

 

[CM_Mom]

Same story third verse

The link is http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/index.shtml? for those that are interested. They also have info on the next storms that are developing.

 

[dclwdwlover]

My family & I made out well. The thunder, lightning & strong rain only lasted 10-15 minutes. Then, around 4 hrs. later, it became very, very windy & some rain for about an hour, but that was it for us, thank God. We never lost electricity - at least at this point - & there is nothing happening outside at all right now.

I'm watching the news right now & also see what RJake1 had to say about downtown Orlando, & it looks like other areas didn't fare as well. They had 105 mph winds as it went through. There are a lot of downed trees, signs, etc.

Apparently, people are out sight-seeing right now & they are arresting people because there is a curfew. They state that there are 40 automobile crashes in a 6-county area. I was amazed to see, on the local news, a bar with a band playing & people driving, while everyone was supposed to be off the road.

I haven't heard anything on Port Canaveral yet. Anyone know anything? Shirley? I was just glad to see that the storm kept decreasing in speed & strength over land. I hope that the Magic makes it in early & safely & everyone due to cruise can get out on time. I also hope that all flights resume their schedules & all those flying in can get in & down to the port on time.

 

[RJake1]

The sun is now up and I can't believe the damage I'm seeing....right outside our hotel room window! Several large trees are down. One is cracked. The entire housing of a very large floodlight was blown off its pole and is lying near the hotel building.

A billboard sign is missing large sections.

There is a tree...yes, a tree... lying in the bottom of the hotel swimming pool.

I felt our hotel swaying last night but tried to keep away from the window. Thank heaven! It is pure luck that none of those projectiles hit our window on the 6th floor. I hope the other guests fared as well.

 

[RJake1]

Doubletree Update ....8:30 am......

Lots of downed trees. Entire exterior surface of hotel wall is gone. Blew completely away. Fiber insulation scattered all over the lot. You can actually view the girders and back of drywall.

The metal fence and gate surrounding tennis courts is twisted, bent, and pulled away from asphalt. Very scary stuff.

Some cars damaged in parking lot.

Looks like a twister might've blown through here.

 

[rae519]

Thanks for the info and Thank God you and yours made it through the storm. I am sure this will be a vacation long remembered.

Rae