WWYD???? (Wedding question)

[kirstenb1]

I'm sorry, do you have any experience with hurricanes? I would bet my bottom dollar that the area mainland hotels are pretty much booked with people evacuating.

Once this storm passes there is a good chance of a big mess to clean up. The beach isn't going to be back to usual by Sunday. The roads will likely still have debris. Power? Safe drinking water?

This is a huge Cat 4 hurricane. It is only 10mph away from being a Cat 5. Sure, it's off shore. But it is 500 miles wide and with a 50-60 mile westward turn the eye wall hits Hatteras.

It isn't the storm itself on Sunday, it is the aftermath.

ETA - I hope I'm wrong. I don't wish this on anyone and I feel horrible for this bride. But why would you drive into it? Especially not knowing if you could even get to your hotel. The OP is talking about a 1500 mile drive when she doesn't even know if the roads will be there anymore when they get there. There is no way I'd go.

OP what does the hotel you are booked at say?

Yes, I lived in Va Beach for 11 yrs. Hurricane Isabel left us without power for 3 days, here in Richmond. The entire time we lived in Va Beach, we never evac'd. Call it luck, but storms that directly hit the Outer Banks/Va Beach area are pretty rare. I understand posters who live in Florida or the Gulf Coast being antsy. They get hit all the time with warnings, and real damage.

Your location says Denver. You seem very antsy for someone who lives so far inland. Did you used to live in the Outer Banks?

 

[kirstenb1]

OP, forgot to add, the evac is for non-residents only. On the news last night, everyone they interviewed was going home, not riding it out in a hotel. Most all rentals are Sat-Sat, so I guess they decided to go home early. Residents probably will not jam up hotels either, so that should be okay. Again, not trying to push you into going, just trying to give info that's local.

We're still driving to the beach tomorrow. I'll keep fingers crossed for everyone there.

 

[RadioNate]

Yes, I lived in Va Beach for 11 yrs. Hurricane Isabel left us without power for 3 days, here in Richmond. The entire time we lived in Va Beach, we never evac'd. Call it luck, but storms that directly hit the Outer Banks/Va Beach area are pretty rare. I understand posters who live in Florida or the Gulf Coast being antsy. They get hit all the time with warnings, and real damage.

Your location says Denver. You seem very antsy for someone who lives so far inland. Did you used to live in the Outer Banks?

Let's see, I've lived in Texas, Florida and South Carolina. All places where I've seen my share of hurricanes. People do move around the country. I also lived in Memphis for the straight line wind storm nick-named "Hurricane Elvis" does that count? No hurricanes in Illinois, Iowa or Oregon, in case you wondered where else I have lived.

You've seen how they can effect power even a bit inland. I just don't get how people can expect total normalcy in less than 3 days even without a direct hit.

 

[scrapquitler]

OP here. The bride contacted us this morning. They are at the beachfront beach house. She hadn't called anyone in her bridal party yet. We do know the caterers were calling her begging for her to cancel because of the hurricane. Shes refusing to cancel at this point. They said they were going to ride out the storm. I'm afraid for them. So now I'm off to call her and try to talk some sense into her. Wish me luck.

BTW there are only a few hotels in Avon. We were staying in a beach house on the sound side. They havent given an update yet but I imagine they will be waiting to see what the damage is before they can say anything.

And yes it is extremely rude of her I agree. We have told her as much.

I hope she is prepared for the caterers and servers to be no-shows. They are probably all evacuating and may not be back by Sunday.
I hope that her stubborness doesn't cause anyone to get hurt.

 

[SaraJayne]

OP here. The bride contacted us this morning. They are at the beachfront beach house. She hadn't called anyone in her bridal party yet. We do know the caterers were calling her begging for her to cancel because of the hurricane. Shes refusing to cancel at this point. They said they were going to ride out the storm. I'm afraid for them. So now I'm off to call her and try to talk some sense into her. Wish me luck.

BTW there are only a few hotels in Avon. We were staying in a beach house on the sound side. They havent given an update yet but I imagine they will be waiting to see what the damage is before they can say anything.

And yes it is extremely rude of her I agree. We have told her as much.

Sorry, but she's just stupid. I hope the caterers and whoever else she has "booked" doesn't show up.

No one's life is more important than a wedding.

 

[RadioNate]

I don't know how she is getting past the mandatory tourist evacuation order.

It is one thing for residents to stay. That I get. We have always stayed. The only time we considered leaving was in Charleston when DS was a newborn but that storm moved before it was an issue.

And it really isn't the storm itself if you are prepared. It is the lack of power, road debris, lack of any emergency services that very much concerns me about tourists going into the area. It is unnecessary.

Are their storm shutters? Are they prepared for the potential of days without power or safe drinking water?

Maybe those things are unlikely but why risk it if you don't have to?

The uncertainty of it all when making a 1500 mile drive is what's killing me about this.

 

[sbell111]

WOW OP , the bride or family must have not watched the news when Ike destroyed Galveston area.. that storm surge took over the whole island. I can't imagine staying in a beach house on Avon ....

It's not the same thing. Ike was headed NW when it struck Galvaston with it's NE qudrant. This is the worst possible way to get nailed by a hurricane as it gave Ike a cat 5 storm surge. In comparison, Earl is expected to pass about 100 miles to the east of the outer banks as a weakening cat 3. That is a totally different situation.

 

[luvmy3jewels]

OP, forgot to add, the evac is for non-residents only. On the news last night, everyone they interviewed was going home, not riding it out in a hotel. Most all rentals are Sat-Sat, so I guess they decided to go home early. Residents probably will not jam up hotels either, so that should be okay. Again, not trying to push you into going, just trying to give info that's local.

We're still driving to the beach tomorrow. I'll keep fingers crossed for everyone there.

Actually the evacuation order on Hatteras Island is for everyone (all visitors and residents). By the bride staying in her oceanfront cottage she is in violation of the order. (And that information comes straight from a local)

Althought it doesn't look like there is going to be a direct hit from Earl, we are expecting a possible storm surge of 3 to 5 feet on parts of the OBX (including Hatteras). That's enough to flood some of the lower lying areas in Hatteras and south Nags Head.

 

[kirstenb1]

Actually the evacuation order on Hatteras Island is for everyone (all visitors and residents). By the bride staying in her oceanfront cottage she is in violation of the order. (And that information comes straight from a local)

Althought it doesn't look like there is going to be a direct hit from Earl, we are expecting a possible storm surge of 3 to 5 feet on parts of the OBX (including Hatteras). That's enough to flood some of the lower lying areas in Hatteras and south Nags Head.

You're right, I was referring to the rest of the OBX. Our news just said now they're showing a more easterly turn than had been anticipated, which would be great. Good luck to you.

 

[ilovejack02]

It's not the same thing. Ike was headed NW when it struck Galvaston with it's NE qudrant. This is the worst possible way to get nailed by a hurricane as it gave Ike a cat 5 storm surge. In comparison, Earl is expected to pass about 100 miles to the east of the outer banks as a weakening cat 3. That is a totally different situation.

Living in Louisiana I take nothing for granted. Of course it isnt the same thing, but you never know when these things slow down or speed up which means landfall is never certain until the last hour few hours.

As of two hours ago MSNBC said the eye of the storm will likely remain about 30 to 75 miles east of the Outer Banks, meaning at the closest point of approach, the western edge of the eyewall could impact Cape Hatteras, with huge waves, beach erosion and maybe some property damage from the waves.

Sounds like it isn't going to be that big a deal , but no one ever really knows what will happen till it is on top of them. If Jim Canatore from weather channel could have known what was going to happen in Biloxi during Katrina I am pretty sure he wouldn't have been sittting in a VA hospital with residents and employees all around him, across the street from the beach.

You never know what will happen with these storms and am amazed that she would expect others to still come in for wedding. I am sure though by now, she has realized this won't be happening. I feel bad for her as I am sure every does. Hopefully plans can be changed and something worked out. In the end all that is really important is being married and safe. Not the big party .

 

[NotUrsula]

It's not the same thing. Ike was headed NW when it struck Galvaston with it's NE qudrant. This is the worst possible way to get nailed by a hurricane as it gave Ike a cat 5 storm surge. In comparison, Earl is expected to pass about 100 miles to the east of the outer banks as a weakening cat 3. That is a totally different situation.

No, it isn't the same thing, but it's not minor, either. I don't expect these people to die, but their car quite possibly might end up in the Atlantic if it's parked near the beach in Avon. The wee hours of tonight on Hatteras Island are going to be scary no matter how you slice it. (Whatever else this wedding may or may not be, it will be one heck of an interesting memory.)

 

[novajeanjellybean]

The authorities knocked on th door and forced them to leave. She says they're going to a hotel in Richmond, VA but her dad says they're going home. So now the wedding is unofficially cancelled until further notice. She said she'd call tomorrow. Again, thanks for all the replies. Looks like I have an unexpected staycation. LOL But I didnt want it like this.

 

[JLTraveling]

So glad everything worked out. I'm truly sorry for the bride, but glad everyone will be safe. For the "no big deal" crowd...anybody remember that Louisiana did NOT take a direct hit from Katrina? It was on the "weaker" western side.

 

[kirstenb1]

OP, that's a shame. If she's looking for Richmond hotel suggestions, The Jefferson is a sort of grand old hotel. I hope when she does have her wedding, it is a fabulous blowout affair.

 

[robinb]

It's a shame that she had to cancel the wedding but given the situation it's all for the best. At least she should get something back from the caterers.

 

[C.Ann]

Awwww..it's a shame for anyone to have to postpone their wedding, but safety is #1.. I'm glad they cleared out while they still could..

 

[klj27]

Did they end up getting married?