Anyone else watching Hurricane Irma closely? [MERGED]

[TUGBrian]

sadly im not sure thats an option with the huge high pressure system sitting right over top of the atlantic....thats whats been keeping it going due west for so long. its really going to depend on where that high pressure system ends to determine when IRMA can shift north...and i think meteorologists are about as useless at predicting that as they are predicting hurricane paths!

its all just a best guess...and that guess changes every 3 hours.

 

[FLDVCFamily]

certainly not looking good for south florida....shame that we have to "hope" it hits some land masses (mountains in cuba) to lessen the impact on florida by the time it arrives

dont get me wrong, if I lived within a few miles of the beach...id be ramping up preparations by a huge margin and seriously considering moving inland.

but to call for everyone in the state to start "Getting out" or panicing is just going to cause more damage than it helps.

I live a block from the open Atlantic and I definitely have those thoughts every time we are preparing to evacuate. Can't really imagine living anywhere else though...

 

[rapmarks]

From what I am hearing, most of the stores in fort Myers, Bonita springs and estero are out of water. As Ron mentioned the Costco is packed. Our development is closing the restaurant and golf course today, moving all equipment inside such as pool chairs, asking everyone in community to bring everything inside , shutter, and to notify office if staying in community.

 

[Carol C]

I'm watching, since I live in SC and evacuated last Oct during Hurricane Matthew (we lost our roof). Irma doesn't look like it will come to SC but ya never know. And then there's a Jose following at irma's heels. What a dismal hurricane season...we can only hope and pray for those impacted.

 

[geist1223]

Patti's sister and BIL live in Melbourne Beach on the Atlantic Coast of Florida. When we got an email early this morning they had already completed their hurricane preparations. They were considering bugging out early to avoid be stuck in a traffic jam on I-95. The problem was where to go in light of all the possible paths for Irma. They rode out David (?¿) in Tampa. We think they may have left because they have not responded to emails or voice messages. We were going to offer them Worldmark in Branson Missouri.

 

[TUGBrian]

people go to the obvious places for water and they sell out quick.

in a pinch, just buy a bunch of gallons of milk. chances are its likely cheaper than the water case you were going to buy...and you can just fill it from your fridge filter (or tap) and toss in the fridge/freezer.

 

[FLDVCFamily]

Patti's sister and BIL live in Melbourne Beach on the Atlantic Coast of Florida. When we got an email early this morning they had already completed their hurricane preparations. They were considering bugging out early to avoid be stuck in a traffic jam on I-95. The problem was where to go in light of all the possible paths for Irma. They rode out David (?¿) in Tampa. We think they may have left because they have not responded to emails or voice messages. We were going to offer them Worldmark in Branson Missouri.

We are from the same area. Not too many people have left yet...heck, I know quite a few who don't have reservations at all. Everyone I've talked to who has a reservation is headed to Orlando.

 

[WinniWoman]

people go to the obvious places for water and they sell out quick.

in a pinch, just buy a bunch of gallons of milk. chances are its likely cheaper than the water case you were going to buy...and you can just fill it from your fridge filter (or tap) and toss in the fridge/freezer.

Not for anything, but everyone should have an emergency supply of food and water at all times, not just rush out in a crisis situation. But- yeah I laugh when they say the stores are out of water. Duh- most people have faucets and just need to get a hold of some containers. We always keep those large water cooler bottles filled with tap water for emergencies and we date them so we know which can be used to drink and which can be used for cleaning/washing. Also keep some of those water purifying tablets.

 

[Talent312]

In my youth, before bottled water was common, we'd fill our bathtubs with water.
Of course, we'd boil it on the propane stove before drinking or cooking with it.
Usually, 1 bathtub full was usually enuff to get by for a family of four.

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[WinniWoman]

In my youth, before bottled water was common, we'd fill our bathtubs with water.
Of course, we'd boil it on the propane stove before drinking or cooking with it.
Usually, 1 bathtub full was usually enuff to get by for a family of four.

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We have done that also! We do have our well on the generator, and we have a stream on our property-but we still over-prepare!

 

[tiel]

We have been watching all the path projections, as well as online flight availibility. Although there is no certainty about anything right now, we have tentatively decided to head home on Friday and have made arrangements to do so. We're staying at Ocean Pointe, which is on an island, and feel things could be challenging here after the storm, if Irma decides to visit anywhere in the vicinity.

One thing that pushed to make air arrangements was the lack of availability for the weekend when we looked, and the repeated increase of prices as we searched for options. While looking on AA.com, we decided to commit to a particular fare and selected it; but by the time we had entered the traveler and payment information, and hit Purchase, we got a notice the price had increased by over $250!!! I got mad, and canceled the whole thing. But then we felt we needed to get something before there was nothing to get. Fortunately, we can cancel the arrangements we made and stay if it looks like Irma is going to turn away from FL. But right now, we're planning to leave.

 

[pedro47]

Some years ago we purchased five (5) gallon water empty bottles for any water shortage. Three (3) will be used for drinking/cooking and two (2) for --------.

 

[Talent312]

Miami Beach, Key Biscayne, coastal areas of Miami mainland will evacuate tomorrow.

Better News: Tolls on all Florida highways are suspended for the duration. Yippie!

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[Inhislove]

We are in central Florida. Regular gas is out at many stations. Water and some other things are off the shelves.

We planned an exchange over my birthday this next week at Reunion Resort and still plan to check in Friday. It's more inland compared to our home.

We've been watching every update for a few days.

 

[Dori]

Yikes! Now that dreaded white line is right in line with our mobile home park in Sebring! Our full-time residents there are keeping us snowbirds apprised of new developments, etc.

Keep safe, everyone!

Dori

 

[rapmarks]

Here is a dumb question, if you have no electricity, can you still get water from your tap? We have well water in both Illinois and Wisconsin, so no water when power goes out. We are on sewer in Florida.
I wanted to add, bluegreen will let you cancel any florida reservation with no loss of points

 

[dioxide45]

Orlando wasn't in Matthew's path which is why GV didn't close then but Irma is a different storm, which may affect other properties including the one you picked for evac. Right now they have no way of knowing, any more than we do, where the storm is headed. They, like every other hospitality company, continue to take reservations and don't announce closures until they're sure. But once they are sure it would be disastrous for them to stay open against all odds and directives from local officials!

They probably won't close the properties unless they get word of an evacuation order for non residents and tourists.

 

[kcgriffin]

Folks,

I know this thread is Florida-centric, but please remember there are US citizens in the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. From the looks of things they are going to get hit bad. For those of you who want to "ride it out" I hope you give careful thought, and plan for the worst. Your families may not be able to get in touch with you for extended periods, and will worry if you are safe.

 

[mdurette]

Here is a dumb question, if you have no electricity, can you still get water from your tap? We have well water in both Illinois and Wisconsin, so no water when power goes out. We are on sewer in Florida.
I wanted to add, bluegreen will let you cancel any florida reservation with no loss of points

For our area at least. No electricity, no water because no power to the pump to pull from the well. If you are on public water supply, then you will still get, but not hot.

Our water is from a well. I still fill the tubs when a storm is coming. Used just to flush the toilets!

I recall many years ago when I was a kid and a hurricane came through, out of power for about a week. We took buckets of water from the pool up to the house just to flush.

 

[brownhaired_girl]

I have an Eplus retrade that I most likely won't be using if someone needs a place to go and we can get something coordinated

 

[Talent312]

If you are on public water supply, then you will still get, but not hot.

You may get hot, if you have a gas-powered water heater.
You may not get water, if the water utility's pumps get swamped, as in Beaumont, Texas.

Two resourceful guys found a way to get water when Beaumont's pumps went out...
They broke into the Coca-Cola warehouse using a hovercraft, a hacksaw and a hammer.
They delivered 14 cases of Dasani to the National Guard which gave them to evacuees.
With permission from the Coca-Cola company which has no access itself. [USA Today.]

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[geist1223]

Though we are in Oregon we still prepare. We keep about 6 Costco cases (we rotate these by using from the top case) of water in the garage and 2-15 gallon plastic drums of water. We also have food for us and our pets. We have spare clothes, a special plastic bucket for a toilet and a privacy tent, camp stove, tent, queen sized air mattress, etc. We had our house wired so we can plug in a generator. Our generator can supply the whole house when we switch off unneeded circuits. The generator can run on gas or propane. Propane is easier to store for long periods of time. Why? We are over due for a Level 9+ earthquake. They estimate there is an 84% chance anytime in the next 50 years. When the 9 earthquake comes they estimate it will be 4 to 8 weeks before reliable relief will make it to the Willamette Valley because almost all of the bridges are coming down. We also keep 2 survial backpacks in Patti's car and the tool box in the bed of my pickup is a minature survial kit. We have had several friends ask if they can come to our house. We told them only if they bring enough food and water for themselves and their pets.

 

[TUGBrian]

most public water supplies are gravity fed...so they will still provide water pressure until the big water towers go dry (ie no electricity to keep topping them off)...usually good for a few days at least...those giant tanks hold thousands of gallons and require no electricity to work (just to pump water into them).

that said, many florida homes have a well for irrigation purposes...the water table is so shallow here you dont have to go down far with a well to have access to it!

plus its florida, some neighbor within a few houses of you has thousands of gallons of pool water for use for showering/flushing toilets etc.


Id also imagine that electric companies make their primary focus areas like that without power to major public utilities...so they would be the first ones back online!

 

[TUGBrian]

I dont really get the panic on bottled water though, as of now 100% of the state has a working public water supply and an unlimited amount of water available at the tap.

while it may not be convenient to go to the store and see there is no water available, its not like you cant get water to survive on in the next 24 to 48 hours.

plus beer is like 94% water =D

 

[littlestar]

The entire state is in it's path right now...here's hoping they don't leave people with nowhere to go. I can't imagine that.

Wait, we WERE in Matthew's direct path in Brevard last year and they didn't close the Marriott hotels. The mandatory evac area was evacuated (island) but even the hotels just onto the mainland had guests. If there's mandatory evac they won't be open I'm sure, but lord help us if they have a mandatory evac on orlando!

We were in Orlando in 2004 during Hurricane Jeanne (which I think was a Category 3) staying at the Wilderness Lodge. And our oldest daughter was over at Disney's Boardwalk Villas. I only remember the campground being closed (guests were moved to Disney hotels). The rest of our family stayed at Grande Vista - none of the Marriott Vacation Clubs closed in Orlando that I can remember. In 2004 there were three hurricanes - Charley, Frances, and Jeanne within about a six week period of time.

During the night that Jeanne blew over, Disney's Wilderness Lodge had leaks coming through the roof in certain spots in the lobby and around doors. Our room stayed dry but we were tucked in a protected inset corner. Over at the Grande Vista my sister had to take towels and place them around the sliding doors to keep water from blowing in.