Hurricane Ian expected to impact Florida (updates and related discussions)

[Lilofan]

More important matters right now but can’t help wonder the impact on FL homeowners insurance.

After a Hurricane some companies close up and a number of policies are cancelled.

 

[esskay]

At this point I cannot see a scenario where Disney and Universal reopen on Friday, or the weekend, or the next week or weeks.

Very over the top. Disney & Uni are built to withstand way more than whats coming, and they'll have crew there to clean up the second its safe to do so. They'll be open within 24hrs of the storm passing. Several times they've just kept the parks closed till mid day the day after a hurricane and you find very little evidence it was ever even there.

 

[Vacationeer]

Wonder how the harmonious barges will take on 90mph wind or anything still under construction

Journey of Water will be a live exhibit

 

[fotofx]

If I were a betting man, I'd say that the parks do not reopen on Friday, with only Disney Springs being available in a limited capacity. Obviously a ton of this depends on the path the storm takes, but ride out crews are very sparse this year in the parks, and they are the ones responsible for clean up/setting up for operation (once conditions become safe to do so) while most cast can't make it onto property due to road conditions.

Time will tell.

I think if history repeats they will get everything except the fort back up fairly quickly.

 

[ToTBellHop]

They won’t be out in 50-90mph wind today

That kind of wind is only predicted tonight for several hours.

 

[Lilofan]

Very over the top. Disney & Uni are built to withstand way more than whats coming, and they'll have crew there to clean up the second its safe to do so. They'll be open within 24hrs of the storm passing. Several times they've just kept the parks closed till mid day the day after a hurricane and you find very little evidence it was ever even there.

The expected tremendous rainfall and flooding that may occur will have the last word.

 

[Brian]

I think if history repeats they will get everything except the fort back up fairly quickly.

Historically, there has been sufficient interest in riding out the storm at the parks. This time around, that is not the case. The ride out crews are critical to getting the parks reopened promptly.

We'll see!

 

[mousefan1972]

That's not good....

My daughter frequently sends us pics and videos of BayShore Blvd as she goes walking there. What exactly does that video mean?

 

[mightynine]

It’s not below sea level like NOLA so some need to stop pretending it is.

If they get a lot of rain at once and have some serious flooding, how high they are above sea level won't matter.

I'm not saying they'll be closed forever (the poster who said weeks or months is overdoing it, IMO), but considering how easy spots of WDW can flood from just a thunderstorm passing over, concern over flood damage in the parks isn't crazy.

Also, whether WDW handles the flood waters well is one thing. Potential flooding/damage where cast members live could limit employee attendance or their ability to even get to work.

I also think some posters here are minimizing wind impacts - "well, the worst will only be for a couple of hours" - tropical storm force winds for six hours will cause problems, especially if grounds are inundated with rain. That's how you get downed trees and, if they are not underground, downed power lines.

 

[Lilofan]

Historically, there has been sufficient interest in riding out the storm at the parks. This time around, that is not the case. The ride out crews are critical to getting the parks reopened promptly.

We'll see!

It is one thing to clean up outside debris. It is another thing to possibly encounter flooded interior spaces. That can’t be that the case to open the parks quickly.

 

[Andrew C]

If they get a lot of rain at once and have some serious flooding, how high they are above sea level won't matter.

I'm not saying they'll be closed forever (the poster who said weeks or months is overdoing it, IMO), but considering how easy spots of WDW can flood from just a thunderstorm passing over, concern over flood damage in the parks isn't crazy.

Also, whether WDW handles the flood waters well is one thing. Potential flooding/damage where cast members live could limit employee attendance or their ability to even get to work.

Storm surge is the biggest threat...which doesn't exist for Orlando...

 

[solidyne]

[...] Wonder how the harmonious barges will take on 90mph wind [...]

...look for the silver lining...

 

[Gringrinngghost]

Eye Wall starting to come on land

 

[Vacationeer]

Maybe a delayed opening on Friday is possible?

ETA- or Sat

 

[Lilofan]

Storm surge is the biggest threat...which doesn't exist for Orlando...

Not a storm surge. But Predicted 12-15 inches of rain in an area where the ground is already saturated surrounded by lakes and retention ponds is a concern

 

[mkt]

Those who didn't go through Katrina should not speak about Katrina. Ian is not the same as the circumstances surrounding Katrina. Not one iota.

How about those of us who have gone through multiple cat 5s and whose family spent over 6 months without power?

 

[mightynine]

Storm surge is the biggest threat...which doesn't exist for Orlando...

...and? Who's talking about storm surge impacting Orlando? Ian is going to be a rain and wind event for Orlando and WDW, that can still cause problems.

 

[mkt]

Maybe a delayed opening on Friday is possible?

Maybe, but doubt it.

 

[zakattack99]

I heard that but I do not think they have had this situation with a full fleet since the accident.

I am pretty sure they parked them nose to nose in the Contemporary during Irma in 2017... but maybe I am miss remembering

 

[Californian Elitist]

To everyone in Florida, please stay as safe as possible.