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

[EeyoreFan#24]

I've read WDW execs already met with FL state and county officials in plan for action to keep cast members and guests safe. ( ie - plan in place for parks and resorts ).

I'm sure WDW has activated their EOC. They will at least have direct access to their ESF rep. Heck, Disney/RCID probably have a seat in the county EOC given their size.

 

[SaucyBoy]

5am update and Ian has become a Category 1 hurricane with 75 mph winds

 

[CntrlFlPete]

Trying to get gas will be a challenge. When gas pumps run dry because all are lining up filling up their car prior to hurricane , it may take several days for trucks to refill the stations with gas. If there are power outages then gas pumps will not work. You still want to drive in this mess of a storm? Good luck to you.

I thought FL required gas stations and grocery stores to have back up power (generators)? Power outages are not as big of a problem as gas running out and/or water getting into the gas tanks.

 

[DryerLintFan]

I really feel for Cuba I hope it doesn’t hover like that one Hurricane did.

 

[Touchdown]

Note this is just the prediction of rain in the next 72 hours (through Thur 4:30am) it’s a good warning to those inland. The red area in the second map represents a warning that 40-69% of that area will have flash flooding. There will be at least another day of heavy rain after this period.

 

[Lilofan]

I thought FL required gas stations and grocery stores to have back up power (generators)? Power outages are not as big of a problem as gas running out and/or water getting into the gas tanks.

Yes newer gas stations built after the hurricanes in the mid 2000s. Do all of them have them , no. Also when I went to a new Wawa a few years ago while at WDW , there was a power outage and that location closed up during the outage.

 

[Touchdown]

Also the newest forecast has this slowing down off the coast for even longer. This could be a major disaster, FL will not be able to handle that much rain, and there might be evacuations for a majority of the entire state if this holds (inland and even the east coast) due to flooding. Pay attention to local authorities, this may get really ugly.

 

[Gringrinngghost]

I generally do not like to talk about a particular model nor its run as if they are gospel when there is high uncertainty. This is however is worth noting. The GFS model under its current 06Z run is starting to majorly get in line with our European friends and has shifted about 60 miles to the east. That now puts the closest approach for Ian at about 100 miles from Tampa.

 

[Afterthought]

Make sure to please report any price gouging. Some gas station and hotel owners come from countries and cultures where gouging is a permitted way of life, and are not necessarily being malicious, but following how they were brought-up elsewhere to do business.
So don't be rude if gouging is spotted, simply report so it can be stopped quickly.

 

[Gringrinngghost]

Make sure to please report any price gouging. Some gas station and hotel owners come from countries and cultures where gouging is a permitted way of life, and are not necessarily being malicious, but following how they were brought-up elsewhere to do business.
So don't be rude if gouging is spotted, simply report so it can be stopped quickly.

If you suspect price gouging, obtain as much information as possible in the form of photographs of signs displaying the price, receipts, estimates, reservation numbers and prices, invoices, or bills. Include as much information as possible, including the product name, size or quantity, manufacturer, item number and unit price. For lumber products, note the grade, thickness and quality. If it is gasoline, note the grade of gas and price per gallon. If it is a service such as storage or towing, note the per-mile (or other distance) charge, removal charges, per-day storage charges and other charges such as security, clean up or other “add-ons.” Report this information to the Attorney General’s Price Gouging Hotline at 1-866-966-7226. You may also report violations via the No Scam app or online at:http://myfloridalegal.com or mail documents to the following address:

Office of the Attorney General
The Capitol, PL-01
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1050

Please remember to include your name and contact information, the name and address of the company or individual you suspect of price gouging, a description of why you believe price gouging occurred and any documentation you may have.

 

[Lilofan]

Also the newest forecast has this slowing down off the coast for even longer. This could be a major disaster, FL will not be able to handle that much rain, and there might be evacuations for a majority of the entire state if this holds (inland and even the east coast) due to flooding. Pay attention to local authorities, this may get really ugly.

View attachment 669243

A mass evacuation of Central FL would be incredible. The main roads would not be able to handle it. ( ie mass evac of Houston years ago had many stuck on the interstate for many hours trying to leave, some abandoning their cars due to running out of gas . )

 

[Touchdown]

FYI, 23 min to get my reservation changed. Got to a CM within a minute of 7 am, but I needed guest services approval because I was there within 24 hours. Requiring a 15 min hold to get approval. Not too bad all things considered.

 

[JoeCamel]

I thought FL required gas stations and grocery stores to have back up power (generators)? Power outages are not as big of a problem as gas running out and/or water getting into the gas tanks.

On the major routes they are required to have backup power and the distribution is prioritized to feed those stations first. The OP is spreading unfounded fear.

 

[SoFloMagic]

Yes newer gas stations built after the hurricanes in the mid 2000s. Do all of them have them , no. Also when I went to a new Wawa a few years ago while at WDW , there was a power outage and that location closed up during the outage.

Still not mandated in most municipalities. I belive to protect small businesses. Those full-unit generators are super expensive and may be cost-prohibitive for small business owners, leaving only major chains able to purchase them and thus operate

 

[Touchdown]

On the major routes they are required to have backup power and the distribution is prioritized to feed those stations first. The OP is spreading unfounded fear.

I said nothing about gas stations. I just warned of severe flooding and told people to listen to local authorities, flood evacuations could potentially happen well inland and even on the Atlantic coast.

 

[SoFloMagic]

On the major routes they are required to have backup power and the distribution is prioritized to feed those stations first. The OP is spreading unfounded fear.

I believe the requirement is to have transfer switches and generator wiring, but not to have the actual generator on site at all times

 

[JoeCamel]

I said nothing about gas stations. I just warned of severe flooding and told people to listen to local authorities, flood evacuations could potentially happen well inland and even on the Atlantic coast.

Not directed at you - sorry

 

[Lilofan]

Still not mandated in most municipalities. I belive to protect small businesses. Those full-unit generators are super expensive and may be cost-prohibitive for small business owners, leaving only major chains able to purchase them and thus operate

That’s correct. Vacationed over the years at WDW and have witnessed small business owners of name brand gas close up shop when the power goes out. Trying to buy a case of beer during a power outage is not easy.

 

[Touchdown]

Also, remember most deaths in hurricanes and most damage caused by them comes from flooding. This is usually mainly due to storm surge but when a hurricane gets huge and then stalls, no where in its path is safe. It’s the reason I delayed and am currently worried I’ll need to cancel. Florida is extremely low lying and is at the end of its wet season which means the ground is already saturated. I sincerely hope for everyone there 3 very important things are wrong about the forecast:

1. It stays father out to sea and doesn’t hug the coast like it’s forecasted to, that will lower surge and keep the heaviest rain bands in the gulf
2. It does not stall for 48 hours near to Florida
3. The trend of it weakening on approach holds and is strengthened.

I’m not trying to hype this but this storm has the potential to live In infamy like Katrina if the track holds and the Tampa Bay Area is in the greatest danger.

 

[Gringrinngghost]