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

[Lilofan]

Celebrationite here! Our power lines are underground, so we have never had power challenges during a storm. The biggest risk we have is downed trees, as the trees are now aging, and tornados.

Be sure to join the Celebration Facebook pages for updates.

Sorry but underground power lines do not guarantee power outage free during a hurricane. You didn’t lose power in 2004 Charley ?

 

[SSH]

een through hurricanes going back to when we put tape on the windows

lol...does that bring back memories. (Mostly of me attempting to scrape OFF the tape after it melted into the frames - with much cursing along the way.)

 

[MisterPenguin]

Reading the current NOAA Maps, the chance of sustained wind speeds for Tampa and Orlando...

Sustained Wind Strength	Tampa	Orlando
75+ MPH (Hurricane Force)	40-60%	30-40%
60-75 MPH	70-90%	60-70%
40-60 MPH (Tropical Force)	90-100%	90-100%

So, Orlando *could* still have Hurricane Force Winds... at a 30-40% chance.

 

[plutofan15]

Staying connected when the world falls apart: How carriers keep phones working

Hurricanes, tornadoes and wildfires can knock out phone network service right when we need it most.

www.cnet.com

Yes, COWs (Cell On Wheels) and probably SOWs (Switch On Wheels) will be deployed. Also, I am sure that each provider has flatbed tractor trailers loaded with large portable generators enroute from all over the country. Each provider is already loading equipment at staging areas out of the danger zone. Workers will be coming from all over the US and Canada to help restore the network. I was deployed to the Keys for Hurricane Irma a few years ago and it is a massive undertaking to get the network restored. The first cells restored will be those serving critical locations - hospitals, police, emergency services, utility company staging areas, shelters, etc. Cells serving mainly residential areas will be near the bottom of the list. Many factors go into when a site can be restored. Site access is the main on, many sites will be inaccessible due to flooding, downed trees, downed live electrical wire, etc. One of the big delays can be the availability of tower crews to climb the towers to determine any damage to coax lines, radios, antennas, mounts at the top of the tower. This is a special skill and not just anybody is able to do it. No way I would climb a tower even on a good day let alone after a hurricane. Cell service gets restored rather quickly considering all the challenges. Here are some photos from the Keys taken with our drone showing the type of damage possible at the top of towers - FYI, antennas should not be pointing down towards the ground.

 

[DryerLintFan]

True that. It's muggy and no rain. And I'm drinking a Jungle Juice at Dawa Bar while listening to the African music. Everyone here seems to want to shame people staying at WDW. I knew what was coming. I'm going to the parks while I can and fully expect to ride out the hurricane from my resort while it passes through. I hope everyone else here, unless a local, chooses to ride out the hurricane from their resort than try to get out at this late date. I think that would put you in greater danger.

So you just go ahead with your smugness trying to shame those who are here. I'm going to be quite safe, thank you.

Nobody is shaming you for staying. If I was there I’d stay too. And since you are there, we obviously welcome your information and reports.

But you’ve spent the majority of this thread talking about your personal theme park reservation itinerary when millions of people outside yourself are impacted by this storm. I don’t fault you at all for staying, or for enjoying the theme parks until the minute they close. But it’s hard to watch it being hailed as bravery in light of what thread we’re on.

Maybe I’m just being crotchety. Carry on.

 

[fotofx]

Stop being a buttface. You were acting like going to the parks was a courage service you were providing, and now downplaying those who chose to stay safe.

Choosing to go doesn't make you special, unique, brave or even mature. Stop whining that people didn't clap for you

Sorry I did not take that from his posts. I felt it was more like an I am here so may as well make the best of it.

I tend to agree that if he is on site he should follow whatever directions his resort issues and not try and leave in this mess.

 

[monothingie]

News from MCO -

View attachment 669517

American, United, and Delta have canceled all flights through Thursday afternoon.

I would expect this to be pushed out till the weekend.

 

[donsullivan]

Keep in mind that most airlines will not have any inbound flights to Orlando tomorrow morning. Their focus will be on getting all of the planes out of here before the shutdown takes place.

 

[DCBaker]

 

[DisneyCane]

We had this happen after the 7+ earthquake in Seattle years ago. We quickly realized then how few pay phones there were, and when you did find one it was long lines. Now I doubt there are pay phones anywhere. To be clear I think cell service was working, it’s just everything was so jammed no one could get through.

A few months ago New York City removed their last payphone in a ceremony. I haven't seen a payphone anywhere I've been in a long time.

 

[Gringrinngghost]

...1 PM EDT HURRICANE IAN POSITION UPDATE...

SUMMARY OF 100 PM EDT...1700 UTC...INFORMATION
---------------------------------------------------
LOCATION...23.3N 83.4W
ABOUT 280 MI...450 KM SSW OF SARASOTA FLORIDA
ABOUT 100 MI...160 KM SSW OF THE DRY TORTUGAS
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...115 MPH...185 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT...N OR 10 DEGREES AT 10 MPH...17 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...961 MB...28.38 INCHES

 

[DryerLintFan]

Those resort buildings can withstand a strong hurricane. And I believe they have generators. Just stay indoors, keep the drapes closed and stay away from windows.

Should be okay. And DON'T go outside until Disney gives the all clear.

I’ve read some trip reports where water came through the door as well, so if you’re on the ground floor get all your possessions off the floor

 

[DisneyCane]

That is also true. Cellular networks are designed to handle "normal" network traffic. During events like this, the network will congest.

Also, there are priority settings. On AT&T FirstNet for first responders there is spectrum that only first responders are allowed to use when there is an emergency. Whatever Verizon calls their first responder network gives them priority over other customers.

The carriers then prioritize based on what plan you are on. If you are on the el cheapo plan you are much less likely to get a connection. If you are on one of the MVNO (Boost, etc.) that use one of the Big 3 carrier's networks you will have the lowest priority.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Sorry but underground power lines do not guarantee power outage free during a hurricane. You didn’t lose power in 2004 Charley ?

Nobody said it was a guarantee but the extent and duration of many outages would be significantly reduced if more lines were buried.

 

[DryerLintFan]

Yes, COWs (Cell On Wheels) and probably SOWs (Switch On Wheels) will be deployed. Also, I am sure that each provider has flatbed tractor trailers loaded with large portable generators enroute from all over the country. Each provider is already loading equipment at staging areas out of the danger zone. Workers will be coming from all over the US and Canada to help restore the network. I was deployed to the Keys for Hurricane Irma a few years ago and it is a massive undertaking to get the network restored. The first cells restored will be those serving critical locations - hospitals, police, emergency services, utility company staging areas, shelters, etc. Cells serving mainly residential areas will be near the bottom of the list. Many factors go into when a site can be restored. Site access is the main on, many sites will be inaccessible due to flooding, downed trees, downed live electrical wire, etc. One of the big delays can be the availability of tower crews to climb the towers to determine any damage to coax lines, radios, antennas, mounts at the top of the tower. This is a special skill and not just anybody is able to do it. No way I would climb a tower even on a good day let alone after a hurricane. Cell service gets restored rather quickly considering all the challenges. Here are some photos from the Keys taken with our drone showing the type of damage possible at the top of towers - FYI, antennas should not be pointing down towards the ground.
View attachment 669521
View attachment 669522
View attachment 669523
View attachment 669524
View attachment 669525

As a veteran I don’t get to say this to other people very often, but….

Thank you for your service!!

What you do really impacts the outcome of thousands of lives.

 

[The Mom]

That is also true. Cellular networks are designed to handle "normal" network traffic. During events like this, the network will congest.

This is why I still have my boomer landline. Between the two I should have some sort of service.

 

[monothingie]

Those resort buildings can withstand a strong hurricane. And I believe they have generators. Just stay indoors, keep the drapes closed and stay away from windows.

Should be okay. And DON'T go outside until Disney gives the all clear.

These generators are only for emergency use loads. These Generators typically only handle emergency lighting, fire alarms, fire pumps and domestic water/sewage pumps, and critical IT only. If the power goes out, you will NOT have air-conditioning, lighting, outlets to charge phones, wifi, or any other modern conveniences offered by electricity.

 

[DisneyCane]

Reading the current NOAA Maps, the chance of sustained wind speeds for Tampa and Orlando...

Sustained Wind Strength	Tampa	Orlando
75+ MPH (Hurricane Force)	40-60%	30-40%
60-75 MPH	70-90%	60-70%
40-60 MPH (Tropical Force)	90-100%	90-100%

So, Orlando *could* still have Hurricane Force Winds... at a 30-40% chance.

I believe their definition of sustained is that the wind speed is sustained for at least 1 minute. Gusts of those speeds are even more likely but not as likely to do damage.

At my house in South Florida the winds from Irma weren't that strong, maybe 40 MPH sustained. However, it moved very slow and we had those winds for several hours. After enough time some trees couldn't handle it anymore (including the Bizmarkia Palm that fell on my roof).

 

[LAKid53]

This is why I still have my boomer landline. Between the two I should have some sort of service.

That's the one thing I'm missing here. I don't have a landline like I do back home.

 

[The Mom]

I have a co-worker who drove up I4 from Tampa to Orlando this morning and he said it was a little over 3 hours for arrival around 8AM

So, longer than usual, but not gridlock.