Hurricane Irma

[DisneyCane]

Last I heard they kept the southbound lanes in that direction so supplies could still get down south.

Yes. This is the reason. You need those lanes open southbound to get trucks with supplies to restock the stores. They are trying to get as many people to be able to buy water, non-perishable food and plywood as possible. It has to come from somewhere and the way Florida's geography is, if you close the southbound lanes, you can't get anything in.

Don't forget, there are millions of people that are not in evacuation zones that need to survive the storm and aftermath in place.

 

[Raineman]

I cannot fathom why anyone would want to be heading to Orlando right now-having to cancel your vacation and take it later is a small price to pay compared to what Florida residents may be dealing with in a few days. We are scheduled to check in to POR on October 29, and I admit I am a bit nervous that there could be widespread damage from Irma that could linger until then and affect our trip, but that is pretty trivial right now, and if our vacation started this weekend, we would be rescheduling.

 

[The Mom]

My folks are in Jax. Zone C in Oretega Forest. They're staying. Not for a lack of trying here in Tally.

They will probably be OK. I'm in zone D/E, Riverside/Avondale, and I'm not concerned about flooding. It would probably take them a whole day to get to Tally at this point.

 

[21stamps]

And you missed the city in the middle?! Shame on you.

Purposely.

My sister in Boyton Beach got enough gas plus 5 gals in a can and headed up I-95 with her family,talked to her on the phone what normally would be an hour or so drive to Vero Beach took 4 hours stop and crawl heading to Atlanta. I aked her why they did not reverse the south bound lanes north she had no idea. She said she saw a hand full of cars headed south that was it. No gas and people are burning up gas going no where and the powers to be where are they. Posted before SC reverses I-26 and it WORKS. I would think the govenor has some answering to do on this one.

Wow. That had to be brutal.

I'm glad South lanes are open for fuel and supplies, but I do think people are choosing to stay, or at least waiting as long as possible, in places they shouldn't because of the traffic.
It's just too many people leaving at once.

 

[LAKid53]

My folks are in Jax. Zone C in Ortega Forest. They're staying. Not for a lack of trying here in Tally.

I hope they will be okay.

 

[LAKid53]

They will probably be OK. I'm in zone D/E, Riverside/Avondale, and I'm not concerned about flooding. It would probably take them a whole day to get to Tally at this point.

Very true.

 

[John park hopper]

Last I heard they kept the southbound lanes in that direction so supplies could still get down south.

It would seem since the turnpike and 95 are the main arteries north and south keep the turnpike south bound lanes as they are for supplies but open I-95 which is closer to the coast which is being evacuated heavily

 

[The Mom]

My folks are in Jax. Zone C in Ortega Forest. They're staying. Not for a lack of trying here in Tally.

If they get scared, let me know. If they've been here for any length of time, there's a good chance I know them - or they're friends of a friend, KWIM?

 

[JohnD]

If they get scared, let me know. If they've been here for any length of time, there's a good chance I know them - or they're friends of a friend, KWIM?

They've been through a lot of hurricanes including Dora in 1964. Except for me the fam is in Jax. My brother's family and my brother's in-laws are all within a mile of my parents. They decided they need to stay. Bsckwashing the pool is important, among other things. Because of their age (both 77), I've encouraged them to get their three grandchildren (between 12 and 18) to help them out with things, like moving pool furniture.

 

[SosoDude]

My normal 30 minute drive home on 95 north near Savannah took about 50 minutes tonight. I know around lunch time traffic on 95 north was much heavier.

 

[LAKid53]

Report on TWC indicates cruise ships are returning early to Miami and dropping off passengers - who have no where to go and probably can't get flights back home. Report didn't identify cruise lines, but surely something can be done to help.

Not good.

 

[Bayoubengal88]

my coworkers sister got off a carnival cruise ship this morning. it has taken her 13 hours to get from Miami to Gainesville. I cant imagine the struggle. Home is still another 3.5 hours for her with no traffic.

 

[JennSmith]

That's what I didn't get during Matthew last year with people griping about the boxed meals. They had days of warning, and therefore, days to cancel and get out of town (the sensible choice) or days to stock up. Even without leaving property, guests could have stocked up on fruit and non-perishables at the parks and resorts. Living off of bananas, granola bars, dry cereals, Mickey-branded nuts, and baked goods for 24-72 hours isn't really tough.

We were there for Matthew and I never understood why people bashed the boxed lunches. They were not bad at all. I know people were upset by the price but the next day all of our meal credits we used for the boxed lunches were placed back on our acct. Now I can't speak for those that ended up paying out of pocket for them though obviously...

 

[LAKid53]

FLL closing at 7:45 pm tomorrow. 1143 flights cancelled between MIA, FLL, WPB, Jax. And cruise ships are returning passengers early to Miami with no plans for them?

 

[Her1215]

I have been reading this forum everyday. I really hope everyone is safe. My question is do you think it would be ok to keep reservations for Disney if we are flying out the 16th then. I mean obviously if airport is damaged or Disney is badly hit. We wouldn't be able to go. I have never experienced this kind of thing before. So I guess I'm just looking for advice on what I should do. We lost my grandma a year ago and my grandpa 6 months later we planned this trip in thier memory.

 

[Hobnail Boot]

Evacuations are starting here in the Savannah area tomorrow. If anyone is coming up from Florida be aware. Interstate 16 will be reversed starting Saturday at 8am so that will help with some congestion. From what friends have told me, hotels are booked all the way up to Charlotte.

 

[invader]

FLL closing at 7:45 pm tomorrow. 1143 flights cancelled between MIA, FLL, WPB, Jax. And cruise ships are returning passengers early to Miami with no plans for them?

Honestly better to be on land than out at sea.

I have been reading this forum everyday. I really hope everyone is safe. My question is do you think it would be ok to keep reservations for Disney if we are flying out the 16th then. I mean obviously if airport is damaged or Disney is badly hit. We wouldn't be able to go. I have never experienced this kind of thing before. So I guess I'm just looking for advice on what I should do. We lost my grandma a year ago and my grandpa 6 months later we planned this trip in thier memory.

Keep watching what happens. Pull the trigger the 11th/12th, if Central Florida looks absolutely terrible I would try and reschedule.

 

[AKL2003]

I cannot fathom why anyone would want to be heading to Orlando right now-having to cancel your vacation and take it later is a small price to pay compared to what Florida residents may be dealing with in a few days. We are scheduled to check in to POR on October 29, and I admit I am a bit nervous that there could be widespread damage from Irma that could linger until then and affect our trip, but that is pretty trivial right now, and if our vacation started this weekend, we would be rescheduling.

We were scheduled to arrive Sunday...we cancelled...there is no reason to take such a risk...we will reschedule when all of this passes and things get back to normal...we have many friends and family living in Fla and are praying all stay safe!! Our vacation will be just as amazing six months from now...

 

[LAKid53]

I have been reading this forum everyday. I really hope everyone is safe. My question is do you think it would be ok to keep reservations for Disney if we are flying out the 16th then. I mean obviously if airport is damaged or Disney is badly hit. We wouldn't be able to go. I have never experienced this kind of thing before. So I guess I'm just looking for advice on what I should do. We lost my grandma a year ago and my grandpa 6 months later we planned this trip in thier memory.

Sorry to hear about your grandparents. But what a lovely thing to do in their memory.

I think you've answered your own question. If there's damage to the terminals and runways at MCO, flights will be restricted. The same with damage at WDW, beyond minor.

 

[peter11435]

I have been reading this forum everyday. I really hope everyone is safe. My question is do you think it would be ok to keep reservations for Disney if we are flying out the 16th then. I mean obviously if airport is damaged or Disney is badly hit. We wouldn't be able to go. I have never experienced this kind of thing before. So I guess I'm just looking for advice on what I should do. We lost my grandma a year ago and my grandpa 6 months later we planned this trip in thier memory.

My advice is to wait until Tuesday and see what happens in Florida.