Hurricane Irma Updates ***Check First Post for closures and more info***

[rteetz]

What exactly is the ride out crew?

Cast members who will stay in the parks and resorts during the storm.

 

[circus4u]

The far outer bands of Irma are now visible on Key West radar.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Thanks and
No need to stay, as I just for word they are in a plane home! Don't know how yet but thank goodness!

Although, my other Aunt's daughter pulled apart her fence down there to board up their windows! Hopefully they stay safe ! And my dad's cousin's daughter is out buying prep for their own family in GA.

Well glad they got out and all the best to everything me!

 

[circus4u]

Latest report from NHC has Irma a Category 5 again.

NHC discussion:
"Mainly because Irma's eye has not deviated from
its westward motion, the new NHC forecast track has again shifted
slightly westward. Because of the hurricane's angle of approach to
the west coast of Florida, it is extremely difficult to pinpoint
exactly where the center might move onshore."

 

[rteetz]

Latest report from NHC has Irma a Category 5 again.

Report I saw also says it has potential to go back down to a 4 before landfall.

 

[circus4u]

From NHC, Discussion 40:

Apparently the ridge to the north of Irma has been stronger than
expected, and the initial motion remains westward, or 280/11 kt.
The track guidance continues to insist on Irma turning
west-northwestward soon, moving along the Cuban Keys adjacent to
the north coast of Cuba during the next 24 hours. After that time,
Irma is expected to turn sharply north-northwestward and accelerate
after 48 hours, moving parallel to the west coast of Florida and
then into Georgia. Mainly because Irma's eye has not deviated from
its westward motion, the new NHC forecast track has again shifted
slightly westward. Because of the hurricane's angle of approach to
the west coast of Florida, it is extremely difficult to pinpoint
exactly where the center might move onshore.

If the eye continues to move over the Cuban Keys and does not move
inland over the main island of Cuba, then Irma would likely not
lose much intensity during the next day or so. As we've stated
many times, fluctuations in intensity are likely during the next 36
hours due to possible and unpredictable eyewall replacement cycles.
After 36 hours, there are some indications that vertical shear may
increase over the hurricane, and a little more weakening is
anticipated at that time. Because of the concerns in the track
forecast noted above, Irma would be able to maintain a strong
intensity for a longer period of time if the center stays off the
west Florida coast. Regardless, Irma is still expected to be a
dangerous hurricane as it approaches the Florida Keys and the west
coast of Florida through 48 hours.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

It looks like from the latest track that miami's situation has "improved" relatively speaking...

The gulf coast/central Florida one though has not...

This is gonna be a gulf water "ripper"

 

[rteetz]

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Wdw has never really had to deal with a slow moving tropical event...it will be interesting to see what 45 years of theoretical planning becomes if this storm acts like the one last week.

 

[rteetz]

Epcot parking lot is a staging area for utility trucks.

 

[rteetz]

Disney has removed the tinker bell line on Cinderella Castle

http://blogmickey.com/2017/09/photos-tinker-bell-line-removed-cinderella-castle-hurricane-irma/

 

[rteetz]

Light posts within the parks are wrapped with plastic in preparation for the storm.

 

[Planogirl]

Some Florida theme parks stay open, some to close as Irma nears
http://www.cnn.com/2017/09/08/us/florida-amusement-parks-hurricane-trnd/index.html

I love what SeaWorld is doing.

Did I miss what is happening at Fort Wilderness?

 

[rteetz]

I love what SeaWorld is doing.

Did I miss what is happening at Fort Wilderness?

Ft. Wilderness is closed and guests have been moved to other resorts.

 

[Emmafleur]

Ft. Wilderness is closed and guests have been moved to other resorts.

Any idea why the whole resort is closing?

 

[rteetz]

Any idea why the whole resort is closing?

Because it's a forested area with a lot of trees and potential for blocked roadways and loss of power. Not a great place to be in a hurricane.

 

[Planogirl]

Ft. Wilderness is closed and guests have been moved to other resorts.

What if they had a pet in a motorhome? I wonder if the pet care place might have a few tenants.

 

[Capang]

Any idea why the whole resort is closing?

I would imagine that as a campground guests would be safer in the regular resorts and not tents, campers, or cabins.

 

[Emmafleur]

Because it's a forested area with a lot of trees and potential for blocked roadways and loss of power. Not a great place to be in a hurricane.

Oh yes. I thought about the tents and things - not much hurricane protection in those - but wondered about the actual resort hotel and why that was closing. I've never stayed there so didn't realise it was quite so wooded. Thanks for the info, hope everyone stays safe

 

[Capang]

Oh yes. I thought about the tents and things - not much hurricane protection in those - but wondered about the actual resort hotel and why that was closing. I've never stayed there so didn't realise it was quite so wooded. Thanks for the info, hope everyone stays safe

There is no "hotel" at Fort Wilderness. There are cabins and camp sites for tents and RVs.