Not trying to make anyone panic..

[Josephine96]

But if Central Florida gets a hit from Charley.. even if it's not a major.. the results could be catastrophic..

We have had way too much rain as of late which doesn't help..

Tampa has Busch Gardens, Kissimmee/Orlando has Universal, Disney and a major tourist strip.

Not to mention there are millions of people here.. Some who may not even know what a hurricane is.

Evacuating Tampa/St Pete would be no easy task.. especially if they go inland instead of south since Central Florida may get the brunt..

The possible worst case scenario would happen in Tampa.. Thousands of evacuees being trapped on the Sunshine Skyway Bridge as Charley approaches.

This is not to make anyone panic or start calling me an alarmist.. Just something to think about..

Remember.. I'm as hyped, excited and nervous of this storm as most Floridians are..

[goodlife]

I have a good friend who is flying into Orlando midday Friday for a week at Disney....he's quite concerned about his trip. What would you Floridians recommend?
Should he postpone a day and maybe fly in on Sat?

[c5Camille]

if Charlie hits ANYWHERE it could be catastrophic....

[Josephine96]

Good point Camille.. and about your friend goodlife,

I'd actually tell him to wait till Sunday.. because if Charlie does actually slow down a little.. It would mean he'd either be here a little longer or take a little longer to get here if he comes this way

[Trader Ron]

They close the SSB when winds reach 40 MPH. It seems you are the one thats panicking !

[Josephine96]

Trader.. thanks for that lol..

I was not panicking.. Just trying to figure something out.. I know the bridges here I think close at 45mph.. and the public buses stop running @ 50 mph

[c5Camille]

yep... panic has set in....

[jlauderdal]

I have a good friend who is flying into Orlando midday Friday for a week at Disney....he's quite concerned about his trip. What would you Floridians recommend?
Should he postpone a day and maybe fly in on Sat?

neither day would be good if the track verifies but if anything he would want to push it too friday and try and sneak in ahead of the storm.

[Josephine96]

Panic has not set in lol.. I was just thinking of that.. I'm glad to here the bridge closes when winds reach tropical storm force though

[c5Camille]

we have this girl here in our office...
she's like in a constant panic mode...
i don't know how she gets to work in the
morning she's so edgy... anyway... i was
talking to a partner here in the office and
we agreed that if an emergancy were to
happen... my first job would be to knock
her out before she paniced and created a
crisis herself...

[GalvestonDuck]

Not to mention there are millions of people here.. Some who may not even know what a hurricane is.

Sad to say, but that is so true. When I was younger, and still living in KY, I thought it was just like I saw in movies -- lots of wind blowing through the palm trees and driving rain. I had no idea how strong those winds were or how long it all lasted. When you're only used to those short-lived Midwestern thunderstorms, you just don't have a clue about how bad hurricanes can be. I just thought it was a big major thunderstorm coming in from the ocean that blew in and was over in no time. Of course, I got older and learned more about them. Then Andrew hit and I talked to a survivor who moved up to KY and I got to learn a whole lot more. Then I moved here...and well, obviously I know way more about them now, but still not enough.

Heck, a few years ago, when I was still new to all this and I just did not see how Bret was going to turn, I called my grandparents to tell them where I'd be going if I needed to evacuate. My grandfather said, "Evacuate? You can't just go in the basement?" Further proof that not everyone understands what a hurricane is.

[Guest]

NO he isnt.... airports will be closed

I have a good friend who is flying into Orlando midday Friday for a week at Disney....he's quite concerned about his trip. What would you Floridians recommend?
Should he postpone a day and maybe fly in on Sat?

[Josephine96]

True DT.. I forgot that they close OIA and all the airports when winds hit a certain speed

[rtd2]

yep.....the landfall hype has started

[jlauderdal]

True DT.. I forgot that they close OIA and all the airports when winds hit a certain speed

Heck they had FLL closed last week for 6 hours one day to convection. Tell your friend to come into tomorrow or real early friday and get disney and a hurricane for the same price. Thats what I would do. Think how empty the parks will be the first day they reopen. All the roller coaster your stomach can handle

[c5Camille]

yep... i think it's going right into tampa bay... gonna
sit there for a few days... then go over to the airport..

then go directly over to jacksonville... still be a cat 3 too...

[ncbird]

Goodlife, even though I do not live in Florida now, I lived for a while in the Tampa/St. Pete area so know it well. I have also lived through numerous hurricanes and the cleanup afterwords. If I had plans on going there for a vacation, I would be mighty worried also... most likely on the phone seeing if I could change my reservations, and trying to make plans to go at a time that would make for a more enjoyable vacation time.

[Tommedic]

I am feeling for the people of Florida. Many don't realize the stress this will put on the public service agencies, even if either is just a weak system, though I don't think either will be. Add to that the reduced number of National Guard resources available, we could see some major problems anywhere a system hits this year. Just some thoughts.

[Josephine96]

So true Tom..

[Tommedic]

I am feeling for the people of Florida. Many don't realize the stress this will put on the public service agencies, even if either is just a weak system, though I don't think either will be. Add to that the reduced number of National Guard resources available, we could see some major problems anywhere a system hits this year. Just some thoughts.