Hurricane Matthew Closes WDW - Reopens Saturday, October 8th

[Boopuff]

My DD says that the staff was told to be prepared for a potential closing.

 

[vinotinto]

I'm also closely monitoring. We're scheduled to drive down tomorrow and have MNSSHP tickets for Thursday. Uggh!

Hurricane Statement has just been issued by the National Weather Service for East Central Florida (covers Orlando - includes Orange County):


This product covers east central Florida

... Hurricane watches now in effect for portions of east central
Florida...

New information
---------------

* changes to watches and warnings:
- a Hurricane Watch has been issued for southern Brevard
County... Indian River... Okeechobee... St. Lucie... Martin and
northern Brevard County

* current watches and warnings:
- a Hurricane Watch is in effect for southern Brevard
County... Indian River... Okeechobee... St. Lucie... Martin and
northern Brevard County

* storm information:
- about 770 miles south-southeast of Cape Canaveral FL or about
710 miles southeast of Fort Pierce FL
- 18.9n 74.3w
- storm intensity 145 mph
- movement north or 360 degrees at 10 mph

Situation overview
------------------

Major Hurricane Matthew is currently moving northward over the
northern Caribbean Sea and is forecast to move through the Windward
Passage between Cuba and Haiti tonight, then emerge into the
southeastern Bahamas Wednesday morning. The latest National Hurricane
Center forecast track indicates that Matthew will turn northwest over
the Bahamas as a major hurricane on Wednesday.

Matthew is forecast to parallel close to the Florida East Coast as a
major hurricane Thursday night and Friday. The overall threat from
Matthew to east central Florida is serious and has increased.
Sustained tropical storm force winds will be possible beginning
Thursday along the Treasure Coast, spreading north and northwest
across east central Florida Thursday night and Friday, including the
interior counties of Okeechobee, Osceola, Orange, Seminole and lake.
Given the strength of Hurricane Matthew and its forecasted close
approach to the Florida East Coast, hurricane force winds will be
possible in Martin, Saint Lucie, Indian River, Brevard and Volusia
counties Thursday night and Friday.

Large breaking waves are forecast to peak over 12 feet and produce
rough, pounding surf resulting in a significant risk of coastal
flooding, severe beach erosion and a high risk of rip currents
Thursday night and Friday. The potential exists for dangerous storm
surge flooding of 3 to 6 feet above ground along portions of the east
central Florida coast.

The heaviest rainfall will occur near and to the right of where the
core of Matthew tracks. A heavy rain and flood threat may develop
along the coast Thursday into Friday with the potential for rainfall
totals up to 3 to 6 inches. Many soils are saturated from recent rains
and additional rainfall will quickly produce water ponding.

Residents and visitors to east central Florida are strongly encouraged
to monitor the latest track and intensity forecasts from the National
Hurricane Center.

Potential impacts
-----------------

* wind:
prepare for life-threatening wind having possible extensive to
devastating impacts along coastal communities of east central
Florida. Potential impacts in this area include:
- structural damage to sturdy buildings, some with complete roof
and wall failures. Complete destruction of Mobile homes. Damage
greatly accentuated by large airborne projectiles. Locations
may be uninhabitable for weeks or months.
- Numerous large trees snapped or uprooted along with fences and
roadway signs blown over.
- Many roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban
or heavily wooded places. Many bridges, causeways, and access
routes impassable.
- Widespread power and communications outages.

Also, prepare for life-threatening wind having possible significant
to extensive impacts across inland areas of east central Florida.

* Storm surge:
storm surge information is unavailable at this time but will be
updated shortly.

* Flooding rain:
prepare for dangerous rainfall flooding having possible significant
impacts along the coast of east central Florida. Potential impacts
include:
- some streets and parking lots take on moving water as
storm drains and retention ponds overflow. Driving conditions
will become hazardous with some Road and bridge closures.
- Small streams, creeks, canals, and ditches will overflow.

Prepare for locally hazardous rainfall flooding having possible
limited impacts across inland areas of east central Florida.

* Tornadoes:
prepare for a tornado event having possible limited impacts across
east central Florida. Potential impacts include:
- the occurrence of isolated tornadoes can hinder the execution
of emergency plans during tropical events.
- A few places may experience tornado damage, along with power
and communications disruptions.
- Locations could realize roofs peeled off buildings, chimneys
toppled, Mobile homes pushed off foundations or overturned,
large Tree Tops and branches snapped off, shallow-rooted trees
knocked over, moving vehicles blown off roads, and small boats
pulled from moorings.

Precautionary/preparedness actions
----------------------------------
now is the time to check your emergency plan and take necessary
actions to secure your home or business. Deliberate efforts should be
underway to protect life and property. Ensure that your emergency
supplies kit is stocked and ready.

When making safety and preparedness decisions, do not focus on the
exact forecast track as there are inherent forecast uncertainties
which must be taken into account.

Always heed the advice of local officials and comply with any orders
that are issued. Do not needlessly jeopardize your life or the lives
of others.

Visitors to the area should become familiar with nearby surroundings.
If you are a visitor, know the name of the County in which you are
located and where it is relative to current watches and warnings.

Closely monitor NOAA Weather Radio or other local news outlets for
official storm information. Listen for possible changes to the
forecast.

Additional sources of information:
- for information on appropriate preparations see ready.Gov
- for information on creating an emergency plan see getagameplan.Org
- for additional disaster preparedness information see Redcross.Org

Next update
-----------
the next local statement will be issued by the National Weather
Service in Melbourne FL around 6 PM EDT, or sooner if conditions
warrant.

 

[otten]

Friday is our MNSSHP night. Really hoping there isn't a huge impact on that but there's nothing we can do about it so we'all just have to see what happens.

 

[meaganmusing]

Those that follow these things, any guesses as to what it takes for an airline to issue an alert? Do they have certain parameters that must be met from the forecasters? Like a degree of probability? And about how far out do they typically make these calls?

I don't know specifics, but I called Southwest last night and moved our flights from Thursday to Wednesday night. He said they hadn't issued an alert at the MCO airport yet, but he let me change with just a few added fees because we have to go through Houston now rather than a direct flight. It's worth calling to check. I was concerned that Wednesday flights would fill up quickly so jumped on it.

 

[tlmadden73]

At the minimum I would expect a LOT of rain.

Where I live (coastal NC) when we have "near misses" of hurricanes/tropical storms that are out in the ocean we get about 24 hours (at least) of rain and some heavy winds.

So even if it doesn't "hit" Florida, there will be a huge impact to weather (when it comes to going to a theme park) for the area for at least a day or two.

 

[Klayfish]

Wishing all the best for those of you trying to get to WDW as the storm approaches, or those of you there while it passes by...if indeed it does get close enough to have any impact. WDW has dealt with hurricanes before, and my understanding is that they'd close as the storm actually hits, but then reopen the very next day (presuming there's no catastrophic damage). It would still stink to lose a day though. My biggest concern would be airlines and other travel needed to get to WDW.

Fingers crossed for all you folks. Hopefully it'll stay far enough to sea to not have a major impact on you (or anyone else for that matter). If it gets close enough to cause a rainy/windy day, but not so close as to actually close the park, make lemonade out of lemons as the saying goes. On our honeymoon, a hurricane passed close enough to our resort to make a very windy and rainy day, but not enough to officially close anything. We made the best of it and even went for a dip in the pool!

 

[MakiraMarlena]

JetBlue is currently the only airline with a Matthew fee waiver that covers Orlando. The others will probably follow suit.

Southwest does not have a change fee. If you move a flight, they'll charge only the difference between your flight and the new flight if there is one. (This close, there likely is one). When they institute a waiver, you can change without paying the difference between flights.

 

[AngiTN]

JetBlue is currently the only airline with a Matthew fee waiver that covers Orlando. The others will probably follow suit.

Just saw that Delta has it on their list now too
I'm refreshing AA to watch for it to list one, while waiting on DH to tell me what he wants to do. If I hear from him I may call before they even get it listed, just in case

 

[loves to dive]

Fingers crossed for all ya'll heading to WDW in the next few days. It seems Matthew has a mind of his own and is all over the place, the predictions are moving it seems like hourly. We live in north east Georgia and haven't had rain for a long time, we are actually in drought conditions so while it's horrible for all on the coast we are hoping it will miss land but throw a little water our way. My honey has family in south Georgia and the last one dropped a good amount of wind and rain on them so we are keeping our fingers crossed it turns before it hits them again. They are in the swamp so at least they are used to damp weather. Stay safe everyone.

 

[Zim]

Well that's good Delta and JetBlue are the flights me and my DD18 are flying in on - but when to rebook if our current flights are Friday afternoon??

 

[nemofans]

Our flight is Friday night and not sure what to expect. I would guess possible delays due to earlier flights being affected, but I am hoping its not canceled.

 

[boxer]

I fly in on Thursday night - keeping my fingers crossed we can squeeze in before it gets bad.

Add me to the list flying in Thurs night!! We fly from Pitts to MCO, arriving around 7:30. This is kind of an important trip, as we are looking at rentals for our possible relocation!

 

[FatOldHillbillie]

The coast is going to get hurricane force winds. Probably Orlando as well.

the latest quote at 11 says TS force winds on the coast but some heavy surf pounding.

 

[rachelsmom97]

My DD says that the staff was told to be prepared for a potential closing.

Where does your daughter work?

 

[AngiTN]

Well that's good Delta and JetBlue are the flights me and my DD18 are flying in on - but when to rebook if our current flights are Friday afternoon??

That's a tricky one. Friday afternoon may well be fine. So hard to tell.
I'm stuck with the same question, we arrive Friday morning. We can't move to before Thursday, and that's going to be a juggling act. Nor is it sure to be early enough to beat the storm. I'm worried about waiting to Saturday and being stuck with all the delayed flights. I'm thinking that if we can't make it Thursday we may just not make it

 

[Frank4202]

Looks like another one building behind Matthew....Nicole.

 

[AngiTN]

Looks like another one building behind Matthew....Nicole.

I saw that earlier today. Looks almost like she is pushing Matthew towards the coast, but it may just be coincidence.

 

[ssdeverell]

We live in Tennessee and plan to leave at 8:00 a.m. on Friday with an arrival at WDW around 6:00 p.m. We will travel I-75 the whole way so we are hoping that it has cleared out some by the time we get to south Georgia. I am nervous but I am still planning to head down as I think it will mostly be gone by Saturday.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

United has not updated yet. When they do I'm going to change to landing at Thursday around 2:30 if they still have seats on that one. There's another that could land around 11 AM. Pickings are too slim on Wednesday.

NOAA doesn't expect Nicole to head for the US at this time. Not even looking at her. Just Matthew.

 

[agame2323]

We're flying Wednesday night. Currently, it looks like, heading down we would beat the storm. Thursday appears to be the day in question. Oddly enough, I was in Florida when this happened before and we were stuck inside our hotel all day.