Hurricane Irma

[quartz]

Cirque! I should fly down and join you!!

 

[skatesindreams]

I wish you were here!

 

[Dave of the North]

Some hurricane prep humour from Dave Barry:

http://www.miamiherald.com/living/liv-columns-blogs/dave-barry/article171702477.html

 

[skatesindreams]

I got a message that power just went out at my home.
I"m grateful to be where I am!

 

[Prancer]

It's amazing to see these areas where the ocean has been sucked away from the shore. I don't remember this being an issue before. Is this common?

From what I've read, it's rare and temporary; the beach should be back to normal some time this evening.

 

[victorskid]

I got a message that power just went out at my home.
I"m grateful to be where I am!

2.3 million customers are reported to be without power. There is concern about the time it will take to restore power, especially since the storm is still raging northward.

 

[quartz]

I wish you were here!

Careful what you wish for....I'd try to drink all your wine.

 

[skatesindreams]

I would "treat" you!

 

[victorskid]

2.3 million customers are reported to be without power. There is concern about the time it will take to restore power, especially since the storm is still raging northward.

The number has been updated to 3+ million customers without power with a prediction that it could take weeks for some to be restored! And Irma is still hammering Florida across the whole state

 

[skatesindreams]

The eastern side of the storm still has healthy bands of rain/wind as the western side weakens.

Stupidity at the White House:
http://www.cnn.com/2017/09/10/politics/dan-scavino-white-house-hurricane-irma/index.html

 

[Buzz]

Found this story about a guy who was turned away from his flight out because he didn't have a pet carrier is doing?
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/entry/...cuate-dog-carrier_us_59b2a92fe4b0b5e53105d402

 

[skatesindreams]

Because it is now trending Eastward; my area may take a real hit, before Irma is done.

 

[Prancer]

Stupidity at the White House:
http://www.cnn.com/2017/09/10/politics/dan-scavino-white-house-hurricane-irma/index.html

He made a mistake. People do. He admitted it and corrected it.

 

[skatesindreams]

Latest news:
Per CNN's meteorologist, my home city, Melbourne; has already had 14.5 inches of rain, with tornadoes in the area!

 

[victorskid]

Latest news:
Per CNN's meteorologist, my home city, Melbourne; has already had 14.5 inches of rain, with tornadoes in the area!

I heard that and thought of you!

 

[GarrAargHrumph]

Our friends stuck in St Thomas are now in trouble, as he is out of his heart medicine.

http://www.wxyz.com/news/metro-detroit-man-stranded-in-caribbean-in-a-race-against-time

Thanks for the link. I see he's originally from Canada (a fellow Albertan) who likely has dual citizenship. Has anyone tried contacting the Canadian Govt to see if they can help? He's also a former NHL Player - played for the Calgary Flames. Maybe contact the Flames and the NHL Players Assn - see if they can help put some pressure on the Govt.

If they're in the US VI and they are citizens of the US, they should contact their home area Congressperson and Senator.

If he's Canadian, it'd be the Canadian equivalent to the US Department of State that he'd contact, as there's no Canadian Consulate on the US VI. I'm not sure what the equivalent to the US Dept of State is there, others can assist.

If they are part of a specific religious group, and that group exists where they are, they should contact them as well. Sometimes they can help.

If he has big money and any ability at all for a plane to land, he can perhaps have himself medivac-ed out of there. This will cost serious buck, but some of these companies have gone so far as to hire local labor to build a temporary airstrip so they can land a plane to get a patient out. Example company:
• Med Jet Assist (800/527-7478, www.medjetassist.com)

This normally works like insurance; I don't know if he can join that "retroactively" as it were. Perhaps you or someone with easier access to a phone than he probably has can call them and talk over his situation, see if they can cover him, what the costs would be like, what they'd recommend, etc.

If he has Amex Platinum, some of the costs for this might be covered. He'd need to contact Amex.

 

[Debbie S]

I saw on the news earlier that the U.S. Navy rescued (via plane) Americans who were stranded in St. Thomas. Perhaps they were among them?

 

[susan6]

Rain and wind have really kicked up here in northern Florida. I'm expecting to lose power sometime overnight. Worst of it will hit here around 8 am tomorrow (Monday), but by then it will be around 50 - 60 mph. Can't imagine what Tampa's dealing with right now.
Lights are flickering, but I'm ready to camp out in my house without electricity for a few days.

 

[quartz]

Stay safe @susan6 - We will be thinking of you.
Has anyone heard from Olympic? When did he last check in?

 

[purple skates]

Thanks for the link. I see he's originally from Canada (a fellow Albertan) who likely has dual citizenship. Has anyone tried contacting the Canadian Govt to see if they can help? He's also a former NHL Player - played for the Calgary Flames. Maybe contact the Flames and the NHL Players Assn - see if they can help put some pressure on the Govt.

If they're in the US VI and they are citizens of the US, they should contact their home area Congressperson and Senator.

If he's Canadian, it'd be the Canadian equivalent to the US Department of State that he'd contact, as there's no Canadian Consulate on the US VI. I'm not sure what the equivalent to the US Dept of State is there, others can assist.

If they are part of a specific religious group, and that group exists where they are, they should contact them as well. Sometimes they can help.

If he has big money and any ability at all for a plane to land, he can perhaps have himself medivac-ed out of there. This will cost serious buck, but some of these companies have gone so far as to hire local labor to build a temporary airstrip so they can land a plane to get a patient out. Example company:
• Med Jet Assist (800/527-7478, www.medjetassist.com)

This normally works like insurance; I don't know if he can join that "retroactively" as it were. Perhaps you or someone with easier access to a phone than he probably has can call them and talk over his situation, see if they can cover him, what the costs would be like, what they'd recommend, etc.

If he has Amex Platinum, some of the costs for this might be covered. He'd need to contact Amex.

I saw on the news earlier that the U.S. Navy rescued (via plane) Americans who were stranded in St. Thomas. Perhaps they were among them?

Latest Facebook update is that they have a spot on a cruise ship that are on the way to pick up stranded tourists. Also, people here have gotten in touch with someone there to get the meds. So that's hopeful.

I know his family has been working the Canadian side and her family the US side, as far as trying to get assistance.

 

[meggonzo]

I'm guessing olympic doesn't have electricity.

 

[Allskate]

I can't imagine what Miami would like now if Irma had taken the route originally predicted. Irma hitting Cuba might have saved Florida from worse damage, but, boy did Cuba and the islands in the Caribbean take a beating. It's really sad.

ETA: A huge percentage of Florida is without power. TV says 3.4 million customers are without power, which means many more people without power.

 

[floridaice]

I got a message that power just went out at my home.
I"m grateful to be where I am!

Glad you aren't in Melbourne. We lost power around 10 this evening (NE of Orlando) It's going to be a long night I'm afraid. Thank goodness for smart phones !

 

[made_in_canada]

This may be a stupid question, but are tornados a common co-occurrence with hurricanes?

 

[floridaice]

This may be a stupid question, but are tornados a common co-occurrence with hurricanes?

Yes, especially on the east side because of the wind direction.

 

[quartz]

Hoping you stay safe as well, @floridaice.

 

[Lara]

I can't imagine what Miami would like now if Irma had taken the route originally predicted. Irma hitting Cuba might have saved Florida from worse damage, but, boy did Cuba and the islands in the Caribbean take a beating. It's really sad.

I haven't seen many images but it sure seems like Cuba took the beating I feared for Puerto Rico. I'm very sorry for those who got the short end of the stick.

 

[tony]

South Beach is not allowing re-entry until at least Tuesday AM. I guess enough damage was done there. The airports are apparently remaining closed until at least Wednesday because my Tuesday flight was canceled and the lady told me that it was because of air traffic control. The soonest flight I found following that is a Friday PM, and my work has already told me to take my time in getting back. I think much of the island area (and Florida in general) may be without power for an extended time.

 

[Aceon6]

South Beach is not allowing re-entry until at least Tuesday AM. I guess enough damage was done there. The airports are apparently remaining closed until at least Wednesday because my Tuesday flight was canceled and the lady told me that it was because of air traffic control. The soonest flight I found following that is a Friday PM, and my work has already told me to take my time in getting back. I think much of the island area (and Florida in general) may be without power for an extended time.

The airports won't be able to get back to normal until evacuated workers can get back and they have time to check and repair all of their equipment. Friday's probably a safe bet.

 

[TOADS]

The looters are coming out in Miami. They are looting places like Footlocker. They have caught a couple of them. I say, shoot a couple of them, wing them in the leg, not to kill them. Couple that with warnings that looters will be shot, I think looting would stop pretty fast once video of looters being winged hit the social media

This is not Houston where some folks were taking food and clothing because they lost everything and were desperate and I would look the other way and give them a pass.

However, different story in Miami. I don't call looting a Footlocker desperate situation, they should be dealt with harshly.