Keep track of Hurricane Charley from UK [Archive] - Orlando Villas

13-08-2004, 05:45

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by chrizzy100
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by CarolAnn
I have been scared to follow it here in the UK!!! They don't normally go in pairs and inland do they[?]
At least my MC has just sent a reassuring note:)At the end of the day, what can you do from here[?]Agggggghhhh[msnscared]
Hope all is ok, for everyone's villa and ALL guests tourists and locals alike :)Best wishes guys:)
[/quote]

There would be nothing you could do even if you were there.....:(
[/quote]

We are out here and have done all thats possible, put all chairs etc from the deck into the garage, stocked up on flash lights, water, beers, vodka and crisps!!!

Watching news now................so calm here just been to Celebration and sat around the laked on the rocking chairs watching the gators and turtles, lovely!!

Just heard Tampa Airport to close Friday 9am, at the moment orlando is remaining open.

So keep watching this space!!!

Lucy

esprit

13-08-2004, 08:42

It was a real lull before the storm, a lovely dry night. Tomorrow isnt going to be quite as nice, they say[msnmad][msnmad]

Mr G

13-08-2004, 17:42

830am here in Sunny FLORIDA.Latest it will hit Tampa at 8pm tonight, expected 50+mph winds in Osceola.
I will update as day goes on.
Disney are shuting parks early.
Magic Kingdom open 8am till 1
Epcot 8am till 1
seaworld open all day
Universal open all day.
Animal Kingdom shut all day.

Advice from Managenment companies is put all loose items in Garage. News states not expected structural damage to homes in Orlando, ossibl flash flooding with heavy rain. Mobile homes will be damaged. Tampa is considering turning off all Electricity prior to strike as power cables will be affected by rise of over 13 feet in coastal water.
Hopefully those with homes in Orlando area should be OK.
update tonight

esprit

13-08-2004, 19:26

They are reckoning now it will hit pretty dead on Tampa Bay. All people in ocastal and low lying areas are evacuating. First major hurricane to hit the Gulf coast since the 1960s, first to hit Tampa in 80 years.

Nostromo

13-08-2004, 19:50

As I post this from Calne, Wiltshire, it is reasonalbly good weather outside with a few scattered clouds and quite warm & dry; this is probably a lot better than the current weather in Orlando! Now how often does THAT happen?[8D][:0]

CarolAnn

13-08-2004, 20:07

Here in Milton Keynes, it is cloudy, but fine:)Though my father has just returned from a trip to Stevenage in Hertfordshire and said the traffic had to stop as he had NEVER seen rain like it[msneek][msnscared]And ,NO, he has not seen the rain on a good day in Florida!![msntongue]
Still praying for a mild storm in Orlando area guys :)Thinking of you, yes and my villa[msnscared]

chrizzy100

13-08-2004, 21:01

I see they just found another storm out at sea....DT4...it just came up on my weather bug.........

Lyn

14-08-2004, 00:08

Been listening to 949online all afternoon Charley is now going to hit further south around Sanibel Island in the next hour then it is due to travel north east across Florida - keep you posted

14-08-2004, 00:13

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Lyn
Been listening to 949online all afternoon Charley is now going to hit further south around Sanibel Island in the next hour then it is due to travel north east across Florida - keep you posted
[/quote]

Its just off shore from Capitiva.

SheilaF

14-08-2004, 00:15

Hi Everyone

Here in Kissimmee we have just had the first tornado of the day, it came over in a second. One minute it was calm the next rain and heavy winds...... According to the latest news it is going to skim Tampa and hit Fort Myers and Port Charlotte heading over Orlando tonight at around 11.00pm leaving the coast at 0200am Saturday morning. It is now a Category 4 storm which means winds of 145 miles an hour.
My teenage son thinks its the coolest thing ever, but my thoughts are with the people that live on the coast and in mobile homes.

Will report later .......

14-08-2004, 00:22

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by SheilaF
Hi Everyone

Here in Kissimmee we have just had the first tornado of the day, it came over in a second. One minute it was calm the next rain and heavy winds...... According to the latest news it is going to skim Tampa and hit Fort Myers and Port Charlotte heading over Orlando tonight at around 11.00pm leaving the coast at 0200am Saturday morning. It is now a Category 4 storm which means winds of 145 miles an hour.
My teenage son thinks its the coolest thing ever, but my thoughts are with the people that live on the coast and in mobile homes.

Will report later .......
[/quote]

My teenage daughter is terrified! We are near Champions Gate and its calm again now.............

floridadreamvilla.co.uk

14-08-2004, 00:52

See this for maps showing what is going on in (almost) real time:

http://b.www.orlandoweather.com/wxmap/1524211/detail.html

Lyn

14-08-2004, 01:27

It's hit landfall at Port Charlotte and now heading for the I75 at Punta Gorda

14-08-2004, 01:52

Very, very heavy rain in Polk now we cant see across the road, thunder etc very very dark (more than the normal storms!!)

We are getting the bands of severe weather on the northern side of Charley.

Susan J

14-08-2004, 01:56

I hope everyone is okay over there, we are all thinking of you, I am sure.

14-08-2004, 02:10

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Susan J
I hope everyone is okay over there, we are all thinking of you, I am sure.
[/quote]

Thanks Susan, it is a bit worrying! New reports from Post Charlotte of structural damage

Lucy

margy

14-08-2004, 02:21

hope everyone is safe in florida and comes through the storm ok we are thinking of you all

linsan

14-08-2004, 02:26

We second that Margy! We're thinking of you guys and hoping it'll pass quickly.

14-08-2004, 02:29

Thank you!!!

margy

14-08-2004, 02:30

just seen news of the hurricane on sky news hope everyone in florida keeps safe and well we are all thinking of you all

floridadreamvilla.co.uk

14-08-2004, 03:04

It's just been downgraded to Category 2 from what I hear.

14-08-2004, 03:15

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by floridadreamvilla.co.uk
It's just been downgraded to Category 2 from what I hear.
[/quote]

Cat 2 Hurricane thats going to pass through Disney World and Orlando!!!!

aster

14-08-2004, 03:31

There is radio coverage on-line at the link below.

http://www.wjno.com/streaming.html

neilr

14-08-2004, 03:36

Spoke to our current guest earlier and they were sat tight watching TV with candles at the ready and prepared for complete loss of services (water included). Despite a polite email from our management co. our guests have had no information (we have tornado info in our guests information pack) from either the management co. or the tour operator (booking via management co. & T.O.)!! Feel more than a little helpless given the distance!!

jon2211

14-08-2004, 03:41

Spoke to our guests and they said that the MC had phoned them this morning and advised them what to do. Just hope it dies down before it reaches the 27.

14-08-2004, 03:45

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by neilr
Spoke to our current guest earlier and they were sat tight watching TV with candles at the ready and prepared for complete loss of services (water included). Despite a polite email from our management co. our guests have had no information (we have tornado info in our guests information pack) from either the management co. or the tour operator (booking via management co. & T.O.)!! Feel more than a little helpless given the distance!!

[/quote]

We have had great info from our owner and man co..........got baths full of water (so we can wash and flush the loo), got the downstairs loo (safe house full of pillows, drinks, lanterns, towels etc.

Just sitting it out waiting for it to arrive....................

chrizzy100

14-08-2004, 03:56

It just said on the news its in the kissimmee/ Orlando area in the next 20 mins..........

Troy Tempest

14-08-2004, 04:11

Well,
We're coming home tommorrow, so we had everything packed together last night and so got food and water for this evening. Nothing left to do this morning except GO TO ISLANDS OF ADVENTURE!!!!

Open till two this afternoon and free parking and entry (for those without flex ticket of course!)

Come out about 2:30 and a mini(?) tornado whipped up universal blvd by Wet 'n' Wild appropriately, with birds, palm fronds and people flying all over the road.

It's 7:10pm now Back in the villa in BVL and it's VERY windy and VERY wet ( the pool is filling up fast!)

Fox news reports Charley to hit Kissimmee/Orlando in about an hour.

Neil

14-08-2004, 04:19

Its really whipping up now!!! Palms blowing side ways!!!

blott

14-08-2004, 04:23

If it goes suddenly calm, you may be in the eye of the hurricane. Stay indoors as it will start again as soon as the eye passes.

Good luck, we're thinking of you!

14-08-2004, 04:26

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by blott
If it goes suddenly calm, you may be in the eye of the hurricane. Stay indoors as it will start again as soon as the eye passes.

Good luck, we're thinking of you!
[/quote]

Thank you! Pool screen looks like it going to blow!

blott

14-08-2004, 04:39

Thankfully, you're not sheltering in the pool screen! How do you know that? You're meant to be in your safe room!

dolphinv

14-08-2004, 04:46

Well, nite all and good luck! off to bed now. I will check in 2moro from work!

sandra777

14-08-2004, 05:04

Just phoned our guests to make sure theit OK, fortunately they'd had all the info on what to do from the MC. Said they really appreciated the call.

esprit

14-08-2004, 07:37

Well we all lived through it here. I got some damage to my home, roof tiles etc and one of my management homes has pool screen damage. There are quite a lot of uprooted trees everywhere. And water flooding down the streets. It really blew at the heights, I watched it all, quite awesome to see the forces of nature at work like that.

Ana

14-08-2004, 08:05

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by esprit
Well we all lived through it here. I got some damage to my home, roof tiles etc and one of my management homes has pool screen damage. There are quite a lot of uprooted trees everywhere. And water flooding down the streets. It really blew at the heights, I watched it all, quite awesome to see the forces of nature at work like that.
[/quote]

Glad to hear you're ok Julie :)

Lyn

14-08-2004, 14:22

Hope everyone survived without to much damage to thier homes

CarolAnn

14-08-2004, 14:39

Thinking of everyone in Florida, especially those areas worst affected[msnscared]Hope all residents,guests (homes too)are ok. Best wishes to everyone:)

margy

14-08-2004, 16:32

is everyone over in florida safe and well i hope so ive not yet checked the news so dont know whats happening just got up and turned the pc on to know if all is well with the people who is affected by the storm hope it passes soon

Claire M

14-08-2004, 17:23

Hi

Has anyone got any information on Emerald Island, we are trying to contact our guests without success, I take it the phone lines are down. If you know anything could you let me know.

Thanks

Claire

walmsley_family

14-08-2004, 17:41

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Claire M
Hi

Has anyone got any information on Emerald Island, we are trying to contact our guests without success, I take it the phone lines are down. If you know anything could you let me know.

Thanks

Claire
[/quote]

Hi Claire,

We to are having problems contacting our guests on Emerald Island.
We managed to speak with them at 2.45 this morning the hurricane had just passed, they said it would have been over in the 15mins then.

Whilst talking the power went off and their children were seeking cover under the pool table...

The damage reported then was water coming under the front door, they placed towels down, then we told them to contact us if they had any problems...

This morning, phone down, power down and presume water down..., also cannot get management co. because the cell phones and his own home lines are down...

Bye for Now

Mark Walmsley

Claire M

14-08-2004, 17:47

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by walmsley_family
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Claire M
Hi

Has anyone got any information on Emerald Island, we are trying to contact our guests without success, I take it the phone lines are down. If you know anything could you let me know.

Thanks

Claire
[/quote]

Hi Claire,

We to are having problems contacting our guests on Emerald Island.
We managed to speak with them at 2.45 this morning the hurricane had just passed, they said it would have been over in the 15mins then.

Whilst talking the power went off and their children were seeking cover under the pool table...

The damage reported then was water coming under the front door, they placed towels down, then we told them to contact us if they had any problems...

This morning, phone down, power down and presume water down..., also cannot get management co. because the cell phones and his own home lines are down...

Bye for Now

Mark Walmsley

[/quote]

Thanks Mark, if you hear anymore could you let me know and I will post once I hear something.

Thanks

Claire

daxon

14-08-2004, 17:49

hi all,
we are in highlands reserve, hit about 8pm last night all calm this morning few trees are down and bin over and signs down as well but only bits of damage, no power out all shops shut at 2 pm yesterday just waiting to hear wether the rumours of another 2 hurraccaines are true or not!! kids were a bit scared but we just sat tight and played games interesting watchiing the walls shaking hope everyone is ok
dawn

aster

14-08-2004, 17:58

Aster Cove, Crescent Lakes. The power is still out but our guests said they seemed to have escaped the worst. Luckily no damage to the house/screen. Guests haven't been around the neighbourhood yet but hopefully we are typical and immediate local damage may not be as bad as it could have been. Ray

50sumtng

14-08-2004, 18:11

Just spoke to our guests at Terra Verde. Power out and some trees down. A few houses have bits of sofit hanging down, but in general, the resort survived OK

rgds

chrizzy100

14-08-2004, 18:14

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by daxon
hi all,
we are in highlands reserve, hit about 8pm last night all calm this morning few trees are down and bin over and signs down as well but only bits of damage, no power out all shops shut at 2 pm yesterday just waiting to hear wether the rumours of another 2 hurraccaines are true or not!! kids were a bit scared but we just sat tight and played games interesting watchiing the walls shaking hope everyone is ok
dawn
[/quote]

There is one on the same track......they are giving out updates.....

They think there are a lot more deaths then first thought..one guy talk about stacks of bodies ....but later took that back ..........people are missing......etc.....it looks bad on the news.......

heathercobbett

14-08-2004, 18:27

We have just spoken to our current renters and they were not fazed at all.They said it was pretty noisy for a couple of hours last night but there is no damage and they are now watching its progress on the weather channel.The electrics stayed on which they were grateful for.
We are on Manors North at Westridge

Heather

Ray&Sarah

14-08-2004, 19:14

We have just spoke to our guests at Westbury, Davenport. They have no power at the moment, and played charades during the night. We are in Annapolis at the moment on vacation and been told to expect the storm surge during the afternoon, and a flood warning has been issued. Fingers crossed everyone in Florida is okay.

CarolAnn

14-08-2004, 20:38

Miss you Ray & Sarah:):D
Come home soon:(
Happy hols
LOL[msntongue]

Nostromo

14-08-2004, 21:10

How does the Home Insurance cover work in the USA with respect to storm damage? In the UK, a proper policy would cover it, wouldn't it? Is is the same in the US? It must be a big concern for the home owners, especially those who normally live in the UK. Will They have to go to Orlando later to supervise any repair work?

chrizzy100

14-08-2004, 21:18

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Nostromo
How does the Home Insurance cover work in the USA with respect to storm damage? In the UK, a proper policy would cover it, wouldn't it? Is is the same in the US? It must be a big concern for the home owners, especially those who normally live in the UK. Will They have to go to Orlando later to supervise any repair work?
[/quote]

We had to sign a form to say because we have storm cover......we would not go to the State for money......our FL neighbour has no cover.....but he would claim from the State for a rebuild or repairs.....so he told me yesterday......

Cruella DeVilla

15-08-2004, 01:01

MMMMM, watching the storms with vested intrest presently!:(

Herbie

15-08-2004, 01:42

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Nostromo
How does the Home Insurance cover work in the USA with respect to storm damage? In the UK, a proper policy would cover it, wouldn't it? Is is the same in the US? It must be a big concern for the home owners, especially those who normally live in the UK. Will They have to go to Orlando later to supervise any repair work?
[/quote]

Part of our Hazard Insurance includes a specific amount of the premium to cover hurricanes. However, the amount of excess we have to pay of any claim caused by hurricane works out at 2% of the rebuild cost which in our case means we would have to pay the first $3560 of any claim. (fingers crossed that we haven't any damage !)

Herbie

yorkshirerose

15-08-2004, 02:23

how was Southern Dunes affected as i have a workmate and his family staying there at the moment,and i arrive there next Thursday the 19th.Hope everyone is safe.

Cruella DeVilla

15-08-2004, 02:31

Yeh we fly on the 19th into Fort Myers.. will see what it is like in next couple of days.

Jill

15-08-2004, 02:40

Yorkshire Rose your friend and his family are probably fine. We spoke to our guests today on Southern Dunes and they said they were okay it had been pretty noisy last night and the rain was so bad you could hardly see to the otherside of the pool cage. Phones obviously working, but at lunchtime no power or water. They said there was quite a lot of vegetation lying around. Two doors down from them the pool cage has a large tear in one of the panels and they knew of a villa backing onto the 4th green where rain had got in through the patio door and windows. Some of the trees past the 2nd green have been blown down across the road but basically they have not seen anything dreadful. Yesterday they were by Lake Joe when they saw the twister go up the road through Haines City had not realised what it was to start with but soon hurried back to our villa when they guessed what they were seeing.

Claire M

15-08-2004, 02:40

I have an update from Emerald Island, there appears to be no damage to our property, there are supposed to be lots of trees down, so I am not sure how the properties that back onto conservation are, but we have no electric, phones or water. They are hoping to get the water back on in the next few hours, then the electric will follow.

Claire

Silver Dollar

15-08-2004, 03:07

I'm at Windsor Palms...we lost some power for a while but now all we're lacking is the tv.

Big Mack

15-08-2004, 03:15

I contacted the owners of the villa that i will be staying at in Crescent Lakes. She didnt really have much info, her managment company told her that the worst of the damage was in the Naples area (Where's that?) and that Kissimmee did not suffer too badly!! Fingers crossed [8D]

blott

15-08-2004, 03:31

It's been really difficult for most home owners to get much info as the phones, electricity, etc have been down and their management companies are out checking all the homes, in some cases even though their own homes have been damaged.

BTW, Naples is on the Gulf Coast.

chrizzy100

15-08-2004, 07:25

We now have a storm warning for Charley on the Cape.....it should be more inland.......if it is we'll just get 40 mile an hour winds and tons more rain........how nice.........

Cruella DeVilla

15-08-2004, 12:00

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Big Mack
I contacted the owners of the villa that i will be staying at in Crescent Lakes. She didnt really have much info, her managment company told her that the worst of the damage was in the Naples area (Where's that?) and that Kissimmee did not suffer too badly!! Fingers crossed [8D]
[/quote]

Naples escaped practically untouched. Lovely place where we are going this Thursday if Fory Myers is ok as we fly in there.

patteian

15-08-2004, 13:46

Hi,

does anyone know how Ashley Manor faired? (close to Champions Gate)

regards

Ian

jon2211

15-08-2004, 14:55

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Part of our Hazard Insurance includes a specific amount of the premium to cover hurricanes. However, the amount of excess we have to pay of any claim caused by hurricane works out at 2% of the rebuild cost which in our case means we would have to pay the first $3560 of any claim. (fingers crossed that we haven't any damage !)

Herbie
[/quote]

Our insurers gave us 2 options. Either $500 excess on Hurricane damage or $3000. The difference in Premium was about $80 but I still went for the $3000! I will not make that mistake next year.

hadrian

15-08-2004, 18:18

Hi all,

Just returned home after landing at Manchester from Orlando just after 9am (VS076)this morning. The flight was delayed by a few hours because the cabin crew couldn't get to the airport.

We stayed in a villa at Oakpoint Circle, just off Ronald Reagan Parkway. There was no damage to our villa but two trees were blown down, one outside the front door. There seemed to be minor damage to the surrounding houses. We lost power at 7pm Friday night and our neighbours heard from the power company it wouldn't be restored until Tuesday. It was the scariest night of our lives.

The local garage was closed today and publix was open for dry produce only, they only had a generator going and had completely sold out of soft drinks and water.

We tried for hours both yesterday and this morning to contact Virgin Atlantic and Orlando International airport by telephone, but the lines were continually busy. When we did get through we were given different advice as to whether the airport was open or not. We decided to leave at 1pm for our 6.15pm flight, just as a neighbour said he'd heard on the radio that the airport was closed due to structural damage. We set off anyway and then hit the east bound I4 just as the next heavy rainfall started.

The drive to the airport was dangerous as most lights weren't working and visibility was very bad, there was damage EVERWHERE. We saw trees down on every road, damage to buildings, walls and pavements broken due to trees falling. It was impossible to comprehend the level of damage as there seemed to be something every few seconds.

Even at Dollar car rental people were standing around saying there were no flights. The terminal was standing room only; some people had been there since 10am yesterday as their flights had been cancelled. I can’t tell you how relieved we were to find our flight was still go. It took just under four hours to get from Dollar car return to the departure gate, the queue for the security gates stretched into the check-in area!

Thankfully we survived and it seems we only felt the edge of the hurricane, though from just a 5 minute drive from our villa it is clear the risk of damage was random and I guess our area was just lucky as within a few hundred yards we could see torn pool netting and whole netting cages collapsed.

Our villa owners were very helpful and phoned us on Saturday morning to see if we were OK, and they helped to keep us up to date on flight information.

My advice to anyone going out now is have a full tank of petrol, buy bottled water as soon as you can and take torches and batteries in case your accommodation has no power. Apart from the Hurricane the rest of the holiday was fantastic and I'll submit a report soon.

Hadrian

chrizzy100

15-08-2004, 19:09

We have Charley this morning......we woke up to having a riverside home.........an outside wrap around pool.......and one just starting downstairs in the basement.......we don't have real stormdrains in the road on the Cape...like FL...so lets hope the sea and the rivers are not full......thank goodness the drainage pond was low up the street.......

blott

15-08-2004, 19:19

Sorry to hear that Chrizzy, stay safe.

chrizzy100

15-08-2004, 19:31

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by blott
Sorry to hear that Chrizzy, stay safe.
[/quote]

Its on the move out to sea.....I think we were asleep when most of it passed......its a good job my daughter took my car to work very early this morning it was in the street last night and would of been underwater this morning........

jolliffee

15-08-2004, 21:19

Glad to hear you safe Chrizzy; guess we'll get the wet stuff hitting the UK mid week ish.

chrizzy100

15-08-2004, 21:31

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by jolliffee
Glad to hear you safe Chrizzy; guess we'll get the wet stuff hitting the UK mid week ish.
[/quote]

Its left the tip of the Cape.....and its on the way to you by the look of the weather map.......the rain fall while we were awake was out of this world.......

Magical Dreams

15-08-2004, 22:44

This is so scary, I have emailed my realtor to find out if they are OK, He lives on the 27 so we are not sure what damage if any was caused..

Was there much damage in the Villa Communities?

Hope the Villas, guests and the owners are all OK!

What about Mickey's House? Is that OK?

Are any of the attractions damaged?

Magical Dreams

15-08-2004, 23:11

I've just found this if anyone is interested in reading it.......

*Associated Press/AP Online

PUNTA GORDA, Fla. - As the remnants of Hurricane Charley
disintegrated off the New England coast on Sunday, Florida residents
began the massive task of cleaning up from a storm that state
officials estimated caused damages as high as $11 billion for
insured homes alone.
President Bush flew over the most heavily damaged areas in a
Marine helicopter Sunday before landing in this retirement haven of
15,000 people, which was devastated by Charley. The storm killed at
least 13 people in Florida - including a man who was crushed outside
his home when a banyan tree fell on him - and left thousands
temporarily homeless.
"All the clothes that I've got now is just what I'm
wearing now," one resident, George Nickols, told the president.
Lenida Caponera, who fled her home on Easy Street in Port
Charlotte as the storm approached, returned to find it completely
destroyed.
"You can go from house to house, it's all this
way," she said as she picked up a pillowcase, one of the few
things on her lawn she could find that was not ruined.
Chad Maxwell shoveled up soggy ceiling tiles and shattered
glass Sunday from the floor of the real estate office where he works
in Punta Gorda. Looking at the coffee shop next door, which lost its
second floor, and a florist with only one wall standing, he
described his impression of downtown: "Beirut."
"It looks like a bomb zone. Everything's gone.
Everything's tore up," he said.
The Rev. Leroy Martin set up two dozen chairs and laid
Bibles on them outside his small Punta Gorda church, unsure whether
the darkened building was safe for services.
"I guess it is at a time like this when you realize the
significance of spiritual values when everything else has blown
away," Martin said.
The hardest-hit areas appeared to be Punta Gorda and Port
Charlotte in Charlotte County, though the Federal Emergency
Management Agency declared 25 counties eligible for disaster aid
after the worst hurricane to hit Florida in a dozen years.
From his helicopter, President Bush could see debris from
trailer park homes strewn across green fields and roofs that had
been torn off hangars at Charlotte County Airport, where he was
briefed by officials coordinating recovery efforts.
Asked about why he made such a quick trip to Florida in this
election year, Bush said: "Yeah, if I didn't come, they
would've said we should have been here more rapidly."
As a weakened Charley churned up the East Coast and was
downgraded Sunday to a tropical depression, emergency officials
pronounced it the worst hurricane to wallop Florida since Hurricane
Andrew tore through in 1992. Twenty-six deaths were directly linked
to Andrew, which caused $19.9 billion in insured property losses.
The luxury vacation haven of North Captiva Island, which can
be reached only by air and boat, was divided in two by Charley's
storm surge, creating a new inlet that appears to be several hundred
yards long, Lee County spokesman Pat O'Rourke said. The island's
main road was submerged, but the extent of damage to homes was not
determined.
State officials said it was impossible to estimate the
number of missing people, and downed power lines and debris made the
task of searching for bodies "tedious and dangerous," said
Mike McHargue, director of investigations for the Florida Department
of Law Enforcement.
An initial damage estimate of $5 billion to $11 billion was
based on the value of homes and insurance policies in the storm's
path, said Tami Torres, a spokeswoman for state Chief Financial
Officer Tom Gallagher. Uninsured homes, business losses and damage
to automobiles were not included.
Thirty-one mobile-home parks in Charlotte County sustained
major damage, some with more than 1,000 units, said Bob Carpenter, a
sheriff's spokesman. He said teams were sent to each park to search
for bodies and survivo

E. Cosgrove

16-08-2004, 00:19

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by chrizzy100
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by jolliffee
Glad to hear you safe Chrizzy; guess we'll get the wet stuff hitting the UK mid week ish.
[/quote]

Its left the tip of the Cape.....and its on the way to you by the look of the weather map.......the rain fall while we were awake was out of this world.......
[/quote]
I think Charley has just arrived!!!
It's pitch black here and coming down in torrents, the road is awash and the drains don't seem to be able to cope. I'm sure it will be only short lived tho'and it's nothing compared to the poor folks in Florida. At least there is a bright side for me ...I won't have to water the garden!!

Trina

16-08-2004, 00:33

Have just heared from our MCs wife - they live up near Universal. There has been tornado damage close by. Lots of trees and power cables
down. Residents are being advised to stay at home as unfortunately there have also been caualties today where residents have been trying clear up and cut back trees and there have be electricutions. There have been may road accidents as traffic signals are not working and there was a 90 mile traffic jam yesterday from Orlando to Tampa with people trying to get back home.

Ray&Sarah

16-08-2004, 01:07

We have heard that the power on US 27 would be out for 72 hours. The latest we heard from our MC was that there was no damage to the villa, although not sure how they are going to clean without power for our guests arriving tomorrow. We are on vacation, and do not have anyway of contacting the incoming guests, so hope they are not too upset if the villa isn't clean.

bellaepovera

16-08-2004, 02:09

just to let everyone know that hurricane charlie devasted kissimmee and surrounding areas but the good news is Disney was up and running the next moring at 9am...

Scotborder

16-08-2004, 02:37

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Ray&Sarah
We have heard that the power on US 27 would be out for 72 hours. The latest we heard from our MC was that there was no damage to the villa, although not sure how they are going to clean without power for our guests arriving tomorrow. We are on vacation, and do not have anyway of contacting the incoming guests, so hope they are not too upset if the villa isn't clean.

[/quote]

You are the lucky ones that has contact from your MC. We are still waiting for any news from our MC, could not get them on phone or no response on e-mail. We tried so many times to phone our guest, but no response, we understand that phone lines are still down.[msncry]

Oscar1

16-08-2004, 02:42

We have some guests staying at Southern Dunes, as of yet we havent been able to get in touch with them. We are situated near hole 3. havent been able to get in touch with the MC. Anybody got any information o the area. And if there is any damage in that area. Hope they are ok.[msncry]

blott

16-08-2004, 02:50

Info on Southern Dunes is here http://www.orlando-guide.info/forums/topic.asp?topic_id=12871&whichpage=4

Oscar1

16-08-2004, 02:53

Thanks Blott

porky

16-08-2004, 13:10

Oscarvillas

I ahev a home on SD in Caribbean Cove and Matt (Floridapalms) kindly went round to see my guests on Saturay. They are fine (or were then - might not be so happy now they still have no phone or power. The villa was fine as was Matt's and another owners 2 homes.

Got an email from my mc, came in late last night. They are over in Kissimmee and it's pretty horendous over there. They have substantial damage to their home, no phones, no mobiles, no powere, no water (home or ofice). They have just got a generator and internet access up and running but have flooding and can't get off the drive as there are 4 big oak trees blocking it. If your mc is over that way he may well be in a similar situation.

Oh it';s so frustrating being so far away and unable to offer any assistance to anybody.

Jacqui

Magical Dreams

16-08-2004, 13:35

http://www.orlando-guide.info/forums/Data/pontelad/200481693410_Kissimmee.jpg

This is a picture off Orlando Sentinels website, This was take in Kissimmee.
Two mailboxes are still in the ground after a tree is uprooted in the Broadmoor mobile home subdivision in Kissimmee

moodyvilla

16-08-2004, 17:46

We visited Disney Market Place yesterday and you wouldn't have thought anything had happened. I was curious and asked some of the staff how come Disney appeared to have recovered so quickly with obvious resources being focused on getting them back in business. Even the staff were synical some suggested that the same attention should have been placed on other areas who have been told it could be upto 10 days before they get their electric back.

Come out of disney and you are hit with the aftermath of the storm - petrol stations are starting to open though cutting down the lines for gas.

Ralph & Claire

hadrian

16-08-2004, 17:47

When I drove to the airport on Saturday the damage seemed almost random. There would be a villa with a tree in the pool next to one with apparently no damage at all. The damage certainly seemed to be worse as we got closer to the airport.

At least all the major roads seemed passable, but it was very dangerous getting through junctions with no traffic lights.

The trailer park on CR54 by Champions gate seemed to have sustained very little damage

tuzanne

16-08-2004, 18:50

We have just heard from our guests who were in our villa at time of hurricane by email. They were ok and had really enjoyed their first trip to orlando up until then. They said that there was a little damage to our villa but were not specific about what it was. They managed to find a hotel to stay in as the power was out at Terra Verde and are trying to get home. Our next guests are due to fly out today and I hope that they get a flight as there seems to be devastation at airport. Our MC has found them somewhere else to stay until the power back on at our villa. Who said owning a villa was easy. These are our first two guests after closing mid July - what a start. I suppose Things Can Only Get Better as they say in the song.

Sue

16-08-2004, 21:09

Hello all!!!

We have power again near Champions Gate!!!!

Well that was an interesting experience, apparently the centre of Charley came straight through the CR54, lots of damage everwhere, but then some places un touched.

Lots of power still out, Polk county particulary bad, places like Southern Dunes maybe looking at another week!

If you go to the bay news 9 web page there is video footage of Charley on there.

My husband set up the video camera and left it running so we have lots of footage.

We stocked our safe room and had a hurricane party in there, it was snug as it was the downstairs loo!!!!

Glad everyone else is safe and well!!!

Kind regards

Lucy

Joolz

17-08-2004, 12:39

Hello everyone- hurricane sounds terrible-
What is the link for the videos Lucy, for bay news 9 web page video footage _ I cant seem to find it?
Joolz

traceya89

18-08-2004, 03:42

sounds quite horrifying being in the middle of hurricane charlie. anyone want to go to tornado alley for a little relaxation

cherry

18-08-2004, 05:05

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by bellaepovera
just to let everyone know that hurricane charlie devasted kissimmee and surrounding areas but the good news is Disney was up and running the next moring at 9am...
[/quote].

In all honesty who amongst villa owners is bothered that Disney is up and running after a devastating hurricane .I place more concern on my guests and my home than Micky Mouse .[V]

chrizzy100

18-08-2004, 05:12

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by cherry
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by bellaepovera
just to let everyone know that hurricane charlie devasted kissimmee and surrounding areas but the good news is Disney was up and running the next moring at 9am...
[/quote].

In all honesty who amongst villa owners is bothered that Disney is up and running after a devastating hurricane .I place more concern on my guests and my home than Micky Mouse .[V]
[/quote]

Well if Micky had taken a bad hit and been closed for a long time.......a lot of people would of lost their homes to the repo man......people who rent need a healthy Micky.....but he does come second to guests ......so far its seem no guests were hurt.....:)

esprit

18-08-2004, 05:16

Still no power on Southern Dunes, though Westbury near Contempo Plaza now on. WalMart near Haines is open with a big portable generator. Some residential areas in Kissimmee hit very badly. Some of the residential communities off Hoagland had the disaster relief units there,Noticed some bad damage at Lomo Vista on 54, screen damage and roof damage. Yes it was random, a house with no damage next to one devatated. That is because it was caused by isolated gusts and also a number of twisters under the storm. Many people are still homeless and using the evacuation centers, Celebration high school kids have been given the week off because of this,
The damage to life and property was terrifying and the aftermath is a nightmare but it was awesome to watch forces of nature that big in action, I am definitely glad I stood and watched it and didnt hide under a table or whatever, at once every 60 years I am unlikely to see it again.

18-08-2004, 07:17

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Joolz
Hello everyone- hurricane sounds terrible-
What is the link for the videos Lucy, for bay news 9 web page video footage _ I cant seem to find it?
Joolz

[/quote]

Its here, scroll to the bottom and it has two options one for high speed dial up etc..heres the link...........

http://www.baynews9.com/content/36/2004/8/16/52110.html

hope it works, its very impressive!

Lucy

Joolz

18-08-2004, 11:49

Thanks Lucy- I can get the sound but not the pictures- in Windows media player (Is anyone else having this problem? ) I can view other videos but not this one!! Anyone got any suggestions?
J

zerotone

18-08-2004, 13:17

Wow Lucy that is impressive. At least the couples dad didn't have to watch this on his own. Feel very lucky that our villa escaped without any damage, just a tree down.

Jane

yorkshirerose

18-08-2004, 14:12

Any one got any contact numbers for Southern Dunes,as my travel agent said that power had being restored on southern dunes as of the 17th,i don't fully trust them when they make these statements after reading this thread,I would like to be aware of what we are walking into when we arrive tomorrow afternoon.[msnsad]

floridadreamvilla.co.uk

18-08-2004, 14:30

I don't think anyone can give any guarantees about power at this stage. All I do know is there are hundreds (probably thousands) of electricity workers (many from out of State and volunteered) that are working round the clock to restore power to homes.

A lot of the electricity infrastructure has been lost i.e. the big cables that carry electricity from the power stations to the substations which supply the homes so it's a HUGE job.

If it's any help, the estimates they are giving seem to be worst case scenarios and the communities tyhat have had power restored have been done a lot quicker than was expected.

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by yorkshirerose
Any one got any contact numbers for Southern Dunes,as my travel agent said that power had being restored on southern dunes as of the 17th,i don't fully trust them when they make these statements after reading this thread,I would like to be aware of what we are walking into when we arrive tomorrow afternoon.[msnsad]
[/quote]

porky

18-08-2004, 15:03

Jake,
I have a villa on Southern Dunes but as of late last night / early this morning the phone was still out so can't say about the power. I hope your travel agent is not telling lies:(as it would be nice for my guests to have power for the last few days of their trip.

Jill also has a home on SD and her phone is working, so perhaps when the guests have got up she can let you know.

Jacqui

tuzanne

18-08-2004, 16:26

Have just watched Bay news video. Wow glad I was not there. Gives you some idea of what our guests went through.

Sue

18-08-2004, 17:40

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by yorkshirerose
Any one got any contact numbers for Southern Dunes,as my travel agent said that power had being restored on southern dunes as of the 17th,i don't fully trust them when they make these statements after reading this thread,I would like to be aware of what we are walking into when we arrive tomorrow afternoon.[msnsad]
[/quote]

I don't want to be the bearer of bad news but I heard yesterday that it will be at least the 24th!

I am out here still and listening to the news reports which update every half hour.

I have to tell you that without power the villa has a whole different personality and the water starts to dry up its not at all pleasant.

Haines City area which is where SD is got hit very bad as did the whole of Polk county.

If possible you need a contingency plan/alternative villa, they are available because we moved for a few days.

Good luck.

Lucy

18-08-2004, 18:03

pieman790

18-08-2004, 18:40

KUA quoted me 3-7 days for power to be restored on Eagle Pointe Kissimmee. That was at 5.00am Florida time today. Sewerage is another big problem as the processing plants have no power and the sewage is backing up.

18-08-2004, 19:04

Something else to be aware of is the curfew from dust till dawn in Polk County and other places without power.

Lucy

bellaepovera

19-08-2004, 06:53

Stores and resturaunts on the 192 East have a curfew 10pm-11pm..Which includes the walmart super center.

floridadreamvilla.co.uk

19-08-2004, 13:09

Here's a photo Julie (esprit on here) sent me of her lovely home in Celebration:

http://www.orlando-guide.info/forums/Data/floridadreamvilla.co.uk/20048199943_DSCF0002.jpg

50sumtng

19-08-2004, 16:22

Terra Verde now has power back, so they must be getting organised in the Poinciana Bld. area

cherry

20-08-2004, 05:02

Power is back on in Eagle Pointe so I assume that Indian next door may also be back on ,my MC has e mailed me pics of the damage and we have got off light ,just 2 treesdown ,a few shingles missing and a tear in the pool screen ,we feel so lucky and relieved also ,I pity the poor people who have major damage and still no power .:(

bellaepovera

20-08-2004, 07:12

I believe now some parts of St. Cloud are without lights but most everybody else is ok. The publix on 192 East is still without power so I had to go to the one by I4 by the Walgreens.

AlanB

22-08-2004, 01:50

Just back from Florida today - stayed at Thousand Oaks - scariest thing I've encountered. Power went off on Friday 13th at around 7.00PM after several very heavy thunderstorms and downpours. Then storm hit for proper around 8.00PM with tremendous wind and torrential rain. It sounded like a jet engine. We only lost some of the guttering but lots of trees uprooted or snapped. We must have gone through the eye as around 8.30 PM the wind stopped for about five minutes and then started in opposite direction. You could see the windows flexing. Tree damage was the biggest issue with lots of subsequent damage to pool netting and cages. Power and water was off for two days and all water had to be boiled and still is as far as I know. All major supermarkets lost power and so lost all perishable goods. Also petrol has been in short supply - simply not enough gas stations open. Some thoughts for you owners - include some advice on what really happens during and after the hurricane, and most importantly have a hurricane pack in each house - candles, matches or lighter, a battery radio, perhaps some bottled water and canned food. Oh and incidentally ever considered what happens when credit cards can't be used? Those ATMs that continued to work and there weren't many ran out very quickly.

On the power front as at Friday AM 20th there were still approx 100,000 customers still without power but better than the 1.5 million on the Saturday morning. Saw power trucks from Georgia, Alambama, even Arizona!!!

Also there was briefly a curfew in the Polk County region to prevent any looting and deputies came in from neighbouring unaffected areas to help.

I've a couple of pictures which I'll try and upload for you. It was an experience!!

AlanB

22-08-2004, 02:03

Good Job we'd been advised to put the car in the garage!

http://www.orlando-guide.info/forums/Data/AlanB/20048212230_DSCN1184a.JPG

AlanB

22-08-2004, 02:10

Typical inside the parks - this in Seaworld - trees ripped up and even missing trees!! Animal Kingdom suffered worse and didn't open at all on Saturday 14th. Lots of debris all over place and lots of houses with tarps on roof and collapsed pool cages, some hotels with missing roof tiles. Didn't fly from Orlando, flew from Tampa where no sign of ay issues, but understand the roof of Orlando International was damaged in the storm as well.

http://www.orlando-guide.info/forums/Data/AlanB/200482122714_DSCN1187a.gif

huckleberry house

22-08-2004, 02:51

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by AlanB

Good Job we'd been advised to put the car in the garage!

http://www.orlando-guide.info/forums/Data/AlanB/20048212230_DSCN1184a.JPG
[/quote]

Alan

Did you mean you stayed at Thousand Oaks rather than Thousand Lakes and is this the house you stayed in ?

Lesley

E. Cosgrove

22-08-2004, 12:37

Good suggestion about the hurricane pack Alan, a bit like the government info we are receiving at the moment. Do any villa owners actually do this?

pieman790

22-08-2004, 13:51

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by E. Cosgrove
Good suggestion about the hurricane pack Alan, a bit like the government info we are receiving at the moment. Do any villa owners actually do this?
[/quote]

When we were over in May 2004 the Orlando Sentinel printed a hurricane survival pack in there paper. I left this in the Villa for the guests to use.
Wish i taken a copy as it was about 10 pages long and listed everything you need to do in the event of a hurricane.

AlanB

22-08-2004, 17:12

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by huckleberry house
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by AlanB

Good Job we'd been advised to put the car in the garage!

http://www.orlando-guide.info/forums/Data/AlanB/20048212230_DSCN1184a.JPG
[/quote]

Alan

Did you mean you stayed at Thousand Oaks rather than Thousand Lakes and is this the house you stayed in ?

Lesley
[/quote]

Sorry - yes Oaks!!

22-08-2004, 21:28

There was a big storm here yesterday and it knock out power in parts of east Kissimmee again!!

AlanB

23-08-2004, 00:34

I've just caught up with life in UK today and it seems the strange weather is also in UK. For those not in the UK check this story out that happened on 16th August in Cornwall.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/cornwall/uncovered/stories/august2004/boscastle_floods.shtml

brizzle

23-08-2004, 00:41

Apparently the gulf (or is jet?) stream is quite a bit further south than normal so the UK is ending up with the remains of Bonnie, Charly etc...
They normally peter out in the Atlantic but with the help of the stream they're shooting across to our shores...

Brizzle

marion

23-08-2004, 14:38

I am so pleased to see that every thing gets back to normal very quickly.
The Management companies of the villas all rallied round and got things sorted out very quickly.
They all seam to have the same idea the show must go on.

We were very lucky our guests put all the pool furniture away for us I must send a thank you to them when they get back to UK:)

I also received Email from past guests asking for news.
they wanted to know that it was all going to be OK as they loved Florida so much and made many friends.

AlanB

25-08-2004, 01:40

This apparently is a hurricane kit contents:

Life after a hurricane can be primitive: no electricity, no running water and no access to automatic-teller machines. Here are items you need in a hurricane:

Cash or traveler's checks.

Fire extinguisher, $10.

Clean containers to store drinking water (and fresh water): 1 gallon per person per day, $5.

Food (canned and dried goods are best), $10 per person per day.

Manual can opener, $3.

Hand tools: hammer, nails, ax, knife, pliers, handsaw, screwdrivers, $50.

Electric drill with screwdriver bits to install bolts for window protection, $40.

Unscented household bleach to purify water (8 drops per gallon of clear water; 16 drops per gallon of cloudy water).

Soap and plastic container, $2.

At least one flashlight per person with spare batteries, $6 per person.

Spare batteries for other needs, $15.

Battery-operated radio, with weather band, $20.

First-aid kit: bandages, gauze, scissors, petroleum jelly, antiseptic spray, hydrogen peroxide, antacids, aspirin, thermometer, rubbing alcohol, $28.

Extra prescription medicine.

Matches (wooden ones are best), $1. Waterproof matches run $1.50 for four small boxes.

Disposable eating utensils and plates, $5.

Toilet paper, $1.

Mosquito repellent, $5.

USEFUL ITEMS

Gallon-size freezer bags to fill with water to make ice, $2.

Needle and thread, $2.

Whistle, $1.50, or horn, $7.

Disinfectant, $3.

A gas grill or Sterno stove with extra fuel, $35.

Snake-bite kit, $12.

Work gloves, $4 per pair.

Lantern with fuel, $23.

Large trash bags, $6.

Rope, 100 feet, $5.

Tarpaulin, canvas or anything to patch the roof, $5 to $99, depending upon the size.