Hurricane Irma

[EllTee]

There are currently tornado warnings in and near Orlando. This is supposed to continue to be a threat until at least midnight. These cells are moving west/northwest at over 50mph. Moving that quickly doesn't give people much time to prepare. Everyone, please take precautions and stay safe!

Pictures of tornado damage in winter springs on the Orlando informer Facebook group.

 

[Andysol]

I would love to be there this evening! That view is going to be great!

It's decent. Windows are pretty fogged and observation deck is closed, obviously.
They have a handful of lights on but not much. Just took this 1 min ago:

And the staff has been there since it closed yesterday...?

I can't come up with a justification for having servers, hostesses, chefs, line cooks, etc... hanging out onsite in an emergency.

They could be doing other things as part of a ride out crew but... there shouldn't be enough of them to operate that restaurant.

All restaurants are open here at the contemporary. All menus are limited. The Wave had 4 entrees available, for example.
Here is the menu tonight at cali grill

If enough staff wants to volunteer to work, why not? It's a badass job. The server said they get their normal wage here but they get the ~$10 standard hourly wage when they aren't waiting or sleeping- and as overtime. They've all been thrilled to be here.

Again- they volunteered.

 

[Returning-The-Reaction]

About 35 miles north of Orlando:

 

[Returning-The-Reaction]

Orlando at 8pm:
58mph sustained winds
76 mph wind gusts

 

[Teebin]

It appears that restaurant may have been out of business for a number of years... not maintained. If not, then Nassal should hire Irma for its distressing and aging team.

 

[Mr. EPCOT]

Maybe I'm not interpreting this right, but this makes it seem like the vast majority of OUC customers don't have power right now? Orlando Utilities Commission Power Outages

 

[Alicia]

My power has been going out and somehow keeps coming back. For now.

 

[Andysol]

So local weather has the eye coming right at WDW/Orlando to hit around 1am.
Sure wish Epcot was open...

 

[Returning-The-Reaction]

Looking like the eye wall could reach just west of Orlando (approximately 30-40 miles) around 1am. In the meantime, threat of tornadoes remains as strong cells keep coming in from the east/southeast.

 

[JMalez]

Power is spotty here but thankfully still on for us.half of the county is without power (about 140,000). Should get the brunt of it i'm about an out. Winds are at 76 as of now. hope everyone's doing OK elsewhere.

 

[s8film40]

Looking like the eye wall could reach just west of Orlando (approximately 30-40 miles) around 1am. In the meantime, threat of tornadoes remains as strong cells keep coming in from the east/southeast.

That's right about were I am (I-4&27). Wind is already pretty heavy, thankfully I still have power.

 

[ThemeParks4Life]

I'm north of Orlando in Leesburg, and so far I've had three power surges that lasted for one second. It's just windy as hell right now with some rain.

 

[Frank Drackman]

Thought I saw patches of sky peeking in, but the winds keep returning...they still get crazy strong from time to time. It's been a long day.

No clue what it is like in the surrounding areas, but certainly no hope of crews even trying to work on power till this thing moves away. It's all good, I just hope it is not the week or so we were who after Wilma

Stay safe all!

 

[DanB89]

Still waiting for power to go out here and thankful that we still have it. Wind is really picking up now. The howling is spooky even outside the core and at a weaker category. I can't imagine how scary it must be for the people that had to weather this at full force.

In any case we're safe here and in good spirits. Sending lots of good thoughts to the Polk County folks right now.

 

[Scott W.]

Keep safe ya'll. See you on the flip side.

 

[Porkchop]

It weakened I'm hoping we are still good to come down 9/22?

I think my biggest worry is traffic back into Florida. But hopefully all the evacuees are home within the week. 11 days!!!!!!! Can't wait!

 

[epcyclopedia]

Well, core should pass over myself and Disney soonish.

I wish Epcot was open.

 

[epcyclopedia]

 

[Returning-The-Reaction]

 

[sparky]

Keep safe ya'll. See you on the flip side.

we just went through Harvey, I feel for Florida. This storm is making Harvey look like a light rain shower.