Irma

Stormchaser · Post by **Stormchaser** » Sep 8th, '17, 12:43

Trending towards a direct hit to the island my folks live on. City just announced mandatory evac. Not sure how far they will get with traffic. The bridge in/out is always jammed, wonder if they'll make it 4 lanes out, no inbound traffic...

The City of Marco Island has issued a mandatory evacuation order effective immediately.

Due to the recent westward changes in Hurricane Irma’s forecasted track, Marco Island and all of Southwest Florida is in harm’s way. Major impact including destructive winds, life-threatening storm surge, flooding r*ins and possible tornadoes are predicted to occur Saturday and Sunday.

“The city issued a mandatory evacuation given the (storm’s) increasing westward track and associated increased impact,” said Dave Baer, Marco Island Police Department (MIPD) captain. “The city thought it was was in the best interests of its residents to do so.”

The city issued a voluntary evacuation on Tuesday, so many residents were already gone by Friday morning, Baer said; that’s helped keep the Jolley Bridge, one of only two ways off the island, from getting congested.

As for the people who are still in town, they should evacuate to a shelter as soon as possible.

“It’s unfortunate if people wait for mandatory evacuations because they put themselves in additional jeopardy,” Baer said. “It might be too late to book a flight to Georgia, but it’s not too late to go to a shelter.”

Mister Moose · Post by **Mister Moose** » Sep 8th, '17, 13:26

Stormchaser wrote:Trending towards a direct hit to the island my folks live on. City just announced mandatory evac. Not sure how far they will get with traffic. The bridge in/out is always jammed, wonder if they'll make it 4 lanes out, no inbound traffic...

They have a good 24 hours. That should get them well inland. Just a mile inland and 20 feet higher ground makes a huge difference. 15 miles inland in a well built commercial building is a way better risk than coastal 2nd floor taking a direct hit. It's a long way to anywhere with few roads though, especially in dense traffic. I'd hate to hear anyone on that island is going to ride it out if the current track holds.

rogman · Post by **rogman** » Sep 8th, '17, 14:23

Mister Moose wrote:
Stormchaser wrote:Trending towards a direct hit to the island my folks live on. City just announced mandatory evac. Not sure how far they will get with traffic. The bridge in/out is always jammed, wonder if they'll make it 4 lanes out, no inbound traffic...
They have a good 24 hours. That should get them well inland. Just a mile inland and 20 feet higher ground makes a huge difference. 15 miles inland in a well built commercial building is a way better risk than coastal 2nd floor taking a direct hit. It's a long way to anywhere with few roads though, especially in dense traffic. I'd hate to hear anyone on that island is going to ride it out if the current track holds.

Mr Moose has given good advice: your parents should evacuate off of Marco, its elevation is too low. While Irma is now "only" a Cat 4 now, it is an extremely dangerous storm, the wind alone will cause catastrophic damage. NOAA's description here: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutsshws.php

Low lying coastal areas should be equally (or perhaps more) concerned with storm surge, which will bring a wall of water. I would encourage them to seek emergency shelter off island in a well constructed building at higher elevation.

ME2VTSkier · Post by **ME2VTSkier** » Sep 8th, '17, 14:27

They live on Marco? Cousins in Fort Meyers have a time-share down there. Really nice, but really exposed. Yeah, it's time for them to head inland. Push them to go.

Family in Fort Meyers shuttered the house up Wednesday, and will be required to stay at work(hospital) Saturday 7am until they are released.

Stormchaser · Post by **Stormchaser** » Sep 8th, '17, 14:49

Storm surge is my fear at this point. The yard is 10-12' above sea level. Garage floor is 12'. House is 14'. The house is 300 yards from the beach near the southern end of the island.

They own property inland in Naples, 15-20 miles inland. They are heading there before the storm hits, but waiting till tomorrow early am to leave. Traffic is backed up at the bridge for miles, and heavy/slow/jammed traffic all the way to their condo. No gas means they cant afford to sit in traffic all night, and they are hoping it will be better at 4-5 am.

freeski · Post by **freeski** » Sep 8th, '17, 20:34

Good friends of the family have an older daughter who works at Disney. She's going to work tomorrow and then be locked down in Disney's bunker until Tuesday. Didn't know Disney had a bunker.

Mister Moose · Post by **Mister Moose** » Sep 8th, '17, 22:31

Disney has a whole complex underground, it's way more than a bunker.

Here's the wind forecast for Marcos Island on Sunday.

: Irma at Marcos.jpg (121.9 KiB) Viewed 888 times

You don't often see numbers like this. Plus a violent direction shift as the eye passes. Even if this reflects a little over-forecasting it's still scary.

freeski · Post by **freeski** » Sep 9th, '17, 04:21

Yep, I know all of the people, supplies go in and trash goes out underground, but is that all water tight?

Stormchaser hope your parents are well on their way to safety.

freeski · Post by **freeski** » Sep 10th, '17, 04:02

“I am in disbelief right now...This is Long Island, Bahamas and the ocean water is missing!!!” she wrote on Friday."

Damn you Manbearpig

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/09/09/hu ... eline.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

icedtea · Post by **icedtea** » Sep 10th, '17, 13:08

Keeping my fingers crossed have friends and property in Tampa.

Big Bob · Post by **Big Bob** » Sep 11th, '17, 05:33

Marco Islamd photos posted on Facebook this morning

https://www.facebook.com/SevereWeather2 ... =3&theater" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Stormchaser · Post by **Stormchaser** » Sep 11th, '17, 07:46

Last heard from my folks at 5 pm last night. I heard cell towers are lying on the ground in their area. They evacd 12 miles off the island, so I expect they are ok. Thanks for all the well wishes.

madhatter · Post by **madhatter** » Sep 11th, '17, 08:21

Stormchaser wrote:Last heard from my folks at 5 pm last night. I heard cell towers are lying on the ground in their area. They evacd 12 miles off the island, so I expect they are ok. Thanks for all the well wishes.

Stormchaser · Post by **Stormchaser** » Sep 11th, '17, 08:27

madhatter wrote:
Stormchaser wrote:Last heard from my folks at 5 pm last night. I heard cell towers are lying on the ground in their area. They evacd 12 miles off the island, so I expect they are ok. Thanks for all the well wishes.

Just got a text. They are fine. PD won't let anyone on the island until damage assessment is complete. Vids on facebook don't look too bad. Fish swimming in the streets...

MrsG · Post by **MrsG** » Sep 11th, '17, 08:50

Glad your parents are safe .... and that the damage is minimal!

Stormchaser wrote:
madhatter wrote:
Stormchaser wrote:Last heard from my folks at 5 pm last night. I heard cell towers are lying on the ground in their area. They evacd 12 miles off the island, so I expect they are ok. Thanks for all the well wishes.

Just got a text. They are fine. PD won't let anyone on the island until damage assessment is complete. Vids on facebook don't look too bad. Fish swimming in the streets...

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