Hurricane Frances Report 9/01/04

[admin]

Originally Posted by bubba

Did the power go out in your metro area and how is the storm in your part of FL?

To be honest with you, I have no idea what it is like in Orlando now (as Brad & I are in Savannah) and I can't seem to connect to the local news via the net, as I have been since we left. However, I just called the office and the phone system picked up so that means there is still power there. I also called my home voice mail and it is still working so I am hoping that is a good sign. I am ready to come home.<sigh>

Downtown Orlando is currently wet and windswept. Winds are up to 50 mph (force 9 if you use the Beaufort scale) and more is still forecast. It looks like we're still only halfway through it. Lake Lucerne, which I don't think is more than a quarter of a mile across, has whitecaps...

The datacentre is still on the grid and the generator kicked in briefly once, after a larger power dip. The roads around it and the parking lot, as far as I can see, have only minor debris cluttering them so, with a bit of luck, we may be able to get in and out as soon as weather permits. The rainwater drainage system around the DC is doing well and there's no pooling around the building. Other parts of town aren't nearly as fortunate.

[bubba]

Alexc

Thanks for that succinct yet through report. I only wish the assessment by the TV media could be presented as well.
I often sense disappointment on their part in less than disastrous storms. Never mind though as all the reporters seem like graduates of the Lee Strasberg School of acting.

Bent against the wind with their slickers, one reporter seemed at a loss for words when he turned to a pedestrian in shorts and flip flops strolling by and asked in an accusatory tone, “what are you doing out here?” only to get the response, “what are you doing out here?”

Lesson here… don’t do live interviews when the other person is not in on the hype.

Disclaimer: I grew up in Florida and have great respect for hurricanes. I have been thru many myself, once in a shelter that had its roof blow off during the height of the storm

[Curt]

Originally Posted by bubba

Bent against the wind with their slickers, one reporter seemed at a loss for words when he turned to a pedestrian in shorts and flip flops strolling by and asked in an accusatory tone, “what are you doing out here?” only to get the response, “what are you doing out here?”

Yeah, I caught that too. I think it was Anderson Cooper on CNN. If I'm not mistaken, I believe the guy he interviewed said he was going to the market, because he called and they were still open.

Even better though, I saw one reporter (can't remember who, but it might've been Anderson again) standing outside commenting on some people walking down the street and how "moronic" it was for people to be outside right now. Gotta love live TV.

Glad to hear things are holding up okay around your location Alex. We haven't seen much from the rest of the Vortech crew in a while though, so I hope they're all doing okay. I've been hearing that power's out to large areas of Orlando right now, and I can only imagine what the drainage is like. Best of luck folks!

[bigdave]

Well I don't have power, it lasted until about 4am with it going on and off since about 1am, I am at a friend house now who has power so I will hold up here. In driving the 2 miles over here there dosen't seem to be much damage at least compared to charley.....but this isn't over yet...

[admin]

I just wanted to let you all know that Dave has been able to go check on the office and everything is intacted. The office has power, phones and internet. He will attempting to go in at 2am despite the curfew. In case he does not make it, PLEASE refrain from calling in for support. Instead please submit a ticket.

[cleonard]

He will attempting to go in at 2am despite the curfew

What type of discount are you giving these days for not calling the Police?

Truly glad everything is better for you all this time compared to "Charley"

Chris

[admin]

Originally Posted by cleonard

What type of discount are you giving these days for not calling the Police?

Truly glad everything is better for you all this time compared to "Charley"

Chris

Hey, he is going to help ya'll so telling on him would only be hurting yourself. :tongue: lol Alex has been at the data center since before the hurricane arrived so I am sure he is getting tired.

[cleonard]

Absolutely!!

A big "YouDaMan"! to Alex for his work. NT5 had some issues late last night and I know it had to be him who came to my rescue in a matter of minutes!!

I couldn't have said it any better than Craig did to WHG:

"WHG: What do you feel is the best thing about your company?

I believe the best thing about our company is the staff. We have some of the most skilled technicians available specializing in Windows and UNIX OS issues as they pertain to our services. We also have the most knowledgable H-Sphere staff around. These guys can take a total newbie and turn them into a profitable Reseller in a short period of time. We pride ourselves on the fact that when you do well, we do well. We will do whatever it takes to make sure your Hosting business is a success."

You all ROCK!!

Hey

Just thought I'd check in. I haven't lost power, and at this point it doesn't look like I will. My cable did go out about 3am, and thus my internet, but it's been back for about 10 or 15 minutes (I stared at the blinking cable light allll day). I must say I'm surprised it came back since the winds and rain haven't let up here at all till only a few minutes ago, and another major squall is on the way :/
House is good. Found out my backdoor is pretty leaky And my backdoor flooded, but thats to be expected with 10+ inches of rain! (Flooding did NOT enter my house).

At least I won't be so bored now. Ninja Gaiden can only take me so far

Originally Posted by cleonard

Absolutely!!

A big "YouDaMan"! to Alex for his work. NT5 had some issues late last night and I know it had to be him who came to my rescue in a matter of minutes!!

Actually, that was Carly.

[Two Roads Media]

Originally Posted by bubba

I often sense disappointment on their part in less than disastrous storms. Never mind though as all the reporters seem like graduates of the Lee Strasberg School of acting.

Bent against the wind with their slickers, one reporter seemed at a loss for words when he turned to a pedestrian in shorts and flip flops strolling by and asked in an accusatory tone, “what are you doing out here?” only to get the response, “what are you doing out here?”

In 2001, Houston had the worst tropical disturbance ever to hit the area, a tropical storm called Allison. Many referred to it as "the perfect storm" as it dumped over 36 inches of rain on the area in under 12 hours. Areas of town that had never come CLOSE to flooding had 2 feet of water in them. It was a disaster.

During that, my wife and I sat in our house (we live in a neighborhood that happens to be one of the geographically highest points in the city, so we were safe) and watched the local media. At one point, a local "investigative reporter" stood waist-deep in water imploring the viewing public, "whatever you do, DO NOT go into the water..."

Unreal.

Glad to hear you guys are functioning well down there.

Originally Posted by Two Roads Media

At one point, a local "investigative reporter" stood waist-deep in water imploring the viewing public, "whatever you do, DO NOT go into the water..."

Unfortunatly, we need crazy reporters like that to actually prove to the public that things are such. How many people STILL leave their houses and try to drive through flooded streets? Within 30 minutes of a lull this afternoon, FOUR cars got stuck on a major road that was severely under water. They shouldn't have even been out since there is a curfew for the area and the storm was (and is) still happening all around. Had there been a down power line or two in that puddle, and we'd have some more casulties.

People just don't seem to understand that when they say 'Oh i'll risk it', their actually risking the lives of the firefighters, police, EMTs, etc who have to come save their butts ;/

Also, someone who chose not to evacuate was actually telling reporters "Noone wants to help me and my grandfather" after their house blew down... Whats the Red Cross suppose to do in the high point of the hurricane? Thats why we have mandatory evacuations and days of preparation...

Thats unreal.

Someone needs to tell them that a Darwin Award is NOT the same as the Pulitzer Prize.

[antic]

Many thanks and best wishes to you all for the duration, and for these much appreciated updates - and especially Alex for braving the servers.

Hope you're keeping safe. Cheers all, you're the best!