I like that idea. There’s already more call for cruise ship service work than you might imagine. I head a small nonprofit in Mexico, very near where the recent earthquake hit and we often get calls from the cruise ships looking for projects for their passengers. Some clearly just want to shop or do a little arts and crafts with our craftspeople but some passengers seem to want to really get their hands dirty. We’re in the planning stage for a multi-purpose center (education, dental work, prenatal care, school building, arts, etc) and the ability to host and work with groups of cruise ship passengers is high on our wish list.
Your idea would solve one issue that arises in disaster relief-how to house and feed volunteers in an already devastated area. Passengers could spend the day getting dirty and working hard and return to the ship for hot showers, tasty meals and soft beds. Obviously the Caribbean cruise lines are not going to be able to get back to business as usual anytime soon anyway. I say give them a call, @doschicos!
@scmom12 My daughter went to camp Rockbrook one summer! The Hurricane seems to have turned away from my area -but there is so much uncertainty. I guess we will find out more tomorrow. There were pictures on I-16 out of Savannah on Twitter. They reversed the direction so all lanes are traveling one way.
Stay safe everyone. We have family in Port St Lucie, which now may have less impact than was originally thought. Their storm shutters have been up since Wed (someone does that for them so they had to do it when he was available), so their house has been dark since then with no sunlight, but it’s a small price to pay for staying safe.
The storm has definitely weakened due to the extended interaction with Cuba. The models are still all over the place on the future track and are still pushing it west. One respectable model has the eye staying just offshore in the Gulf. Most have the eye making a sharp right turn to the north later today then into the Keys between Key West and Marathon. Then up the western half of the FL peninsula.
About the only sure thing is that the storm will rapidly intensify once it pulls away from Cuba. There’s plenty of warm water for fuel even though the shear is supposed to increase.
I understand the sentiment of people wanting to help, however, I think the cruise lines would serve people better by bringing in empty boats and housing people who are affected and have lost their homes. Only bring in volunteers or workers who have particular skills that are needed. The people who are now homeless don’t need to sit around starving and homeless while others rebuild their islands, they can do the work while being fed and housed. In a perfect world, of course.
My DH tends to under worry and I over worry. I want to bring in the patio furniture before we leave and turn the glass top patio table upside down. He thinks its not necessary. I’d do it myself if I could walk and get onto the deck. Grrr…
@jym626 - I saw a photo on the news of someone who just tossed their metal patio furniture into the pool. What an easy solution!
We once flipped over a 14’ diameter trampoline so it wouldn’t turn into a giant frisbee of death. Glass would be even worse! Make your H take care of that glass table.
Well…what will happen if you get 50 mph winds @jym626 ? Any chance the furniture could fly against say…a window or sliding glass door? I’m with you…move it in…better safe than sorry.
I’m watching CNN’s live feed from Hollywoods FL, just south of Miami. The winds are really starting to pick up. Of course I’ve seen a couple dozen people strolling along the beach taking photos. Idiots!!!
Maybe this has been mentioned in this thread but I feel so sorry for the kids attending schools completed destroyed by Harvey. Can you imagine having to blend in with another school especially if it’s your senior year? How do you manage college recs, AP classes, etc. what about the kids counting on football scholarships and their season has been cancelled? It’s just awful.
Mind you in addition to the above, some of these kids have lost everything including their homes.
@greenwitch and @thumper1 . YOU talk some sense into my husband!! We just set up my nestcam so we can watch the furniture fly into the windows. We cant move the heavier plants I don’t think, but the smaller ones can. Wait-- the pots are on wheels. Maybe we can move them-- well, maybe he can move them. I HATE being unable to do this stuff.
The National Hurricane Center is a good source of information on the path of the storm. According to one of their graphics about 80% of the state of Florida is expected to be dealing with tropical storm force winds over the course of the storm.
Currently Irma will hit the west coast of Florida hardest.
Often when schools are closed and consolidated, the ‘old’ school runs independently. When Columbine happened, they held classes at another school. That school ran from 7-2, and columbine ran from 2-6 pm, with their own teachers, GC’s, sports teams, etc. It was at the end of the year so they didn’t have to do it for long.
My nephew moved to Florida when he was entering 6th grade. Four hurricanes immediately hit. He went to 4 schools in the first month - when he went to school at all! Everyone adjusts.
After the flooding here last year most of the closed schools did split schedules as described above. Has some challenges but one of my friends said her teens mostly over it because they got the late shift at another school and they could sleep until mid morning and still have plenty of time to get ready.
One article I read suggested putting any family heirlooms or photos in the dishwasher or clothes washer. Turn off the water intakes for them. The idea is that they are strong and heavy and almost water proof.