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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

AIBU to get us all out of Florida?

108 replies

MascaraGirl · 10/09/2017 20:36

We were in Orlando - me, DP, DP's sister plus all 3 children. The news warnings about the hurricane were terrifying, we heard the airports were all about to close, and there were rumours about all the parks all closing too.

So we managed to get one of the last flights home (7 days early) on Friday. DP seemed on board with this at the time, but now that it looks like Orlando is no longer going to take a direct hit, he's a bit grumpy with me. But all the parks have closed, and it seems Orlando is now on lock-down, so god knows what we'd all be doing now if we were still there? Stuck in a hotel rooom praying the hurricane misses us? Probably big power cuts too?

OP posts:

Becca83 · 10/09/2017 22:42

Is anyone else finding this a bit distasteful that you are talking about a ruined holiday when people are being killed and their homes/livelihoods destroyed?

I'm sorry that you had to leave early, but seriously, you need to look at the bigger picture here.

Original poster

MascaraGirl · 10/09/2017 22:44

I can't do anything about the bigger picture, Becca.

OP posts:

KrytensNanobots · 10/09/2017 22:48

I can't do anything about the bigger picture, Becca

No, but you can surely see that you had the luxury of being able to get out of there and fly back to your home presumably thousands of miles away and be totally safe? Just inconvenienced because you didn't get as much beach time and cocktails or whatever?
Plenty of time for that another time. Just be grateful that you could get the hell out, you'd have been daft to stay.

CosmoSmallpiece · 10/09/2017 22:48

Our DD is in Orlando now, spoke to her few hours ago. It's wet and drizzly and they've been out shopping for essentials, woman in the liquor store most pissed off as she's the only one working and the place is going like a fair. Pizza delivery also cancelled but apart from that just like being at home - NE Scotland. At no stage has there been any indication of any threat, here's what they got from the hotel if you can read it.

Notanothergiraffe · 10/09/2017 22:50

Becca no it's not distasteful. This is about whether the OP left too early. I have only skimmed the thread but the overwhelming view is that she did the sensible thing.

The fact that other people are a lot worse affected is extremely sad, horrifying and terrible. But doesn't mean the OP is sure she did the right thing.

People are validly allowed to have worries or concerns that only effect them. If every answer was 'but someone is worse off' then nobody would ever post.

Becca83 · 10/09/2017 22:50

I'm not saying that you can, but seriously, you have the luxury of being able to leave and are complaining about a spoilt holiday. Im sure plenty of other people would like to be able to get on a plane out of there to the safety of their own home and a nice refund at the end.

I think you need to be a bit more sensitive. Your timing reply isn't great.

smellybeanpole · 10/09/2017 22:51

Just read Florida has been hit hard. So you did the right thing op.

JadeT2 · 10/09/2017 22:51

Cosmo there was a very real threat, it was predicted to hit as a category 4 hurricane. It has devastated entire islands and led to the largest evacuation in the US in history so not sure how you can say there has been no indication of a threat?

Also I'm sure the OP can empathise with those who have lost and also be a bit gutted about missing out on a holiday. Holidays are often booked, planned and saved for several years in advance. That's a lot of planning to have to miss out. I'm sure that doesn't lessen her sympathy for others!

Becca83 · 10/09/2017 22:56

I 100% agree the op did the right thing in leaving, but the tone of the post talking about a spoilt holiday just seems in pretty poor taste when reading some horrific news stories, not just from Florida, but all areas hit by this awful hurricane.

MidniteScribbler · 10/09/2017 22:57

You absolutely did the right thing. I have a home on an island that has been in the path of tropical cyclones on numerous occasions. The first goal is to get as many tourists out of the way as soon as possible. Tourists are just extra people that need protecting (and locals usually have to risk their own lives to do so), and as soon as the wind and rain are gone they start sightseeing around affected areas, getting in the way of any clean up, and complaining that the restaurants haven't reopened yet and why can't they get any fresh milk. Far better for them to get out and leave the locals to do what they need to do to secure the island.

Scoobydoobydont · 10/09/2017 23:02

I admit I haven't read the full thread but costs covered by holiday insurance!!! Wtf!

A cheap holiday to Florida, in the hurricane belt, gets cut short in September, which is hurricane season, and holiday insurance pays out? Madness.

It's cheaper this time of year because of the risk. Why should everyone else take a hit on their insurance premiums to pay out for people who gambled on going into a storm
Zone in storm season while the prices were lower?

LesbianBadger · 10/09/2017 23:07

YADNBU The whole state is currently in a state of emergency. Of course it's not terrible yet, It's not got as far north as Orlando at this point. The hurricane is as big as the state. At this point it's still all bets are off imo. The west coast will be affected more but weather is unpredictable and we've no clue how badly hit mainland Florida will be.

All the theme parks are shut and will be until at least Tuesday from what I've read, maybe longer depending if they get hit hard. Shops will be running out of supplies. You can't go sit by the pool. It's not a fun situation to be in, stuck in a hotel room for days having no clue what's going on. At the very least power is likely to be knocked out in many places.

You may also have had trouble getting back home on time later depending what happens at the airports.

There is no good reason to stay and many good reasons to leave. You absolutely did the right thing imo.

WellThisIsShit · 10/09/2017 23:08

I don't think the OP is being in the slightest bit distasteful. And it is ok to talk about all the different ways people have been effected. It doesn't diminish the crisis or other people's suffering.

It's not like the op is whining about not getting room service when hotel staff were having their homes ripped apart - the tone is completely different and I don't think anyone should be gagged from discussing their experiences and decisions, unless they really are whining about room service type of stuff as above.

Op, perhaps your dh deserves a bit of a perspective jolt though? Focus his mind on the reality of what could have happened, and also night stop him trying to blame you for quick thinking and protective instinct (which are laudable traits aren't they?!).

God bless anyone in Florida suffering right now.

LesbianBadger · 10/09/2017 23:09

A cheap holiday to Florida, in the hurricane belt, gets cut short in September, which is hurricane season, and holiday insurance pays out? Madness.

There is a big difference between the hurricanes they normally get and this one. The size and scale of it is unprecedented.

KrytensNanobots · 10/09/2017 23:12

You may also have had trouble getting back home on time later depending what happens at the airports.

Exactly. How would you have been getting home if the hurricane had affected the airports?

Scoobydoobydont · 10/09/2017 23:15

Doesn't change the fact that holidays out there are (obviously) cheaper this time of year because of the risk of disruption.

It's like going to Spain in December when it's cheap and being suprised it's colder than in August.

Some Decembers are colder than others, but the fact it's December is why the prices are lower.

thatdearoctopus · 10/09/2017 23:15

What others are going through is beside the point - on this thread. After all, the fact that you've broken your leg, doesn't mean that my broken finger doesn't hurt.

JadeT2 · 10/09/2017 23:18

Well technically Atlantic hurricane season is June-November and holidays definitely aren't cheaper for all 5 of those months... August is also an active hurricane month but flights are £900 direct compared to £400 the first week of September.skmehow I don't think it's just the hurricanes controlling those prices.

user1497997754 · 10/09/2017 23:19

Of course you did te right thing tell your DP to grow up and stop sulking

Scoobydoobydont · 10/09/2017 23:19

Quote below from a BBC post on Facebook this evening.

This storm has devestated islands and killed people, but is really not that big a deal in Florida (who have had loads of warning)

"Watching live local news in Florida it's down to a catagory 2 which is around 100mph and doesn't look too bad now. Manchester is predicted to have 70mph winds tonight, BBC roll out the dramatic graphics"

Original poster

MascaraGirl · 10/09/2017 23:19

My heart goes out to the local people who may be affected, but this doesn't stop me worrying I may have done the wrong thing, and cheated my family out of the holiday of a lifetime

OP posts:

YetAnotherNC2017 · 10/09/2017 23:28

@Becca83 give your head a wobble

This is something that affected OP so why the hell shouldn't she post about it? By your reasoning nobody on MN could post anything about their trivial day to day lives BECAUSE CHILDREN STARVING IN AFRICA!! I presume you've never shelled out £££ and had a holiday disrupted so despite the perceived insensitivity, actually it still is upsetting when you're affected by it.

If you don't like the thread, don't comment.

@MascaraGirl ignore the troll.

EachandEveryone · 10/09/2017 23:33

If you are getting an insurance payout then you can just book it again straight away surely?

misssmilla1 · 10/09/2017 23:42

scooby 2 million + people are without power in Florida (and rising) and the hurricane has gone through but they're at massive risk of storm surges now. Water is rising at 4-5feet in a hour - this is what causes the majority of the damage as building flood defenses etc can't cope with it.

Damage compared to the islands is probably less as there's an enforced (or should be) building code to make them hurricane proof. Doesn't mean its less impactful

Rescuepuppydaft2 · 10/09/2017 23:44

Well your husband can eat his words according to this live on sky news

news.sky.com/story/live-hurricane-irma-hits-caribbean-islands-11022807

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