AIBU to get us all out of Florida?

[MascaraGirl]

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?

Given that insurance will cover most of your costs, this is definitely a first world problem. Take a look at St Martin and Barbuda and thank your lucky stars that you have a home to come back to.

at the end of the day you and yours will be safe and well, and thats all that is important and all that should be on your minds, once the storm passes, nothing will be open, power will be out, Florida will be in damage control and tourists at that time will be a drain on resources, you have done the right thing
We have had a few large earthquakes here in NZ and we all wanted to rush to help and were told stay away as the damage is so bad that all the infrastructure that was left was struggling and the city really couldn't support any more people than was already there ( other than professional trained in recovery rescue crews and army personal that is) and that tourists at that time really just get in the way and hamper efforts at clean up and no one wants the risk of them getting hurt trying to help

Yes, exactly what the previous poster said. I'm also in New Zealand, in the city most affected by the first two big quakes, and while I appreciate that everyone wanted to help, what was left of the city just couldn't handle the influx of "extra" people, no matter how well-meaning. Trained personnel for search and rescue, or rebuild crew, absolutely. Cups of tea and blankets? Lovely thought, but you're in the way.

You did the right thing getting out.

The area that we were staying in, still has no power. The wider area is still barely functioning. So why am I still wracked with guilt about ruining everyone's holiday? I'm normally quite black and white about this sort of thing.

You are just dissapointed which is fair enough nobody wants to come home early but it isn't your guilt to carry moan with your family by all means but fgs let the guilt go

Thank you MrsJayy - I just met a friend for lunch, who said the exact same thing as you. I need to remember it was Irma who scuppered our plans, not ME.

A friend of mine lives in Winter Gardens in Orlando and is still without power, water is on but very low pressure and has a lot of trees down around him, minor flooding in some areas and his car was quite damaged by flying debris. When it hit them it has been downgraded to a tropical storm but has still caused problems for him.

You did the right thing to get out. It could have been much worse.

And tbf like other posters are saying floridians have enough to concern themselves with without tourists being in the mix you made a grown up adult decision doesn't mean you can't be upset your holiday was cut short