Cira

There is no excuse to not be prepared for AT LEAST 72 hours. When you are disabled and/or immobile, just like any other day, you can call someone or tell someone and they can do the footwork for you. Miamians/Floridians had almost six days to prepare. The ones going for water and ice, imo, want a handout OR they just plumb ran out of water and their ice melted. Simple as that. Judging from the people who go to SOME of these places, seemed to me, that they want something for nothing and either could not afford it at all EVER, or they wanted something for nothing.

bigguy

Any info., as to when the Fort Lauderdale Airport will re-open ? Thanks for any assistance.

KT

FLL is open, subject to the nightly curfew:
http://www.broward.org/hurricane/portairport.htm

KT

Forgot to add that there are still plenty of flight cancellations to FLL, though. If you've got a ticket, check your airline's website.

Cira

CCrosner, hi! When is your husband going to be coming? There was an article in the paper today, www.herald.com where taxis were having problems getting gas. It all depends on the area and whether they have had power restored. If he needs a taxi, I would venture he would be okay, as they should have their tanks filled already. In terms of food, if mini-marts are open in the area, your husband should be okay. I suggest he call the Trump Sunny Isles and see what their situation is in the area, and inquire about whatever area your husband is going to. The worst problems right now is that some people are waiting 12-15 hours for gas, and that many people cannot go to work (including Air Traffic Controllers) because they have no gas. The majority of our Publix and Winn-Dixie supermarkets are open, but many are not selling anything like ice or cold meats. Good luck. If you need anything else, I will try to help best I can.

ccrosner

Thanks, Cira. He's going to the Trump Sonesta on 11/1 and I'm arriving on 11/3. I was guessing that transportation would be the toughest part. And I can't figure out how the hotel could get food for its restaurants if others are having trouble. The hotel would be motivated to tell us that there are no problems since they want the revenue....are there restaurants open in the Sunny Isles area.

Thanks for that Herald.com link. The message board on it is very helpful!

RedRock

Almost all the big problems are in the South Florida area. This is where the power outages and gas shortages are. More power is being restored each day, that means more gas stations are pumping and stores are opening. I understand from the news most Wal-Marts in the south are open.
The remainder of the Sun Shine State is ok. All the Parks in the Orlando area opened the afternoon of the storm, by three PM the sun was shining and the sky was blue. Most of the damage in the south was on the east side (Miami), the storm came in from the west moving to the east, well south of the Naples area. The Everglades took the biggest hit when it came on shore. If you are going to the southern areas, call to check on any problems in the immediate area you are going to visit. If no answer, oh well!!!!

Cira

Ccrosner, while I understand that if you call Trump Sonesta they MIGHT tell you that all is well, I doubt it. Tell you why, if things are THAT bad there and in the area, they are not going to want conventions, business-people, or visitors going to an area that they know will provide only hardships for them. Here is the information for the Sunny Isles Chamber of Commerce, we can only hope they provide enough and good information for you to make a decision. Also, you might try Sunny Isles Fire Rescue Department. They can probably provide the best info, imo.

Here is their website too:

Miami-DADE Fire Rescue
(786) 331-5000 (As for sunny
isles fire rescue # if applicable.
[email protected]

The place your husband and you will be staying at:
http://www.sonesta.com/SunnyIsles/


http://www.flgoldcc.org/
Florida Gold Coast Chamber of Commerce,
Serving the Communities of: Surfside-Bal Harbour- Bay Harbor Islands - Sunny Isles Beach -North Bay Village- Golden Beach
1100 Kane Concourse #210
Bay Harbor, FL 33154
Phone: 305-866-6020

I know you may have accessed or thought of some, if not all of these places, but I wanted to provide the 411 just in case. Good luck! Have a safe trip and please touch base and let us know how it went. If you need more information, please feel free to ask.

Cira

CCrosner: This is what their website says:

http://www.sonesta.com/SunnyIsles/page.asp?pageid=31910

Trump International Sonesta Beach Resort:
HURRICANE WILMA UPDATE

(Friday, October 28, 2005 - Miami, FL) -- Trump International Sonesta Beach Resort Sunny Isles Beach did not sustain any structural damage from Hurricane Wilma. We're happy to announce that full power has been restored and the hotel is operating.

For reservations, call 800-SONESTA (766-3782) or locally, 305-692-5600.

Many thanks to our guests, clients and employees for your support and cooperation during this situation.

Cira

Nonnigrace, I looked up a Singer Island website for you. However, as I told Ccrosner and others have suggested, it is best to call the place you are staying at, and even the non-emergency number for Singer Island Police or Palm Beach County Police Department and ask THEM how damaged (or not) the area you are going to is in. Don't forget to ask if they have a BOIL WATER order in place. Some counties have had it on and off.

Here is another number or website you may want to call or access respectively which may help.

www.singerislandtrolley.com
1-888-826-9046
561-881-8116
[email protected]

http://www.singerislandflorida.com/mainframe.htm

Hopefully by Nov. 12, things will be a bit better, however, it is best to call ahead. Here is the FPL.com information on Palm Beach County where Singer Island is located.

ccrosner

cira,
Thanks for all the good info. I had checked out the Sonesta website and the convention organizer has been told all will be fine (including food). I will check out those other suggestions later today but you are great to offer the help.

My husband leaves tomorrow so I'll have more info then. I was able to rent a Hertz car to pick up at FLL and am now just hoping to find a gas station to refuel. If worse comes to worse, we'll just pay the exhorbitant amount Hertz will charge to refuel themselves!

I'll let you know how we make out. Thanks again.

Anonymous

"Trump ... did not sustain any structural damage from Hurricane Wilma. We're happy to announce that full power has been restored and the hotel is operating. "

Somehow, I don't find this completely reassuring. A hotel with "no structural damage" could still have all its windows broken and a foot of water in the lobby.

Dreamer2

Hi CCrosner!

Did your husband go down to Miami today? Please update us with his observations. Are you still going to join him?

How about you NonniGrace - is your trip on or off? We're trying to make the same decision, but I'm leaning toward going.

My brother is just outside FFL, and although he still has no power and the lack of traffic lights is wreaking havoc, he says routine is taking hold and "life" is returning to "normal." I did call some South Beach establishments, as well, and the curfew has been lifted (according to them), and they are supposedly fully operational. Would love to hear some first-hand reports from travelers!

Cira

Things are starting to get back to semi-normal, with the exception of traffic, which is worse, because of traffic lights still being out. Miami Shores Publix just got power yesterday. The further north of Miami you go, the more uncomfortable it is, for now. Reports are, the hardest hit areas are: Pompano Beach and Coral Springs. However, NO area of South Florida was spared. EVERY area was hit in some way and damages vary. I encourage people from visiting our beautiful area, but, depending on where you are going to go and stay and roam around to, unless you like sitting in traffic for 2 hours, Dec. 1 would be a much better time, seeing as by then, imo, things will be more comfortable for visitors. Remember that road signs and expressway signs have been blown away and may not be replaced for months. Hard to navigate around cities (if you are doing it yourself) with proper signage. Good luck.

Dreamer2

THanks, Cira.

We are staying at the Mandarin Oriental at Brickell Key... Have you heard anything? I know their pool is open and operating, but I'm not so sure about the beach.

It would be nice to delay, but it's hard if you have kids' schedules and babysitters, as well as your own, to juggle around. Plus we are coordinating with another couple - so who knows when we could all put it together again!

For us it's just a "weekend away." I'm so sorry for all the people who have had their lives disrupted by this dreadful hurricane season. Thank you for being such a big help to all the travelers here. Hope you have good luck with the recovery.

Dorgal

Called Palm Shores Resort on Singer Island yesterday (RCI) and they are CLOSED til at least the END of November. RCI has been USELESS with the situtaion!! Did not notify us and is charging us an additional $150 to find another place - -IF they have any other places - which they DO NOT!!
Don't EVER get involved with RCI !!

GoTravel

Dreamer, I haven't heard anything about the MO having any damage other than minor vegatation. I also beleive they have full power and are up and running. Have you called?

ccrosner

Dreamer2--
My husband flies to Miami later today so I'll have a report tomorrow. We are still going as his business trip is on.

Heard from our Delray Beach friend finally today. She had left after the storm to spend the week in Daytona. Now back and says it's still a bit chaotic (lots of cleanup still, traffic, etc.) but that much of the power is on and that is helping the gas line situation (fewer people need gas to power their generators!). She says it's very sad to see all of the vegetation damaged. I'll post tomorrow.

jodyroch

Do any of you know if the Ritz Cartlon in Key Biscayne is nice and a good SPA? Trying to plan a 3-4 day stay for Xmas week with a friend who is sick..any feedback would be appreciated.

Dreamer2

Hi CCrosner!
How was your trip to Miami?! Anything I should be aware of before we go?