Hurricane Plan for WEG?

We are still planning on going. Moved flight from Friday morning to Thursday evening. Not sure if that makes much of a difference but it seems supported by at least some of the forecasters.

Yes, driving down as originally planned. Maybe with an extra pair of wellies…

So here is another good discussion. http://www.damweather.com/2018/09/th…hurricane.html

One thing I’d note is that while Tryon is far from the coast, and the current rainfall prediction is around 3", it’s like 50 miles from areas expected to get 10" of rain. There’s just not that much accuracy in the track IMHO to feel like 3" is as bad as it will get. I am glad to hear the organizers are stepping up their thoughts on it.

The other thing is that rain and wind are the obvious problem but being without power for hours or days is its own kind of disaster even if Tryon doesn’t get any rain or wind, and a storm of this size could potentially cause significant power disruptions. (I don’t know the topography of the grid there.)

No power can mean there’s no refrigeration, no ability to pump gas, no ability to accept credit cards for payment, no water or contaminated tap water, no cooking, no lighting, and no heat or ac. No showering. Potentially also no cell service, no internet/data, and no ability to charge your phone even if there was service. This, trust me, is bad enough in your own home with your own supplies and your own house and your own car.

Of course, for the purposes of the competition, I assume they’re going to have real problems running scoreboards, timers, computers, and communications if they don’t have grid power. If they are reading this, I would also advise them to plan for their internet provider to be down and to consider how that affects all aspects of operations. For example, if they have VOIP, that may also mean they don’t even have telephones if either of power or internet is out.

If I were going, I’d probably pack a few collapsable water bottles that can be filled when I arrive, a selection of nonperishable compact snacks (jerky, nuts, my favorite KIND bars), my headlamp, nitrile gloves, and some extra batteries for the headlamp and an extra charger for the cell phone. Maybe a handful of extra ziploc bags. I’d already be bringing my backpack and rain gear and a few extra pairs of my favorite Darn Tough socks.

It will probably all be OK but best to be as prepared as you can be to shelter in place, wherever that place ends up being. Fingers crossed that the storm moves through swiftly and without too much havoc, but let’s invoke the gods of mischief all we can by being prepared for worse.

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The issue is the sheer size of storm - even if Charlotte itself is not inundated, planes may not be able to get there thru the storm…Depends on where they are coming and going from. Would not hold high hopes for the airport…

For those going, be sure you read what is allowed in; they are pretty strict on food, water, etc. Scroll down to the food part and beyond. https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2018/09/10/world-equestrian-games-heres-what-you-need-know/1256679002/

The airlines prefer to get their aircraft out of areas of natural disaster. For those that are flying in, call your airline. They usually wait as long as they can to stop service but they will want their aircraft and employees out at some point.
Depending on your itinerary, you may get in, but you may also be staying much longer than you intended.

I realize they’re limiting snacks and water going into the venue, but I’m talking about just having the supplies cached in your hotel as well as some on you for the day. Be prepared that getting into the venue might not even be on the radar if you need them…

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Yes, I saw that shortly after I posted the earlier images from NOAA. Latest data indicates that it will start to stall, which will force it a bit more to the south. So there will be more wind and rain further west in NC than earlier predictions.

On this image, the storm center looks to be right in the Tryon/Lake Lure area at 2pm Sunday (“D” on the map).

Florence trajectory - NOAA 2000 20180911.jpg

From tonight’s WEG press conference: http://useventing.com/news/weg-officials-brief-impending-weather

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The thing that concerns me about that sunny press conference report is that it sounds like they haven’t contemplated the possibility that they could lose power or communications. I would urge anyone in a position to whisper in their ear to get them thinking about those things, because there are always surprises about how hard it is to do the things you need to do without them. Our area has had multiple large scale communications failures and we still get surprised, even on the sunny days. For example, if you have no power and no cell service, how will you tell people to all come shelter in that covered arena? And how will anyone tell you that there’s a big weather cell coming at you?

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I realize this might not cover all aspects of what you’re saying, but the press report on Eventing Nation did address some of those concerns:

“Tryon is working with three different electrical suppliers during WEG and has numerous generators on-site. There are also two high-volume wells on the property, both of which are attached to the emergency generators and supply drinkable water.”

See full report here: http://eventingnation.com/tryon-addresses-contingency-plan-as-hurricane-florence-approaches/

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It makes me ill to think of the worlds best horses, so many of them, potentially being involved in flooding. Ugh. I really hope this doesn’t come the way they are saying it is :confused:

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After much of being on the fence, I have decided to not attend. I am in Central Florida and have experienced first hand what Irma and Charley did to our home in Winter Park, just north of Orlando. The cabin I had rented is next to a stream and that has me very, very nervous. One part of our party is worried about leaving her horses, south of DC and my daughter, in DC, will most likely not be able to fly in on Thursday evening. It just isn’t worth the risk. I have bad visions of severe flooding, mudslides, no power and no gas. Best of luck to everyone attending, I hope that everyone is safe and dry on the other side of this monster storm. Now to try and get a refund…the home owner we rented from on vrbo is not giving me a refund. I did take out a policy on Sunday and my son says to look into my credit card that I paid for everything with.

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I’m curious who should give you a refund? Unless you purchased trip insurance somehow I don’t think WEG or the CC company would or even should give refunds for potential natural disasters and your decision not to attend. It’s an unfortunate situation but nobody is at fault or owes anyone anything IMO. We are still planning on going for now but just have SJ tickets so aren’t leaving until Monday. That will give us a few more days to see how it’s looking.

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Unfortunately I have decided not to go as well. Thankfully, I can change my reservations with Southwest rather easily and had not yet purchased a flight for a trip I plan to take next month.

I’m super sad, but it is what it is. I hope all my friends and family in NC weather this storm.

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It is a difficult thing isn’t it? To take a chance or not to… It really is a gamble either way, to go or not to go. Hurricanes are unpredictable.
“Do you feel lucky?” is how it ends. Some people are more willing to gamble than are others.

Whatever you decide, I hope you win. Even more, I hope you don’t lose. :yes:

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Hmmm…

Will the endurance course be ok with a lot of rain? Wondering where those horses were to be going for the competition.

Yup. One has to keep up with the forecast. Which makes planning a gamble, as science can only give you their best every 6 hours. God love 'em.
Cheers to the meteorologists at the NOAA NHS!

Please stay safe, everyone

Do you feel lucky?. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I530sPVQSc8

Within the last two hours …

"World Equine Expo™ Schedule Change

Due to impending weather conditions, it was necessary to relocate some of the FEI competition horses to a different barn on-site at the venue. Therefore, we are no longer able to house the World Equine Expo™ demonstration horses on property and have to cancel the Ring 1 demonstrations for both Week 1 & Week 2.

The Official Mascot Appearances on-site have also been cancelled, but we are working to host an Official Appearance off-site, with more details to come.

However, programming in the EQUUS Theater and on the Coca-Cola stage are still running according to their regular schedules featuring daily entertainment and all Expo vendors are open.

We apologize for the inconvenience and look forward to seeing you for the World Equine Expo™ and the FEI World Equestrian Games™ Tryon 2018 on September 12-23."

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There was a video on FB of some of the endurance riders having a look at the footing the other day. They were not happy :no: And that was in sunshine.

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