Hurricane Ian

[Rosterman]

Looks like the Twins Training Complex and A-ball team headquarters will be in the path of what is promising to be a thunderous water-filled surge of a hurricane.

Anyone know if the Twins are currently holding a Fall Instructional League at the complex? The players (and staff) are usually housed in a hotel-like building at the complex. Not sure what it is like for weathering a hurricane. And it isn't just sitting thru a hurricane, but the mess that comes after it...supply line delays, loss of power, etc. etc.

Again, the Twins usually have up to a fourth of their minor league prospects workout in an after-the-season instructional camp, with an occasional pick-up game with a nearby (Red Sox) team.

[Squirrel]

It looks like their complex is in Zone C ... parts of zone C are under evacuation orders (along with zones A and B), but I don't know, specifically, about them. The surge is now predicted to be 16 ft, from Sanibel to Englewood. The dorm at the complex is new and of concrete construction. If they aren't in a mandatory zone, they will weather the hurricane there and I'm sure that structure is sound, given its relative newness. I'm sure they aren't at all concerned about the Fall League at this point, but just making sure their players who are in Fort Myers are taken care of. They will assess after what will be. Right now (unless there is a newer update), Ian is just below a category 5, and the radius is huge, so, even if not a direct hit, Fort Myers will get hit hard. Last I read the Punta Gorda/Charlotte area will likely see the direct hit. Surges in Charlotte Bay might see 18 ft or more. The danger isn't the storm itself but the predicted surges and the massive amounts of rain expected. Maybe someone with more direct knowledge will have more to say.

And may all our Floridian posters here at TD take care. You are in our thoughts.

[Rosterman]

The complex is not that far from FT. MYERS BEACH, Beautiful facility if you have ever been there. 

Sports fields can be rebuilt. Hopefully the town survives.

https://www.leegov.com/sports/facilities/baseball/centurylinksportscomplex

[Squirrel]

I’ll be heading down on Saturday. If allowed and I’m able, I’ll see if I can drive by. The surge was bad. My mom is much closer to FMB than the Twins complex and my Mom estimates there was a foot in her condo when she was able to get a look tonight. The Fort Myers News-Press is a good source for local news and information.

[mhanson93]

I just heard on the news that the Lee County sheriff is saying the fatalities are in the hundreds.  I am heartbroken hearing that.  ?

[Squirrel]

40 minutes ago, mhanson93 said:

I just heard on the news that the Lee County sheriff is saying the fatalities are in the hundreds.  I am heartbroken hearing that.  ?

I’m grateful my Mom took shelter on higher ground. She has a ground floor condo and got about a foot of water from the surge, but she was safe on the 3rd floor of her building with friends during the storm. It has receded but damage done. Her ground floor neighbors stayed, and another neighbor had to help them get to safety. I don’t know the extent of the damage to the community yet. Heard that part of the Sanibel Causeway collapsed and the Naples Pier is gone. But stuff can be rebuilt. Lives cannot. Fort Myers was on the wrong side of the eye wall.

[PDX Twin]

Has anyone heard any news about fatalities, injuries, or damage at the Twins' complex in Ft. Myers? I've been through the Ft. Myers News-Press this morning and, understandably, the focus is elsewhere and I couldn't find any news about Hammond Stadium or the complex. Please post if you see or hear anything.

[Squirrel]

41 minutes ago, PDX Twin said:

Has anyone heard any news about fatalities, injuries, or damage at the Twins' complex in Ft. Myers? I've been through the Ft. Myers News-Press this morning and, understandably, the focus is elsewhere and I couldn't find any news about Hammond Stadium or the complex. Please post if you see or hear anything.

I guess I take the tack that if it isn’t the focus of news, it’s probably a good thing, or good as can be given the circumstances. They are still in search and rescue mode in the area, with the Lee Co, sheriff saying they expect ‘100s of fatalities’, so not likely to be news in the News-Press about the stadium and sports complex specifically at this time. I’d monitor the Twins website for news on that front. I’ll be down on Saturday, but likely won’t be able to just drive around, but if I drive by, I’ll try to see what I can see. Haven’t seen maps yet about how far in the surge went. The stadium is in zone c so I’m guessing they fared better than anyone or anything in zones a or b

[RickOShea]

I think the best thing to do is to avoid this area.  Let the properly trained people do their jobs and provide the necessary assistance.   The last thing the local people need is sight-seers and people getting in the way.  Let's not put in danger the lives of the first responders and other support personnel.

[Rosterman]

Twins make facilities available to first reposnders....

https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/twins-evacuate-players-fort-myers-offer-dorms-to-first-responders/

 

[sampleSizeOfOne]

Hoping for the best!

 

I recall visiting my grand parents on Sanibel long ago...

[Squirrel]

Just drove by the stadium (it’s on the way to my Mom’s) … it’s packed full with vehicles and services. And the back up of traffic through the area is horrific because non-working stoplights at Metro Pkwy