Hurricane Matthew

Jkp7749 · October 2016

I know this won't relate to many of you, but I couldn't think of another thread to post it under.

I'm in NC and we're not sure how hurricane Matthew (cat 4 right now, possibly 2 or 3 when it gets here) is going to affect us. The models are all trending more westward than they originally thought and we're pretty close to the coast. I'm also 8 weeks with twins and really feeling it- not so much nausea but exhaustion and an upset stomach 24/7. We have a 15 month old daughter too. We are supposed to be flying up to Connecticut on Friday morning and returning Sunday morning for a wedding. DH parents bought the tickets a while back and cannot get their money back, but I very strongly do not want to go. We can't fly in a hurricane and I'm also feeling so yucky. His mom does not know how to have a conversation if it is not what she wants to hear, so we tried talking to her but she's adamant that it is fine and we should go.

What would you do? Would it be ridiculous for me to want to stay home? I'm so torn.

pshaortao · October 2016

I'm also in NC but west of Raleigh so probably further inland than you. I would wait and see how Matthew is before deciding to cancel. It could turn out to be nothing or all the flights will end up being cancelled that you won't be able to go anyways. I don't think youre overreacting though, a few of my s14 mamas are in FL and theyre usually very easygoing about the weather but this time they're getting concerned.

Jkp7749 · October 2016

yeah you're about an hour and a half more inland. I just wish my husband would say we can't go. He's been acting like it's inconvenient that I don't feel well and between that and the storm I just wish we could stay here.

samyv · October 2016

pshaortao you should wait it out and maybe you'll get lucky and the flights will get cancelled anyway? Good luck and I hope everything works out for you. And feel better!

slam1110 · October 2016

I agree with @pshaortao and say wait to see what it will do. It's such a slow moving storm, it looks like now it won't hit where I am (central FL) until Friday morning. But I would also be worried that if you can get there easily, you might not be able to get back home, so definitely take that into consideration.

I am a bit worried about the storm, not gonna lie, especially b/c it keeps coming more westerly. Back in my pre-kids and pre-house days I was always like, woohoo, no school, hurricane party! Now I'm like, please go away!!!

samyv · October 2016

I'm sorry! I meant that i agree with @pshaortao

kat81 · October 2016

Do DH's parents know about your pregnancy? If so, then that blows they are being annoying about it. Leaving the storm out of it, I think your DH should take your toddler and go. Wouldn't that be a win for you? You don't have to go and you get a break from the baby. He still gets credit for going to the wedding. He can probably look into hiring a sitter while he's there if he's concerned about how solo parenting at a wedding will cramp his style. Though I don't have a solution for how he travels with the toddler solo...that's hard. But generally solo dads get LOTS of offers for help and praise (as compared to solo moms), so there's that going for him. If I misread this and you were going to be traveling with the in-laws anyway, then this is a non-issue as they can share the load.

As for the storm, the airline will cancel flights if it's bad. Often, ahead of the event, they will let you change tickets to a better time that is less likely to be affected by the storm. So you might be able to change your return so that you're sure to get back and not get stuck, for example. Or they might even let you cancel your ticket for a credit that you can use within the year, and no change fee. (Or all of your tickets, but I still think it's best if DH takes your baby and you get a break!)

kat81 · October 2016

By the way, I got inspiration for the DH-takes-the-toddler plan from something we did under somewhat related circumstances. I was due 9/22 and DH wanted to go to an event (a few days and a flight away) in early October, like 10/7 or so. I wanted him to be able to go, but I was concerned with the timeline, given that we also had a 2 yr old and DS had been HARD in the first few weeks--DS was all hands on deck 24/7 for a few weeks given his issues with feeding, and I didn't want to deal with that alone. DH's solution -- because the event was taking place in his parents' hometown, he'd take DS with him, and they would watch him while he was out. I ended up delivering 9/26 so the timeline was even tighter than originally planned, but DD was easier than DS had been in the beginning. So it worked out great. The weekend to myself (plus newborn) was easy, fun, and relaxing.

SKZW · October 2016

I agree with @kat81 about maybe having your hubbs and 15-m-o DD travel together and you hang back. It could be their own adventure! and you'd not have to worry about traveling at all. I agree with other posters, too, that taking a wait-and-see approach makes sense: Wait two more days to finalize your plans. And P.S. the thing about your in-laws having paid for the flight... anytime you buy ANYthing nonrefundable there's risk involved. Duh. They'll just have to accept it. I know it's tough talking to stubborn/hard-ass people but speak your peace and stand your ground. If you don't want to go, you don't have to go. P.S.S. I'm sorry your hubbs is treating your symptoms like they're inconvenient. Hang in there! You have a right to feel however you feel no matter what anyone says. Everything will be sorted out soon!

schnitz9 · October 2016

We live in Charlotte. However my parents live in Wilmington. We were supposed to go there this weekend in fact. My dad works in NYC during the week and flies back and forth every week. He has decided to stay in the city this week. You will most likely be able to cancel your ticket with out being penalized because right now the governor has declared a state of emergency for 66 NC counties. Try calling the airlines first to see what your options are first and then speak with your MIL. It's supposed to get pretty bad fri evening from what we've been told. A few weeks back when the Hermine hit my dads flight were all canceled as well. What airport are you flying out of?

Jkp7749 · October 2016

thanks for the advice yall. While it would be great for Dh to take DD solo, w'ere worried about him getting stuck there (he can't miss work on monday), he isn't comfortable taking her because she has separation anxiety and doesn't know any of them so it would be only him that could do anything with her (we've been working on this, but she get so scared), she's never flown, and he's going to a second wedding there alone next month.

He says we probably just won't go bc we would be flying from our local airport to charlotte, have an hour and a half layover, then another 2 hour flight. When we got there it would be way past nap time, and then she goes to bed at 730 so we'd literally get to spend about 4 hours with folks. Plus the bride doesn't want kids at the reception and we're worried we will have to take her out of the ceremony anyway so we really would miss most of the wedding and then would be leaving the next morning.

amh369 · October 2016

I'm in east coast FL. Fingers crossed

ekw832001 · October 2016

Hey there ladies. I am about 50 miles west of Charleston SC...today the governor announced an evacuation and our interstate will be reversing lanes tomorrow for the evacuation. This isn't my first hurricane...but I'm definitely more anxious being pregnant. As far as leaving North Carolina on friday morning...well NC shouldn't ground the planes yet, but I foresee trying to get home an issue. I'd just tell them I'm sorry but there's a natural disaster heading my way...stay home, bunker down and take care of yourself and family! Whatever you choose be safe!

kbrumbaugh26 · October 2016

At the risk of being unpopular...I'm such a nut for rain and hurricanes. Growing up in Charleston, we always had "hurricane parties". My mom actually made Hugo feel fun (as devastating as it was). We learned hurricane tracking in elementary school. I think something about growing up with it like that, just makes me super eager and excited when it happens.

I'm in Columbia now, but my dad is literally trying to tell me the back roads to take to get to Charleston during the lane reversal to storm chase with him. As fun as it sounds, I'm like, I think I'll stay up here Dad.

That said, I do hope everyone stays safe and my heart goes out to those already effected. As I have gotten older, I do realize the complete tragedy they can cause.

Kipperoo · October 2016

Just wanted to send well wishes to any of you currently prepping for the hurricane. I grew up in Florida and vividly remember days spent prepping for storms that may/may not actually hit. Hoping that those of you evacuating get somewhere safe and those sticking around enjoy a low-drama hurricane party. :-)

clebl24 · October 2016

I'm a south Louisiana girl, so I have lots of experience with hurricanes. Sending thoughts and prayers to the ladies in Matthew's path.

kat81 · October 2016

Jkp7749 said:

thanks for the advice yall. While it would be great for Dh to take DD solo, w'ere worried about him getting stuck there (he can't miss work on monday), he isn't comfortable taking her because she has separation anxiety and doesn't know any of them so it would be only him that could do anything with her (we've been working on this, but she get so scared), she's never flown, and he's going to a second wedding there alone next month.

He says we probably just won't go bc we would be flying from our local airport to charlotte, have an hour and a half layover, then another 2 hour flight. When we got there it would be way past nap time, and then she goes to bed at 730 so we'd literally get to spend about 4 hours with folks. Plus the bride doesn't want kids at the reception and we're worried we will have to take her out of the ceremony anyway so we really would miss most of the wedding and then would be leaving the next morning.

Yeah this sounds like a shitshow on multiple levels. If kids aren't welcome at the wedding and the toddler has separation anxiety (can't just deal with a random sitter) then she can't go. Your husband can't miss work so he can't go (this is totally irrespective of you). You're the only one who can go, it seems, and you feel like crap. Everyone needs to miss it. Hopefully you'll all save face because the airline will let you cancel due to the hurricane.

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