Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Florida area theatres/Hurricane Charley

This is topic Florida area theatres/Hurricane Charley in forum Ground Level at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Jason Black (Member # 684) on 08-13-2004, 02:13 PM:

Guys and gals..

Batton down the hatches and hang on. Here's hoping that no-one suffers any loss of life or incurs any bodily injuries. buildings can be replaced, you can't.

Bunker down and good luck. I, and I'm sure others, will follow Charley closely.

Posted by Tony Bandiera Jr (Member # 2365) on 08-13-2004, 04:39 PM:

Good luck to all out there, be safe and I wish the best for you and your loved ones.
[Smile]

Posted by Richard Greco (Member # 2032) on 08-13-2004, 06:00 PM:

OTOH, Carmike Lake Walden Cinema 8, please blow down...with nobody in it of course

Posted by Brandon Willis (Member # 2345) on 08-13-2004, 07:15 PM:

Here in VA, we're not expecting it to be too bad, just some heavy rain. But everyone knows what rain does to your attendance. Not only that, but a good 40% of our staff requested off this weekend, and several people have left to go back to school. I'm thinking that tomorrow may be the first day in my entire career when I will call in sick to work.

Posted by John Carpenter (Member # 1488) on 08-13-2004, 08:12 PM:

Out of curiosity, what theatres closed for Charley? Here in Gainesville, all of the theatres eventually closed today.

For those of you farther along... have fun - be careful!!

Posted by James B. Openshaw (Member # 1310) on 08-13-2004, 09:17 PM:

Since the warning has moved up here to the South Carolina coast, my theatre is closed for Saturday. Luckily, we're most likely to get the west side of the storm. Hope all down in Florida are okay, we'll get our share Saturday morning.

Posted by Jason Black (Member # 684) on 08-13-2004, 09:50 PM:

We were given offical notice of a mandatory evac. at 6pm. We ran the 7:00 sets for those who had prepurchased tickets and wanted to see the shows. We will determine at what point we re-open based on the evac being lifted.

Hope you all are out of harms way. As much as severe weather awes me, I get to where I hate it more and more due to the additional workload it creates.... [Mad]

Posted by Dennis Benjamin (Member # 1137) on 08-14-2004, 07:13 AM:

I hope all our fellow theatre managers and employees in Port Charlotte, Florida braved the storm and are OK.

I read an article that there are 'significant deaths' in the Punta Gorda area of Florida. Being a former resident of the area - I do wish all those people the best.

Posted by Thomas Procyk (Member # 1170) on 08-16-2004, 12:45 AM:

Hey all, I'm here and ok. Well, so far, until I find out if my place is ok. I came down to Royal Palm Beach from Orlando for a planned weekend with the folks which ended up becoming a hurricane evacuation after all. I haven't been back up there since it hit, but here's what i've heard so far from the news and from friends:

-16 dead in the state so far, 2 in Orange County

-Large trees reported to be uprooted around my area. the Orlando Executive Airport which borders the theater I work at had significant damage, hangars destroyed and planes flipped over. A friend told me the theater's marquee is gone. Signs along the highway are bent over touching the ground.

-Don't know much about the Carmike Lake Walden 8, but the Carmike University 8 is reported to also be missing its marquee and sustaining some damage.

-Many areas, including my house up there apparently, are still without power. A vast majority of people are also without cell phone service.

-Charley was a Category 4 hurricane when it hit the coast, Punta Gorda and Port Charlotte. By the time it reached Orlando, it was a Category 3. Still very powerful with winds gusting over 100mph.

-Here at my parents' house, we didn't even get any rain from this storm. The city is far south-east of where it made landfall.

I can't get back up to Orlando until Tuesday, hopefully power will be restored by then and I can go check on my place. There are (were?) two large trees in front and one in back of my house, so hopefully none of those have made it into the living room. I guess I picked a good weekend to leave town!

Now let's hope Earl or Danielle don't decide to pay us a visit. [Frown]

=TMP=

Posted by Erick Akers (Member # 875) on 08-16-2004, 10:03 PM:

Hey Thom,
Glad to hear from ya, I was starting to become concerned.
I just hope you didn't sustain too much damage.
Get back with us when you can!

Erick

Posted by William Hooper (Member # 71) on 08-17-2004, 06:33 AM:

He's probably driving around filling up the trunk of his car with all the blown-down traffic lights so he can hang them all up in his bedroom & look "cool".

PUNKS!

They're not hard to re-wire.

Posted by Jeremy Fuentes (Member # 2135) on 08-17-2004, 06:46 AM:

Good to see you back Thomas! [thumbsup]

Posted by Thomas Procyk (Member # 1170) on 08-18-2004, 11:31 PM:

Hey everyone,

Bad news. Things are very bad here. I got back to my apartment on Tuesday to find no broken windows or outside damage, but came inside to find that the entire cieling had collapsed. [Frown]

Plaster and insulation are everywhere and I tried to salvage what I could. The damage is concentrated to the back of the house, which is my bedroom and the kitchen area. No serious damage to the screening room, but *everything* is damp. The walls, the rugs, the cieling, and all my electrical equipment. I haven't plugged in the LCD projector yet. I'm trying to dry things out as much as I can so I can test them out. There's an overwhelming smell of wet plaster, rotting wood and mildew so I limit my visits to about an hour at a time, trying to clean up. Insurance adjuster is supposed to come within the week.

Not too many irreplaceable things got destroyed. A few "lesser" films, furniture, clothing, and the such. My record collection survived as did my computer, but I haven't plugged that in yet. It was safe under the desk.

I'm staying with friends right now, taking it one day at a time and trying to find another place to live. Yep, I'm homeless. It's hard to find anything with vacancy that hasn't sustained damage around here, but we're getting lots of aid in the area and things like power and traffic lights are getting repaired quickly. I will post pictures once all the important stuff is taken care of. I'll also post updates as they happen, but as of now, it's one day at a time...

Classes start Monday. [Frown]

=TMP=

Posted by Mike Spaeth (Member # 524) on 08-18-2004, 11:46 PM:

hope you had Renter's Insurance .......

Posted by William Hooper (Member # 71) on 08-19-2004, 01:12 AM:

I'm glad none of your irreplacacable stuff is gone! I know it's grinding just trying to get from hour to hour in that world of ruination, but don't let it affect you past just getting you tired.

Usually, the people who come out of these best actually found something engaging in it. This may be the only time in your life that you'll have such a shift to a completely novel world. Get on the outside of it frequently to exploit it for your own enjoyment: you're living in one of those sorta cool post-apocalyptic worlds like in Mad Max or A Boy & His Dog!

Posted by Jeremy Fuentes (Member # 2135) on 08-19-2004, 06:10 AM:

Sorry to hear that Thomas.. [Frown]

Posted by Stephen Furley (Member # 1277) on 08-19-2004, 06:42 AM:

Sorry to hear the news Thomas, but at least you're safe; That's the important thing.

Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 08-19-2004, 03:43 PM:

At least you are safe. [thumbsup]

Posted by Richard Fowler (Member # 893) on 08-19-2004, 05:31 PM:

We have a friend, Donald, who lives in one of the "ground zero" areas, Arcadia. He and his pets endured the winds under his kitchen table for protection...amazing due the heavily wooded land his house did not blow away....the house construction is painted styrofoam blocks and a simple wood roof [scream]

Arcadia has a "bi-plex" cinema....maybe they had enough damage to replace their mono sound and their ORC platters [Cool]

Posted by Jason Black (Member # 684) on 08-19-2004, 06:29 PM:

Thomas,
Sorry to hear about your findings. Like others have said, at least you're ok. Belongings can be replaced. As Mike said, I do hope you had renters insurance. I never had a policy and have often wondered, at times like this, what I would have done had I lost everything... [Frown]

Richard,

The best thing that could have happened would have been the whole theatre being blown down. When we aquired the theatre during the Floyd acquisition, I was sent there as part of the 'transition team'. WOW. Talk about culture shock. Old Radio Shack tape deck for the intermission music, tied into a Marantz amp.. ORC platters and I think they had old Lumex lamphouses, but I'm not 100% sure about that.

I dont' have many find memories about the place, truth be told. The manager at the time, Bert Daly, seemed to be a decent enough fellow. I do recall there being very little attendance while I was there. The only real store I knew was the local Wal-Mart, which never had anything I needed ot pick up..

I recall making a trip to Port Charlotte, turning around and coming right back, as the theatre opened for evening shows only. I also made it out to Sebring while I was there, but I had no time to actually see anything due to operating hours and travel time being so tight.

Posted by Thomas Procyk (Member # 1170) on 08-31-2004, 12:04 PM:

Hey everyone. Just popping in with a quick note to let everyone know I still exist.

The battle with the property manager in terms of getting out of the lease of a wrecked apartment (yes, it's been a battle!) is almost over, but the battle with the insurance company is just beginning.

Hopefully they will be nice enough to replace most of my stuff, but it's been two weeks and I'm still without a bed, a computer, furniture, and 90% of my clothes. They're hesitant about doing anything regarding my Pac-Man machine, and said that I need to screen all of my films (which have that nice "tape peeling off the roll" sound when unwound due to the moisture) before I can claim them. *sigh* If anyone has any suggestions other than getting a lawyer on their ass (in the process of that now) I'd like to hear them. Can films technically be claimed at all?

I'll write back once I get my own computer. [Smile]

Take care,
=TMP=

Posted by Mike Olpin (Member # 1115) on 08-31-2004, 02:14 PM:

Wow. What a nightmare. I think it would be hard to claim films, since the price on films is very subjective and usually set exclusively by the seller.

Your property manager sounds like a complete asshole for insisting that you continue your lease on the apartment. Idiocy at that level should be illegal.

BTW, you've got one more to dodge! [Frown]

http://www.cnn.com/2004/WEATHER/08/31/hurricane.frances/index.html

Posted by Gary Crawford (Member # 2038) on 08-31-2004, 02:20 PM:

Glad to hear the crew survived, all things considered. Here in NJ we got some heavy rain, that was it.

Have family in Punta Gorda and Port Charlotte. Amazingly, my uncle's house is still standing and only suffered minor damage. There isn't a tree standing, or many other houses.

I really can't comment further as I wasn't there during or after. Hope all the aftermath problems are worked out for everyone.

Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 08-31-2004, 03:46 PM:

Hopefully, you can claim the value of the films if you can show what you paid for the films, and any increase in market value from current catalog listings in the collectors market.

Posted by Daryl C. W. O'Shea (Member # 1303) on 08-31-2004, 03:59 PM:

In such a case, I suggest you quote Jeff's prices.

Posted by Thomas Procyk (Member # 1170) on 08-31-2004, 07:37 PM:

The particular films that were damaged were given to me. Nothing special, just fun to watch. Luckily, the important ones are ok.

Mike -- Yep. They tried to say I can still live there! Threw a tarp on the roof, peeled back the carpet and said it was "livable" [Roll Eyes]

The property manager flipped on all the breakers and began "testing" all of the appliances in the kitchen where the water soaked through the floor and walls. She finally quit when the microwave began sparking. I tell ya, it's been quite an adventure. Would make a good movie...

=TMP=

Posted by Jeremy Fuentes (Member # 2135) on 08-31-2004, 07:45 PM:

quote: Thomas Procyk
Would make a good movie...

Yeah, unfortunately there will probably be someone out there that will try and profit from your loss as well as the loss of thousands of others. [Mad]

Posted by William Hooper (Member # 71) on 09-01-2004, 01:27 AM:

This happens way too often after hurricanes. Your landlord is trying to take advantage of any ignorance in order to keep tenants paying rent & thus make the landlord's loss less.

Your landlord is using the term "liveable", because "uninhabitable" is a specific legal term which is both a legal definition which covers the apartment's condition in law, & is also in tenant law a cause for legal termination of the lease by the tenant.

Here's what your landlord is trying to make you believe your covered under [john]

'd under Florida Tenant Law

http://www.flsenate.gov/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=Ch0083/ch0083.htm

quote:
83.51 Landlord's obligation to maintain premises.--

(1) The landlord at all times during the tenancy shall:

(a) Comply with the requirements of applicable building, housing, and health codes; or

(b) Where there are no applicable building, housing, or health codes, maintain the roofs, windows, screens, doors, floors, steps, porches, exterior walls, foundations, and all other structural components in good repair and capable of resisting normal forces and loads and the plumbing in reasonable working condition. However, the landlord shall not be required to maintain a mobile home or other structure owned by the tenant.

[...]

83.56 Termination of rental agreement.--

(1) If the landlord materially fails to comply with s. 83.51(1) or material provisions of the rental agreement within 7 days after delivery of written notice by the tenant specifying the noncompliance and indicating the intention of the tenant to terminate the rental agreement by reason thereof, the tenant may terminate the rental agreement. If the failure to comply with s. 83.51(1) or material provisions of the rental agreement is due to causes beyond the control of the landlord and the landlord has made and continues to make every reasonable effort to correct the failure to comply, the rental agreement may be terminated or altered by the parties, as follows:

(a) If the landlord's failure to comply renders the dwelling unit untenantable and the tenant vacates, the tenant shall not be liable for rent during the period the dwelling unit remains uninhabitable.

(b) If the landlord's failure to comply does not render the dwelling unit untenantable and the tenant remains in occupancy, the rent for the period of noncompliance shall be reduced by an amount in proportion to the loss of rental value caused by the noncompliance.

However, what you've got is an uninhabitable dwelling due to casualty damage

quote:
83.63 Casualty damage.--If the premises are damaged or destroyed other than by the wrongful or negligent acts of the tenant so that the enjoyment of the premises is substantially impaired, the tenant may terminate the rental agreement and immediately vacate the premises. The tenant may vacate the part of the premises rendered unusable by the casualty, in which case the tenant's liability for rent shall be reduced by the fair rental value of that part of the premises damaged or destroyed. If the rental agreement is terminated, the landlord shall comply with s. 83.49(3) [F.S. 1973].

"The tenant may terminate the rental agreement & immediately vacate" Get your stuff, get out. You've got a problem with still dealing with insurance & finding a place to take your stuff. Otherwise, you just write a letter to your landlord saying you are terminating your lease under section 83.63 of the State of Florida Landlord & Tenant Law. You don't pay one more dime after the hurricane wrecks your apartment. (Unless you want to; some people will stay & pay reduced rents in severely damaged apartments if they have nowehere else to go)

When you talk to the landlord, if you do it anymore, use only the word "uninhabitable". This is because local codes will define "uninhabitable", & uninhabitable is specifically the condition mentioned in 83.56(a)

quote:
(a) If the landlord's failure to comply renders the dwelling unit untenantable and the tenant vacates, the tenant shall not be liable for rent during the period the dwelling unit remains uninhabitable.

An uninhabitable dwelling in most state codes is one which poses a risk to health, safety, or property. The structural damage of the tarp on the roof not meeting code is a risk to your health, safety, & property, likewise is the dangerous electrical system, & any health conditions such as mold growing, standing water. I only bring this up, because most states also have a law making it illegal to rent an uninhabitable dwelling, & the moment it becomes uninhabitable, they can't pocket another dime. Landlords get sued for rent they collected while the dwelling was uninhabitable, so if you were deceived into paying another month's rent, you should get that refunded. Florida law is probably very much slanted toward real estate interests, so that may not be applicable. Once you get settled elsewhere, you can check on the local law & may be able to send them a letter & get your money back.

But for right now, you're out of your lease immediately by law under section 83.63. Get your stuff. Write them a letter specifically saying that "the apartment was made unihabitable by the hurricane on (date)" & that you're terminating the lease under section 83.63 of the Florida Landlord & Tenant Law. Take pictures if you haven't already, because they may figure you'll be a good target for intimidation by threatening lawsuit. Next time you go over take friends, i.e., witnesses. You're dealing with a B-team snake. If you haven't noticed, most of your neighbors have terminated their leases & gone already.

Posted by Thomas Procyk (Member # 1170) on 09-01-2004, 11:50 AM:

William,

Thanks for all the info and statutes, it saved me a TON of time!

Another insurance adjustor came this morning, and I'm all set to go. This afternoon I will begin to get the remaining (i.e. damaged and kept for the sake of the claim) stuff out. My attorney is sending the letter.

Insurance company said I should get a check within 10 days, depending of course on this NEXT hurricane, which is supposed to slam our area with double the force of the last one. [Frown]

I don't know where I'll be running to this time. Everyone I know is right in the path. Hurricane force winds are extending over 80 miles outward from the center.

Hey Josh Jones -- know of any good realestate in North Dakota? I never hear about anything bad happening there. [Smile]

I'll keep in touch as best I can.
=TMP=

Posted by Mike Olpin (Member # 1115) on 09-01-2004, 12:02 PM:

Move to SoCal with everyone else!

Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 09-01-2004, 12:16 PM:

Rochester is pretty safe: just a dreary winter with a few blizzards and ice storms thrown in for excitement. A good place to sell generators, snowmobiles, and skis. [Wink]

We like to say that George Eastman founded Kodak in Rochester because in the winter, it's the world's largest cold storage facility for film, and the world's largest darkroom. [Big Grin]

But the rest of the year is usually gorgeous (except for this summer's rainy August). [thumbsup]

Posted by Brent Neal Jones (Member # 1048) on 09-10-2004, 02:25 PM:

How 'bout the blue skies of Texas? (Preferably Northeastern.)

quote: John Pytlak was the last to post

Tell him, Brad. Nobody pays attention to us unless we get bad weather, and then the assume that its there all the time, when in fact it's nice her 90% of the time. A lot like s. Cal, without the humidity [Cool]

Posted by David Kilderry (Member # 142) on 09-26-2004, 06:10 AM:

I notice on the Swap Shop (Fort Lauderdale) drive-in web site, that it seems to only be running on 11 screens instead of the usual 13. Were two damaged recently in the storms?

David Kilderry

Posted by System Notices (Member # 2357) on 11-05-2005, 07:35 AM:

It has been 405 days since the last post.