devs on hurricane

_layouts/homepage.html

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 {% include alert.html
-    title="Important Hurricane Information from General Chairs"
+    title="Important Hurricane Information from General Chairs (Updated Sept. 27 at 8:34pm EDT)"
     description=""
     title-url="https://virtual.ieeevis.org"
     button-text="Read the message"

content/info/hurricane_update.md

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 permalink: info/hurricane_updates
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+# Developments on the impact of Hurricane Helene
 
+*Posted on Friday, September 27 2024 at 8:34pm EDT*
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+
+Dear Visualization Community,
+
+
+This evening, members of the core committee, VEC, and IEEE met with the TradeWinds Island Grand Hotel manager for an update on the status of the damages. Unfortunately, the damages are significant enough that we will be unable to hold IEEE VIS 2024 on their property, and we have invoked force majeure to cancel the contract.
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+Our team at IEEE is currently searching for an alternative venue in the Tampa/Orlando area that would still allow us to hold an in-person event around the same time. However, switching to a completely virtual event remains an option. We hope to have information about this by the middle of next week.
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+For those who booked hotel rooms at the TradeWinds Island Grand or RumFish through our room block, these rooms should be canceled automatically. However, if you have questions, you can contact the hotel at +1 800-360-4016 or e-mail at [email protected].
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+We realize this impacts flights, registration, and potentially many other things. However, we don’t have any more information than what has been shared above. We will do our best to communicate updates as they become available.
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+Sincerely,
+
+IEEE VIS 2024 General Chairs
+
+
+<hr />
 
 # Update on the impact of Hurricane Helene
 
-*Posted on Friday, September 27 2024*
+*Posted on Friday, September 27 2024 at 12:42 EDT*
 
 As you may have heard, Hurricane Helene had a significant impact on Florida. Although Tampa / St. Pete did not receive a direct hit, the storm surge caused significant flooding. The good news is that they are used to dealing with these situations in Florida.
 **At this point, we still plan to go ahead with the in-person portion of the conference at the TradeWinds Island Grand.**
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 We will continue to update you with additional information as we have relevant details to share.
 
 Sincerely,
+
 VIS 2024 General Chairs
 
 <hr />