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The Caribbean Hurricane PageUpdates from the Islands
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Most recent reports can be found here.
[Mon, 21 Sep 1998 09:02EDT] - Jose Cruz reporting from Isabela, Puerto Rico:
Actual Time : 8:26 AM
Date : Monday
Wind: 10 MPH N.E.
Oh God, I have so many things to share with all you. First, Instead of
facing a possible category 150+ MPH Hurricane, now we are expecting one
around 115 MPH. The eye of the system went from 30 to 15 miles. What
happen... I know that are many technical and logical explanations to this,
but I still believe in miracles. Yesterday morning we held a praying
service from 6:00 AM and we were praying God to get rid off this system.
We believe and regardless of the hurricane or its strength the Lord will
help his people.
As far as the weather, today a little rain wakes Us in Isabela this
morning but it is mostly cloudy. Temperature is 82 Dig. F. Locals in
Isabela rush yesterday to complete their protection plans since we were
expecting something real big. This morning report shows a 110 MPH system
located at 17.5 N, 63.7 W, 966 mb moving at 17 MPH. They believe that we
will start to feel storm winds on the east part of the Island from 6:00
P.M. and that the system will exit the Island close to were I leave, North
west between Isabela and Aguadilla.
I know that many of you have relatives around the Northwest part of the
island, but believe Me, everything is going to get alone very well. We
were preparing for the west hopping for the best.
I'll keep you posted during and after the hurricane.
[Mon, 21 Sep 1998 09:10EDT] - Rafael Buxeda Díaz reporting from Puerto Rico:
21-IX, 1300Z, 9:00 am EDT
A report from the San Juan Weather Bureau places Georges center at 60 miles ESE
from St. Croix, 85 miles SE from St. Thomas, 110 SE of Vieques, 135 SE from
Fajardo, 170 SE from San Juan and 200 miles ESE from Ponce.
Weather in San Juan is not better, not worst than my previous report.
I STILL am hearing banging, when I thought there was nothing further to bang
into; and nailing when I could have sworn you couldn't find a decent nail in
Puerto Rico. If this keeps up, I might be tempted to hammer in a few
thumbtacks, just in solidarity.
Rumors to the effect that I have hooked up my computer to 78 car batteries are
absolutely NOT true.
Hanging in there at 18.45° N, 66.08° W, stocked up with black and white cookies
and java.
rafa://puerto rico
[Mon, 21 Sep 1998 09:00EDT] - alberto "alberto" roque reporting from Puerto Rico:
Seems to me that this is going to be a direct hit .but chatting with a
few friends from st.Martin and Anguila it wasn't so bad after all .things
are rellitivley calm here in Caguas.The nieghborhood is ready,time to
break out the dominoe table and get it on with the nieghbors can,t do
much else but wait.old lady is getting the last meal done before power
goes out .gameboys and coloring books are ready for the kids and the wine
has been chilled.so so long and may GOD BLESS ALL.
[Mon, 21 Sep 1998 08:47EDT] - Eva LLorens, San Juan Star, reporting from Puerto Rico:
Right now, the latest news are that the hurricane will definitely pass through
the island since it has not changed its course. However, it has lost
strength and now its winds measure 110 mph. Here in Carolina, about 10
miles east of San Juan, the weather is kind of nice actually. In terms of
basic services, all the government agencies have contingency plans to
repair systems after the hurricane's passing. They usually start by
repairing electric and phone lines of hospitals, government agencies and
hotels before getting residential areas back up. All airline flights have
been canceled, although the main airport is slated to remain open.
Mon, 21 Sep 1998 08:49EDT] - Eric Tulla reporting from Puerto Rico:
It is now 8:30 am (AST), and all is still quiet. Mostly overcast now,
although half an hour ago I saw bright blue sky. USVI seems to be getting
the beginning of the storm so we will shortly follow. The news says it is
intensifying, I hope they are wrong! Services are still working. Good luck
to all. Am encouraged by the slightly less than devastating news from our
friends down-islands.
[Mon, 21 Sep 1998 08:30EDT] - Rafael Buxeda Díaz reporting from Puerto Rico:
21-IX, 1230Z
At 9:00 am EDT the Puerto Rico's principal airport closes down. The last
commercial flight out of San Juan was last night.
Ferry service from Fajardo on Puerto Rico's eastern coast to Vieques and
Culebra has been suspended. These two offshore islands are about halfway
between PR and St. Thomas. Local TV has live reports of the first gusty weather
in Vieques, although no rain yet. Speaking of TV, news crews from ABC and the
Weather Channel are in San Juan, as well as a reporter from NBC in New York. So
when, and if power and cable service go south (no pun intended), folks in the
USA might have a better idea of what's happening down here.
Windwise, Georges is similar to Marylyn '95 in St. Thomas. The USVI are
probably starting to feel tropical force winds at this time.
The forecast has George cutting across PR from southeast to northwest.
Weather in San Juan, at this time is partially cloudy, although did see the sun
about a hour ago. It's muggy as heck, explained by the 85% relative humidity.
Windspeed is barely 10 mph.
If and when electrical power goes, a good deal of the island will lack water
service, very simply it can't be pumped through the system.
Traffic reports on local radio stations are sadly lacking. In fact, I can
usually hear the morning grid lock from where I am. Fact of the matter is that,
I might hear a car speeding along every few minutes.
Hanging in there at 18.45° N, 66.08° W, stocked up with black and white cookies
and java.
rafa://puerto rico
[Mon, 21 Sep 1998 08:21EDT] - Luis Salazar reporting from Puerto Rico:
SAN JUAN, PR Monday 9/21/98 0800 AST
You'd never know a hurricane was less than a couple of hundred
miles away. Skies in San Juan are clear, no real wind is prevalent,
rain is sporadic. However, there is an eerie coolness in the air that
is not typical. There is almost no traffic on the streets, neighbors
and people I've talked to on the phone seem resilient and ready for
whatever comes.
We are still preparing for a direct hit by the eye sometime in the
early afternoon, we'll keep reports as situation change and the
phones and power let us. Meterorologist reports now confirm that
winds from Georges will be the worst to hit the main island of
Puerto Rico in the last several decades. Stronger than Hugo or
Marilyn as these hit the outer islands with strong force but not so
much the main island.
[Mon, 21 Sep 1998 08:04EDT] - Jorge L. Belendez reporting from Puerto Rico:
Family and Friends:
I'm writing this in English so that some all of you can read it as it is
VERY important good news.
It is here 6:05 AM, Monday 21 SEP 98.
As you know the storm is now located about 35 miles SOUTH of Saint Martin
moving in a west / northwest direction.
I just got a telephone call from my Friend Eddie Hunt in Saint Martin and
here is his report:
He is very happy because the winds have not made too much damage to his
neighborhood. He indicates that there is some damage, but that is is not
even close to LUIS. He reports, and remember this is live over the phone,
just a few minutes ago, that there is very little rain.
So evidently the storm is more dry than wet. This is very good news for the
flood prone areas in Puerto Rico.
Naturally, there is no garantee that this will be the case in Puerto Rico,
but it gives you an idea that the situation should not change drastically.
This is good news indeed since one must take into consideration that they
are in the north-eastearn quadrant which is usually the most intense. The
French side has suffered very little but reports indicate that the Dutch
side has had a little more damage reports.
The Island is without electricity as of now, but the telephones are working
perfectly. Something that did not happen during the LUIS disaster.
The WINDS started in Saint Martin at around midnight, and have continued
for six hours now.
Acording to the reported size and speed of the storm by the US Air Force,
in that time the storm has moved a little more than 100 miles. That puts
them almost at the center of the intensive center of the storm or just over
the mid part of the storm. If one takes into consideration that the storm
is reportedly just 35 miles nrth of the center, and in the upper north
quadrant which suposedly is the strongest part of the storm, this is very
good news.
Will keep you posted.
Saludos,
Jorge
[Mon, 21 Sep 1998 06:00EDT] - Luis Salazar reporting from Puerto Rico:
SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO 0530 AST
I've just finished digesting the 5:00 AM NHC reports and it looks
not that bright for any of us on the swath of Georges. Rain bands
are arriving in Puerto Rico but still all things are pretty calm. We
are all heartened with the news that Georges has weekend
somewhat and has been downgraded from a cat 4 to a cat 3. Over
300 Civil Defense Shelters have been opened and many citizens in
high flood prone areas have voluntarily registered (which is
somewhat unusual) as this storm is getting ready to make landfall.
People on the island are as ready as you can be for something like
this, I just hope that as part of the preparations prayer was
included. There is a certain sense of resignation everytime we get
hit with these things, and I think that if any good thing can be
learned by it, it is that we humans are still in need of divine
intervention. May providence spare lives that this catastrophe is
bent on taking.
As morning breaks our wills and determination are ready. It looks
like about a 1400AST eye passover for San Juan so as we checkoff
last minute things our thoughts are with our down island brethren.
May you come out of this thing stronger, may you be spared, and
may we all continue to make our world a little better.
[Mon, 21 Sep 1998 05:42EDT] - Jorge L. Belendez reporting from San Juan, Puerto Rico:
Its 5:30 AM here and all is quiet. The radio is reporting that George is
35 miles to the south of Saint Martin. The forecast is still that the
storm will hit Puerto Rico one way or the other. The "good" news is that
the plane that just flew over the storm found sustained winds of 110 mph
which makes it officially a Category Two hurricane. Right now we are
having very light rain.
It seems that HUGO got everybody in the right state of mind and although
the markets and hardware stores were jam packed, there seems to be more
level headed activity.
I have my own weather page with what I think are the most reliable links
among which is the Navy and Department of Defense Fleet Numerical
Meteorology and Oceanography Center.
My page can be found at: <http://www.acu-adsum.org/jlb.el.tiempo.html>
[Mon, 21 Sep 1998 05:20EDT] - Rafael Buxeda Díaz reporting from Puerto Rico:
21-IV, 8:45 am
After my second cup of java (who knows when I might have another) I never
thought I'd have to use a 115 mph hurricane to avoid going to the office on a
Monday. But so is life.
I have noticed the dropping barometric pressure and wind speed in the last 12
hours. Not really sure, damage wise, there's that much of a difference.
Definitely not good enough to break out the Dom Perignon (yet).
Last night's dinner felt like a condemned man's last meal, 'cause once the
power goes, it'll be canned soup and black and white cookies for a couple of
days. (I might even be forced to take up decaffed instant. ¡Yikes!)
Folks the proverbial calm before the storm, ain't proverbial. It's a tad more
breezy than normal, but not near enough to cualify as a strong breeze.
I just saw a report out of Saint Maarten, Netherlands Antilles reporting 56 mph
winds, gusting to 92 mph.
Two commercial TV stations are still off the, a third is running reruns of last
night's news program, the government TV station has a exercise program. The
0900 forecast can only be found on radio. Go tell. I guess the only logical
explanation is that TV is stretched, to the point that they've had weekend
sport casters out in the field.
Still hanging in there at 18.45°N, 66.08°W
rafa://puerto rico
PD: "Gee, Boss. Sorry I got in late. You'll never believe what happened to me.
I was on the freeway, when all of a sudden this immense 967 milibar atmospheric
disturbance, is just sitting there..."
Sun, 20 Sep 1998 22:22EDT] - Eric Tulla reporting from Puerto Rico:
All still quiet and calm; although a few brief rain squalls came through
this afternoon. The satelite shows Georges bearing down on Puerto Rico and
the forecasters are recalling San Felipe about 60 years ago (which took the
roof off of my Grandfather's house in Utuado). Yessterday I hauled
ESMERALDA but if the hurricane strikes the east coast she will likely fall
off her blocks. Everything all boarded up on land, peaople everywhere
boarding up and making last-minute purxhases. Memories of Hugo and the
devastation on our neighbors to the East in the last few years has everyone
concerned. Tomorrow will tell. The devastation caused takes many years to
recover. I hope we get spared the worst. Antigua is starting to report the
winds arriving. Good luck!
[Sun, 20 Sep 1998 21:21EDT] - Eva LLorens reporting from Puerto Rico:
Hi! I am a reporter for the San Juan Star here in Puerto Rico. I have just
returned from a press conference given by the governor, who announced he
asked Clinton for federal aid in preparation for the hurricane. He has
already decreed a state of emergency. Right now at 9:20 p.m., everything is
calm. We had a bit of rain about an hour ago. If things continue as
expected, we should feel the brunt of the hurricane tomorrow.
[Sun, 20 Sep 1998 18:42EDT] - Debra Vela reporting from San Juan, Puerto Rico:
Hi - It's Debra from San Juan, again.
Well, it looks like we're going to take a direct hit sometime tomorrow
afternoon. Just heard the news and all banks are closed tomorrow. Oh,
really! (When we have holidays here, we have to distinguish between a
holiday and a bank holiday. Go figure!!!) Most businesses were closed
today. I tried to buy some more bottled water but couldn't find any place
open. Let's hope my two gallons holds out!
I went to my client site and shut down all systems and networks. We put
all electronic devices in the hallway which is in the interior of the
building, away from the windows. I will do the same for my home tomorrow
morning and take my car to underground parking.
The sky has been pretty normal today. Don't think that will last! WOSO
(our English speaking radio station) reported that Martinique, if memory
serves correctly, is already experiencing 50 MPH winds. We're to expect
130-150 MPH winds for 6 to 10 hours tomorrow evening. The good news, if we
can expect any at this moment, is that Georges is losing some of his punch.
The bad news is that he has slowed down to 16 MPH travel which means he
can grow stronger. So we really don't know what to expect, except for a
tremendous blow! And that we are going to get hit. FEMA has already flown
in.
Folks here are starting to take this storm seriously. What was going to be
a Hurricane Party at my house has deteriorated. We've all decided to stay
in our respective homes and protect what we can, then reconvenene at the
Caribe Hilton for water and electricity afterwards. After all, what is
life without generators and cisterns!?!! Some people are into Who's Got
Cold Beer - We're into Who's got Electricity and Water. So, it looks like
I'm going to do this solo. Well, with my black Lab Samantha Juanita (Sam
Juan), of course. So now, I have a ton of warm beer and loads of chips.
Oh, goody!
As we were shutting down our nets today, one of my Consultants asked when
to come back to work. Hello? "Jose, AFTER the storm has passed! And you
and your family are safe." Is that dedication to the job or what? I think
I should give this man a paycheck a week for life.
The ocean has been rough for a couple of days. But it still has beautiful
color. One strange thing I heard this morning was a cruise ship calling
for its passengers. What is a cruise line doing leaving port with a
hurricane in the vicinity? I know they can make some speed, but? Just
MHO.
Will report more later! And thanks to all the e-mailers with their wishes!
[Sun, 20 Sep 1998 18:16EDT] - Rafael Buxeda Díaz reporting from Puerto Rico:
IF the 5:00 forecast is correct, Puerto's Rico east coast should start feeling tropical
force winds at about 9:00 am Monday. Hurricane force winds will probably hit the coast
at 1:00 pm. The eye will probably cross the shoreline at sunset. It will probably cross
PR from south east to north west. And the eye will be back over the ocean, about 2:00 am
on Tuesday.
Even taking into consideration the NHC's caveat of 15 nautical mile variation, the eye
wall is 20 miles wide. SO anyway you want to cut it, ALL of PR will feel the brunt of
70+ mph winds during the better part of Monday.
Residents on the coast are preparing to evacuate, since a storm surge of 10 feet is
expected.
If Hugo was barely 90 mph and when it hit PR, it was on a northerly turn, when the sun
rises on Tuesday, PR will be a real mess.
rafa://puerto rico
Still hanging in there at 18.45°N, 66.08°W
[Sun, 20 Sep 1998 14:59EDT] - alberto "alberto" roque reporting from Puerto Rico:
Sunday afternoon in PuertoRico very warm temp. near 90degrees everybody
on the Island getting ready for the worst, goverment and civil defense have the
population ready, evacuation plans are set.Everybody glued to ther t.v waiting for
news from the island of Guadalupe .
We have been through this drill before but this one feels scarier than the rest.
News coming in george has sustained winds of up too 185mph scary hugo wasn"t
that tough MAY GOD BLESS US ALL.
[Sun, 20 Sep 1998 08:04EDT] - JR Henno reporting from Puerto Rico:
Yes, we have implemented our hurricane preparedness plan on Friday and
as I write this note all of our employee's property and the plant are
completely secured for the storm. We are clearly ready about 24 hours
earlier than we needed to be, but as the rest of the island often
takes a "wait and see" approach, we feel that early preparation
exposes us much less to the characteristic run on the lumber yards,
grocery stores and the rest.
The most recent strike probabilities grid would indicate the we are
going to ge pounded here on the southeast corner of Puerto Rico. The
mountainous terrain right behind the town of Guayama is a huge
watershed and thus the source of a tremendous amount of runoff during
serious storms. We are focused on this risk together with wind driven
water. In addition we have secured everything possible against the
risk of becoming a deadly object flying in the wind. One technique
that seems to be working well for us is to fill all our empty large
trash containers with water and then toss all the loose hardware that
can stand imersion into the container. Obviously these containers
could become "boats" if left in an area prone to storm surge, so we
only use this technique in areas a minimum of 36 ft above MSL.
Now we could all stand Georges to take a nice turn to the northwest!
[Sun, 20 Sep 1998 07:58EDT] - Jose Cruz reporting from Puerto Rico:
I live in the municipality of Isabela, Puerto Rico, to the northwest of the
Island. We have had an absolutely beautiful Sunday morning here in
Isabela, but local residents are clearly concerned about Georges strength.
As far as preparation concerns, ! Everyone on Isabela is taking all
possible action to protect life and property at this point !. Although the
immense size and strength of the hurricane, and after so many close calls
lately, the atmosphere here is still relatively calm. Many food stores,
gas stations and local supermarkets are open today as the storm is not
expected to affect the area until early Monday morning.
Looking at the images received over the Internet, the strike probability
for our area is now imminent. General consensus among people on the street
is that we will sustain a near direct hit along the south part of the
island and that the effect will be stronger than Hugo or Horthense.
Picture this: P.R is 35 miles wide and the size of the hurricane eye is
the same; if we experience a direct hit or the hurricane pass close from
the south or south east, what will happened...will see...
Never the less, I am a Christian person, and I believe that Jesus power
will help us and all our brothers in the Caribbean Islands to walk away of
this one. We are praying for all around the Islands... God Bless all.
[Sun, 20 Sep 1998 07:58EDT] - María T. Amador reporting from Puerto Rico:
We here are very worried about what is going to happen. Yesterday the stores
super overcrowded and they extended their hours till midnight. And opening
today at 6:00 AM.
This is very unusual here because we have a Law that stores should only open
on Sundays from 11AM-5PM.
The morning here is beautiful with singing birds, no wind at all. We will
have long day today trying to prepare three houses. One in construction with
boards and panels all around in the floor. Yesterday people here were mostly
in the stores, with almost no boarding being made. I guess everyone is
leaving the boarding for today. See, here we don't have major hurricane
crossing the island with a direct impact since 1928. Since Hugo on 1989 just
touched the extreme eastern part of PR. So the great majority of us do not
know what a real hurricane does by our own experience.
[Sat, 19 Sep 1998 22:13EDT] - Cher Duran reporting from Catano, Puerto Rico:
It's amazing many people buy drinking water, canned food, sodas, breads. The
supermakets tells if you want buy water,
should be 2 gallons per person. The puertorican people knows that this hurricane is
that hurricane Hugo is very similar the track that this hurricane have.
So I wait in this moment the news of 11:00 pm.
[Sat, 19 Sep 1998 22:06EDT] - Joanne Coraci reporting from Vieques, Puerto Rico:
I live on the Island of Vieques, Puerto Rico. Actually, I just moved
here 4 days ago. The situation here is that mostly everyone is
prepared. Most houses and stores are already boarded up and there has
been a mad dash at the supermarkets. Everyone here is in positive and
hopeful spirits, although many have experienced the devastation of Hugo
in 1989. Still too soon to know for sure if it will hit Vieques or
Culebra. Sunday 9/20 will be when we'll know how bad it could be.
[Sat, 19 Sep 1998 21:03EDT] - José M. Mejías Meléndez reporting from Puerto Rico:
I live in Manatí, Puerto Rico in the north area. Here the situation is
similar to the other locations in the island. People going to
Supermarkets, Pharmacies, Big stores like K-mart, Walmart. All TV and
Radio stations are talking about it.
[Sat, 19 Sep 1998 18:54EDT] - Roberto N. Guzman reporting from Puerto Rico:
I live in the municipality of Guaynabo,
Puerto Rico. This is 10 minutes (driving) away from San Juan. If you go out
and start driving around San Juan Metro Area all you will see is people
driving their pick-up trucks full of large wood boards, large water tanks
(recipients). Supermarkets with long lines. All the feedback you are going
to get is fearness from the people when you talk to them. You may find
ignorant people which instead of getting ready such as buying priority
items, they go to the supermarkets to buy either hard liquor or beers. You
may also find surfers getting ready for those huge waves at the beaches.
Last year during one of the hurricanes that stroke the island I believe two
surfers died and one of them was not local, he was from the states. This
is just a summary of what is going on before the hurricane comes.
[Sat, 19 Sep 1998 18:15EDT] - Debra Vela reporting from San Juan, Puerto Rico:
We're getting prepared. My friends and I decided to have the Hurricane
Party in my home this storm. I live in an-almost 500 year old building
with walls 18 inches thick, with hurricane bars on the doors. It may have
seen a storm or two in its time so we feel fairly safe. We're all a bit
nervous. I did most of my shopping today but still need to stock up on
drinking water. My local grocery store was out. That's tomorrow morning's
task.
One of my clients, BankTrust of Puerto Rico, just called to ask us to come
in and shut down and move their computer systems to the interior of the
building, a modern high-rise, at 2:00pm tomorrow.
While I was out today, people were already boarding up buildings, but not
as many as I would have expected. I think people will be very busy
tomorrow. There was not a run on grocery stores today.
[Sat, 19 Sep 1998 17:12EDT] - Jim Mollitor reporting from Puerto Rico:
This one here is following a path somewhat similar to Hugo. If you remember
Hugo went to the south of Puerto Rico then took a right turn to the north
broadsiding the island. I am amazed that so many people here have such a
cavalier attitude. They must know something I don't. I spent the best part
of the day today getting better prepared. I dug alot of my drainage ditches
a little deeper, redirected others and even made some new ones. I have a
cement house and aluminum hurricane panels, so I fear the deluge more than I
do the winds. Stocked up on essentials at the store this afternoon, and
tommorrow I will begin tying things down. Last 2 steps are put up the
panels and take down the satellite dish. Hope it doesn't come to that!
Wish us well.
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