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- - St.Croix (USVI) - -

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- - - 2000 Hurricane Season - - -

- The NO HURRICANE Report
  • From: "Linda M. Baxter" <baxterlm AT worldnet.att.net>
  • Date: Thu, 5 Oct 2000 16:03:17 -0400
Hello, Everyone!
 
I have been getting some requests on the conditions here in St. Croix.  What can I say?  Beautiful as usual, that is for sure.  The sea is not as calm as usual though but it still is gorgeous.  The moon and the stars have been sparkling every night.  It has rained late at night so our island is so green and beautiful.
 
We have been swimming with the dolphins.  One of my scouts was in the water with about 15 of them for two hours.  What a treat!
 
My brother and his family are here for the first time with their little girl and they are enjoying all the things we have to see and do.  I just don't know if we can fit in everything in 10 days!  Come visit our wonderful island.
 
Sincerely,
Linda M. Baxter
Attorney at Law

- Situation back to normal
  • From: "Linda M. Baxter" <baxterlm AT worldnet.att.net>
  • Date: Wed, 23 Aug 2000 14:38:15 -0400
Hello!
 
I thought that we would have a lot more water on the east end of the island and it didn't happen.  It is sunny and beautiful today.  Everyone is putting everything back to where it was before.
 
I missed two and 1/2 days of work and now I am going to have to make up for it in the next week.  We are all so relieved that nothing happened.  We don't mind doing the Hurricane Drill if the Hurricane will just stay away! 
 
It did cross some of the ladies minds that if we were hit by Debby there would be a new Hurricane bracelet out.  I have decided that I will only get bracelets for Cat. 3 and up Hurricanes.  So far I qualified for Georges and Wrong Way Lenny Hurricane bracelets.  We wear them like badges and very proudly.  I have been places and people have come up to me and asked me if I was from St. Croix and then stick out their arm where they had their Hook or Hurricane bracelet on and I knew they had been here too.  Instant common bond.  
 
Friends helped each other, checked on each other and did what we needed to do.  People worked late into the night getting ready and making sure everyone was secure. 
 
My cat slept through the whole thing--she is a veteran---she only gets anxious when she senses a big one coming.  This one didn't even change her routine.  She is a fluffy black Persian Princess Cat.
 
Well, this is my last report on Debby.   I hope I will not need to be a reporter for a long time --meaning NO MORE HURRICANES!--- but if one is coming, I will try to keep the world informed.  It seems that what is on the news does not correlate with what has happened on the island.  I guess that doesn't sell newspapers (smile).  I take my responsibility very seriously and only report what I or my trusted scouts observe or hear.  I just hope that I have been a help to those who have loved ones or other interests here. 
 
Signing off....Linda M. Baxter

- St. Croix tonight
  • From: "Linda M. Baxter" <baxterlm AT worldnet.att.net>
  • Date: Tue, 22 Aug 2000 23:27:15 -0400
Hi!
 
I am still waiting for more rain.  My pool sure could use it after the pool party on Saturday!  So far I understand that Fredriksted got a lot of water and that there may be flood potential.  Nothing confirmed.  On the East End of the island there is some steady rain but nothing torrential coming down at my house. 
 
Thanks for all the e-mail!  Good luck to all the others that are in Hurricane Debby's path.  My prayers are with you.  St. Croix will be open for business tomorrow.  Don't cancel your plans to see this beautiful, lush, friendly island whenever the airport starts running again.  Lots to see, very Historic, a Casino, beaches--- a great place!
 
Linda M. Baxter, Attorney at Law

- No wind but we finally got a little rain...
  • From: "Linda M. Baxter" <baxterlm AT worldnet.att.net>
  • Date: Tue, 22 Aug 2000 18:41:22 -0400
Hello, everyone!
 
A lazy, sleepy day in St. Croix.  We all got ready for the Hurricane party and the Hurricane did not come.  Even saw blue skies and the sun peaking through clouds.  Very cloudy and hoping for some rain to fill up the cistern.  It started raining a little bit and now it is just sprinkling. 
 
Checked on the boats at Green Cay Marina and the St. Croix Yacht Club.  Boy, everyone sure had their boats secured or out of the water! 
 
The island is so green and everything is in bloom.  Watched the waves come in over the reef.  Actually saw them curl. We don't have many large waves and these were not even surfer quality but it was great to see them.  Inside the reef it was calm. 
 
We went to the top of the ridge and not even a breeze but a spectacular view of 270 degrees of the island.  Nature is so wonderful to put on such a "show" for us.  The cloud formation and movement was very interesting to watch.
 
A couple of my clients from St. Thomas gave me a call and told me that they are pretty much the same.  Being an estate planning attorney who does Wills and Trusts, I have found that a hurricane scare can make people think about getting their legal affairs in order. 
 
For those of you who have e-mailed me--thank you and I will try to answer you..
 
Rafa from PR--thanks for your message.  You take care, too!
 
Huck from St. Thomas--thanks for the info and the web site info.
 
Ken and Emily Kort from Michigan--  Thanks for your concern.
 
For all my friends and family that called---I have been having a great time weather watching, napping and treating myself to a little of my "Hurricane Chocolate Stash" --- kept just for this purpose. 
 
To Isabel from PR-- thanks for thinking of us here in St. Croix.
 
To Sally from Switzerland.  Your family is okay because everyone is just fine here.   How's Switzerland?  Always wanted to visit.  Thinking about a trip to England and France soon.  I really enjoy Europe.
 
Suellen from Ohio--your family is probably enjoying the drama of the situation...a little different than what they expected but surely a good story about their trip...
 
To John M.-- Hovensa Oil Refinery is a very well respected company who takes great pride in their Environmental safety record.  Hovensa is a large contributor to the community benefiting us all on St. Croix.  It is its largest employer and keeps our economy moving.  No air pollution, smell or anything else to complain about.  They have safety systems in place that are state of the art.  The people who work there live here partly because they love our island paradise. 
 
Hope this was helpful to you!  
Linda M. Baxter, Attorney at Law

- Quiet ...
  • From: "Linda M. Baxter" <baxterlm AT worldnet.att.net>
  • Date: Tue, 22 Aug 2000 06:33:41 -0400
Hi,
 
It is very quiet here in St. Croix.  No rain, not much wind but a very interesting sky outside. 
 
Apparently the reports place the bulk of the wind to the north of us ---so that is good news. 
 
Good Luck to everyone!
 
Linda Baxter

- St. Croix is Buttoned Down...
  • From: "Linda M. Baxter" <baxterlm AT worldnet.att.net>
  • Date: Mon, 21 Aug 2000 22:09:35 -0400
Hello,
 
St. Croix is an efficient well oiled machine that has hurricane preparedness down to a science, I am proud to say.  Everyone I have talked with since this afternoon has completed their hurricane preparations.  The airport will be closed as of 7 a.m. Tuesday. 
 
We expect a minimal hurricane but we are prepared for the maximum.  Further reports to follow with the usual gang of Trish, Jerry and others...
 
Linda Baxter

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