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- - - 2019 Hurricane Season - - -

- Finally!
  • By Chris Reed <reedprincess at hotmail.com>
  • Date: Wed, 6 Nov 2019 16:19:14 +0000

Well, the last two weeks have finally seen some typical rainy season around here! Still lots of hot sun, but finally some showery days and stormy nights and afternoons to break it up. 
The water tank is finally full, the rivers look a little healthier, etc. And fortunately it hasn't been extremely heavy rains that simply runs off, but rather the right amount to soak in and do some good! 
Some drought warnings have already been issued from our Water company and government - so any and all rain at this point is extremely welcome. 
I'm sure it's not making our visitors super happy, particularly the last two days that have been sun/rain every hour or so, but I'm also sure they'd prefer we actually have running water and beautiful green hillsides!!
We're so happy to have the Tradewinds back also, it's been fabulous the last two days with the humidity way down, breezes blowing and showery days and nights. It's been a very very welcome change!
Here's hoping it continues for a while.  We need the rain!
Stay safe out there....

Sent from my Xperia™ by Sony smartphone


- Hot with showers
  • By Susan Beckwith <suebeckwith123 at gmail.com>
  • Date: Wed, 30 Oct 2019 11:18:53 -0300
I hope I do not speak too soon when I say that so far this year we luckily have seemed to dodge any large storms.
Weather here has been very hot ( I have lived in St Lucia for quiet a few years and cannot remember the heat being the way it has been this year) when it rains we sigh with relief and the little plants and flowers in my garden seem to perk almost immediately. 
Today the weather is rainy, but it is much needed so time to do some work in the bar, in preparation for the up and coming season.

Take care everyone


Sue Beckwith Owner Roots Beach Bar and Roots 2 - Marigot Bay - St Lucia

20191017_160902.jpg
20191025_073129.jpg

- Some rain!
  • By Chris Reed <reedprincess at hotmail.com>
  • Date: Mon, 21 Oct 2019 16:01:31 +0000

Hooray!  We've finally had some relatively decent rain around here. It's been a ridiculously dry wet season, and to be honest, a lot of folks are worried about the coming actual dry season.
Fortunately, we finally had some actual good rains this past Thursday and Friday thanks to a mild tropical wave. Of course, this led to some heavy flooding in the capital due to the super dry conditions not being able to absorb the heavier rains, and the litter that had accumulated in the drains blocking them fully.   When will my fellow Lucians learn? Throw your trash in the garbage cans for crying out loud!!
And today, we have a little cloud system going by that brought some substantial rains this morning and some ongoing showers this afternoon. Very welcome and needed for sure. And helped cut the heat substantially! Another welcome benefit.
E need quite a bit more rain to maintain our water supplies through the winter - here's hoping we get a lot more the next month or two.
In the meantime - I will thoroughly enjoy this cooler wet day and get a little yard work in, etc.
Stay safe out there, and seriously - use the garbage bins!  😉

Sent from my Xperia™ by Sony smartphone


- TS Karen
  • By nada sonia <nadasonia825 at gmail.com>
  • Date: Sun, 22 Sep 2019 05:24:52 -0400
What a 5am surprise! T&T and Grenada and it's Grenadines are under a TS warning. St. Vincent is under a TS watch.
TS Karen has formed. Radar shows Grenada covered in heavy rain and soon Trinidad. 
Here in Saint Lucia we've had a couple heavy showers about 3. It's raining lightly as I type.
What is it about those storms that tend to flare up just before hitting our lil islands?  Thankfully Dorian didn't before it's center crossed over Saint Lucia 
Be safe all.

- TS Jerry
  • By nada sonia <nadasonia825 at gmail.com>
  • Date: Wed, 18 Sep 2019 06:16:53 -0400
TD 10 has been upgraded to TS Jerry. 
Intuition says monitor this one closely.
Praying it steers well clear of all islands.

Be prepared, stay safe.


- Unfathomable
  • By nada sonia <nadasonia825 at gmail.com>
  • Date: Mon, 2 Sep 2019 06:34:19 -0400
My heart hurt watching sat pics and I broke out in a sweat watching videos yesterday. I went to sleep praying and hoping the affected islands would get a reprieve. I'm waking up to the absolute worst case scenario. Dorian is STILL a cat 5 with 165mph winds and it's now moving at an unbelievable 1 mph. ONE mph. ONE.
Dear Lord, Have mercy.


- Be safe in the Bahamas
  • By Susan Beckwith <suebeckwith123 at gmail.com>
  • Date: Sat, 31 Aug 2019 14:28:33 -0300
Its a wonderful hot sunny day here in Marigot Bay, just wanted to post to say I will be praying for our fellow islanders in the Bahamas.

I hope it is not as bad as expected, we will be thinking of you.

Sue
Sue Beckwith - Roots Bar - Marigot Bay

- Non event
  • By Matthew Watters <sentlici at hotmail.com>
  • Date: Tue, 27 Aug 2019 14:41:11 +0000
NEMO has just given the all clear.

Happily Dorian appears to have been a non-event for St Lucia. 


- Good Morning from Saint Lucia
  • By Susan Beckwith <suebeckwith123 at gmail.com>
  • Date: Tue, 27 Aug 2019 08:10:12 -0300
Just wet and rainy, no wind at all.

20190827_065239.jpg
Sue Beckwith

- St. Lucia and Dorian
  • By Christopher Kessell <kessellc at candw.lc>
  • Date: Tue, 27 Aug 2019 06:46:00 -0400
So far so good!

Rain started around 4 am and has been fairly continuous but now at 6:30 its just a drizzle. Winds are not strong at all, probably 20 mph where I am.

I see that Dorian’s course is quite erratic, he took a joggle north and passed over Barbados then headed due west and looks to be passing through the channel between St. Vincent and St. Lucia. Thats good news for us!
I just put the 5 am position (13.5N 60.7W) on Google Earth and that puts it 20 miles SE of Vieux Fort or around 40 miles from Rodney Bay. With that much distance it doesn’t look like we will get anything stronger than 30 knots of wind up here in the north!!

I haven’t seen any reports coming in on Facebook yet of any issues like flooding etc.

Hopefully we. Have dodged a bullet!!

Christopher Kessell



- Just rain
  • By Susan Beckwith <suebeckwith123 at gmail.com>
  • Date: Tue, 27 Aug 2019 07:28:45 -0300
Well that was a rough night for me, not for any other reason than it was so hot and humid!
Rain started here about 4 am and has been continuous ever since, no wind at all.

Lets hope that is all we get!


Sue Beckwith

- Main event - TS Dorian
  • By nada sonia <nadasonia825 at gmail.com>
  • Date: Tue, 27 Aug 2019 01:42:05 -0400
Good morning,
Current conditions in Soufriere, Saint Lucia is moderate to heavy rain with a stiff wind..
I can see from Martinique Radar that the main event is on its way.
I pray my fellow Lucians took the storm warnings and hurricane watch seriously.  The 2 am update calls for a 50mph storm and it does look like it is regrouping west of Barbados. Hopefully it does not strengthen much like Tomas did.
Stay safe everyone.

- Tropical Storm Dorian and its effects on St. Lucia
  • By Christopher Kessell <kessellc at candw.lc>
  • Date: Mon, 26 Aug 2019 23:48:24 -0400
All quiet on the Western Front….

So far at 11.30 pm we have only had a few showers not much wind to speak of but I’m in a wind shadow for winds out of the NE.

The latest 11pm NHC update states that St. Lucia has removed the Hurricane watch and so we are back to a Tropical Storm watch which is a bit of a relief. The pressure has dropped again to 1003 mb, it had moved up a bit to 1007 earlier which gave hope for less strengthening.

Whats intesting is that the forecasted position at 1200 Zulu on the 27th or 800 hours local time it will be at 14.0N 61.3W. Thats almost 20 miles due west of Castries which means that the center of circulation will have to pass clean over the main central part of St. Lucia. Thats not a very nice thought. We can only hope that it doesn’t get any stronger. We can expect the center of circulation to hit the closest point on the South East Coast of St. Lucia around 6 am tomorrow as it was 90 miles away at 11 pm moving at 12.65 mph.

I will charge up my drone batteries and hopefully get out sometime tomorrow to see if there is anything interesting to see.

I will hopefully be checking in first thing tomorrow morning.

Christopher Kessell

- St. Lucia
  • By Gert van Dijken <gert at vandijken.com>
  • Date: Mon, 26 Aug 2019 16:05:58 -0700
Another message from Negilla Cenac.

It's calm here ..
WhatsApp Image 2019-08-26 at 4.01.10 PM.jpeg

Volunteer Saint Lucia remains committed to being of service to country.  As we prepare for the hurricane, Hon Prime Minister Allen Chastenet has announce the closing of the country at 6pm today.  We urge all Saint Lucian's to remain vigilant and be prepared.  Volunteers are also requested to be on standby to be of service if the need arises.
The following Leaders can be contacted in case there is a disaster.
National Volunteer Coordinator - Diane Felicien - 285-7989
Gros Islet- Darwin Clement -717-7180
Babonneau- Yearlyn Corneau-712-8703
Castries- Malaika Compton -719-8197
Dennery - Noela Sealy - 485-2770
Micoud-   Auguste -719-7769
Vieux Fort - McAllister Hunte -461-9803
Laborie - Michelle Daniel- 717-6198
Choiseul- Janice Athill - 728-0681
Soufriere- Chrisna St. Brice -716-2313
Canaries - David Henry- 284-3223
Anse La raye - Claudette Hippolytte - 727-5740
 
Please be Safe!

--
Gert van Dijken
Caribbean Hurricane Network
https://stormcarib.com

- Business shutdown
  • By Matthew Watters <sentlici at hotmail.com>
  • Date: Mon, 26 Aug 2019 19:35:44 +0000
St Lucia is having a National Shutdown at 6pm tonight, 26th August, according 
to recent active alert on the Cap Cap app.
The Government of St Lucia has declared a mandatory national shutdown effective 
6pm today.

In Rodney Bay marina today, local boats making preparations for possible blow 
tonight. 

Latest track has centre of T.S. Dorian touching south coast of St Lucia at 8:30 
am tomorrow, Tuesday 27th.



- Text
  • By George Smiley <zoukwe at gmail.com>
  • Date: Mon, 26 Aug 2019 16:11:14 -0400

"The Government of Saint Lucia has declared a mandatory national shutdown effective 6 p.m. today.

The decision was made at a pre-strike meeting of the National Emergency Management Advisory Committee (NEMAC), in preparation for Tropical Storm Dorian.

Tropical Storm Dorian has intensified with maximum sustained winds near 60 mph or 95 km/h, and higher gusts. The island is expecting as much as 10 inches of rain in some areas, and hurricane force winds. The eye of the storm is predicted to pass south of the island at 2 a.m. on Tuesday. It is expected that the island will begin to feel the effects of the storm early this evening.  Saint Lucia was placed under a hurricane watch as of 11 a.m. today.

By Wednesday, the storm system will move into the Caribbean Sea with areas or cloudiness and thunderstorms still affecting Saint Lucia.

Saint Lucia will remain under national shutdown until the ALL CLEAR has been given by NEMO, following assessments of first responders.

The public is reminded that the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) is the ONLY official source for all communication. The public is also asked to listen for official announcements for further information on the resumption of business following the storm."


- Business Shutdown
  • By George Smiley <zoukwe at gmail.com>
  • Date: Mon, 26 Aug 2019 15:40:00 -0400
St Lucia is having a National Shutdown at 6pm tonight, 26th August, according 
to recent active alert on the Cap Cap app.
The Government of St Lucia has declared a mandatory national shutdown effective 
6pm today.

In Rodney Bay marina today, local boats were making preparations for possible 
blow tonight. 

Latest track has centre of T.S. Dorian touching south coast of St Lucia at 8:30 
am tomorrow, Tuesday 27th.

- List of emergency shelters St.Lucia
  • By Gert van Dijken <gert at vandijken.com>
  • Date: Mon, 26 Aug 2019 11:37:58 -0700
Forwarded to me by Negilla, see attached text file for a 2019 list of emergency shelters.
--
Gert van Dijken
Caribbean Hurricane Network
https://stormcarib.com

Attachment: stlucia_shelters_20190826.txt


- Dorian
  • By Gert van Dijken <gert at vandijken.com>
  • Date: Mon, 26 Aug 2019 11:29:52 -0700
Received via Negilla Cenac:

MESSAGE FROM DR. KENNY D. ANTHONY ON TROPICAL STORM DORIAN

Parliamentary Representative for Vieux-Fort South, Hon. Dr. Kenny D. Anthony urges residents of his constituency in particular and all Saint Lucians in general, to be on guard and prepare, in earnest, for the arrival of Tropical Storm Dorian.  

"While we pray that we are spared, it is extremely important that steps are taken to protect lives and secure property as best as we can."

Given the storm's likely path, the south of the island is expected to be directly affected. As such, Dr. Anthony urges all Vieux-Fortians, to heed the warnings issued by the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO). Persons living in flood prone areas are called upon to be vigilant and to evacuate once there is any sign of rising flood waters. Please take note of the emergency shelters that are closest to you.

Now is a good time to ensure that the drains in our communities are clear of debris, to allow for a free flow of water. Given the difficulties experienced by Vieux-Fortians after the Christmas Eve trough and more recent weather systems, Dr. Anthony calls on all to secure important documents, such as birth certificates, deeds, passports and national identification cards in plastic or ziplock bags. Please ensure that there is an adequate supply of drinking water and dry or canned food items at home, in the event of a shut down of our water supply and regular commercial activities.

It is important that our priority is on the preservation of life. Continue to prepare, to secure your homes and property and pay attention to all national advisories.

END
--
Gert van Dijken
Caribbean Hurricane Network
https://stormcarib.com

- Dorian
  • By Gert van Dijken <gert at vandijken.com>
  • Date: Mon, 26 Aug 2019 11:27:10 -0700
From: Negilla Cenac <keenac955 at gmail.com>
Date: Mon, Aug 26, 2019 at 11:18 AM

Good day ..It's a bit overcast, no showers as yet. There was a press briefing earlier this morning



- TS Dorian & Saint Lucia
  • By Paul Clifford <zionlionfarm at gmail.com>
  • Date: Mon, 26 Aug 2019 14:05:34 -0400
Good afternoon Gert... and thank you for all the updates!

We live/work in Delcer-La Pointe in Choiseul, next to the Gros Piton and just above Anse L'Ivrogne.

After some brief announcements and warnings this morning from GOSL and Met Office it is only now with the first sunny-rainshowers that Lucians are beginning to prep their yards and homes for heavy weather...

As usual, what will be will be.

Paul & Shirin

- TS Dorian preparations
  • By Christopher Kessell <kessellc at candw.lc>
  • Date: Mon, 26 Aug 2019 11:10:24 -0400
Very hot and humid this morning, otherwise pretty decent weather.

I’m about to top up the diesel in my generator and look to buy a bit more just in case. I live in the very north of the island and if this is anything to go by comparing it to Tomas which passed south of use as a full blown hurricane, it shouldn’t be anything to worry about up here hopefully.
Otherwise I’m not doing any house preparations, don’t think the wind will be strong enough to warrant it.

I think only those that own boats are really concerned about this TS. People will be moving their yachts that are anchored in Rodney Bay into the Marina for the night at least. The bay is very open to waves coming from the west and this would be the biggest concern with a change in wind direction that could push the yachts on shore and with a heavy ground swell is a good recipe for disaster. We lost two yachts on the beach the last time that happened…

So far I think St. Lucian’s are not too concerned, I haven’t heard of any plans to close businesses early, Barbados has announced a shut down from lunch time today.

I will report back if anything exciting happens.

Christopher Kessell



- Upgraded to Hurricane Watch
  • By Susan Beckwith <suebeckwith123 at gmail.com>
  • Date: Mon, 26 Aug 2019 12:14:39 -0300
The government of St Lucia has just upgraded us to Hurricane Watch, we also are on TS Warning. Seems Dorian is heading straight towards us. I see from our Barbados correspondent that Barbados is shutting down, not so here it seems to be business as usual!!
I have tied the boat I look after with extra lines and checked it over, I have put important papers in plastic bags ( will do electronics later) cleared around the place, bought more nails just in case and generally got ready.
The Marina is flling up with boats, this morning it was empty, now at 11am its half full.
Will update later but at the moment it is Sunny with a slight breeze.

Sue
Sue Beckwith - Roots Bars - Marigot Bay

- Starting preparations for Dorian
  • By Susan Beckwith <suebeckwith123 at gmail.com>
  • Date: Sun, 25 Aug 2019 10:53:15 -0300
Today we are stocking with water and checking everything, gutters, trees etc.
Its very still and hot and overcast.
Dorien is a small storm so we are hoping that it will not intensify. Smaller storms are harder to predict, dying quickly and likewise getting stronger quickly. Dorian needs to be watched closely. Barbados is already on Tropical Storm watch, we expect to be put on the same later today.

If you haven't already, start preparations now.



Sue Beckwith - Roots Bars - Marigot Bay.

- Hot, Hot, Hot
  • By Susan Beckwith <suebeckwith123 at gmail.com>
  • Date: Fri, 16 Aug 2019 08:42:38 -0300
The heat and humidity are almost unbearable, we are all moaning about it, constant sweating, drinking copious amounts of water, its beating everyone down.
Not a lot of rain, had a couple of tropical waves come over but they just bought a few showers here in Marigot, nothing substantial.
Using the time to dig the garden and plant some plants and seeds, as its very quiet. Ran a Summer camp teaching kids about animals, we painted some pots and then planted them with seeds.

20190812_111033.jpg

Sue Beckwith - Roots Bars - Marigot Bay - St Lucia

- Blobbies
  • By Chris Reed <reedprincess at hotmail.com>
  • Date: Wed, 7 Aug 2019 15:09:06 +0000

Good morning!

Well, the faded nothing that was invest 96 is "long" gone (cleared out late Sunday/early Monday.  We got some heavy rains for a bit Sunday early, and ongoing showers all day - everything definitely perked up and rivers we're flowing at strength.  Minimal or no real flooding or damages, thankfully..

We seen to have a blobbie off to our east again, looks like a largeish tropical wave, and scattered showers have begun. Looks like it'll be passing tonight - so we're expecting some more heavy showers tonight into tomorrow.

Pretty typical for this time of year really. Nothing to worry about, always of course something to keep an eye on - make sure your drains are clear, debris cleaned up, buckets and towels ready to go, etc.  We are enjoying the cooler temps that come with the rain and cloudiness!!

Stay safe out there!

Sent from my Xperia™ by Sony smartphone


- Rain!!
  • By Chris Reed <reedprincess at hotmail.com>
  • Date: Sun, 28 Jul 2019 14:49:03 +0000

Greetings!  It is a rainy rainy day around here. That little blob of a tropical wave is producing quite a bit of showers and some doozies of a few downpours so far.  Some lovely thunder rolling through on occasion also

It's been quite dry and hot recently, so the rain and much cooler temps are very welcome. 

Everyone's gardens are getting a solid soaking, and rivers are being topped up.  It's great! 

Should be past by late tonight/tomorrow morning and back to our regular hot glorious sunshine!

Perfect weather for a lazy Sunday today though. 

Stay safe (and dry!) out there!

Sent from my Xperia™ by Sony smartphone


- Raining Cats and Dogs
  • By Susan Beckwith <suebeckwith123 at gmail.com>
  • Date: Sun, 23 Jun 2019 12:47:28 -0300
We have had a lot of rain here over the past two weeks, not unwelcome as now everything is turning back to glorious green, rather than the dull yellow and mute colours that the dry season brings.
Today is particularly wet and its raining heavily and has been most of the day here in Marigot. 
I see looking at the satellite that there is a tropical wave passing over so I guess for now its make a hot chocolate, cook a roast dinner and watch a movie, bliss after a hard weeks work.

Take care everyone out there and keep dry!

Sue
Sue Beckwith
Roots Beach Bar and Roots 2 - Marigot Bay - St Lucia

- So much for sun!
  • By Chris Reed <reedprincess at hotmail.com>
  • Date: Wed, 19 Jun 2019 20:55:37 +0000

Well, so much for us getting some sunshine anytime soon!

It's been cloudy, grey and rainy the past two days, and it's just gonna be more of the same for at least another 24 hours, it looks like.

The tropical wave making its way over us southern islands has brought a lot of rain to us already today, and radar looks like we're just beginning with it.  I expect some heavy showers tonight here in the south. 

While we really needed rain - we could use a break!  The ground is thorough saturated now - more rain just means runoff and possible land slippage.  Not what we need. And you much means lost crops and such.  Definitely not what we need!!

We would definitely welcome some sunshine for a while now!!

Hope everyone has buckets and towels prepared.   Stay safe out there. 

Sent from my Xperia™ by Sony smartphone


- Rain!
  • By Chris Reed <reedprincess at hotmail.com>
  • Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2019 16:29:25 +0000

Rain and more rain!  Whoo-hoo!!  We had some seriously heavy showers off and on all night - it was fantastic!!  That disturbance down by Trinidad has given us some spin-off rains. 

We've had a fairly wet last two weeks - much, much needed showers have finally appeared. Water tanks are full, foliage has greened up beautifully and rivers are flowing again. Most has been lighter showers, which really gives the rain a chance to soak in - it's been great.  We've had lots of sunshine in between if course - but mainly hazy skies, no real crystal blue days for the last week or so

Looks like we may be moving to some more sunshine in a day or so, give us all a chance to do some yardwork, and revel in the fresh gorgeous green landscapes - and the beautiful sea. 

Stay safe out there folks!

Sent from my Xperia™ by Sony smartphone


- Rain!
  • By Chris Reed <reedprincess at hotmail.com>
  • Date: Sun, 2 Jun 2019 19:31:55 +0000

Finally, finally - we have received some much much needed rain. And even better - it was not a massive heavy deluge that just falls and then rubs off, nope - this was beautiful, light showers and sprinkles with some passing heavier showers - the perfect type to really soak in a d give some life to all our gardens, foliage, etc.  It's definitely looking greener around here!! 

The rainfall was off an in Thursday and most all day/night Friday, an Saturday was some leftover shorter showers.  Definitely definitely cooled things down and greened things up around here!

Rainy/hurricane season is upon us, if you haven't made your preparations yet - get on it!!

Enjoying a lazy Sunday with some  beautiful sunshine, great light breeze, and couple rum punches! 

Stay safe out there!

Sent from my Xperia™ by Sony smartphone


- HOT! HOT! HOT!
  • By Chris Reed <reedprincess at hotmail.com>
  • Date: Mon, 27 May 2019 16:21:55 +0000

Hello there!!

Well, were a few days ahead of official rainy season here - and no sign of any rain in sight!

It is hot, hot, hot around here. And dry, dry, dry. Gardens are failing, hillsides and fields are brown and brittle, water trucks are making appearances in many villages as our water supply can't keep up, rivers are running low, and some waterfalls are going dry. 

We need rain! Preferably a couple days of gentle rain, to let it soak in and replenish without some flooding or landslides - but beggars can't be choosers!  We've been weeks without any appreciable rain fall, and it shows. 
I know our visitors love the sunny dry days - but we definitely need rain, and a fair bit of it

Fingers crossed we get some moisture soon, and that there's no  floods or landslides accompanying it!!

It's definitely time to be making our rainy season preparations..

Meanwhile - hot, hot, hot!
Stay safe out there!!

Sent from my Xperia™ by Sony smartphone


- Andrea has bolted out the gate
  • By nada sonia <nadasonia825 at gmail.com>
  • Date: Mon, 20 May 2019 19:24:51 -0400
The 2019 hurricane season is off to an early start with sub tropical storm Andrea recently christened.
Heads up folks
Stay safe and dry (and right now it is very dry in many islands)

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