Are people riding it out on Cozumel?

[lisa0825]

I think most island residents stay. They have concrete homes and they know where to go inland for more security. I am sure these islands have some good places for them to go to to hunker down.

You are correct.


In the past, news reports have stated the island was flattened, when damage was actually not so bad and was quickly repaired. The exaggerrated reports hurt tourism for a long time, and the residents were very angry, as that is their livliehood. Take any reports of the island being flattened with a grain of salt, and check with locals for real info. Buildings on the island are mostly concrete block and VERY well-built. The beach clubs on the east side may be flattened, but I imagine as soon as the west side dries out, it will soon be back to business.

[Normandy]

While i may not know the most about Cozumel, last time I went there I noticed lots of wooden structures, not concrete (minus the hotels).

[lisa0825]

While i may not know the most about Cozumel, last time I went there I noticed lots of wooden structures, not concrete (minus the hotels).

I have been there 8 times in the last 4 years. Every home and hotel I have been in is concrete.

[Normandy]

Eh......

http://www.maps-of-mexico.com/photos/qu ... ico-11.jpg

http://www.soulofamerica.com/isldfldr/c ... l_port.jpg

http://www.soulofamerica.com/isldfldr/c ... aurant.jpg

http://www.soulofamerica.com/isldfldr/c ... tional.jpg

I see plenty of structures that could have sustained severe damage and many that are not concrete.

[lisa0825]

Eh......

http://www.maps-of-mexico.com/photos/qu ... ico-11.jpg

http://www.soulofamerica.com/isldfldr/c ... l_port.jpg

http://www.soulofamerica.com/isldfldr/c ... aurant.jpg

http://www.soulofamerica.com/isldfldr/c ... tional.jpg

I see plenty of structures that could have sustained severe damage and many that are not concrete.

Photo #1 That is a palapa for decoration. Structures like that aren't for stability, but they are cheap to build and expected to need repair. IMPORTANT buildings are built tough. You can't expect much beauty if everything was concrete.

photo#2 I actually see a lot of concrete there.

photo#3 again, a palapa roof with a conrete building in the back. the base of the palapa building is probably also concrete.

photo #4 I see concrete buildings with some flimsy junk in front of them.

I don't see these pics proving your point.

[Normandy]

My point is that many buildings in those pics can sustain wind damage (especially to the rooves of some of them). Im just disagreeing with your theory that Cozumel will come of with light damage from a 140 mph hurricane.

The little structures in front of the big concrete buildings, the buildings with straw rooves, etc. I agree the the big hotels wont sustain significant damage but those smaller structures will.

[lisa0825]

My point is that many buildings in those pics can sustain wind damage (especially to the rooves of some of them). Im just disagreeing with your theory that Cozumel will come of with light damage from a 140 mph hurricane.

I'm just saying that news reports are usually gloom and doom, whereas the island is very resilient, and is generally back in tourist shape very quickly. Just take any major damage reports with a grain of salt until you hear it from folks who actually live there.

[Normandy]

DId you read the topic about the Spanish newspaper?

[lisa0825]

DId you read the topic about the Spanish newspaper?

yes I did. I also got messages from 2 locals on the island, and I trust their eyes more than any media outlet.

[Normandy]

Fair enough....i guess well see.

[lisa0825]

12.
"More from our friend Alex Diaz from the Reef Club. He said he'd send pictures as soon as he gets out.
His house and neighbors have done just fine, no real damage anywhere up and down the neighborhood - boards are coming off, branches in the street. Some stories where branches fell just right on something and it broke but nothing substantial so far. We'll have more as they move around!"

http://www.cozumelmycozumel.com/BoardDC ... 91.html#12

[Matt-hurricanewatcher]

He must be on the northern side...Because there is no way thats in the eyewall of a cat4 hurricane.

[lisa0825]

He must be on the northern side...Because there is no way thats in the eyewall of a cat4 hurricane.

Reef Club is on the southern side, about 20 miles or so down from the main square. Not the southernmost point, but pretty far south.

I'm sure there WILL be damage reports. But it won't be "flattened," like many like to predict.

[Sanibel]

CNN said the hunters found a 162mph flight level wind just prior to landfall.