Problems with the Northern Leewards Taking Frances Seriously

[Cyclone Runner]

Still a beautiful day here, but the wind is starting to pick up from the NE - just had a gust of 19 knots.  But doubt this is anything from Frances - still 300 miles away. Most of the boats have been hauled out of Cove Bay, but very few hauled out of Road Bay. Have seen no one boarding up, and the hotels say they are just going to move beach chairs/umbrellas up off the beach.  Both of the boats from Cap Juluca were hauled out this morning and taken to Rebel Marine. So all in all, doesn't look too bad.  But we need to keep watching this one.

I just picked up this message from Anguilla. I think the Professional Mets in the Islands need to get the folks there to take this more seriously. A slight wobble to the south could easily bring Hurricane-force winds to Anguilla and the 2 Franch Territories of St Barthelemy and St Martin and the French have only posted a TS Watch a few hours ago. Not to spread alarm, but word must be gotten to the Northern Leewards to treat this thing more like the powerful hurricane it is.

APCEDI
http://www.afap.org/apcedi/

 [/quote]

[seaswing]

I was in Saba Island which is just a jaunt south west of St. Maarten. My b-friend's employer just bought a hotel there on th eisland. I talked with the locals there in depth about hurricanes and how they deal with them. Keep in mind, the construction of the cottages circa 1900 still exist and have weathered many hurricanes including Hugo. Not to say they are hurricane prrof and they do have shelters, but they are so well rehearsed in what to do in advance of a hurricane and the island is small. They do have shelters and the people that feel insecure about where they are do go to them but for the most part, they close the shutters, batten down the hatches, get inside and play cards....seriously, that is what they told me. They take a totally different approach and are very calm and methodical about their evacuation plans. They did tell me one thing.....they make sure they don't drink too much rum because if, for some reason they have to step out of their homes during a cane, they want to have their wits about them because a 200 mi. gust can make projectiles cut you in half if you are not careful!

[Cyclone Runner]

I was in Saba Island which is just a jaunt south west of St. Maarten. My b-friend's employer just bought a hotel there on th eisland. I talked with the locals there in depth about hurricanes and how they deal with them. Keep in mind, the construction of the cottages circa 1900 still exist and have weathered many hurricanes including Hugo. Not to say they are hurricane prrof and they do have shelters, but they are so well rehearsed in what to do in advance of a hurricane and the island is small. They do have shelters and the people that feel insecure about where they are do go to them but for the most part, they close the shutters, batten down the hatches, get inside and play cards....seriously, that is what they told me. They take a totally different approach and are very calm and methodical about their evacuation plans. They did tell me one thing.....they make sure they don't drink too much rum because if, for some reason they have to step out of their homes during a cane, they want to have their wits about them because a 200 mi. gust can make projectiles cut you in half if you are not careful!

on the rum!!

I can appreciate the calm attitude (we have a similar one in Australia ) , but from the news I am getting out of there, there is a lot of talk that the islands will only get a glancing blow if anything as they seem to think that Frances is passing far to the north. The way the eye is wobbling, they could in fact only get a glancing blow. or they could get hurricane force winds. We all saw what difference a few 100kms makes with Charley. However, St Maarten does seem to be the best prepared.

I spend much of my time doing Disaster Preparedness Training for South Pacific Island communities, so I do like to see local Governments and community structures kicking into place during these storms especially out here where Cat 4 & 5s are much more common.

[msbee]

cyclone runner
I think you are making an excellent point.
we are acting like the people in Ft Meyers who did not prepare 100 % because they thought Charley was going to hit Tampa, 70 miles North
you never cann tell in a hurricane and I think all of us here in the isalnds should prepare as much as we can, just in case Frances wobbles South.
seaswing's comments are well taken too.
we have been through so many hurricanes and rehearsed the drill so many times that we do know what to do.
I just hope people do it!

[schmita]

Hey B.,
Did you get my message? Your patio furniture is still out downstairs !!!!!!!!!
i

[chris_fit]

cyclone runner
I think you are making an excellent point.
we are acting like the people in Ft Meyers who did not prepare 100 % because they thought Charley was going to hit Tampa, 70 miles North
you never cann tell in a hurricane and I think all of us here in the isalnds should prepare as much as we can, just in case Frances wobbles South.
seaswing's comments are well taken too.
we have been through so many hurricanes and rehearsed the drill so many times that we do know what to do.
I just hope people do it!

right on