Cregnebaa updates from Grand Cayman:
Just under a Hurricane Watch now in Grand Cayman.
Thoughts at the moment tothose folks in Jamaca and Haiti. Busy packing as much as I can. Dean still heading at us the NHC 11am advisory path will be 13 miles from the airport
For those who don’t know Grand Cayman is mostly around 10ffet or less above sea level, and although rain water flodding is not a problem, a direct hit, pretty much puts the island underwater from Storm Surge.
2004 Ivan hit as a Cat 5 directly and even though our buildings are build to Florida standards, 80% were damaged or destroyed. Total damage estimated at around $90,000 per person, the most ever recorded. No Power or running water for 8 weeks, no TV for 5 months(which was nice).
Sustained winds from Ivan were recorded at 160mph in Grand Cayman, and some gusts of 200mph were unofficially recorded.
Dean could potentially be worse that that hell,we will see. Still to decide where to sit it out, in the meantime securing and sandbagging brothers house, as he is off island. My house was a shell after Ivan so trying to pack as much as I can
Anyway thanks everyone for their emails I will try and keep every updated on things on the ground here.
Andre Marriott-Blake writes from Jamaica:
As Mega Hurricane Dean churns towards Jamaica, preparations for its arrival are in high gear. Unfortunately all models seem to think that it will definately come over us. The truth is we cannot manage a category 4 or 5 hurricane… the only thing we can do now is pray ad call out to our saviour for protection. passing over the causeway this morning the sea is tranquil and the birds have vanished – an ominous sign of what is to come. My eyes have been glued to the weather channel waiting to hear that it has wobbled further noth our south ( which has been the norm for pass hurricanes nearing Jamaica) but so far nothing… I am really concerned about the possible storm surge that may acompany this system for many of Jamaica’s populated communites e.g Greater Portmore are below sea level and are very close to the sea. If Dean is to bring a 3 storey wave ( which it triggered over the Carribean sea lastnight) onshore Jamaica i realy fear a Jamaican Katrina scenario. This may be my last post prior to the storm.. and if it does hit, more than likely we wont have electricity for weeks…I’l try to post before ‘D’ day if possible. As usual if i can give u any assistance email me a sean134 at msn.com. Your prayers are truly needed and appreciated now. God be with you all and God be with Jamaica– in him we put all our trust.. “thy will be done…”
I rode out a category 1 hurricane on a small, low-lying, island once and it was not pleasant. I had a tough multi-story concrete and steel building to take refuge in but looking out and seeing nothing but ocean, and no land whatsoever, was not fun. I can’t imagine what they’re facing on some of these islands.
Bloggers in the Path of Dean:
Haiti | Cayman Islands | Jamaica | Dominican Republic
Post-Dean Updates:
Dominica | St. Lucia
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