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2001 Season

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- - - 2000 Hurricane Season - - -

- earthquakes in paradise!
  • From: ASail4U AT aol.com
  • Date: Sun, 10 Dec 2000 16:31:26 EST
    Last night at 6:35pm we had an incredible earthquake tremor.  I do not 
know what the strength was, probably not much, but enough that is shook my 
masonry, three story apartment  building for quite a few seconds!  A distant 
rumble could be heard and in moments it subsided.  No known damages anywhere 
on Tortola just some flipped out people.  WHAT?  Hurricane season is over and 
now we have earthquakes?  
    I do remember it seems we have had earthquakes in December before, as if 
to remind us that we, like everybody else, are truly at the mercy of mother 
nature.
    All is well, come on down!  The weather is gorgeous!

    This report is sponsored by;
 <A HREF="http://hometown.aol.com/cynthiarosebvi/index.htm">
http://hometown.aol.com/cynthiarosebvi/index.htm</A> 
    Visit the web page for interesting information and check out Miss 
Mermaid's Library.

    


- Weather is GORGEOUS, Come on down!
  • From: ASail4U AT aol.com
  • Date: Fri, 6 Oct 2000 20:50:59 EDT
    Phew, all the storms and mess just keep missing us!  Yahoo!

aSail4u AT aol.com


- Thunder, Lightning and Rain
  • From: ASail4U AT aol.com
  • Date: Sat, 30 Sep 2000 08:55:01 EDT
    This morning the heavens opened up as Keith (west of us)  crept a little 
closer sending a cacophony of wet and wild weather to raise me out of bed at 
the crack of dawn.
    The thunder is so loud, the windows are rattling and my insulted ears 
search furtively for the volume control.
    Joyce, to the southeast of us, has wobbled along a drunken course, 
threatening to enter the non-hurricane belt.
    Isaac at least is far north of us and seems to pose no threat unless he 
does a loop-to-loop and comes back down. 
    The gardens and cisterns are at least immensely happy to have all this 
rain.

aSail4u AT aol.com


- The Bermuda Triangle!
  • From: ASail4U AT aol.com
  • Date: Thu, 28 Sep 2000 17:57:33 EDT
WOW!

Take a look at Isaac, Joyce and Tropical Depression # 15 (over near Honduras).

They form a nice triangle.

Now, look in the middle.

That is us in the beautiful Virgin Islands!

 <A 
HREF="http://www.intellicast.com/Tropical/World/UnitedStates/AtlanticAnalysis/

">Intellicast.com Weather - United States Tropical Atlantic Surface Analys</A>
 

If you've ever wanted to own a boat in the BVI, put your offer in NOW for the 
best deals!

Today's featured boat can be found at;

 <A 
HREF="http://www.bviyachtsales.com/boats/view_result.cgi?boat_id=697224&units=

Feet&listing_id=1469&page=broker">BVI Yacht Sales-sea rose</A> 


aSail4u AT aol.com




- Yikes! The Voice of Joyce!
  • From: ASail4U AT aol.com
  • Date: Thu, 28 Sep 2000 16:39:33 EDT
    Isaac seems to have sheared away, leaving the Caribbean untouched.  But 
along came Joyce and she looks ferocious indeed!

AT 11 AM AST THE CENTER OF HURRICANE JOYCE WAS LOCATED
NEAR LATITUDE 11.5 NORTH...LONGITUDE  44.7 WEST 
OR ABOUT 1000 MILES EAST OF THE WINDWARD ISLANDS.
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS  NEAR 85 MPH
MOVING TOWARD THE WEST-SOUTHWEST NEAR 14 MPH

My favorite (scary) picture of Isaac and Joyce is at
 <A 
HREF="http://www.intellicast.com/Tropical/World/UnitedStates/AtlanticAnalysis/

">Intellicast.com Weather - United States Tropical Atlantic Surface Analys</A>

Today in Tortola we are experiencing an unusual day with overcast skies and 
drizzly rain, apparently from a wave approaching from our west.  Days like 
today can ruin our near perfect weather image!

As for me and my boat, 
I feel like a long-tailed pussycat in a room full of rocking chairs!

Meow!
From 
aSail4u AT aol.com




 
    


- Isaac is still a bully!
  • From: ASail4U AT aol.com
  • Date: Sun, 24 Sep 2000 15:04:07 EDT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MIAMI FL
11 AM AST SUN SEP 24 2000
...ISAAC A LITTLE WEAKER...

    I am intrigued with the headlines, but I hardly call 110 mile per hour 
winds weak at all!!! Perhaps weaker than 115 mph.....  If you want to split 
hairs.
    The himmacane is 280 miles across from the center, so it's a big storm in 
my book anyhow.
    We will have to wait and watch and see, though I hope Isaac moves north 
of us and just dumps some rain on us.  But I still don't like the looks of 
him!

aSail4u AT aol.com 

<A 
HREF="http://www.intellicast.com/Tropical/World/UnitedStates/AtlanticAnalysis/
">Intellicast.com Weather - United States Tropical Atlantic Surface Analys</A>
 

By the way here is a great picture of Isaac!


- Evil Isaac! a category 3 AT 115 mile per hour winds!
  • From: ASail4U AT aol.com
  • Date: Sat, 23 Sep 2000 22:27:28 EDT
ISAAC STRENGTHENS FAR FROM LAND...

This was the lead in my email from the National Weather Service.  

I always think of the poor sailors at sea, the storm may be far from land, 
but some wretched  soul is probably going through the hurricane right now and 
praying for fresh underwear and deliverance, as his boat breaks apart.  (I 
spent more than 10 years at sea, so I always think of the hapless  sailors in 
situations like this!)  Not one single "survival" guide at sea suggests you 
pack a pair of fresh underwear in your  emergency bag.  I think this is a 
gross oversight, besides, do you know how many people are rescued naked?

A friend of mine stayed aboard his boat at anchor, during a hurricane years 
ago in the USVI.  His boat broke loose (it was later found bashed on rocky 
cliffs) and he ended up making a mad swim for shore during the height of the 
storm.  He managed to arrive on the beach of a large posh resort.  As he 
fought his way across the beach and up to the resort, he realized his clothes 
had been ripped from his body by the powerful storm and he was only wearing 
one flipper and nothing else, when he arrived. 

I am continually amazed at how quick the meteorologists are to predict the 
hurricane's path, when it's pretty much like playing the horse track.  You 
study the horses, look at the odds and make your bets.   Of course my own 
predictions are largely drawn on a bizarre form of sixth sense that works 
erratically, usually on silly stuff.

Yesterday, I had a dear friend visiting from another island who was hoping I 
would show him a few of nature's little secrets on this island.  So I asked 
him if he had been to a certain remote beach (he hadn't a clue where it even 
was!)  and he asked if it would be private  and I stared off into space and 
told him "There will be upwards of 4 people there, when we arrive."  He 
wanted to go immediately!

We both work in different forms of tourism and love that dearly, but there 
are occasional times when we long to escape the tourists (and then go be one 
ourselves!) 

It took us quite a while to reach the beach, we took a detour down a donkey 
trail,  I was curious about, but when we arrived at the beach, there were 2 
folks in the water and 2 on the beach, a total of four!  

Now, if only I could apply that silly sixth sense to something like Isaac...

Of course I hope himmacane Isaac avoids us all together, but I am concerned 
about his classic formation and the "uh-oh!" effects of his winds increasing 
while his motion decreases.  That give him time to build up power and steam.

When I look at the latest satellite picture, I am amazed at how massive Isaac 
is in size, especially, when we are just a teensy-tiny-itsy-bitsy-little 
island!  It would appear that Isaac would have to go nearly north for us not 
to feel his effects at all.

Everyone here is hoping for more rain to top off the cisterns and pretty up 
the gardens, but this himmacane business is a ton of work in preparations!

So I plan to  dash around like a mermaid in peril, securing boat, business, 
home and sanity, as best I can.

Matter-of-fact, if you want to buy my  beautiful boat, make me an offer before
 Isaac gets any closer!

Write me at 

aSail4u AT aol.com 

And I will send you to her web link!



- ISAAC
  • From: ASail4U AT aol.com
  • Date: Fri, 22 Sep 2000 07:11:21 EDT
    Well!  Right when we thought we were going to get off easy this season, 
along came tropical depression # 13, who whipped himself into such a frenzy 
that he has now been granted the name of ISAAC.
    He is well worth watching as he is doing all the classical steps for 
threatening us in a matter of days.  At that point, everyone will probably 
disagree widely on the probability of a strike, but heaven help us!  We are 
normally a confused lot, this will only enhance the situation.
    Which by the way, the Road Town Retailers should consider buying some 
JUMBO OPEN signs.  Shortly after the last hurricane scare, we had tourists on 
island who complained that Road Town was all closed up and there was no where 
to shop.  I was puzzled by this statement until I went to Road Town and saw 
that many businesses had nailed huge ugly boards to cover their windows.  Not 
in a hurry to take them back down, many had reopened for business, assuming 
that everyone knew they were really open even though they looked firmly 
closed.
    Perhaps it is time that the building codes require storm shutters to be 
an integral part of the building.  I see many new buildings go up and then 
when there is a hurricane threat, huge ugly holes are made in the building to 
accommodate hastily nailed boards.  I suppose the town planners and the 
architects are far more optimistic than the rest of us by building without 
any provision for storms.
    As for Isaac, his winds are picking up, his movement is slowing down, 
we'll be keeping an eye on him to see if he dares to misbehave in our region.

TROPICAL STORM ISAAC CONTINUES TO STRENGTHEN IN THE 
FAR EASTERN ATLANTIC...
 
AT 5 AM AST...0900Z...THE CENTER OF TROPICAL STORM ISAAC
WAS LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 12.7 NORTH...LONGITUDE  28.2 WEST
OR ABOUT 285 MILES...460 KM...WEST-SOUTHWEST OF THE SOUTHERNMOST
CAPE VERDE ISLANDS.
 
ISAAC IS MOVING TOWARD THE WEST NEAR 20 MPH...32 KM/HR...AND THIS
GENERAL MOTION IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE WITH A GRADUAL DECREASE IN
FORWARD SPEED EXPECTED LATER TODAY.

Your Curious Corespondent,
aSail4u AT aol.com


- CONFUSION!
  • From: ASail4U AT aol.com
  • Date: Sat, 16 Sep 2000 18:37:05 EDT
#12
 THE 1 PM AST POSITION...16.0 N... 58.0 W.  MOVEMENT
TOWARD...WEST NEAR 17 MPH.  MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS... 35 MPH. 
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...1010 MB.
THIS IS THE LAST ADVISORY FROM THE NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER ON THIS
SYSTEM...UNLESS REGENERATION OCCURS.

As of 6pm the local weather station was still treating this as a threat to 
land, as of 6:20pm, the radio just now announces this is nothing to worry 
about.  We get so many conflicting weather reports, it's a wonder we ever get 
around to preparing for a real storm!

35 mph winds are hardly anything to worry about, that's usually considered a 
good brisk sailing day in the winter!

Your confused correspondent
aSail4u AT aol.com


- HOORAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • From: ASail4U AT aol.com
  • Date: Thu, 24 Aug 2000 18:36:01 EDT
DEBBY DETERIORATES INTO OPEN TROPICAL WAVE.

ALL TROPICAL STORM WATCHES AND WARNINGS ARE DISCONTINUED

Your Dancing on Clouds, Happy Correspondent in Tortola
aSail4u AT aol.com

Fee free to contact me before you plan your next vacation in the beautiful 
British Virgin Islands!  I will give you the the "local insider's scoop"!


- Come on down! The weather is gorgeous!
  • From: ASail4U AT aol.com
  • Date: Thu, 24 Aug 2000 11:19:28 EDT
    Debby is done!  Tortola sprang back to business while the power was still 
being restored yesterday morning.  
    The sun is out, the breeze is gentle, a perfect day to go limin' at the 
beach or sailing.  
    The only complaint I heard was the meteorologists were wrong again, we 
didn't get the promised rain and many were looking forward to topping off 
their cisterns.  
    Sheesh!  You just can't have everything in paradise!
    
Your Happy Correspondent on Tortola
aSail4u AT aol.com

Fee free to contact me before you plan your next vacation in the beautiful 
British Virgin Islands!  I will give you the the "local insider's scoop"!


- The Mouse that Roared!
  • From: "Liane" <bvivacations AT surfbvi.com>
  • Date: Wed, 23 Aug 2000 12:11:48 -0400
Hi everyone!

Throughout the BVI ... Debby was to hurricanes what the pissing boy fountain
is to Old Faithful. It was the mouse that roared ... but a mouse just the
same. The bulk of the storm missed us altogether as it curved north just
before making landfall. We really only experienced the outer bands of the
storm. I haven't heard any reports about the USVI yet but I am guessing that
because there is some lively reggae playing on one of the USVI radio
stations right now ... that's a good indication that nothing too serious
happened there either.

Thank God for large blessings. The power went off in these parts at 11:20
a.m. and came back on at 10:45 a.m. I had a slew of e:mails and a few
business matters to take care of before sitting down to write this final
post-storm message.

I haven't gone anywhere except out in the yard to be sure we still had one
this time. We didn't even lose any leaves off the trees although the banana
tree had its leaves shredded somewhat. (They are always the first to be
damaged). From all accounts, there was little or no damage here. The odd
mud/rock slide is all. There wasn't even that much rain either which is kind
of too bad because we could all stand a good downpour in order to top up the
cisterns. Oh well.

I just got off the phone with my friend who has the obsession with the
Survivor TV show and she sounded almost normal! (Normal for her is like
anyone else in need of a valium or a few stiff drinks).
She was getting into her car when I called so she answered on her cell
phone. Anyway, just from the sound of her voice, I instantly knew that the
TV service must be back on in town. She is a happy camper now! I want to
thank all of you who wrote to me offering to tape the show for her. Its nice
to know there are so many kind people out there! Of course where I live, we
still don't have TV ... but at least we have power ... so I'm happy too.
Just as I was getting ready to hang up but I could hear her start to puff
and stammer a little, (she was starting to flip out again) so I asked what
was wrong. She said, "I can't find my phone dammit!" I said, "Sweety, its
hanging off your ear!" Ya gotta love her!

I managed to read two books in my spare time. The first was "Hide and Seek"
by James Patterson. Book review ... It occupied a few hours, that's as much
as I'll say. The second was "Lucky You" by Carl Hiaasen. If you haven't read
it, get it! Its bloody brilliant and offers a lot of good belly laughs.

Last night it was pitch black outside and dead calm. There wasn't a breath
of air. The house was so hot that it made sleeping impossible. My bedsheets
were soaked and so was I after only two hours of sleep. I couldn't stand it
anymore so I took a jug of water, went into the shower and dumped it over
myself ... T-shirt and all. Then I took my new light outside and read for
most of the night. By the way, if any of you out there are in storm prone
areas or areas with frequent power outages, I highly recommend the Coleman
model 5355 series flourescent lantern. It takes (2) 6 volt batteries or (8)
"D" cell batteries and works like a charm. I was getting sick and tired of
my old kerosene lamps. Not only do they put out a lot of heat but they smell
and are not much good to read by. The Coleman lamp cost $42.00 and was worth
every penny!

I am looking forward to seeing what Debby is doing further north of us and
will cross my fingers for all of you situated in the strike zone. I hope our
TV service is restored soon. Now if we don't have any more power outages, I
may just watch the Survivor show myself tonight and see what all the fuss
has been about.

Thanks to all for your support and kind regards!
Liane

All-In-One BVI Vacations
Bareboat and Crewed Yacht Charters
http://www.bvivacations.com
http://www.bareboatsbvi.com
Phone/Fax: (284) 495-4168


- We Survived!
  • From: ASail4U AT aol.com
  • Date: Tue, 22 Aug 2000 23:09:58 EDT
    Debby is like a long tedious concert with many reprisals.  Right when you 
think she is gone for good, the winds pick up, the sky pours down and the 
next set begins.
    Rumor is that everyone will open up tomorrow, though we still don't have 
power.  I don't know if there is some serious problem or if the electric guys 
are just too hung over to go flip the switch on.  
    I got the bright idea to rearrange my home today as I was bored without 
electricity and the unhurricane seemed more like a really bad storm.  It is 
my first hurricane alone.  Usually I am taking refuge in someone else's home, 
as I used to live full time on my sailboat for many years.  One year, 14 of 
us stayed in a two bedroom condo and the hapless owner (who was off-island)  
didn't realize that until he made an untimely entrance, two days after the 
hurricane only to discover that 14 boaties were still camping out in his 
place.  (Teach him to leave his keys with a friend!)
    I forgot that while moving my desk around today, I unplugged my phone.  
Later, my cellular phone kept ringing and I kept wondering why folks were 
calling me on my cell when my land line worked.  Then my brother said my land 
phone wasn't answering at all!  I picked up the phone and sure enough it was 
dead, then I noticed the dangling cord was not plugged into the wall socket. 
Duh...
    It looks like all is going to be well here.   No sensational damages to 
report that I know of. (except a few folks  may have some serious  hangover 
damages.)  
    
Your relieved corespondent,
aSail4u AT aol.com
     


- Hurricane Debbie
  • From: "John & April" <palmtree AT surfbvi.com>
  • Date: Tue, 22 Aug 2000 18:26:08 -0400
Hurricane Debbie came and went very quietly here in the British Virgin Islands. It got a bit windy and we had some rain, but overall, it really was a non-event.....thankfully. Everyone was well prepared and boats and homes were well-secured...generators prepped....and refrigerators stocked.
 
Power is expected to be turned on again within the next few hours (it's 6 p.m.)
 
Occasionally, the winds  pick up again and bring more showers, but it only seems to last for 10 - 15 minutes.
 
Everyone seems to expect that things will be back to normal by tomorrow morning. 

- a change in direction...
  • From: ASail4U AT aol.com
  • Date: Tue, 22 Aug 2000 15:17:01 EDT
    Weather is fickle!  The power went off for good by 11am, the seas were 
looking really rough and odd groups of sea mist would dance by.  The gusts 
were scary but then by 1pm or so, it was eerily quiet.
    Now the winds have reversed and picked up considerably but the sea in the 
harbor at Sopers Hole is calmer.  The rains are intermittent and thick.

Your confused correspondent
aSail4u AT aol.com


- That's all folks!
  • From: "Liane" <bvivacations AT surfbvi.com>
  • Date: Tue, 22 Aug 2000 10:54:24 -0400

Well, the power supply is getting really dicey with dips and momentary 
outages occurring too frequently for comfort. I am going to have to sign off
now in order to protect my computer. The storm is settling in with winds at
somewhere around 45 to 50 MPH. The wave heights have increased substantially
in the past hour.

Although you probably won't be hearing from me until after the storm has
passed, I am sure Cynthia will do her best to keep you updated as often as
possible. (She just got a new battery last night for her lap top ... thanks
to Gert).

The 11:00 AM update for Debby is as follows:

18.5 N and 64.4 W
40 Miles East of St. Thomas
Max. Winds 75 MPH
Traveling at 22 MPH

That looks as though the brunt of the storm may go slightly north of us. As
long as it keeps moving quickly, I'll be happy. Hey Debby ... here's your
hat, what's your hurry!!!

Take care everyone and remember to duck if you see and flying pink
elephants!
Kind regards,
Liane

All-In-One BVI Vacations
Bareboat and Crewed Yacht Charters
http://www.bvivacations.com
http://www.bareboatsbvi.com
Phone/Fax: (284) 495-4168


- From West End
  • From: ASail4U AT aol.com
  • Date: Tue, 22 Aug 2000 10:27:49 EDT
    Power is intermittent, gusts are pretty strong, scattered showers meander 
through, the sky is decidedly cloudy.  
    Today is such a rare day in the Caribbean, not to see the sun!
    One gust just shoved a heavy potted palm tree across the balcony.  I went 
out to rescue it and I am having trouble shoving the thing inside!  I need 
another gust to help push us along!
    I have to rush my storm preparedness to completion so I will be brief.

Your busy corespondent  (how I wish I were an octopus!)

aSail4u AT aol.com


    


- closer and closer
  • From: "Liane" <bvivacations AT surfbvi.com>
  • Date: Tue, 22 Aug 2000 10:16:55 -0400
More of the same but winds are beginning to increase with more than the 
occassional gusts. For whatever reason, there are still vehicles out on the
roads? The whitecaps are impressive out in the channel and I've seen a
couple of small waterspouts over the past hour.

So far the power is holding up but they will shut it off when the winds hit
55 MPH. VITV has a live video cam on channel 3 showing various parts of Road
Town as well as updates from Deputy Governor Elton Georges and Franklyn
Michaels of the office for Disaster Preparedness.

We just had a pretty strong gust of wind which I imagine was upwards of 40
to 45 MPH, so clearly, the hurricane is closing in now. I was trying to
think of something to compare with waiting for a hurricane to hit. The only
thing which comes to mind is sitting in a hospital waiting room awaiting
news of a loved ones condition. Its just plain stressful and boring at the
same time. I just want it to be over with already!

They are estimating that the worst of the storm will have passed by us by
midnight. That's great news! This will be probably the fastest hurricane to
visit the BVI in years. The winds are really not all that serious, but there
is always the danger of Tornado formations within the hurricane and they are
what can and do cause severe damage.

I am guessing that the majority of damage will be caused by flooding in low
lying areas and along the roadways because there appears to be a lot of rain
associated with this storm.

I called a friend about an hour ago to find out how twitchy she is at this
point. She is twitchy at the best of times, but hurricanes have an amazing
effect on her. I always find her to be a constant source of amusement. Aside
from obvious concerns regarding property damage, etc. ... her main concern
is that she will miss the final "Survivor" episode. She missed last weeks
episode as well because we had a power outage that night and she was as mad
as a wet hen! She is busy trying to get someone in the States to tape it for
her! Man ... what an obsession!

Well ... not a lot more to report, just that we are still waiting on this
thing. I plan to read and sleep all day once the power goes off.

By for now!
Liane

All-In-One BVI Vacations
Bareboat and Crewed Yacht Charters
http://www.bvivacations.com
http://www.bareboatsbvi.com
Phone/Fax: (284) 495-4168


- Lights?
  • From: "Liane" <bvivacations AT surfbvi.com>
  • Date: Tue, 22 Aug 2000 09:00:24 -0400
The lights have begun to flicker and I just heard the first rumblings of 
thunder in the distance. Winds are gusting and heavy rain has just started.
Jost Van Dyke disappeared from view about 5 minutes ago.

When the lights start to dip ... that means we will lose power very shortly.
I am going to have some breakfast and get ready to curl up with a good book.

To all in the Caribbean ... best wishes for a safe (and hopefully)
relatively quick storm. Get rested up and get out there as soon as you can
to help your neighbours clean up the mess!

Kind regards,
Liane

All-In-One BVI Vacations
Bareboat and Crewed Yacht Charters
http://www.bvivacations.com
http://www.bareboatsbvi.com
Phone/Fax: (284) 495-4168


- YIKES!!!!!!!!!!!! The Devil Debby threatens us!
  • From: ASail4U AT aol.com
  • Date: Tue, 22 Aug 2000 08:32:23 EDT
8 AM AST TUE AUG 22 2000
 
...DEBBY MOVING THROUGH THE NORTHERN LEEWARD ISLANDS AND HEADING
TOWARD THE VIRGIN ISLANDS...
 
HURRICANE WARNINGS REMAIN IN EFFECT FOR THE LEEWARD ISLANDS FROM
ANGUILLA AND ST. EUSTATIUS WESTWARD THROUGH THE BRITISH AND THE 
U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS...PUERTO RICO AND ITS SURROUNDING ISLANDS...
AND FOR THE NORTH COAST OF THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.

PRECAUTIONS TO PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY SHOULD BE RUSHED TO
COMPLETION IN THE HURRICANE WARNING AREA.
 
AT 8 AM AST...1200Z...THE CENTER OF HURRICANE DEBBY WAS LOCATED NEAR
LATITUDE 18.2 NORTH...LONGITUDE  63.5 WEST OR ABOUT 65 MILES...105
KM...EAST-SOUTHEAST OF THE BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS.
 
DEBBY IS MOVING TOWARD THE WEST-NORTHWEST NEAR 21 MPH...33 KM/HR...
AND THIS MOTION IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE FOR THE NEXT 24 HOURS.
 
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE NEAR  75 MPH...120 KM/HR...WITH HIGHER
GUSTS.  STRONGEST WINDS ARE LIKELY TO OCCUR OVER HIGH TERRAIN.  SOME
STRENGTHENING IS FORECAST DURING THE NEXT 24 HOURS.
 
HURRICANE FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO  25 MILES... 35 KM...
FROM THE CENTER...AND TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP
TO 175 MILES...280 KM.  WIND GUSTS TO 76 MPH HAVE OCCURRED AT ST.
BARTHELEMY AND TO 60 MPH AT ST. MARTIN DURING THE PAST FEW HOURS.
 
RECONNAISSANCE AIRCRAFT RECENTLY REPORTED A MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE
OF  997 MB...29.44 INCHES.
 
STORM SURGE FLOODING OF 1 TO 3 FEET ABOVE NORMAL TIDE LEVELS...WITH
DANGEROUS BATTERING WAVES...IS EXPECTED OVER PORTIONS OF THE WARNED
AREAS.
 
RAINFALL TOTALS OF 4 TO 6 INCHES...HIGHER OVER MOUNTAINOUS AREAS...
ARE EXPECTED ALONG THE PATH OF THE STORM.  THESE RAINS COULD CAUSE
LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODS AND MUD SLIDES.
 
    Well, folks, I have to RUSH now to complete my hurricane preparations and 
recheck my underwear stock!!!  

Your hapless correspondent,
aSail4u AT aol.com


- Mission accomplished!
  • From: "Liane" <bvivacations AT surfbvi.com>
  • Date: Tue, 22 Aug 2000 08:08:04 -0400
The 8:00 am report puts hurricane Debby at:

18.2 N and 63.5 W
It is locate 65 miles ESE of the BVI
Max winds of 75 MPH
Traveling at 21 MPH

Light sprinkling starting and visibility has dropped appreciably. Winds have
picked up some more and are currently gusting to about 25 MPH around these
parts. I imagine the power will be turned off in another hour or
thereabouts.

As I headed out the door to wake up my landlord, I nearly jumped out of my
skin as I stood face to face with him ... plywood in hand. I hadn't heard
him approach. So I am a happy camper now all snug in my hot, sweaty, boarded
up cell.

The knee is still holding up so I choose to take it as a sign that the
intensity of the storm will not be severe. This may be my last report until
after the storm and we have power once again. Hopefully, this time it will
be less than 7 days as it was after Lenny.

Oddly enough, nobody has stolen my parking spot this time. I wonder why?

Kind regards,
Liane



All-In-One BVI Vacations
Bareboat and Crewed Yacht Charters
http://www.bvivacations.com
http://www.bareboatsbvi.com
Phone/Fax: (284) 495-4168


- Gray skies
  • From: "Liane" <bvivacations AT surfbvi.com>
  • Date: Tue, 22 Aug 2000 07:11:50 -0400
Not much different from an hour ago although the wind has picked up to about
15MPH at this part of the island. Just had a lovely cold shower ... very
refreshing and helped to defog my thinking processes. Wonder what caused
that???

The sounds of hammering have finally begun. No sense doing today what you
can put off until the eleventh hour! I am still waiting for my landlord to
bring one more sheet of plywood to cover my door but there doesn't seem to
be a creature stirring anywhere around his place. I'm not very happy about
that. I have sliding glass doors which unfortunately don't fit very well and
I'm not sure if my landlord was making an architectural statement or if it
was done in error ... but the doors were installed backwards. What that
means is that I can't lock my door ... at least not from the inside. In
addition, there is a slight (1/8 inch) gap between the door frame and the
door on one side which allows water in when we get heavy rains.

The radar images shown on TV indicate that the forward edge of the sorm is
nearly on top of us, but there still aren't any signs of rain or high winds.
It is overcast, very gray looking and the clouds are moving rather rapidly
right now.

Not much else to add. I think I will go wake up my landlord.

Kind regards to all,
Liane



All-In-One BVI Vacations
Bareboat and Crewed Yacht Charters
http://www.bvivacations.com
http://www.bareboatsbvi.com
Phone/Fax: (284) 495-4168


- The calm before the storm
  • From: "Liane" <bvivacations AT surfbvi.com>
  • Date: Tue, 22 Aug 2000 05:58:12 -0400
It is 5:55 a.m. and I just poked my head out the door. It is dead calm out
there with a light breeze and overcast sky.

As of 5:00 a.m. "Hurricane" Debby was at:

17.7N and 62.6W
Approximately 40 miles south east of St. Martin
Max sustained winds are at 75 MPH
Traveling at 21 MPH
29.35 MB

My knee seems fine again with only slight swelling. I wonder if it has
anything to do with the fact that there doesn't seem to be a real eye
involved with Debby yet? My hands are still swollen and fairly numb. Our
landlord has not seen fit to board up his place nor has my next door
neighbour. That should be interesting? It is very quiet outside, no
hammering sounds anywhere and a large percentage of the houses here in the
Capoons Bay area remain unboarded as well. I wonder what they know that I
don't?

I live directly up Zion Hill overlooking Bomba's Shack and Sebastian's
Hotel. I am happily surprised that we still have power and savouring every
minute of it. Once I finish this message, I am going to indulge in another
shower before the lights go out.

Will stay in touch ... power permitting.

Kind regards,
Liane



All-In-One BVI Vacations
Bareboat and Crewed Yacht Charters
http://www.bvivacations.com
http://www.bareboatsbvi.com
Phone/Fax: (284) 495-4168


- Dubious Debby!
  • From: ASail4U AT aol.com
  • Date: Mon, 21 Aug 2000 23:59:31 EDT
11 PM AST MON AUG 21 2000
CORRECTION...ADD WARNING STATEMENT FOR DOMINICA
 
...DEBBY NEARING NORTHERN LEEWARD ISLANDS...
...THREATENS TO STRENGTHEN...

HURRICANE WARNINGS REMAIN IN EFFECT FOR THE LEEWARD ISLANDS FROM
GUADELOUPE NORTH AND NORTHWESTWARD THROUGH THE BRITISH AND THE U.S.
VIRGIN ISLANDS AND PUERTO RICO AND ITS SURROUNDING ISLANDS.  A
TROPICAL STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR DOMINICA.
 
THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC HAS ISSUED A TROPICAL STORM WARNING FROM
PUNTA PALENQUE TO CABRERA.
 
AT 11 PM AST...0300Z...A HURRICANE WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR NORTHERN
HAITI NORTH OF PORT AU PRINCE.
 
THE GOVERNMENT OF THE BAHAMAS WILL ISSUE A TROPICAL STORM WATCH FOR
THE SOUTHEASTERN BAHAMAS AT MIDNIGHT.
 
AT 11 PM AST...0300Z...THE CENTER OF TROPICAL STORM DEBBY WAS
LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 17.2 NORTH...LONGITUDE  61.0 WEST OR ABOUT 55
MILES...90 KM...EAST OF ANTIGUA.
 
DEBBY IS MOVING TOWARD THE WEST NORTHWEST NEAR 20 MPH...32 KM/HR...
AND THIS MOTION IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE ON TUESDAY.  THIS MOTION
WILL MOVE DEBBY DIRECTLY OVER THE NORTHERN LEEWARD ISLANDS TONIGHT
AND TUESDAY.
 
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE NEAR  70 MPH...110 KM/HR...WITH HIGHER
GUSTS.  DEBBY IS FORECAST TO STRENGTHEN TO A HURRICANE ON TUESDAY.
 
TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 175 MILES ...280 KM
...MAINLY TO THE NORTH OF THE CENTER.
 
THE ESTIMATED MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE HAS RECENTLY FALLEN TO 996 MB
...29.41 INCHES.

STORM SURGE FLOODING OF 1 TO 3 FEET ABOVE NORMAL TIDE LEVELS...WITH
DANGEROUS BATTERING WAVES...IS EXPECTED OVER PORTIONS OF THE WARNED
AREAS.

RAINFALL TOTALS OF 4 TO 6 INCHES...HIGHER OVER MOUNTAINOUS AREAS...
ARE EXPECTED ALONG THE PATH OF THE STORM.  THESE RAINS COULD CAUSE
LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODS AND MUD SLIDES. 
 
aSail4u AT aol.com


- The thing is ...
  • From: "Liane" <bvivacations AT surfbvi.com>
  • Date: Mon, 21 Aug 2000 23:53:39 -0400
Title: The thing is ...
As I sit in the comfort of my home with the electricity still on (yipppeeeee!) and hammering away at the computer keyboard ... I find myself suddenly wondering exactly what people (who are not in the Caribbean presently) really want to know about Tropical Storm  Debby?

It seems that the storm (still not a hurricane ... by the way) is undoubtedly going to pass over the BVI. I have received many e:mails from people asking me to predict the track and "approximate" damage this storm might inflict on our islands or how it may affect their vacation slated for Labour Day.

I have only one answer which may be practicably applied to these specific questions ...

"Unfortunately, my crystal ball was inadvertently damaged by a workman attempting to move a 4X8 sheet of plywood through my (tiny) living room early this morning. This incident took place whilst the workman was in the process of boarding up my apartment in preparation for the oncoming storm. As a result, I am unable to disseminate any sort of accurate response to your inquiry at the present time."

I don't really intend to be a smart ass ... but what "might"  happen today, tomorrow or on Labour day is anyone's guess. I am NOT a meteorologist ... nor do I  possess any special talents or education which might enable me to predict future events. All I know is that given the information we have ... its a really good idea to cover your assets!

This is a really strange and wonderful storm which has everyone (including the experts) totally confounded. Debby is not behaving the way any good mannered storm/hurricane should behave at this time of year.

I have only past experience from which I may draw personal beliefs. If I were forced to make predictions ... here it is. In the time it has taken me to write this message .... my knee went from "not too bad"  to "man ... what the hell happened here?"

There has been significant swelling (of my knee) in the past hour but there is still  very little pain. My hands (on the other hand) feel as though they belong to a corpse! I can't make a fist very easily and my fingers have become terribly "clumsy". If I had to "hang on for dear life" ... I have no doubt that my hands couldn't handle the strain.

What all of this means in regards to the storm, its effects or severity  ... I really don't know. My guess is that none of these physical manifestations are a good thing. How bad these signs may be is something we will all just have to wait and see.

Debby will be visiting us very shortly and believe me ... she is not a welcome visitor but I am absolutely positive that she is not the most evil visitor the BVI has ever had.

Kind regards to all and please keep a good thought for all Caribbean Islands as Debby rallies and strengthens. I'll keep in touch as long as possible.

Kind regards,
Liane





All-In-One BVI Vacations
Bareboat and Crewed Yacht Charters
http://www.bvivacations.com
http://www.bareboatsbvi.com
Phone/Fax: (284) 495-4168

- Gert is alive and well in Tortola!
  • From: ASail4U AT aol.com
  • Date: Mon, 21 Aug 2000 23:52:59 EDT
    Gert, your famous Webmaster who created this unique web page as a 
worldwide community service, is HERE visiting on Tortola, to experience first 
hand the before, during and after of a tropical storm.  It could be a 
hurricane, perhaps only a storm.  
    We know he told you all, he was only going on vacation, but he snuck in 
down here to experience the real thing, not just read about it!
    We had great fun, and in true Caribbean fashion, we invited him for a 
party, only to change the time, location, guests and menu at the last minute. 
 
    But, he and his wife still found us (giggle!)  and we enjoyed a 
traditional pre-hurricane party, right on the  beach, under the stars 
with...ahem...copious amounts of alcohol and superb food. (Oink! Oink!)  We 
pigged right out on the Chicken Wings, Lobster, London Broil and Conch (plus 
more alcohol!).  
    For dessert they showed us a lovely menu, but we, um, chose more alcohol. 
Hey, I paint a real pretty picture of us, don't I?
    So, while we dined, Sebastians was banging up boards at odd angles to 
enclose their place for the storm.  Outside tables were already stored and 
stacks of chairs blocked the ladies room but not the mens.  (Knock? Knock?  
Can you scoot over and share, please?) 
    We were fortunate enough to commandeer an outdoor table and refuse to 
give it up to the staff, until rain set upon us.  By then we had gone through 
a few drinks, and hors d'oeuvres, a few drinks and dinner, a few drinks 
and... 
    At the moment is began to rain, in true Caribbean fashion, we pretended 
we might melt any second and  dashed inside undercover and sat down at a nice 
table.  It was late and a waitress who had not seen us before dining outside, 
dashed out of the kitchen and her face sank  (oh NO!  More hungry revelers 
and we are trying to board up and close!)  I assured her we had already dined 
and just wanted dessert, so another round of drinks arrived.  (Gee, word gets 
around fast!)
    Finally, we were the only ones left in the seaside restaurant and the 
last lady to leave,  said she was closing up.  We told her we were homeless 
and just to board us right on up inside and we'd stay for the hurricane.  (We 
were eyeing the bar, you see!)
    She said "No problem!"  and reached for her hammer and board, but we 
dashed out to our cars, giggling like naughty school children.
    Currently it is 11:40pm and it is drizzling rain with wafts of cool 
breezes.

    T'was the night before Debby, and all through the harbor, not a boat was 
stirring, not a dinghy about...

Your inebriated corespondent (hiccup!)

aSail4u AT aol.com

    


- Debby
  • From: "Liane" <bvivacations AT surfbvi.com>
  • Date: Mon, 21 Aug 2000 17:19:42 -0400
I was boarding up the house when I happened to glance at my car and noticed
that I had a flat tire. #$ AT %! Knowing that there was no way I wanted to be
stuck at the house for an indeterminate length of time ... so I dropped what
I was doing, put the (kinda dicey) spare tire on the car and drove very
slowly into town to buy a new tire and a few incidental provisions.

After accomplishing my tasks which took much longer than expected (as per
usual) ... I decided I needed a small libation to lift the spirits. It ended
up being two libations as several friends kept wandering into my favourite
watering hole. For some reason, I couldn't tear myself away. One friend
asked, "Hey, Liane ... what's up?". "My blood pressure", I answered.

One thing lead to another and before I knew it, there was my third drink
sitting in front of me. It was just like magic! However, the nagging thought
of my home still needing a few boards over the odd window kept nagging at me
so being the responsible person I am ... I dragged my butt home. Then the
computer beckoned to me. Its after 5:00 and I am supposed to meet some
friends at 6:00 for yet more cocktails and the storm is now forecast to hit
the BVI (for sure) sometime between 4:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m.

Bloody hell, I am just not up for it this time. Usually, I just dig in and
get on with what is required in the way of storm preparation... but I don't
bloody well feel like dealing with it right now. I still feel lousy, my knee
is throbbing but the three drinks have taken the edge off that particular
problem. I made a feeble attempt to vacuum the house, put new batteries in
my flashlights and my brand new Coleman (fluorescent) lamp I picked up while
in town.

I have 5 books and a new crossword puzzle book with which to occupy myself
in the long, hot days ahead with nothing much to do except wait for the
power to come back on. I have filled all my water containers so I will still
be able to flush the toilet and am just about ready to take my last shower
for the next ... however long it takes to get power back in order to make
the water pump work.

I have heard varying reports about when the power will be shut off. (One
friend of mine informed me it had already been turned off at my end (west)
of the island ... but obviously, he was misinformed).

Anyway, I really must run and try to get the windows and doors covered
before I take my shower. Looks like I will probably be late meeting my
friends.

Keep a good thought everyone!
Kind regards,
Liane







All-In-One BVI Vacations
Bareboat and Crewed Yacht Charters
http://www.bvivacations.com
http://www.bareboatsbvi.com
Phone/Fax: (284) 495-4168


- ALL PRECAUTIONS TO PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY SHOULD BE RUSHED TO COMPLETION IN T
  • From: ASail4U AT aol.com
  • Date: Mon, 21 Aug 2000 11:28:26 EDT

AT 11 AM AST...1500Z...THE CENTER OF TROPICAL STORM DEBBY
WAS LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 15.7 NORTH...LONGITUDE  57.3 WEST
OR ABOUT 280 MILES...455 KM...EAST OF THE LEEWARD ISLANDS.
 
DEBBY IS MOVING TOWARD THE WEST NEAR 22 MPH ...35 KM/HR...AND THIS
MOTION IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE FOR THE NEXT 24 HOURS.
 
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE NEAR  70 MPH...110 KM/HR...WITH HIGHER
GUSTS MAINLY TO THE NORTH AND EAST OF THE CENTER.  STRONGEST WINDS
ARE LIKELY TO OCCUR OVER HIGHER TERRAIN.  SOME STRENGTHENING IS
FORECAST DURING THE NEXT 24 HOURS AND DEBBY IS EXPECTED TO BECOME A
HURRICANE LATER TODAY OR TONIGHT.
 
TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 145 MILES
...230 KM FROM THE CENTER.

Well, I am dashing out to secure my boat again.  I worked on it yesterday, 
but feel I should go do more.  As usual, island is divided, half are in 
denial other half are draining out the liquor supply in anticipation 
hurricane parties.   Boats are hiding everywhere they can.

aSail4u AT aol.com


- Debby #2
  • From: "Liane" <bvivacations AT surfbvi.com>
  • Date: Mon, 21 Aug 2000 11:08:04 -0400
Well know the old knee has kicked in and has started to swell some but 
curiously, it still isn't hurting all that much.

I just checked the weather channel and the 11:00 a.m. report puts the storm
at:

15.7 N and 57.3 W
Max winds at 70 MPH
Traveling at 22 MPH

It has gained substantially in intensity and is moving very rapidly now. In
fact, it is moving much faster than the "typical" storm in these parts. It
has started to make its curve north and looks as though there is no doubt
whatsoever that this storm will hit the Virgin Islands within the next 24
hours ... or thereabouts. Please excuse me while I go sulk for a while
before I begin boarding up the house and getting the house in order.

One of our other reporters "asail4u" is busy securing her yacht and we are
supposed to meet for cocktails this evening with Gert and his wife (who are
here on vacation) at Sebastians. Should be an interesting discussion.

Kind regards and keep a good thought!
Liane

All-In-One BVI Vacations
Bareboat and Crewed Yacht Charters
http://www.bvivacations.com
http://www.bareboatsbvi.com
Phone/Fax: (284) 495-4168


- Debby
  • From: "Liane" <bvivacations AT surfbvi.com>
  • Date: Mon, 21 Aug 2000 06:31:12 -0400
Title: Debby
Hi All,

Well ...... it appears that there is no doubt that tropical storm Debby will affect the British Virgin Islands in some way, it is only to what degree which remains in question now. As of 5:00 a.m. the storm facts were:

Located at 15.6 N  and  54.7 W
Sustained winds of 50MPH
Travelling at 18 MPH

I have been feeling pretty lousy for the past two weeks so I can't really trust what my body is saying anymore. This ailment which has produced flu like systems with various aches and pains started just around the time Alberto looked a little ominous and hasn't stopped since then. However, my knee isn't bothering me at all. Having said that, it may be the only part of my body that isn't particularily problematic right now.

The good news about Debby is that although it is starting to show signs of organization ... it hasn't quite got its act together yet. Also, we should keep in mind that 50 MPH winds seldom cause much damage and it is little more than what some sailors call "blustery".  That is not to say that anyone should ignore the threat. Damage and injury caused by storms like Debby is usually caused by people getting too cocky and not taking preventative measures to ensure that their vessels have been properly secured and that their homes have been prepared ... "just in case".

Debby seems to be tracking due west at this point and is traveling at a pretty healthy clip of 18MPH which is a positive sign. We may not be hit by anything stronger than the outer bands unless she starts curving north within the next 12 hours or so.

With a lot of luck and once this storm makes its first landfall ... it may just begin to break up and eventually blow itself out before it gets any more organized. (I am feeling optimistic today). Time will tell!

Kind regards,
Liane

All-In-One BVI Vacations
Bareboat and Crewed Yacht Charters
http://www.bvivacations.com
http://www.bareboatsbvi.com
Phone/Fax: (284) 495-4168

- Ugh!
  • From: ASail4U AT aol.com
  • Date: Mon, 21 Aug 2000 02:18:43 EDT
2 AM AST MON AUG 21 2000

A HURRICANE WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR SABA...ST EUSTATIUS AND ST
MAARTEN AND THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS.  

A TROPICAL STORM WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE LEEWARD ISLANDS 
NORTH OF DOMINICA...AND THE BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS.
 
AT 2 AM AST...0600Z...THE CENTER OF TROPICAL STORM DEBBY WAS
LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 15.6 NORTH...LONGITUDE  53.9 WEST OR ABOUT 490 
MILES...785 KM...EAST OF THE LEEWARD ISLANDS.  YIKES!
 
DEBBY IS MOVING TOWARD THE WEST-NORTHWEST NEAR 18 MPH...30 KM/HR...AND THIS 
MOTION IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE TODAY.  GOOD!  The fast she moves the better!
 
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE ESTIMATED NEAR 50 MPH... 85 KM/HR...WITH HIGHER 
GUSTS.  SOME STRENGTHENING IS FORECAST DURING THE NEXT 24 HOURS.

YUCK!

Your correspondent,

aSail4u AT aol.com

 


- Dubious Debby
  • From: ASail4U AT aol.com
  • Date: Mon, 21 Aug 2000 01:59:07 EDT
    Well, folks, it doesn't look good for the home team.  Storm watch is in 
effect for the British Virgin Islands but hurricane watch is in effect for 
the US Virgins.  We are so close, the difference in the watches seems 
contradictory.  
    Perhaps the US side is eager to upgrade their watches in order to alert 
FEMA.  
    Debby looks pretty powerful just from her shear size in relation to our 
teeny tiny islands.  Mariners were out today scrambling around, other folks 
heard that Chris wasn't a threat and had no idea that Debby was forming.
    I don't have cable, so I stopped in bar at marina to check the cable 
weather channel, a bunch of sailors piled in for the same thing.
    One tourist had a fit because he wanted  to watch golf.  No offense, to 
the golfers out there  (I've been known to play myself, eons ago, plus I grew 
up on putt-putt) but watching golf on TV is about as thrilling as watching 
paint dry. 
    The rowdy sailors won out and we were able to get the Caribbean update.  
The minute it was over, the golfer fan,  ran over to the TV, almost like a 
kid playing tag, and switched it back to golf.  By now, the sailors were 
demanding more drinks and music for their ears and the golfer said he 
wouldn't be able to hear the golf. Someone said "What?  He has to hear the 
little whoosh as the ball goes by?"  
    I left there giggling wondering why someone would come vacation here to 
see golf on TV.  Maybe he was famous golfer and I failed to recognize him, he 
was awful serious as if he couldn't believe we would want to watch some 
weather channel about some chick named Debby.  
    The colorful report came on TV with all the storms highlighted in red and 
orange and a graphic satellite picture that moved back and fourth while we 
groaned, it looked pretty awful presented that way, but I guess it's their 
time in the limelight.
    Then the weatherman stepped across the screen and covered up Debby to 
show off the US and we all groaned, we wanted to watch that red and orange 
thing move back and fourth one more time. 
    It was breezy in the morning by afternoon, it was pretty hot and airless, 
tonight seems to have brought on the calm before the storm with humidity 
being felt.  A few moments ago a gentle breeze began rustling the mango trees 
out front.  A fishy smell is permeating the air, not sure what that means at 
all.  
    I wonder what fish do for a hurricane, go out to sea? Do they group 
together and have big parties like us, during the storms?
      
       


- ...ALBERTO STRENGTHENS TO HURRICANE INTENSITY FOR THE THIRD TIME...
  • From: ASail4U AT aol.com
  • Date: Fri, 18 Aug 2000 20:59:07 EDT
    Awful Alberto just doesn't want to go away!  He keeps hanging around like 
some jilted lover, just blowing up occasionally for show.  (I had an 
ex-lover, that acted just like him!) 
    Now we have Crazy Chris on the horizon, could become a true  hurricane 
(or a himmicane) hard to tell which, with a  name like that, but either way, 
it doesn't look good, to have one form that close to home. 
    Things are eerily quiet here, with gentle breezes wafting by,  in the 
west-southwest of the westernmost west-northwest in the north-northwest West 
End.  (That's a mouth full, eh?) 
    Between the carnival and Tuesday's Fool Moon Party at Bomba's, folks are 
pretty wore out around here.  I don't know if we have the  energy to weather 
a storm!  
    But that could all change, stay tuned for the latest and  greatest.
    By the way, if you ever dared to dream of being a broadcaster, here's a 
great exercise. See if you can say this OUT LOUD three times, rapidly!
WEST-SOUTHWEST OF THE WESTERNMOST 
WEST-SOUTHWEST OF THE WESTERNMOST 
WEST-SOUTHWEST OF THE WESTERNMOST 

Now try this one.
WEST-NORTHWEST
WEST-NORTHWEST
WEST-NORTHWEST

If you survived this far, you are now ready to read the weather report.

AT 5 PM AST...2100Z...THE POORLY DEFINED CENTER OF TROPICAL
STORM CHRIS WAS LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 17.0 NORTH...LONGITUDE  56.8
WEST OR ABOUT 325 MILES...525 KM...EAST OF ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA IN THE LEEWARD 
ISLANDS.
CHRIS IS MOVING TOWARD THE WEST-NORTHWEST NEAR 13 MPH
...20 KM/HR...

AT 5 PM AST...2100Z...THE CENTER OF HURRICANE ALBERTO
WAS LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 35.1 NORTH...LONGITUDE  48.3 WEST
OR ABOUT 1105 MILES...1780 KM...WEST-SOUTHWEST OF THE 
WESTERNMOST AZORES ISLANDS.
 
ALBERTO IS MOVING TOWARD THE NORTHNNORTHWEST NEAR  8 MPH ..13 KM/HR.


- Don't Stop The Carinival!
  • From: ASail4U AT aol.com
  • Date: Tue, 8 Aug 2000 18:20:05 EDT
    On Monday the news said Alberto was strengthening and on Tuesday he was 
weakening.  This morning  brought news that he was not a threat to land and 
by this afternoon, it was "too early"  to determine if he was a threat to 
land.
    I am not sure if I am reading the news or the gossip columns!
    But the general concensus here is, the carnival must go on! 

AT 5 PM AST...2100Z...THE CENTER OF HURRICANE ALBERTO WAS LOCATED NEAR 
LATITUDE 18.8 NORTH...LONGITUDE  47.0 WEST OR ABOUT 980 MILES...1575 
KM...EAST OF THE LEEWARD ISLANDS.


- Alberto report #3 - Tuesday morning
  • From: "Liane" <bvivacations AT surfbvi.com>
  • Date: Tue, 08 Aug 2000 10:55:56 -0400
Title: Alberto  report #3 - Tuesday morning
Hi guys,

Its been 12 hours since my last post and I'm still not convinced that Alberto will bypass the BVI altogether.  When I woke up today, my knee has swollen and aching again. Of course, that doesn't mean anything other than we are in for nasty weather and not necessarily Alberto ... but I have my suspicions.

I love all the computer models and expert information available on the web. Its great stuff. However, I sometimes think people put too much stock in predictions. To "predict" is to offer a prophesy or foretelling of future events. Nowadays, we have a lot of sophisticated equipment to help the experts and laymen alike do just that. It is the interpretation of the information received which is important ... and that's the rub.

I am no expert in the field of meteorology by any means whatsoever. I have only lived through a half dozen hurricanes which actually affected the BVI (some worse than others) and at least 8 others which threatened ... but brushed by us (harmlessly) instead. However, I have learned to listen to my body during hurricane season and it is telling me something different from what most of the models have (so far) predicted. It also depends on "which" model you choose to believe. I look at all of them but have always taken stock in the model found at:

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/ftp/graphics/AT03/AL0300P.GIF

This gives me pause to recognize that even the experts don't necessarily agree with one another. Why? With all their sophisticated equipment, one would think that the predictions should all be pretty much the same. But that is clearly not the case.

I have only one thing which can sway my opinion one way or the other. My body parts! Although aching somewhat, my knee is not screaming at me YET. If it starts to, I am going to batten down the hatches and the rest of the more experienced and educated naysayers  will just have to forgive my foolish paranoia. I am a coward when it comes to mother nature. She can be full of nasty surprises when she decides we are becoming too sure of ourselves.

I was laughed at last November when I told people to keep an eye out for TD 16. It became Hurricane (backdoor) Lenny which did a great deal of damage in the Caribbean and some isand (St Martin for instance) are still cleaning up the mess. I was scoffed at when I boarded up the house prior to Bertha in 1996.  The eye of that "smallish" hurricane thundered through here in July (which had been unheard of until then) and passed directly over Tortola. I was told by a lot of "experts" and folks who have lived here a long, long time that neither one of them were any threat at all. In both cases, my knee told me very differently. Thankfully, I paid attention to my knee and was well prepared just in case.

I can't say that the BVI will be hit by Alberto, but my body is telling me that we won't necessarily escape its affects either. It is the degree to which we will be affected that matters and I don't think anyone ... not even the experts can predict that. We are just a speck in the ocean.

Since it is only the validity of an aching knee which gives me pause for concern and upon which I base my prophecies ... I expect I will be made fun of once again. So be it. I'd rather be wrong anyway.

Latest update for 11:00 a.m. shows the hurricane is still 1000 miles away from the Leeward Islands so much can still happen to divert it north. Don't change your travel plans yet!

Wind Force: 80 MPH
17.4 N
45.9 W
Travelling at 13MPH
29.06 MB


In the meantime, keep a good thought!
Kind regards,
Liane

All-In-One BVI Vacations
Bareboat and Crewed Yacht Charters
http://www.bvivacations.com
http://www.bareboatsbvi.com
Phone/Fax: (284) 495-4168

- <no subject>
  • From: "Liane" <bvivacations AT surfbvi.com>
  • Date: Mon, 07 Aug 2000 23:37:47 -0400
Hi Everyone,

The 11:00 p.m. report for Alberto was at 16.7 N and 44.0 W. Although many
people have reassured me that it is headed north, I am not really convinced
... at least not yet. I haven't seen any vast changes in the direction of
this hurricane. It has only gone .7 degrees north since yesterday morning
and that's not enough to convince me that Alberto will head north and burn
itself out in the mid Atlantic. I've seen hurricanes do dipsy doodles in the
past. It could go either way and it could come straight across in a westerly
direction ... which would be most unwelcome. It is still too soon to make
any solid determinations as far as I'm concerned, although I truly hope the
experts are right.

I will admit that for whatever reasons, my fingers and knee are feeling much
better today. Could be that the lousy weather we had yesterday caused the
aches and pains rather than any preliminary effects caused by Alberto.

A reader wrote me today inquiring as to why I felt I had to clean the house
in order to prepare for a hurricane??? She felt it seemed an odd thing to
do. I suppose if you've never been through it, the whole impact of the
aftermath of a hurricane is a mystery.

Its because if we are affected by this hurricane, we probably won't have
power for several days. After Lenny, it took a week or more on parts of
Tortola and we weren't really hit that hard! With the ongoing power problems
we have experienced on Tortola for the past 6 months, I hate to think what
it may be like with the added strain of downed power lines or transformers.
Who knows how long we could be without power? That means no vacuum, no water
(pump won't work) and no lights. I hate a dirty house ... so I started
cleaning from top to bottom just in case.

I'm waiting to see a REAL change in direction before I let down my guard.






All-In-One BVI Vacations
Bareboat and Crewed Yacht Charters
http://www.bvivacations.com
http://www.bareboatsbvi.com
Phone/Fax: (284) 495-4168


- Awful Albert
  • From: ASail4U AT aol.com
  • Date: Mon, 7 Aug 2000 14:36:52 EDT
    ...ALBERTO CONTINUING ITS TREK ACROSS THE OPEN ATLANTIC...
    THE 11 AM AST POSITION...16.3 N... 41.7 W.  
    MOVEMENT TOWARD...WEST NEAR 15 MPH.  
    MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS... 90 MPH. 
    MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE... 979 MB.
    HURRICANE FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO  25 MILES
FROM THE CENTER...AND TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 105 
MILES...165 KM.

    Well, folks, there are several things I don't like about this storm.  
First of all the unpolitically correct name has too many syllables to have 
fun with.  Now, Lefty Lenny, (last November)  that was nifty.  But what goes 
with ALBERTO?  Awful Albert sounds cutesy, but Awful Alberto?    It just 
doesn't click.  
    Anyhow, the next thing I don't like about Awful Albert is the hurricane 
force winds are 210 miles in DIAMETER.  That means we are bound to feel it 
come near us.  If the tropical wave passing us now brings these gusty winds, 
I can only imagine what comes next.
    To get the full effect, go look at my favorite satellite picture.  This 
is the best I have found thus far on the Internet.  If you look at mine and 
think you have one better, let me know.  
    The scary thing about this picture, is the scale of us to Awful Albert.  
The hurricane is bigger than my thumb nail, yet our island is smaller than a 
pin prick.
    Am I scared?  You bet.  By the way, I'm offering a great deal, on 
purchase of a 30'  sailboat.... If interested, email me.
    OK, here's my bestest link to the picture of Awful Albert, tell me if you 
find a better one.

http://www.intellicast.com/Tropical/World/UnitedStates/AtlanticAnalysis/

yours truly,

aSail4u AT aol.com
just a teeny tiny itsy bitsy dot, in a vast open ocean


- Monday August 6th, 2000
  • From: ASail4U AT aol.com
  • Date: Mon, 7 Aug 2000 11:05:53 EDT
Alberto.....
THE 5 AM AST POSITION...16.2 N... 40.3 W.  MOVEMENT
TOWARD...WEST-NORTHWEST NEAR 15 MPH.  MAXIMUM SUSTAINED
WINDS... 90 MPH.  MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE... 979 MB.

Even though the storm is quite a ways from us, today's local weather here on 
Tortola reminds me of pre-hurricane winds.  It is so gusty and breezy with a 
partial cloud cover.  Today I was going to dust at my home office, but now 
there is no need to at all, the wind is blowing at 35-40 knots and mother 
nature has dusted for me!

From ASail4u AT aol.com  
2000 miles from reality and where only hurricanes and hangovers make the 
difference!!!


- <no subject>
  • From: "Liane" <bvivacations AT surfbvi.com>
  • Date: Sun, 06 Aug 2000 10:04:08 -0400
Title: <no subject>
Hi folks,

I woke up this morning with aching fingers and my right knee throbbing. With dread in my heart, that was my cue to finally check out the weather sites. I haven't done that since last November when Lenny came knocking on our back door. Alberto's current track brought a deep moan from the pit of my stomach. Although still a long way off and recognizing the fact that anything could (and hopefully will) happen ... I don't like it one bit!

Alberto is taking what has become an all too familiar track. I plan to thoroughly clean the house, get my propane tanks filled, stock up on water, batteries and books and invite my friends over for a big BBQ. I just loaded my freezer with all sorts of goodies ... so this storm is no doubt my fault. I got too cocky. Sometimes, optimism doesn't pay.

The big August Festival parade is tomorrow. Maybe that will take our minds of the drudgery of hurricane preparations, if only for a while. We have about 5 or maybe 6 days (by my reckoning) before we get slammed ... if we get slammed. Lets hope for a really big pressure system to suddenly develop out there and blow this thing away!

Will keep you posted on what's happening at my end of Tortola.

Kind regards to all,
Liane Le Tendre

All-In-One BVI Vacations
Bareboat and Crewed Yacht Charters
http://www.bvivacations.com
http://www.bareboatsbvi.com
Phone/Fax: (284) 495-4168

- Saturday August 6th, 2000
  • From: ASail4U AT aol.com
  • Date: Sat, 5 Aug 2000 10:50:20 EDT
BULLETIN
TROPICAL STORM ALBERTO ADVISORY NUMBER   4
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MIAMI FL
11 PM AST FRI AUG 04 2000
    ...CORRECTED FOR MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...
    ...ALBERTO MOVING WEST-NORTHWESTWARD ACROSS THE EASTERN TROPICAL 
ATLANTIC...
    AT 11 PM AST...0300Z...THE CENTER OF TROPICAL STORM ALBERTO WAS LOCATED 
NEAR LATITUDE 13.4 NORTH...LONGITUDE  27.5 WEST OR ABOUT 235 MILES...380 
KM...WEST-SOUTHWEST OF THE SOUTHERN CAPE VERDE ISLANDS.

    Well, folks, Carnival is in full swing on Tortola.  Recent rains produced 
 impromptu swimming from booth to booth at the sometimes flooded carnival 
village.  Today the weather is balmy and breezy with sunshine.
    Stay tuned.....


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