- Updates from the Islands -

- - Vieques (PR) - -

- - - 2004 Hurricane Season - - -

- Update

From: "knotimpaired" <knotimpaired AT earthlink.net>
Date: Mon, 16 May 2005 20:14:57 -0400

Yesterday we ended up with a total of close to 2.5 inches. Today from 12:45 p.m. till now we have received 1.97 inches and we still have some
light rain on the radar so we will probably break the 2" mark again. The majority of this fell in the first hour.

As MJ in Culebra says, it is great for the grass and plants and the Coqui frogs are singing in harmony.

Ah, the pleasures of living in the tropics.

Karen & Lee

- Rain, rain, rain

From: "knotimpaired" <knotimpaired AT earthlink.net>
Date: Sun, 15 May 2005 07:44:40 -0400

While Vieques has been in a drought for months the skies have finally opened.....maybe too much.

Thursday we received .5" while on friday we recorded close to 1.5". Last night between 2-3 a.m. we received 2.32" and it is still early morning. The radar shows we are ready to get hit hard again with promises of rain all day.

While Vieques certainly needed the rain I'd say someone did the rain dance a little too long this time.

We'll report tomorrow the total rainfall for the day.

Karen & Lee

- Vieques drought

From: "knotimpaired" <knotimpaired AT earthlink.net>
Date: Wed, 30 Mar 2005 11:17:51 -0400

NOAA radio this morning announced that unless we get some rain today this will be the driest March on record since 1956.

Vieques has not had any recorded rainfall since January and as Culebra, we have had our share of fires. Daily there is at least one on the island and a few weeks ago we had a death in the barrio of Destino due to a fire.

On March 24th we happened to see smoke on the ridge close to where friends live and decided to go up to make sure everything was okay. The attached photos show a portion of the approx. 50 acre fire and some flames were in the range of 30' high. The Bomberos and Policia did a great job of containing the fire, waiting to use the precious water until the homes were in imminent danger then dousing the flames as they were within 10-15' of the homes. Their smart decisions enabled them to be saved.

Water is very scarce on the island. The water company is once again rationing, switching off the taps from barrio to barrio. Water trucks are coming over to fill up cisterns and barrels for residents but what we really need is a good old fashioned rain for a few days.

On a side note we were guests of the weather correspondent MJ Starke and her friend Linda in Culebra to attend the 1st Annual Culebra International Sailing Regatta a few weeks ago. We spent 3 wonderful days there and while it was crowded with sailors and visitors for the event everyone had a great time. We highly recommend a visit to Culebra and while you are there you may want to pick up some "Island Woman Hot Sauce" and/or "Island Woman Herbal Vinegars" that MJ sells on the island.

Fingers are crossed for rain soon. The only good side note to this drought is that there is little to no grass to mow.

DSCF0042.JPG
DSCF0019.JPG

- Update

From: "Vernon" <vernon AT coqui.net>
Date: Sun, 19 Dec 2004 19:53:55 -0400

Absolutely no problems with the weather. Very, Very nice. Diversified enough to make it interesting but not enough to take notice. No snow, no winds, little rain, no ice (Except out of the fridge.) 75 to 82 every day. Oh well! See you all next H season.

Vernon

- Update

From: "Vernon" <vernon AT coqui.net>
Date: Tue, 16 Nov 2004 23:18:18 -0400

Lots of strong winds. today. Yesterday the skies opened up and rained on us. So what?

The electric went off, we have had little city water, limited telephone service and we may not know who our elected officials are until December 22, 2004. Oh Yes! Gasoline is been up and none.

Of course we haven't run out of Rum.................. Yet. Pepsi? (not Coca cola) I've got a stock of it. ....... And 'season" is almost here..........

Vernon

Vieques

- Update

From: "Vernon" <vernon AT coqui.net>
Date: Wed, 10 Nov 2004 12:00:57 -0400

Ditto with MJStark in Culebra.

I'm locking down just in case.

Vernon

Vieques

- Post Jeanne

From: "Lee Vyborny" <lhv AT earthlink.net>
Date: Thu, 16 Sep 2004 18:18:05 -0400

Indeed, we are getting weather. The passage of Jeanne was interesting, but nothing extraordinary. However, since it passed by yesterday afternoon, we have been under a feeder band that is flowing around the high mountains of eastern Puerto Rico. We got 20 inches of rain by midnight – 6 inches between 11pm and twelve in a violent thunderstorm. Today we have received another 14 inches by 6pm and there is no end in sight. You can checkout the display and detail data at http://www.karenandlee.info/anonymous/viequesweather/indexnew.htm.

The weather station rain gauge seems to be working very well, but I am not sure about the wind velocity sensor. It has registered up to 26mph, but it seemed to me that the local winds were in the 35 to 40mph range. Unfortunately, when we lose power the wind data seems to be lost, whereas the rainfall data does get updated when we get the computer back on line. So perhaps there would be higher wind gust observances if we could stay online. I am looking into an emergency power system, but that is a few weeks away.

Karen and I remain high and dry, and we hope all are doing well on Culebra, Puerto Rico, and the other Virgin Islands under the persistent feeder band.

- Jeanne Approaching

From: "Lee Vyborny" <lhv AT earthlink.net>
Date: Wed, 15 Sep 2004 06:10:48 -0400

We have had a steady rain at a rate of Ľ inch per hour since 4:30. Winds have been light, but are now starting to gust.

Radar shows the center of Jeanne about 30 miles SE of our location on Vieques.

- Jeanne Approaching

From: "Lee Vyborny" <lhv AT earthlink.net>
Date: Wed, 15 Sep 2004 05:13:32 -0400

Steady rain starting at 4:30. Light winds so far with the barometer holding steady.

Radar shows the center just west of St. Croix – about 30 miles SE of our location on Vieques.

- Correction

From: "knotimpaired" <knotimpaired AT earthlink.net>
Date: Thu, 16 Sep 2004 01:26:44 -0400

A minor correction - yesterday we received a total of 20 inches of rain with 6 inches falling between 11pm and midnight.

But it is still falling so when it stops we will give you a final update from our weather station.

- Rain

From: "knotimpaired" <knotimpaired AT earthlink.net>
Date: Thu, 16 Sep 2004 01:12:43 -0400

Our weather station reported 9.53" of rain for yesterday and for the first hour of today we have 6.06". This is unbelievable.

An early tour of Isabel Segunda yesterday morning showed minor damage. We lost some large limbs from a balsam tree but it did no damage to our house.

We have power which is hard to believe since it has been on and off. At about 11:30 pm we had thunder and lightening that I have never experienced in my 45 years.

Our quebrada looks like a river and by looking at the radar it does not look like we will get any relief until maybe daybreak.

Since starting this email we have now received another 1.5" of rain.

- Jeanne Approaching

From: "Lee Vyborny" <lhv AT earthlink.net>
Date: Wed, 15 Sep 2004 05:12:41 -0400

Steady rain starting at 4:30. Light winds so far with the barometer holding steady.

Radar shows the center just west of St. Croix – about 30 miles SE of our location on Vieques.

- Jeanne Approaching

From: "Lee Vyborny" <lhv AT earthlink.net>
Date: Wed, 15 Sep 2004 06:42:37 -0400

We have had steady, increasing rain since 4:30. Winds have been light, but are now beginning to gust, and we had a brief power outage.

Radar shows the center of Jeanne about 30 Miles SSE of our location.

For Vieques weather details see http://www.karenandlee.info/anonymous/viequesweather/indexnew.htm. It will be up as long as we have power.

- Jeanne

From: "Lee Vyborny" <lhv AT earthlink.net>
Date: Tue, 14 Sep 2004 20:00:06 -0400

Vieques is becalmed and sweaty. The tropical cloudscape at sundown reminded me of the Philippines. Jeanne is currently clearly visible on the long-range radar loop – southeast of St Croix and moving slowly toward it.

I am not sure I agree with the projected track to the south of PR.

- Cayman residents

From: "knotimpaired" <knotimpaired AT earthlink.net>
Date: Sun, 12 Sep 2004 06:55:07 -0400

Vieques is thankful we were spared by Ivan but are most concerned as what is happening there.

Please advise as soon as possible the status of your islands and let us know what we can do to help.

- Host families

From: "knotimpaired" <knotimpaired AT earthlink.net>
Date: Thu, 9 Sep 2004 23:16:22 -0400

Our small island of Vieques has gathered together and are willing to host families from Grenada that would like to have a safe haven in their time of need.

We can be reached at:

787-556-9489

410-474-2417

Fax: 787-741-1256

Have anyone in need contact us and we will do our best to provide transport to Vieques and a shoulder until they can return.

Karen and Lee

- Vieques

From: "knotimpaired" <knotimpaired AT earthlink.net>
Date: Mon, 6 Sep 2004 07:22:42 -0400

Yesterday we received .96" of rain that was most welcome and our temp made it down to a refreshing 75.4 in the early afternoon. This morning we have basically no wind, our station shows a gust of 1 out of the east. Our barometer is at 30.07 with a 88% humidity rate.

We are keeping our fingers crossed for our neighbors to the south. It does not look good. Current forecast models show it well to our south on wednesday and thursday which obviously is very good news for Vieques, Culebra and the Virgin Islands but I also fear for western PR, DR and Haiti.

As far as news coverage on Ivan the only reason we are even being given updates at all is because they fear for Florida. Do not think they care about the islands. That is a misnomer. They only care about themselves.

Last but not least, local news???? News from the municipalities???? Let's get real, that is non-existent. They are not interested in informing us on anything. We have to fend for ourselves down here.

Sad, but true.

- photo

From: "Lee Vyborny" <lhv AT earthlink.net>
Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2004 19:34:34 -0400

2^nd try attaching photo taken at 6:40 pm.

- Photo

From: "Lee Vyborny" <lhv AT earthlink.net>
Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2004 19:15:18 -0400

Bad things can look nice when they leave.

- The kindest gesture we have ever seen

From: "knotimpaired" <knotimpaired AT earthlink.net>
Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2004 19:06:52 -0400

Today at about 1:30 pm we lost power here on Vieques.

Lee and I were blessed with neighbors who had lived on the island most of their lives, Ruth and Jesus Torres. From day one we have shared recipes, wisdom and seen each other through hardships such as the ferry not running when one of us had to get to PR for medical appointments to they being out of water for their horses and us providing that water for them. Jesus, who's nickname is Chu has decided that between the two of us he will improve his English and he will help me with my Spanish. His wife Ruth who also has a nickname, Lou, went to high school in Conn. so she tends to be the spokes person of the family.

Today at about 5 she stopped over asking if we were ok and wanted us to come stay with them at their home. Since all of us were in the same boat, re: lack of power I said no but asked her on advice on how long we could expect our food supply to last with lack of power. Her feelings were about 48 hours. After a big hug thanking them for being so kind within minutes they drove into our drive with a gift. Their generator.

They knew we work hard to give the outside world a weather station and we also work with the Coast Guard to help relay info so our computers and cell phones are important.

We asked why they would give such a generous gift at a time they needed it as much as us and they both just brushed it off saying they had made plenty of ice in advance and their food would be ok. But they have no lights now, depending on hurricane lamps. They have no TV while we do. They have given this special gift to us and I do not think there will be a day go by that Lee and I will think of ways to repay this kindness.

How two individuals can give up their means of escaping hardships is beyond our comprehension. Lee and I would have gladly done the same but it is rare to find such people.

We plan to buy the largest silent generator available and park it in between Lou and Chu's and another neighbors Norma who recently lost her husband to assure that we will all be safe in the future.

That said and done, our weather station is back up and as I said, till the day we are no longer on this earth we will be a constant support for these two people. How someone can just outright give their means of their only comfort to us.

- Update

From: "knotimpaired" <knotimpaired AT earthlink.net>
Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2004 17:37:20 -0400

Vieques experienced very little. I received an email from our sister island Culebra who confirms that they are also without power and they lost it the same time that we stated our outage was. Therefore the whole island must be out because we feed Culebras power.

I have emailed our Coast Guard connection in San Juan asking if this was a intentional outage or storm related but have not heard back.

Meanwhile we have hurricane lamps going in advance of darkness and as of about 3ish have taken down our hurricane shutters and opened the windows to enjoy the gentle breeze.

Radio 1030 is asking all residents to boil water for 5 minutes before using it..

Our weather station is still out but will keep in memory all weather that occurred

Hope everyone has fared well.

Karen

- Update

From: "knotimpaired" <knotimpaired AT earthlink.net>
Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2004 13:44:12 -0400

Bands are now starting to arrive via the west-southwest. Winds are not too high but the thunder is increasing.

Power went off at 1:20 pm therefore our weather station is down because we run off DSL that requires electric. I am using one of our cellphones to send this message. I am not sure if this is isolated or the whole island is without power.

About every hour we will power up our laptops and cells to send another message and to check email in case anyone is worried for a love one down here.

We have to admit the rain is welcome.

Lee ran into town to go to the post office and he said the supermarkets along with most other stores are closed.

Karen

- Site URL correction

From: "Lee Vyborny" <lhv AT earthlink.net>
Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2004 05:55:56 -0400

The link to Vieques weather is: http://www.karenandlee.info/anonymous/viequesweather/indexnew.htm

- Starting to feel the effects of Frances

From: "Lee Vyborny" <lhv AT earthlink.net>
Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2004 05:49:44 -0400

Good Morning:

The north side of Vieques is beginning to feel the effects of Hurricane Frances. Our weather station shows that the wind is building from the NW – an unusual direction, and the barometer is starting to drop.

Station data is posted to the internet and can be viewed at: http://www.karenandlee.info/anonymous/viequesweather

The station will record throughout the event, but should we lose power, posting to the internet will cease until power returns. Then the postings – including the data for missed period – will resume.

It appears that we will receive only Tropical Storm force winds on Vieques, but it will be interesting to observe the data as Frances passes.

Enjoy the show.

- Frances

From: "knotimpaired" <knotimpaired AT earthlink.net>
Date: Sat, 28 Aug 2004 08:53:17 -0400 (Atlantic Standard Time)

Obviously everyone between the Carib and the Eastern States are awaiting Frances. I have not chatted with our sister island Culebra this morning but hope they are bucking for for a ride.

It seems we will get some effect from the storm and the models are flip-flopping as to which direction she will go.

We are lucky to have helpers at our Casa this morning that are trimming trees but also will help us take our patio items to our Casita.

I think the National Hurricane Center may be hedging a bit on direction because of Charley. I also will note that the Weather Channel seems to be spending more time covering TD#7 than a full blown hurricane here in the islands.

Go figure. I guess us islanders are not important enough to worry about.

Last but not least, I will also bet that we do not get the coverage if Frances does devastate our islands.

- Storm Tracks

From: "knotimpaired" <knotimpaired AT earthlink.net>
Date: Fri, 27 Aug 2004 03:29:52 -0400 (Atlantic Standard Time)

Please see the attached storm tracks

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- Oops, we may be in trouble

From: "knotimpaired" <knotimpaired AT earthlink.net>
Date: Fri, 27 Aug 2004 03:20:26 -0400 (Atlantic Standard Time)

Predictions are running all around the map on Frances. After awakening at about 1:30 a.m. and hearing the crashing of waves (nothing to do with her) I could not go back to sleep. So what does one do? Look at the maps.

I am not sure we are out of the woods yet with her. The more I look, the worse it gets. Hugo devastated our Island in 1989 and now 2 models are showing it coming directly over us.

Those who live here in the islands or have interests here need to be on your toes. Vieques along with our sister island Culebra have enough problems to deal with. Frances is one we do not need.

- Update

From: "Vernon" <vernon AT coqui.net>
Date: Sat, 14 Aug 2004 19:27:28 -0400

Would someone please comment on what just passed south of the Cape Verde's.

Vernon

Vieques

- Vieques

From: "knotimpaired" <knotimpaired AT earthlink.net>
Date: Wed, 11 Aug 2004 17:44:24 -0400

The past few days have brought brisk winds here on the north coast of Vieques. Both Monday and Tuesday we had consistent winds averaging around 10 mph with gusts to 19+. Today our winds have been ranging from 8-12.

Our rain gage shows a measly .08 for the month. Our Island has also been without water for up to a month in some areas so everyone is conserving as much as possible so our lawns and gardens have been suffering.

I for one wish Charley had decided to visit a little closer for the benefit of the rain.

- Update

From: "Vernon" <vernon AT coqui.net>
Date: Tue, 3 Aug 2004 17:36:53 -0400

Looks like some rain and wind is coming..... Sorry, I don't have much technical stuff to share. Just looks like some rain and some wind is coming.

Vernon

- Update

From: "Vernon" <vernon AT coqui.net>
Date: Mon, 26 Jul 2004 21:06:28 -0400

What did the man from Curacao say? He's hoping to see some action in the following weeks..... Please tell me he doesn't mean a Cat. 4 or 5 Hurricane.

Vernon

- Tropical Wave info

From: "knotimpaired" <knotimpaired AT earthlink.net>
Date: Tue, 13 Jul 2004 06:43:58 -0400

The wave has passed our sleepy island with a torrent of thunder and lightning. We received 1.5 inches of rain which the island needed badly. Our peak temp was 88 with a low of 69 just after 1 pm. To view our live weather station or look at the history please go to http://karenandlee.info/anonymous/viequesweather/indexnew.htm

- First Report

From: "Lee Vyborny" <lhv AT earthlink.net>
Date: Sat, 10 Jul 2004 11:46:36 -0400

Good Day from Vieques:

We are experiencing a quiet morning weather wise. Temperatures are rising into the high 80s with the heat index in the mid 90s. Mild trade winds in the range of 8 to 12 mph and scattered clouds keep the island livable without A/C.

Karen