- Updates from the Islands -

- - St.Lucia - -

- Beryl

By Louis Todor <ltodor at candw.lc>
Date: Tue, 2 Jul 2024 09:55:14 -0400

Hi Gert,


I hope you're well, we haven't had contact for a long time...

Beryl came and gone without major incident, well at least around here inthe south of the island.

Prior to its arrival there were plenty of warnings, grocery shops werefull on Saturday, probably even on Sunday.

The storm arrived on Sunday night, there were some medium to heavy, butshort showers with winds that usually accompany these showers, butnowhere near hurricane strength. ...and that is how the rest of Mondaywent, later in the day the showers and the winds became more heavy,peaking at around early afternoon time. Everything gone more or lessquiet by the evening.The country was under a soft lock-down, people were advised not to leavetheir home.

My conclusion is that this one was much milder then 'advertised' whichis always good news.

Another wave is heading our way, currently 1000 miles away with 20-30%chance of formation...


Best regards,

Louis

- Beryl to the west .

By Chris Reed <reedprincess at hotmail.com>
Date: Mon, 01 Jul 2024 22:15:52 -0400

As if 8pm, the tropical storm warning and watches have been discontinued for St Lucia.

Beryl is well tomorrow west already, although we'll likely experience some lighter outer bands.

The All Clear should come at 5am July 2. Govt offices and local businesses are all due to open as usual July 2. School is closed til July 3.

Airport should be open as usual.

We made it through another folks!!

Stay safe out there....

- Bye Bye Beryl

By Chris Reed <reedprincess at hotmail.com>
Date: Mon, 01 Jul 2024 20:13:10 -0400

8:00pm

Well, Beryl has basically cleared our area.

And in the aftermath - it appears, so far at least, that damages were relatively minor.. flooding, of course. Roofs off in areas and trees down in areas, and debris, of course. Limited power outages around the island, and internet stayed up for basically the duration.....

But overall - doesn't seem to be the potential devastating damages that were anticipated if Beryl has been further north...

The official all clear has not yet been issued, I suspect in another hour or so.. and then we'll have a fuller picture .

Overall - we were spared, for sure..

Our southernly neighbors - damn. We're here for you..

Stay safe out there..

- Heavy winds and rain

By Susan Beckwith <suebeckwith123 at gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 1 Jul 2024 12:15:38 -0400

Luckily we are on the outer edges of Beryl, which I hear has turned into a cat 5 or high cat 4. I can see why as we are quiet a way from the eye. I have trees down and debris everywhere and its not stopping yet.

The boats in the bay are faring well as they are well protected. I think their worst problem is keeping dry.

We are so lucky, prayers for our neighbours in Grenada and St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Sue Beckwith - Owner Roots Bars - Marigot Bay, St Lucia.

- Saint Lucia WX

By J69DS at winlink.org
Date: Mon, 01 Jul 2024 14:12:00 -0000

Update,

Power outages in Saint Vincent now happening
Seen some videos where loss of roof down in the Grenadines etc
They are in the midst of it all
Spoke with operators in Kingston and along the East coast of svg and both are 
still on air but experiencing hurricane type winds and rains of course.
J88CU lost his OCF antenna from the high winds. He has a second antenna up and 
on battery power now.

Here currently is quiet a few gusts of wind and rain is just a drizzle at this 
point
Well it was drizzle it just tarted pouring again
Strong gusty winds from the south currently,

The current update from NHC at 10 am:


WTNT62 KNHC 011358
TCUAT2

Hurricane Beryl Tropical Cyclone Update
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL       AL022024
1000 AM AST Mon Jul 1 2024

...EYEWALL OF EXTREMELY DANGEROUS CATEGORY 4 BERYL NEARING THE 
SOUTHERN WINDWARD ISLANDS...
...1000 AM AST POSITION UPDATE...

Beryl is nearing the southern Windward Islands and expected to make 
landfall within the next hour or two. This is an extremely dangerous 
and life-threatening situation. Take action now to protect your 
life! Residents in the Grenadine Islands and Carriacou Island should 
not leave their shelter as winds will rapidly increase within the 
eyewall of Beryl. Remain in place through the passage of these 
life-threatening conditions and do not venture out in the eye of the 
storm.

A weather station located in Barbados at Grantley Adams 
International Airport recently reported a sustained wind of 52 mph 
(83 km/h) and a gust of 69 mph (111 km/h).


SUMMARY OF 1000 AM AST...1400 UTC...INFORMATION
-----------------------------------------------
LOCATION...12.2N 61.0W
ABOUT 50 MI...75 KM E OF GRENADA
ABOUT 25 MI...40 SE ESE OF CARRIACOU ISLAND
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...130 MPH...215 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT...WNW OR 285 DEGREES AT 20 MPH...31 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...956 MB...28.23 INCHES

$$
Forecaster Kelly/Cangialosi



Frans J69DS [J62DX]
VHF: 145.530 [203.5] / 146.520
HH Mobile   : 50370 
HoIP Mobile: 100412

Echolink J62DX-R
AllStar 51686 [HoIP 15035 / HH 94034 ]
DMR TGIF 4201
HF 3815 / 7188
Packet Aprs and Winlink Gateway: J62DX-10 on 145.050 Mhz

- Saint Lucia WX

By J69DS at winlink.org
Date: Mon, 01 Jul 2024 12:48:00 -0000

Good morning 

a bit of wind now up here. strong gusts..
Raining heavily now as expected ... likely to continue for a while also.
Looking at the Sat images it is making its way into grenada/Grenadines

Still no mains power, The isp Flow has no backup power to any node to makes no 
difference to power up the modem.

Speaking to all our friends down Saint Vincent and Grenada and all are ok so 
far..


Frans J69DS [J62DX]
VHF: 145.530 [203.5] / 146.520
HH Mobile   : 50370 
HoIP Mobile: 100412

Echolink J62DX-R
AllStar 51686 [HoIP 15035 ]
DMR TGIF 4201
HF 3815 / 7160
Packet Aprs and Winlink Gateway: J62DX-10 on 145.050 Mhz

- Beryl in Soufriere

By nada sonia <nadasonia825 at gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 1 Jul 2024 08:34:40 -0400

Good morning StormCarib readers,

Thanking God for blessings so far, Saint Lucia has had a rather dry start to Beryl with few wind gusts.

It is currently raining in Soufriere with some of the stronger gusts.

A few residents have reported fallen banana plants, broken tree limbs and downed power lines.

Saying prayers for us all in Beryl's path.

Stay safe everyone.

- Beryl in action

By Chris Reed <reedprincess at hotmail.com>
Date: Mon, 01 Jul 2024 08:14:57 -0400

Well, it was a remarkably quiet night in the south

We actually could do some stargazing!

We kept power all night, which was very welcome indeed.. (sorry you're out already though J69DS)

Currently, overcast and experiencing some off and in heavy squalls, but nothing too bad at all. More like a strong tropical wave than a hurricane - so far.

The main event is essentially beginning and looks like 6-8 hours or so of a showtime - unless this "lady" stalls out over some terrain (worst case scenario).

I'll post as I can

Stay safe out there.

- Saint Lucia WX

By J69DS at winlink.org
Date: Mon, 01 Jul 2024 10:16:00 -0000

Hi 

So as was predicted Beryl is still on the same oath down to the Grenadines

Here in North Saint Lucia nothing ontowards overnight, grey weather, some rains 
ocassional heavy showers.
a few gusts of wind but nothing serious though

Beryl still at 59.9 so just about to cross the Grenadines and Grenada. 

Our general area has been without power since 11 pm last evening, lucelec will 
not come out till the all clear has been given...
Likely a branch fell on a line or something so.

Keep it safe all yuh

Frans J69DS [J62DX]
VHF: 145.530 [203.5] / 146.520
HH Mobile   : 50370 
HoIP Mobile: 100412

Echolink J62DX-R
AllStar 51686 [HoIP 15035]
DMR TGIF 4201
HF 3815 / 7160
Packet Aprs and Winlink Gateway: J62DX-10 on 145.050 Mhz

- Beryl the Beast

By Chris Reed <reedprincess at hotmail.com>
Date: Mon, 01 Jul 2024 02:50:44 -0400

Well, 2:45am and basically - all is still clear here in SLU.

I expect the main event will kick off later this morning...

With Beryl's slight southern wobble - so far - we're looking a little clearer here in SLU as far as wind strength and rain amounts.. both look to be lower than originally estimated.

Still ridiculously dangerous levels of both, but perhaps not as completely catastrophic as thought even 12-14 hours ago..

It appears that people have taken the warnings and shutdown seriously.... It's eerie not hearing any road noise or music drifting over the wind..

We have had a couple easy short rain squalls so far and that's about it here in VF... Heck, around 11pm, I could see stars on the sky!

We're hunkered down and as ready as can be. I'll update as I can... Definitely thankful for J69DS, who will hopefully be able to provide updates throughout even if - no, when, - Digicel and Flow go down... I'll just have to read them later, lol.

Anyways, off to catch a few winks before the show begins..

Stay safe out there...

- Saint Lucia WX

By J69DS at winlink.org
Date: Sun, 30 Jun 2024 22:33:00 -0000

Hi All,

So this Beryl is barreling down on the Grenadines as a cat 4!
I am hoping it does not go for a five.

All loose stuff here is secured as best as possible.

It has been real hot all day, the calm before the storm indeed
I will stream as long as we have power tonight. 
We should be allright, this hurricane is passing well south of SVG, however I 
feel sorry for the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada it is coming 
right at the grenadines.
By Tomorrow midday we will know what is what.

I will post here as time goes along. I am not dependent on Flow or Digicel for 
my email.

This message is sent out over Amateur Radio
No electrons were harmed in the sending of this message

Frans J69DS [J62DX]
VHF: 145.530 [203.5] / 146.520
HH Mobile   : 50370 
HoIP Mobile: 100412

Echolink J62DX-R
AllStar 51686 [HoIP 15035 ]

HF 3815 / 7160 CEWN daily 10:30 UTC and 22:30 UTC
Packet Aprs and Winlink Gateway: J62DX-10 on 145.050 Mhz

- Beryl the B!tch

By Chris Reed <reedprincess at hotmail.com>
Date: Sun, 30 Jun 2024 12:08:26 -0400

Dang!

Hurricane Beryl has officially made category 4! WTF.

This is, by far, the strongest to be bearing down on the Windwards in modern history..

Allen was a 2, and the memories of that are sreing. Debbie was only a TS - and boy, memories of that are strong! The damages from those two were devastating..

Our infrastructure has improved - somewhat - but a 4? That's unprecedented and unknown.

Preparations are frenzied across the island .

WASCO, our water company, is turning off rhe system around noon today.

Who knows how long power and cell will continue tonight.

Airport is shut from 7pm today.

Island wide shutdown til all clear from 8:30pm today (except essential personnel)

Grocery is open til 6 (extremely unusual).

Sandbags are our, towels are down, buckets are filled (or emptied accordingly), basins and sinks and anything else that can store water is filled, etc.

Honestly - while it's currently fairly decent outside - it's definitely the calm before the storm...

The mood around here - ranging from pensive to downright terrified..

And we still have tourists coming in today who have no idea! 🤦🏻‍♀️. And tourists on island who think it'll be a weather wash for a day but all back to usual by Tuesday. Insane.

Will update as possible...(In Vieux Fort, BTW).

Stay safe out there....

- Saint Lucia WX

By J69DS at winlink.org
Date: Sun, 30 Jun 2024 10:54:00 -0000

Good morning all

Berryl is just bad news allright
Sue you are sure correct, some just shrug it off indeed!

But today I will take down the big antennae on the roof here, leaving only 
wires up.
Secure all around the house, tie down, put away and clean up as much as is 
possible.

At the rate Berryl is growing we (Saint Lucia) are not in the clear by any 
means I think, a little bump and it will be on us.

Current WX is cloudy, some rain overnight, with a light breeze right now.
Links to WX info:
https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/
https://www.star.nesdis.noaa.gov/GOES/sector.php?sat=G16&sector=taw
https://www.tropicaltidbits.com/storminfo/

73, regards,

Frans J69DS

This message is sent out over Amateur Radio
No electrons were harmed in the sending of this message

Frans J69DS [J62DX]
VHF: 145.530 [203.5] / 146.520
HH Mobile   : 50370 
HoIP Mobile: 100412

Echolink J62DX-R
AllStar 51686 [HoIP 15035 / HH 94034 ]
DMR TGIF 4201
HF 3815 / 7160 CEWN daily 10:30 UTC and 22:30 UTC
Packet Aprs and Winlink Gateway: J62DX-10 on 145.050 Mhz

- Hurricane Beryl

By Susan Beckwith <suebeckwith123 at gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 29 Jun 2024 19:57:28 -0400

We are all prepping for Beryl here in St Lucia, I say all, not everyone, some just shrug it off and basically say what will be, will be. I wish in some ways I could be like that. Today I managed to get a guy to go on my roof and screw down my old galvanised and replace pieces that were rotten. Not sure it will hold in a Cat 3 storm but you have to try, tomorrow morning I will be bagging everything. The marina is filling up with yachts and boats tying up to the mangroves as Marigot is a natural hurricane hole. I just pray that we get through it with little damage, I read that on current predictions we will be 70 miles north of the eye, I do hope that it is more, thinking of our friends in St VIncent and Islands farther south.

Keep safe everyone!

Sue Beckwith - Owner Roots Bars, St Lucia.

- Saint Lucia WX

By J69DS at winlink.org
Date: Sat, 29 Jun 2024 13:27:00 -0000

Hi All,

Greyish weather here this morning on on the plateau mountain

am Still not convinced I need to take my hf antennae down... will keep an eye 
on this Beryl out there...
Either way we go get a load of rain and some stiff winds, and maybe a bit more 
than stiff winds eh...

Play it safe all yuh: secure stuff around the outside and just be ready .. just 
in case eh.

This message is sent out over Amateur Radio
No electrons were harmed in the sending of this message

Frans J69DS [J62DX]
VHF: 145.530 [203.5] / 146.520
HH Mobile   : 50370 
HoIP Mobile: 100412

Echolink J62DX-R
AllStar 51686 [HoIP 15035 / HH 94034 ]
DMR TGIF 4201
HF 3815 / 7160
Packet Aprs and Winlink Gateway: J62DX-10 on 145.050 Mhz

- Upcoming storm

By Chris Reed <reedprincess at hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, 28 Jun 2024 10:52:31 -0400

Well, it's that time of year again and voila - yup, a potential tropical storm by Monday heading straight for us, currently.

This is quite early in the season for a storm this far south - and those ridiculously high sea temperatures are really not helping... Lots of moisture to fuel the fire, so to speak...

Should be in our vicinity by late Sunday night/early Monday morning and fine by Monday night/early Tuesday.

Currently, looks mostly like a rain event. We've had some solid rains off and on for the past couple weeks, so at least the ground is not hard pack and dry and unable to absorb any moisture.. but too much rain, and flooding/rivers overflowing and mudslides become the concern..

All eyes are definitely monitoring this one - it's unusual this early in the season and it has the potential to ramp up quickly. We're all stocked up and ready to ride it out... If you're not stocked and prepped, do so now! This season looks to be quite active!

Stay safe out there!

- Saint Lucia WX

By J69DS at winlink.org
Date: Sat, 01 Jun 2024 17:35:00 -0000

Hi All,

Rains over the last week have been welcome and not excessive in my area 
(Plateau)
Time for us to go over the preps for the season (although we should always be 
ready)

Amateur Radio Operators Emergency Preparedness Plan as compiled by J73WA Wayne:
https://www.qsl.net/cewn/pdf/Amateur_Radio_Disaster_Plan.pdf
This a good plan albeit geared toward Amateur Radio Operators, but it applies 
equelly to anybody.

Caribbean Emergency and Weather Net runs daily at 6:30 and 18:30 local time 
in the morning on 7.160 MHz Lower side band
In the evening on 3.815 MHz Lower side band


Frans J69DS [J62DX]
VHF: 145.530 [203.5] / 146.520
HH Mobile   : 50370 
HoIP Mobile: 100412

Echolink J62DX-R
AllStar 51686 [HoIP 15035 / HH 94034 ]
DMR TGIF 4201
HF 3815 / 7188
Packet Aprs and Winlink Gateway: J62DX-10 on 145.050 Mhz

- Thunder and lightning

By Susan Beckwith <suebeckwith123 at gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 26 May 2024 08:57:18 -0400

I was woken up in the night by liod thunder and heavy rain. This has been almost continuous it's bringing us much needed rain. It's also a relief in a way not to have the continuous baking heat.

Gearing up for a higher than average hurricane season, so they say.

Keep safe.

Sue

Susan Beckwith, owner Roots Bars, St Lucia.

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