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The Caribbean Hurricane PageUpdates from the Islands
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Date: Wed, 23 Sep 1998 08:24:38 -0500 From: David Arvelo (arvelo@cyberramp.net) Subject: Report from Mayaguez, Puerto Rico I finally got a hold of my Mom in Mayagüez this morning at 6:45. They are all still there, but very depressed since Georges devastated the island. They have no running water and no electricity, but the telephones are finally working. My Dad has the refrigerator and the freezer working off a generator and they are cooking with a propane stove. The wind caused most of the damage, but the water also threatened to enter the house. My Dad had sealed the downstairs doors and window with caulk, so the water did not come in that way. Still, my parents' bedroom on the second floor got water in through the cracks of the windows in the direction the wind was coming from. They told me that pretty much anything that was aluminum, car ports, awnings, gutters, etc., was wiped out. Mom also said that the outside molding of the kitchen door frame was ripped off by the winds. There is going to be a lot of work to be done to make the house the way it was. The trees that managed not to uproot have lost all their leaves (please note that this does not usually happen in PR even in the Fall Season). Mom was going to venture to Hormigueros to see if she could find my Aunt, her sister, and her family at the in-laws. Apparently, their phones are not working yet. She is not sure if she will be able to find a path that is not blocked by debris and fallen trees. I will call her back later to find out if she got a hold of the rest of the family. I still have not been able to reach my sister and brother that live with my father in Hatillo. David Arvelo (arvelo@cyberramp.net)
Date: Wed, 23 Sep 1998 09:54:05 +0200 From: "Quinones, Roberto K." (quinoner@unt11.eucom.mil) Subject: News from Ponce I last spoke to my mother in Ponce on 22 Sep 0100 AM, the information she gave me was that, this is the worst she has ever seen it in PR, more property damage and less loss of life, thank God, . The roads in Ponce are not accessible in the majority of the area, Tibes, La Yuca inaccessible. No lights, no water and as of this moment (23 Sep 0100 am no phone). Most folks in cement house where safe, majority of damage were to the wooden houses, lots and lots of debris all over the place as expected. They were awaiting the heavy rain to start, Warning of flash floods, Rio Chiquito, Portuguez, Tibes, La Yuca. People were smart enough to head for the shelters, last count 5,000 and climbing due to flash floods El Nuevo Dia is still on line, http//www.endi.com/ It might have helpful info. If anyone has any info on Ponce please let me know, I'll share all the info I get. Thank you, Robert Quinones from Germany
Date: Tue, 22 Sep 1998 21:31:16 -0700 From: William A. Gracey (wgracey@earthlink.net) Subject: News from family in Juncos Buenas noches from San Diego, CA. I was able to reach my sister in Juncos around 6:30 p.m. PST. As everyone has been saying, it was like nothing they have ever experienced before. She said when she saw a video of the devastation in P.R. on her portable t.v. it brought tears to her eyes. She is a school teacher and expects schools to be closed for the rest of the week, as many schoosl are being used as shelters. Almost all of her trees were destroyed including a giant Flamboyan which lost all of its branches. They are on high ground, but during the night she and her family felt they were about to lose their house. They did experience a crack in one of their walls, but the house held even though everything, including beds is wet. Fortunately, they are safe. Reports are that those who live in Arecibo (including our elderly mother and other relatives) experienced major inundation. The area around the Burger King and the Pueblo market is under water, and it is expected to go even higher. Family reports are also in from Lares and all are o.k. there. To all of you who have not been able to reach your loved ones, please keep trying. I almost gave up because I heard that they have been telling people not to call. However, after I heard from a cousin in N.C. that she got through, I was able to contact family. Don't give up! We know they are o.k., but we won't rest easy until we hear their voices.
Date: Tue, 22 Sep 1998 23:46:35 -0300 From: Debra Vela (davela@caribe.net) Subject: Update Hi - Debra from San Juan. Okay, first of all, thank you everyone for your e-mails. Things are really bad here but not a lot of loss of life. So most of your loved ones are okay. Two deaths from heart attacks (not Georges-related) and maybe up to 10 more from remote areas. I'm running on laptop battery (had to go recharge at my client with generator today). Got to make this quick! Most of the island is without power and water. In my home, I've lost both. Where I'm staying, we've lost power. I'm updating by candlelight. Hopefully, tomorrow, I can purchase a generator. We're not expecting power restoration for 1 to 3 weeks. Thankfully, I have many friends with cisterns so I can shower. Water will take longer. We went out today to go to my house, locate propane, ice, etc. This island is devastated. I have never seen anything like this in my life (okay, so I've led a sheltered one!). We're all depressed, saddened, and just wanting to get on with our lives. The destruction is tremendous. We have trees, power lines, direction signs, light posts, signal lights, parts of buildings, signs, etc., etc., etc. all on the streets, roads, highways, building lots, whereever. Major damage. I've never seen anything like this. On the radio, they're saying San Juan was spared because we didn't really see the second side. Reporting on the radio, other parts of the island did see the second side; there was major damage to other parts of the island - Ponce, Mayaguez, etc. I have Consultants based there but no way to contact them. They should be okay, though - they were staying in concrete structures. However, there is major flooding - reports up to three feet of water in the flood zones and people having to be airlifted off their house roofs. There is no contact with Vieques, Culebra, San Tomas or San Croix, yet. Their phones (AT&T and CellOne) are down. It's over, for the intensity, but not for the damage. We're all pretty exhausted here (emotionally and physically). I am forever changed. Things I took for granted are no longer available to me (water, power, access, etc.). I just want to go back to work and play with my computers, have meetings, make deals, etc. Once again, I predict that all of your loved ones are safe, feeling the same way we are and just can't get ahold of you for reasons of downed phone lines, downed power lines, etc. Keep your hearts focused. We still believe in concrete down here!!! v.
Date: Tue, 22 Sep 1998 21:57:35 -0400 From: Peter J. Schmitt (mail@montesino.com) Subject: Report from Mayagüez I finally spoke with friends in Mayagüez about 20 minutes ago (9:30 AST 22 Sep 98). There is no power or water. There is extensive damage in Miradero (many houses lost their roofs) and flooding in Valle Hermosa. The worst part occurred after the eye passed over Mayagüez, approximately 4:00 am AST 22 Sept. Bella Vista Hospital lost their auxiliary power system at some point during the storm and may still be struggling to regain power. Centro Medico seems to be up and functioning. There are rumors that the eye exited directly over Cabo Rojo, which apparently has suffered extensive damage as well.
Date: Tue, 22 Sep 1998 20:21:25 EDT From: Jrhoads2u@aol.com Subject: * SALUDOS !!! * Hello friends from everywhere !! iii Saludos a todos !!! Just wanted to report in English and in Spanish (for the benefit of our bilingual people !! ) that I spoke with part of my family in San Juan: in the area of SUMMITT HILLS ... They are doing fine except for a lot of physical damage like fallen trees (some of them centenary trees !!) and fallen debris everywhere...In the interior of the island things are pretty bad with mudslides and floods, butone worker from the "Cruz Roja" (Red Cross) told me that it seems like people were well prepared and organized. We pray that they do fine...A good number of my family lives in Jayuya...and I have heard there was a tornado in this vicinity...Any news about this? My e-mail address is temporary and it is: Jrhoads2u@aol.com...and my name is Ana Robles Rhoads.....Please, let me know if you hear anything.... As usual our people are helping each other in this time of crises, putting aside their differences and worries. We are ONE BIG family...and even from the United States "mainland" we try to help out by Praying...for positive things and miracles to happen after this manifestation of Mother Nature's power... Saludos a nuestros hermanos y hermanas de las Islas de Puerto Rico y otras afectadas..... Yo acabo de hablar con parte de mi familia en San Juan (area de Summit Hills/ Guaynabo /) ....Ella me reporta que su area ha sido altamente afectada por los vientos, pero la mayoria han sido dan~os estructurales. Techos y planchas han sido elevadas por el viento, pero la gente ha estado preparada. Como siempre nuestra gente ha respondido con amor y bondad !! Nosotros en los Estados Unidos tambien nos acordamos de nuestras Islas queridas y elevamos una oracion por los damnificados y por todos aquellos que les hayan ayudado de una manera u otra...a comprender los designios de nuestra Madre Naturaleza... Les deseo muchas bendiciones. Tras la tempestad siempre reina la calma.. Adelante Islas hermanas !! Let's help and love each other !! We need it NOW! Mucho amor, -ana-
Date: Tue, 22 Sep 1998 18:49:12 -0300 From: Kristine (kristine@ctbctelecom.com.br) Subject: Fajardo Since sending info on Fajardo I have recieved this & another e-mail from the El Conquistador Resort [see Gina Macmillan's message -Gert] I was able to reach a friend in Fajardp who concurrs w/my edarlier report that the damage is far worse than Hugo- I have him checking on another friend of mine who has a corner apt in Dos Marinas. He tells me he lost 2 cars in the storm & says that any waterfront property w/o hurricane shutters is most probably destroyed. I am doing what I can think of to check on my liveaboard friends & the marinas. I would appreciate any info anyone else receives & will forward everything I am able to discover to this site-- I have a boat in St Thomas at LaVida Marina so I am particularily anxious for any info from or around Mangrove Lagoon. It seems so far that the losses have been primarily property related. I am PRAYING for the safety of the island of Hispaniola which has much less infrastructure & relief agencies available...
Date: Tue, 22 Sep 1998 17:31:29 -0400 From: Gina Macmillan (GMacmillan@ptanaka.com) Subject: El Conquistador Puerto Rico Resort OK HURRICANE GEORGES UPDATE DALLAS (September 22, 1998) With resort properties on Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, and St. Lucia (among other Caribbean islands), Wyndham has been impacted by Hurricane Georges. To the best of our knowledge, thankfully, no injuries or fatalities occurred at any Wyndham property as a result of Hurricane Georges. With regard to the El Conquistador Resort & Country Club in Fajardo, Puerto Rico specifically, it has been confirmed with Richard Cortese, general manager, who was contacted earlier today by phone around 11:00 AM CST, that the resort did not suffer any structural damage, but did suffer glass and landscape damage. Cortese said that all roofs at El Conquistador are intact, though there is some damage to ceramic tile roofing. He said that although some rooms will be out-of-service for repairs due to water damage, the resort should be fully functional within a few days. All 180 guests are safe, and a doctor was on-site to treat any injuries, although there were none. Guests are currently receiving three meals a day until the airports are re-opened and they can leave the island. Cortese said that the resort has hot and cold running water, electricity has been restored, and phone lines are back up and running. Brian Gamache, president of Wyndham's resort division, and John Kelly, corporate vice president of technical services, which oversees the design and construction department, are currently en route to Puerto Rico to personally assess the damage there. Wyndham will release additional statements as soon as more detailed information becomes available. Wyndham is able to confirm that there was no significant damage to the Wyndham Palmas del Mar Resort & Villas in Humacao, Puerto Rico or to the Wyndham Morgan Bay Resort on St. Lucia.
Date: Tue, 22 Sep 1998 17:13:11 -0400 From: Jorge L. Belendez (belendez@caribe.net) Subject: PUERTO RICO, LA ISLA DEL ENCANTO IS ONE BIG, INCREDIBLE DISASTER AREA, BUT IT'S ALSO PUERTO RICO AT ITS BEST... EVERYBODY HELPING EVRYBODY. Dear Family and dear Friends: I am writing this in English so that all of you can understand this very important and VERY recent information. We must bear in mind that ALL the Island of Puerto Rico has been hit and hit badly. To give you an idea, I am a former Army Commissioned Officer in the Army, and by nature am not alarmed easily. But I was somewhat concerned when in the Condominium that I live, in an eight floor of 21 floors, I could clearly and distinctly feel the WHOLE building swinging laterally. And this is a well made, strong building but one could FEEL the lateral movement from side to side when the enormous wind gusts would come. And you can imagine the vibration of the windows, that felt like they would give in at any moment. When one considers the fact that this hurricane was a few days before hitting the Island a Category FIVE (150 pmh) and it was barely a THREE (110 mph) when it got here, I can not even begin to imagine what the results would have been had it been a 150 mph event... There seems to be thousands of persons in the different local shelters but the total number have not been yet, strangely, compiled by the central government. The electrical infrastructure has been GRAVELY damaged. As is also the ecological damage which is of epic proportions. Dead animal, trees, agriculture, rivers, lakes, the coast has been also affected. Agriculture has been MATERIALLY affected. A visual helicopter view revealed that the damage to the agriculture has been of enormous proportions. This is also more relevant since the Dominican Republic, our nearest supplier will also be materially affected. Here are some specific, albeit spotty information: SAN JUAN: --------- ALL the island has been hit very badly. However it seems that both the San Juan Municipal government is VERY well organized and they seem to be on top of the situation... under the circumstances. The Mayor of San was just on the radio and made VERY specific comments of the different communities within Greatar San Juan Area WITH specific plan that were already being implemented. Mayor Sila Maria Calderon also mentioned that already she has initially destined $15,000,000 million dollars from MUNICIPAL FUNDS to start helping her constituency. She indicated this was just a preliminary municipal funding. She indicated this was not FEMA funds. She indicated that she was taking inmediate action prior to FEMA's subsecuent help. San Juan has suffered heavily in its infrastructure. The ecological damage has been incredible and many local streets are virtually impassable. RIO GRANDE: ----------- Mayor Mendez reported that they are taking damage info, just info, so that the individuals who have some damage to their property could make their claims to FEMA. He did not mention any specific help plans. Seems to be depending on the Central and Federal Government. When asked about water, he indicated that he was sure the Central Water Authority was going to take care of that problem. He seemed to have no real plan to specific help. PONCE: ------ Ponce seems to be fairly well under the circumstances. Ponce has a very dynamic Mayor who is a "hands on" leader. So his whole municipal force is under full alert and avtion. And what I have heard in the Radio has not mentioned many big problems in Ponce. The municipality, nevertheless seems to have suffered ample damage in all the infrastructure, housing and housing structures. CAROLINA: --------- Carolinas municipal government seems to be very active and the radio has not reported any critical problems. MAYAGUEZ: ---------- Is totally incommunicative even by phone. However, radio reports indicate that Mayaguez has suffered very heavily. AGUADA: -------- Nothing has been said on the town of Aguada. AGUADILLA: ----------- As of 10:00 PM last night Aguadilla had not felt anything at all. But telephone communication has not been successful today. CANOVANA: ----------- Has had ample flooding, that ranges from 1 to 4 feet of water in some places. The National Guard had to be called for the municipal personnel seems not to be able to cope with the situation. They are nevertheless working with the situation. CATANYO: --------- The Mayor of Catanyo indicated that his town seems to be ok. But it seemd to me that it was more a political statement than anything else. FAJARDO: -------- One of the most hard hit towns. Boats in the Fajardo area are in really bad shape. Even cars where blown away in the air on some places. The hospital has suffered strong damage. BAYAMON: --------- Nothing has been said on the radio about Bayamon. However during the strongest period of the Coliseum of the City of Bayamon, one of the largest in the Island, lost its ROOF. This is a BIG, modern structure that has thousand and thousands of seats and was being uses to park city government cars and even a Medivac Helicopter. All this information, however, is something VERY preliminary. We really have not a good idea because most of the roads are impassable, many towns are without telephone service, so the REAL information, the individual tragedies are still not known. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - All that tragic reality, however, is in inconceivable contrast with one fact. In the different communities, neighborhoods, buildings, streets, condominiums, one can see and FEEL the love, cooperation, concern and ACTION of a good, noble nation helping each other. It makes ones hair stand up, literally, hearing a concerned neighbor calling the radio station so that some doctor try to come and examine an elderly patient who is not feeling well. And hearing how people take into their homes, other people who they have never met before in their lives. Next door neighbors making supper for others and taking care of the young ones. People taking sick strangers to the hospitals. And dozens and dozens of Doctors making an impromptu group to visit AND provide free medical care, including hospitalization and ambulance transportation if need be. All free. In my Condominium, people who never participated in anything, offering their help or actually helping out in the different things that are needed. This is Puerto Rico at its best. It makes me extremely proud to be part of this nation we proudly, and rightly so, call Puerto Rico. Take care, Saludos, Jorge L. Belendez Belendez@caribe.net
[Tue, 22 Sep 1998 15:18EDT] - Rafael Carrillo forwarded me the following:
Hable con mi hermano via celular y me estuvo diciendo que la situacion en PR es de emergencia, no hay luz ni agua. La zona banccaria de Hato Rey ha sido bien afectada al punto que me dice que los critstales de edificios, aires acondicionados , escritorios volaron por los aires. En el area de Carolina por el hipodromo casas volaron, la de mi cunada volo completamente . En el area de Bayamon los tendidos elecricos y arboles quedaron portodas las vias[Tue, 22 Sep 1998 15:11EDT] - Lucero Irizarry reporting from Riverside, California:
I spoke with my family in Rio Piedras, Trujillo Alto y Carolina. Basically, the overall feeling is the same: Shocked, scared and thankful that the worst is over. You can feel the hurt in their voices...it wasn't easy. The worst damage that I was told about was the fallen and damaged roofs made out of wood, fallen trees, malfunctioning electrical cords, etc. In other areas, holding down a door for hours was the only way to prevent it from flying away, thus, allowing the water to invite itself in. Lot's of cleaning to do...and resting. No one slept last night, at least not peacefully. Let's keep praying -- because it truly was a blessing that everything turned out the way it did. It could've been much worse. Our families are alive. That's what counts. Let's pray now that enough support comes to Puerto Rico in due time.[Tue, 22 Sep 1998 13:52EDT] - Mariano Palmero reporting from Puerto Rico:
San Juan 12:00 noon, 9/22/98. Today we saw, for the first time, the reality of the destruction. Century old have been fallen, telephone lines, power lines, etc. I have seen many hurricanes in my life, among them David and Federick in the Dominican Republic in 1979 and Hugo in Perto Rico in 1989; I may say, this has been one of the worst to hit our beautiful islands. We still don't know the extension of the destruction, but they are very heavy and costly. Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic and, perhaps, Haiti, will be needing all the help they can get. Thank you all for your prayers. You may want to know they really worked. We are all safe and with minimum damages. God bless you all.[Tue, 22 Sep 1998 13:32EDT] - Jorge L. Belendez reporting from Puerto Rico:
Well, we are alive. The damage has been extreme. As many of you know, Hurricane Georges entered Puerto Rico someplace in the East Coast and exited on the West Coast. Puerto Rico is 35 x 105 miles so the whole Island was REALLY clobbered. Absolutely NOBODY was spared as the hurricane was much largest than the whole Island. Some of the towns are incomunicated. Evidently the lines are physically down. The international lines are also very congested. The authorities indicate that the electricity will be down for AT LEAST two weeks. My family is OK. There is are no "big" problems and we all safe. The local radio stations are reporting that the devastation to the infrastructure is very heavily damaged. But since this thing has been over for scarcely for six hours the assessment is really very preliminary. To most places the local authorities have not been able to reach as most of the roads to the rural sections are completely blocked not only by trees but also by electric poles and lines. So that will take some days. On the other hand, the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) has not as of now (12:50 PM) has NOT given the ok for ANY flights (helicopters) to take of. To give you an idea of how things were, the Coliseum of the City of Bayamon, one of the largest in the Island, lost its ROOF. This is a BIG, modern structure that has thousand and thousands of seats and was being uses to park city government cars and even a Medivac Helicopter. I will let you know more details as they become available. Once the roads are cleared, the full extent of the overall damage will be known. I am afraid that the results are of really historic proportions, as compared not only to local events but events to the whole world.[Tue, 22 Sep 1998 14:03EDT] - Kristine Hanson Avilés relaying information from a phone conversation:
We lived in Fajardo for 6 years and have friends living onboard boats there in Isleta Marina, Marina Del Rey& Villa Marina, as well as in Dos Marinas Condominiums. This morning I talked to my in-laws in Vega Baja (North central PR) - they are fine & the damage is manageable, the news from Fajardo however, is very bad. The roof on the El Conquistador Hotel & Casino is gone, ALL the marinas are completely trashed & Dos Marinas Condominiums are only concrete skeletons... they are saying it is MUCH MUCH worse than the damage from Hugo.[Tue, 22 Sep 1998 13:03EDT] - José M. Mejías Meléndez reporting from Manatí, Puerto Rico:
Oh my God! Hurricane Georges affected the whole island during last night and this morning. Now, we are under heavy rain. I'm working here with a personal power unit. Puerto Rico is under an emergency situation right now. Georges was terrific.[Tue, 22 Sep 1998 12:51EDT] - The Funkhousers reporting from Isabela, Puerto Rico:
I talked to my sister in San Juan over the phone. The center of the island is without telephone service and the roads are impassable due to landslides and floods. The Rio Grande de Arecibo had gone over the San Juan-Arecibo highway and they were bracing themselves for a wall of water coming down from the mountains from the Dos Bocas lake. Unfortunately it seems as if things are far from over because of the heavy rain.[Tue, 22 Sep 1998 02:00EDT] - Jose Cruz reporting from Isabela, Puerto Rico:
Current Time : 1:50 AM Tuesday Morning, I won't forget last six hours of my live. It is something new, emotional, exiting, scare, frighten... Spent five hours or so on a area that has been beaten by the fury of a hurricane is a experience that will live in my memories for years to come. The winds has been starting to loose intensity but gusts made them feel as strong as they were between 11:00 and 1:00 AM when the fury was experience were I leave at the north-west part of the Island. Looking through the window like a felt like a little child amaze seeing things that I thought impossible in my live. For those of you that have relatives around this part of the Island I can tell that if they were on concrete houses they were 100% secure. Otherwise I have heard on local news that many wood houses are topless due the intense gusts of this hurricane. I have heard also that one mother deliver today her child and I was wondering that if it was a boy guess which will be his name. I will go now due I am on energy conservation mode " batteries" but I will resume once the winds and the sky clears. For those of you that have been following this communication, my intention is only to keep all of you informed not to make anyone panic. I will like to make clear that regardless of the hurricane strength if your relatives were on a safe place or shelter I really shure that they are OK. My neiborgh is one of those irresponsible guys that leave on a really old wood house and take no precautions at all and guess what... His house stills there... I was amaze when I saw it a little while ago trough my window.[Tue, 22 Sep 1998 01:44EDT] - Debra Vela reporting from San Juan, Puerto Rico:
It's approximately 1:30am here. I fell asleep. I guess out of nervous tension and all. Almost out of batteries on everything. It's still howling but can tell it's going away. Rain, rain, rain, everywhere. Please tell all statesiders, they're families are probably safe! I'm still here, afterall. The streets are rivers. Power is out. I need to get to a generator tomorrow to recharge. I feel safe. The fierce winds are not so fierce now. Still blowing but not as bad. What an experience. Our phones are still up - just spoke to my mom. I do not ever want to relive something like this. Once is more than enough. Thanks for all prayers and wishes. I am receiving e-mails but cannot repond until we have power. Heard on the radio a few hours ago that there have been 3 deaths in Caguas due to a building collapse. Friends staying in hotels are reporting that they are staying in hallways because windows have all blown out - these are tourist hotels - I almost went there - figured they were a little safer. Guess not. Wow. If you never have to do this, don't.[Mon, 21 Sep 1998 22:50EDT] - Jose Cruz reporting from Isabela, Puerto Rico:
Current time : 10: 48 P.M. ET Right now my house feels like is been shake and it is an amazing feeling. The eye of the storm was located at 9:00 PM at 18.2 N / 66.4 W right over Coamo Puerto Rico. At this very moment I am feeling what the south soth-east part of the Island feel around two hours ago and it is very hard to tell. My intention with this communication is not to scare anyone but to keep all of you posted of whats going on with real time information. The winds are impressive, I try around 15 minutes ago to went to the balcony of my home but the gusts are so strong that my knees start to shake not only by fear but I barely can stand against the wind. Isabela as the northwest part of the is been beaten heavily but I feel that we well safe... I have to go now just to save some power for the action later on...[Mon, 21 Sep 1998 22:56EDT] - Steven Sabo reporting from Puerto Rico:
Here in San Juan the eye has passed over and we are now in the path of the heavy rain. Between 6:00 and 9:00 pm things were rough as trees and branches were flying everywhere. Now that it is over, as far as the heavy winds, we will wait til tomorrow to see the damage that this strong hurricane has left in its path. This is going to be an ugly picture as the sun appears tomorrow. Good luck to all our friends in the other islands as the hurricane nears their islands.[Mon, 21 Sep 1998 22:15EDT] - Just got off the phone with Rafael Buxeda Díaz. It was dead calm in San Juan. The eye of the storm. Let me try to recapitulate what he told me. At 7:30PM there were 20,100 Puerto Ricans in a total of 376 shelters spread over the 76 townships. Since most people have a tendency to stay at their homes as long as possible to protect it, he thinks that an additional 5,000 people will seek refuge in the shelters, when the flooding really starts... The TV Station is still off the air, apparently the studio transmitter link is broken. Official windspeed at San Juan is 93 mph. At the Roosevelt Naval Station gusts up to 107mph. Of the 1,300,000 people served by the PR Powerworks 650,000 have currently no power (he is one of them). Phones are pretty much functional. Only 3% seems to be down. Beepers served by the PR Phone Company are out of service, but cellular phones still work as well. The islands on the East side, Vieques and Culebra are disconnected from PR. There are reports of damage to the passenger terminal at the International Airport. The regional hospitals in Fajardo and Humacao suffered damages but are not closed. The western side of Puerto Rico should start feeling Tropical Storm winds soon. Up till now there hasn't been that much rain, he didn't know about the tail, but I told him that according to radar images that there is a lot more rain ahead. It is inevitable that rivers will go out of there banks and widespread urban flooding will take place. Comparing Georges to Hugo: Hugo, with 70 mph winds, was not even a hurricane when it went over PR (although 90 mph winds were measured in the eastern harbour town Fajardo. This storm has sustained winds of 90-95mph and is moving over the whole island from east to west. So, this will be worse than Hugo... But we'll see. For the rest he is doing well. Eating his cookies. The cat is doing fine as well! He has heard some rumors of fatalities, but he keeps it at rumors. If people outside PR are worried about specific friends on the Island, and if you cannot in contact with them, try the hurricane correspondents below. They will try their best... Currently Rafael is getting ready for the second half...
Earlier reports have been moved to this webpage.
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