The Caribbean Hurricane Page

Updates from the Islands

- - Curaçao - -

• From: Fred Capello <fcapello AT cura.net>
• Date: Tue, 16 Nov 1999 21:50:52 -0400

Hurricane Lenny moved from west to east over the central Caribbean Sea
and stayed well to the north of the A-B-C islands (Aruba, Bonaire and
Curaçao). Moderate to strong southwesterlies and later westerlies were
observed on all these three islands on Tuesday (November 16). These
winds and also the swells originating from Lenny caused unusually rough
seas on our south and west facing coasts. These coasts are normally
protected when the easterly trades blow.
Although boat owners and other marine interests had been warned since
Sunday, many people didn't take the threat of rough seas seriously. They
paid for it since many boats were destroyed. Some buildings (including
hotels) located very close to the shore were also damaged or even
destroyed in a few cases.
The expected rain stayed away until Tuesday evening. Some of the wet
stuff could still fall on parts of these islands as satellite pictures
were showing some convection developing to the west (of the islands).

Fred Capello.