|
- - - 2008 Hurricane Season - - -
|
- Still feeling Ike's wind today
|
- From: Keyscouple at bellsouth.net
- Date: Wed, 10 Sep 2008 20:03:41 +0000
|
|
Good day to everyone,
I have been working all day to get the boat back to normal. First we cleaned the outside as it is covered with salt, then put the canvas enclosure back on the flybridge. All this while still getting gusts of about 25 mph. At least the rain is over and I can empty my forward cabin of my plants, table, freezer, etc.
We had some thunderstorms pass through last night and early this morning a tornado came through 12 miles south of us (MM74). The thunder woke me up, not your regular clap but with a roar/rumble afterwards. My first thought was, is it a tornado? Sure enough, it damaged some houses and cars and flipped over a small boat and took out the power for a while. They have finally signaled the "all clear" and are letting visitors come back tomorrow. School was still closed today, most everything else was back to normal. Key West got the backside of Ike this morning, with 81 mph wind gusts! The lower keys got more rain and wind, but all reports are good overall. We took a walk yesterday to look at the ocean. Boy was it rough and blowing so hard, the few birds flying were having a hard time. Lots of seaweed washing up over the seawall and the water was very muddy. I was glad to see the lobster boat out checking his traps today, lobsters don't like cloudy water so they probably stayed in the traps through the storm. Hope he had a good day. Time for our afternoon walk, have a peaceful evening.
Nora
|
|
- Very windy and rainy
|
- From: Keyscouple at bellsouth.net
- Date: Tue, 09 Sep 2008 14:32:43 +0000
|
|
Good morning, we had a fairly uneventful night on the boat last night. Prior to retiring about 11 pm, there was a warning of a strong band of rain with winds of 70 mph between Key West and Islamorada. So of course, we couldn't sleep waiting for it to come through. We were just to the north of it, as it turns out, and missed the stronger winds. The weather this morning had actually been worse, lots of rain squalls, very gusty wind, up to 60 mph in the upper keys. There was a waterspout/tornado spotted about 5 miles north of us, no reports yet of any damage. Key West is expecting a storm surge of 3-4 feet during the high tides; our water level is actually about a foot lower that normal. A tractor trailer was blown over yesterday morning on the Overseas Hwy. about 13 miles south of us from the wind. I just heard on the marine weather special weather statement that the Overseas Hwy. is impassable at Mile Marker 75 due to water and debris, the same area where the truck overturned.
I will post an update later today, my husband and I plan on getting out to see what is happening in the area (weather permitting).
We are rockin' and rollin' and listening to some reggae music.
Nora
|
|
- Ike won't be visiting the upper keys after all
|
- From: Keyscouple at bellsouth.net
- Date: Mon, 08 Sep 2008 17:11:12 +0000
|
|
Now that everyone has evacuated, businesses closed and highways emptied, Ike decides to go south. It is a ghost town here in Islamorada. One of the local restaurants has a banner out side that says "Welcome to the evacuation capital of the world", he even has t shirts with that slogan. Right now the weather is partly cloudy with a couple brief sprinkles with breezy conditions. The bay is kicking up a little with some whitecaps. I hope to check out the ocean this afternoon and see if it looks like there will be a surge in the low lying areas.
We are fully prepared and have decided to stay since the winds here will only be up to 40 mph tomorrow, decreasing by Wednesday. I do not believe that many residents evacuated from the keys. It takes a lot to get people to leave since its getting back in that can be difficult once a major storm passes. We are very greatful that we have been spared and pray that there is no more loss of life for the people in Ike's path.
I will post an update tonight or tomorrow,
Nora
|
|
- Ike's headed south
|
- From: Keyscouple at bellsouth.net
- Date: Sat, 06 Sep 2008 21:59:47 +0000
|
|
Today was a picture perfect day. Low humidity, a light breeze and blue skies. We decided to go lobstering before the weather changes and we caught the biggest one ever. It must have been 2 lbs!
Each update on Ike takes it further south and as long as it stays below 23'N we will stay put. If there is a major change tomorrow, we will make plans to join the northbound exodus.
There is a song about Inagua (where the eye will pass over) that says it is a beautiful island and the best kept secret in the Bahamas. I pray that they survive the storm and surge with no loss of life.
Stay safe,
Nora
|
|
- Florida Keys
|
- From: "Patti Harris" <fharris47 at gmail.com>
- Date: Sat, 6 Sep 2008 09:43:43 -0400
|
The Florida Keys have been told to evacuate. Visitors are to leave today starting with Key West, then up to the Middle Keys, and finally the Upper Keys. Residents are to leave tomorrow (Sunday) the same way. If the storm stays on the track that it is on this morning I think we can stay. I would hate to leave my home and friends. We have all hurricane shutters up and everything is secure. Food has been brought, water is in stock.
The weather in the Keys today is just beautiful. The ocean is flat and calm. Only a light breeze blowing. I guess this is the calm before the storm.
If we stay I will try to keep in touch.
Our daughter in Virginia Beach is now getting Hanna. She says the wind is blowing and they are finally getting much needed rain. They have had none since July. I keep thinking of them. They called early this morning (too early) to tell us to get out.
As long as we have electricity and wireless I will try to stay in touch.
Patti Harris
Key Colony Beach, Fl Keys |
|
- Florida Keys
|
- From: Gert van Dijken <gert at vandijken.com>
- Date: Fri, 5 Sep 2008 21:04:10 -0400 (EDT)
|
Forwarded to me by DearMissMermaid through Lou Gragert who got it from
Dewey Jackson
*
**
*** Gert van Dijken ( gert at vandijken.com )
**** Caribbean Hurricane Network - http://stormcarib.com
All,
I received a call from the Coast Guard Station moments ago. The Coast Guard
has been in touch with the county emergency management office. The
information relayed to me is as follows:
Saturday:
0700 special needs evacuation
0800 Tourists evacuation
Sunday
0800 Lower Keys start evacuations
1200 Middle Keys evacuations start
1600 Upper Keys evacuations start
Monday:
1200 Evacuations complete.
As I get more information, I will pass it on. Keep an eye on the storm and
for those of you that have comcast, you can watch channel 76 for up to date
information from Monroe County. If you do not have comcast, you can view the
channel on the web at:
http://www.ecstreams.com/MonroeCo/MonroeLive.asx
Stay safe.
|
|
- Ike is likely to visit the upper keys
|
- From: Keyscouple at bellsouth.net
- Date: Fri, 05 Sep 2008 15:21:46 +0000
|
|
Well, we lucked out with Hanna, never got any rain here in Islamorada and it is a breezy, partly cloudy day today.The tide is a little higher than usual, as the wind is pushing the water in to the marina. I just looked at the 11:00 update and did not like what I saw. We are starting to prepare and will make evacuation plans, if needed, on Sunday.
Everyone needs to be aware, take the necessary precautions and stay safe. I will post an update Saturday.
Nora
|
|
- Florida Keys
|
- From: "Patti Harris" <fharris47 at gmail.com>
- Date: Sat, 30 Aug 2008 20:11:33 -0400
|
Don't tell me we aren't having Gustav visiting now. The rain is coming down in sheets. The wind is blowing so hard. I tried to go outside to check on things around here. You can't stand and we are
under TORNADA WARNING. With one spotted on radar just a few miles away. It's dark now so it's hard to see anyway. Thank goodness we still have electricity and internet service.
Look out people on the Gulf Coast.
Patti
Key Colony Beach, Fl |
|
- Safe and sound
|
- From: Keyscouple at bellsouth.net
- Date: Tue, 19 Aug 2008 17:46:33 +0000
|
|
We got back a little while ago and everything is fine. The boats all look good, the lower keys had it worse, from local reportst. The 18 mile stretch into the Keys was clear, we did not see any damage on our way back down, we did hit some strong bands of rain, and they are still coming, with gust up to 36 knots. The water level is up about 1' in the marina, but the power never went out, which is something that used to happen all the time.
The tourism board is busy telling everyone that the Keys are open for business on the tv and radio stations. Economic loss is estimated to be about 1.5 million in tourist dollars and we are now going into our really slow time of year. The good thing is that no one died, although one poor soul in Ft. Lauderdale was kite surfing and was picked up and slammed into a building. He is in critical condition right now.I hope he recovers and that Labor day weekend can salvage the month for our businesses.
Well, time to start putting everything back, although we will wait until tomorrow for the canvas when the wind comes down.
Tired but relieved,
Nora
|
|
- FAY
|
- From: "Patti Harris" <fharris47 at gmail.com>
- Date: Tue, 19 Aug 2008 10:10:35 -0400
|
We made it through Fay. We lost electricity for several hours. Also lost Internet service
for about 20 hours. We have a mess to clean up outside. Some of our condo need water
cleaning out of them. No school yesterday or today but hopefully tomorrow. Hope all up
North are weathering the storm now.
Patti |
|
- Florida Keys
|
- From: "Patti Harris" <fharris47 at gmail.com>
- Date: Mon, 18 Aug 2008 09:21:02 -0400
|
Rain came in during the night around 2 pm. It's 9 am now and the rain is
really coming down. Looks like Fay is heading right for us now. Of course,
my husband is out wandering around checking things out. He just has to
keep an eye on everything. Still have electricity and hope it stays. At least
if we lose electricity it comes back quickly because we have our own sewage
treatment plant.
It's heavy rainfall up and down the Keys. Also the weatherman says there is
heavy rainfall in Miami. Miami-Dade (south central)
has just put a tornado warning until 9:45 am.
More later
Patti
|
|
- Better safe than sorry
|
- From: Keyscouple at bellsouth.net
- Date: Mon, 18 Aug 2008 13:09:12 +0000
|
|
We have decided to get off the boat and seek shelter with relatives up the road a piece. Conditions have changed in the past 12 hours and the storm is too unpredictible right now. Steady rain since 4 am this morning, I will try to post later today. We wish everyone a safe day and for a fast getaway by Fay.
Take care,
Nora
|
|
- No Wind, No Rain, No Fay?
|
- From: Keyscouple at bellsouth.net
- Date: Sun, 17 Aug 2008 23:14:22 +0000
|
|
It is quiet and calm here in Islamorada. The frenzy of preparing boats, lines etc. is over, the weekenders are gone and the full time liveaboards ( 3 boats) are tired, but ready.
It looks like the storm keeps moving west and away from the Keys, but nothing is taken for granted until it actually passes our latitude/longitude. We may even get a sunset tonight!
I will give an update in the morning, stay safe,
Nora
|
|
- Florida Keys
|
- From: "Patti Harris" <fharris47 at gmail.com>
- Date: Sun, 17 Aug 2008 11:13:28 -0400
|
Florida Keys---
The first rain band is now hitting us here in Key Colony Beach.
We furnished buttoning up and the boat is put away.
Beautiful this morning and plenty of hot sunshine. 86 but humidity
is much worse.
Patti Harris |
|
- Watching Fay in Islamorada
|
- From: Keyscouple at bellsouth.net
- Date: Sun, 17 Aug 2008 13:40:28 +0000
|
|
Good Morning,
I am a new correspondent and am located bayside on our boat docked in a marina. My husband and I have read the posts for a few years and are regular travelers to the caribbean and avid lovers of the islands. The only activity this morning so far, is people taking their small boats out of the water. The boat ramp will be busy today with tourists and locals pulling their boats. We will be doing the same as soon as I finish this post. It is currently a beautiful morning, breezy with passing clouds. One would never know that we are under a hurricane watch right now, however they predict the weather will change quickly by tomorrow morning. We will prepare our boat with extra lines, and secure/stow everything on the aft deck. We hope to stay on our boat, but if the winds are forecast to exceed 45 knots. we will take shelter with relatives. The officials are deciding wether to postpone the schools opening scheduled for tomorrow and any other closing or evacuations as necessary.
I will post more later, time to get to work. Stay safe everyone. GO AWAY FAY!
Nora
|
|
- FAY
|
- From: "Patti Harris" <fharris47 at gmail.com>
- Date: Sat, 16 Aug 2008 10:11:56 -0400
|
Florida Keys --- Key Colony Beach, Fl reporting in....
Here in the Florida Keys people are starting to get ready for Fay. I hope all people are
looking to the Southeast. My husband is out putting up some more hurricane shutter at
our condo complex that the maintenance man failed to put up. Also needs to put more
chairs and umbrella up off the beach and pool. He plans to put his boat away tomorrow.
Fay is 667 miles and 48 hours away from us. Hope the weather projection is off or at least
moves.
Patti Harris
Key Colony Beach, Fl |
|
