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- - - 2017 Hurricane Season - - -
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- "MARIA" reef damage
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- By William Kunke <wkunke787 at gmail.com>
- Date: Sat, 3 Feb 2018 06:51:47 -0400
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Good Morning,
Snorkeling has been hit & miss because of the high risk of rip currents recently. I did get out earlier this week to some of my usual spots. I took this photo to show the damage to the reefs. It is a before and after of the exact same spot, a year apart.
Culebra has had some on/off showers during the night and the moisture is welcome.
Enjoy, William
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- Culebra Rainfall Data
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- By William Kunke <wkunke787 at gmail.com>
- Date: Thu, 1 Feb 2018 09:11:30 -0400
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Good Morning,
Culebra's rainfall for the first month of 2018 was 1.9 inches, just about normal. I attach the rainfall data chart to compare with as we go through the year.
I also attach some photos taken on this morning's snorkel/swim, showing various reef fish and an Atlantic Sting Ray, Enjoy, William
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- Culebra Data
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- By William Kunke <wkunke787 at gmail.com>
- Date: Thu, 4 Jan 2018 18:20:02 -0400
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Good Evening Friends,
We finally received our wireless internet today after being off since Sept 20 when Maria barged through PR and Culebra. Below is the year end totals of rainfall for 2017, with storms Irma and Maria highlited. Culebra is making good progress on recovery and spirits are high for the new year. We are much better off than many on the "big island" of PR, having full time electric, city water pressure, and now internet.
I also attach some photos of one of our beaches soon after Maria passed, and another of just a week ago on another beach enjoying the rainbow/clouds. The local reefs really took a beating, but the fish, turtles, etc seem to be coming back well.
We thank all for their concerns and many were helpful along the way also, Thanks, William
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- After Maria reports from Culebra
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- By MJ <caribemj at gmail.com>
- Date: Sat, 30 Sep 2017 14:13:08 -0700
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Hi! I don't know if and/or when the correspondents actually ON Culebra will write in but I'm culling some reports of what is going on now from Facebook friends who manage to get online. By going to the top of a hill and getting signal from St. Thomas!
From Molly Surrena: This island is incredible! Great positive vibes and spirit! Police, electric company,water company and public works have been working tirelessly. We are all ok and ready to rebuild and care for our island! Culebra Strong!
From Heather Cooke:
From Heather Cooke, a resident of Culebra:
Hi all. Cool news-Marine Osprey was here yesterday dropping off some military folks. Now that's an impressive piece of machinery. We had a community meeting last night and here's the good news: 1. Our water system is intact (so when water comes, we rock). 2. Fantastic public workers have restored 75% of the electric grid. 3. Our roads and yards are being cleared by workers and each other which gives a feel of normalcy. The bad news: 1. given the damage on Vieques and PR (power goes from PR to Vieques to us), we are expected to be on the island generator, rationing power, for 4-6 months. 2. Running water has been temporarily halted while we stockpile and in general, figure out a solution. We live off donations, cisterns and rainwater, and an "oasis" in town where you can come fill up with potable water. Keeps people from wasting but that is rough as the timeframe could be similar 3. No word on cell or internet service, all depends on the mainland. Mom keeps telling me how many of you have been reaching out wanting to help which is so touching. I won't lie we have real concerns here and you don't know how much your support means to us. I only wish we had enough internet connection to read posts and communicate more. Please do NOT send anything by mail until you hear from us. Mail MAY start coming into the mainland mid next week; they say nothing of when we will see it. I fear things will be lost. So this is a bigger mess than T and I was expecting but we have faith. Contact your local representatives and push for the removal of the Jones Act and for PR and the USVI not to be forgotten. The more workers the US can send, the faster our recovery. To talk to us, T and I receive texts and can usually make calls but remember that's a once a day trip across the island to the spot where it's receivable. So that's that. Got a lot of processing to do here and before you suggest it, no we aren't and can't "just leave". This is our home and community. It's early still and there's much to do. Xo all.
There might be some repeats here, sorry! The gist of the rest is, still no phone service. Still no ferries. But water and MRE's are being delivered by the National Guard. The island generator is on for half the day, so some power is available. There is power at the clinic.
The bank is open and cash can be gotten, but it all is having to be done manually. Bless them.
The markets are open, with limited supplies.
The Post Office is still not open, Vieques and Culebra are both closed still. Someone said something about Wednesday and the list of open ones grow so hopefully we'll be soon next!
No flights are coming into Culebra commercially, from what I gather from my own attempts to get home, until the 15th. I really hope that changes sooner than later.
There is still a curfew but the hours are longer now. Alcohol sales are back on, or so I heard!
Can't wait to get home!
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- Culebra
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- By MJ <caribemj at gmail.com>
- Date: Sat, 23 Sep 2017 07:31:06 -0700
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Hi! While I'm not on Culebra, we am getting word out so since they can't post, here is basically what I know. Apparently there are a couple of places on the island where texts and sometimes phone calls can be made.
No fatalities! Best news ever! More damage, more homes lost. No gas, no water, no electricity and no active understanding of when help might be arriving.
Supposedly emergency flights are coming into the San Juan airport and the Coast Guard is trying to clear the harbor over there so the ferry can run (and emergency supply ships can come into port).
The spirit of the people we're hearing from is good. First the shock, then the strength. I think, as all islanders affected know, everyone is pretty weary. We got less than some, more than others.
I hope to get home this week. Onward.
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- "Irma's" Passage
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- By William Kunke <wkunke787 at gmail.com>
- Date: Sat, 16 Sep 2017 06:01:49 -0400
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Good Morning, Culebra seems to have faired well. I do not know about all the island, but in our area there does not appear to be any structural damages to houses, mainly trees down or broken all over. The worse part of the storm was for 3 hours, 3 PM-6 PM, Wednesday the 6th. It came at us mainly from the West which is unusual and unexpected. It slammed the backside of our house with estimated 100 mph with 125 gust that shook the house. Within a week we have electric, telephone, and internet all working. All the utility guys have done a tremendous job getting things done. Now the municipal workers are busy clearing debris off the streets. I took these beach photos of a nearby beach that was totally scoured of sand from wave action, along with taking down most all the trees. We are thankful for all the hard working people making Culebra whole again. With time yards will get cleaned up and new plants/trees planted. Enjoy, William
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- Culebra
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- By Gert van Dijken <gert at vandijken.com>
- Date: Fri, 15 Sep 2017 09:49:05 -0700
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Update from Kate Cole, our special hurricane correspondent on Vieques, regarding the situation on Culebra:
I talked to my friend about Culebra. They experienced damage similar to ours. Everyone is ok. They are having problems with communications and of course do not have power as they are linked to us. Our Tourism Company reported that they will be open for business as soon as power is restored. Excellent news from them.
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- Culebra Rainfall Data
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- By William Kunke <wkunke787 at gmail.com>
- Date: Fri, 1 Sep 2017 06:52:23 -0400
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Good Morning, August rainfall for Culebra was exactly 4 inches, which is also our average rainfall for the month overall. I attach a chart along with some recent photos around the island.
I am sure we are all tracking "Irma" with our plotting maps and preparing. We still hope for a northward turn rather than a dip, William
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- Culebra Rainfall Data & Observations
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- By William Kunke <wkunke787 at gmail.com>
- Date: Tue, 1 Aug 2017 08:26:21 -0400
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Good Morning, Culebra's total rainfall for July was 2.6 inches. This is below our average by an inch. We seem to be having quick sprinkly type showers this month, just enough to keep things green, but the soils are very dry at this point. As the attached chart shows, we are at 18.2 inches of rain for the year.
The attached photos are some weather related observations and other things observed this month on Culebra: The rainfall data chart, Peaceful anchorage, ISS flyover of Culebra, Saragoss invasion, Conjunction of Moon & Venus, Rainbow, Flounder, Turtle, Fish & Coral, and a Balancing Sea Gull.
Enjoy, William Attachment:
CulebraRainfallData.jpg
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- Culebra Rainfall Data/June
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- By William Kunke <wkunke787 at gmail.com>
- Date: Sat, 1 Jul 2017 06:47:17 -0400
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Good Morning,
Culebra received 2.4 inches of rain in June, making for a yearly total of 15.6 inches thus far. We seem to be in an average year with that amount. The trees and flowers are definitely happy, showing their colors and fruits.
Attached please find the rainfall data for Culebra and some local photos taken this month. Enjoy, William
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- Culebra Rainfall Data
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- By William Kunke <wkunke787 at gmail.com>
- Date: Thu, 1 Jun 2017 07:02:26 -0400
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Good Morning,
Culebra's rainfall for the month of May was 3.3 inches, bringing our yearly total up to 13.2 inches. This is a bit below normal as the attached chart over the past 30 years will show. The first part of the month was dominated by Sahara Dust, as experienced by most islanders. This past week brought some clearing and showers which cleaned out the air also.
I also attach a few snorkeling photos, Enjoy, William
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- Culebra Rainfall Data
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- By William Kunke <wkunke787 at gmail.com>
- Date: Mon, 1 May 2017 07:58:50 -0400
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Good Morning,
Culebra received 4.6 inches of rain in April, almost double our monthly average. This brings our total to 9.9 inches of rain for 2017 thus far. We have had good rain over the weekend, mostly soaking in and giving the island a thick green look.
I attach the rainfall data chart, and some recent snorkeling photos.
Enjoy, William
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- Culebra Rain
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- By William Kunke <wkunke787 at gmail.com>
- Date: Mon, 24 Apr 2017 07:13:53 -0400
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Good Morning, Culebra recived 2 inches of rain last night (see attached photo) and it seems to have soaked in well. Our grasses, trees, and flowers will really benefit from this. It certainly has been a cool spring time here. We wish all you islanders well as we prepare for the "H" season.
Enjoy, William
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- Culebra Rainfall Data
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- By William Kunke <wkunke787 at gmail.com>
- Date: Sat, 1 Apr 2017 06:55:37 -0400
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Good Morning,
Culebra had a very dry month until a week ago. For the month we received 3.8 inches of rain, at the end of the month. It's been five years since we received any amount close to that, our average for March is 1.7 inches. Our year total is now at 5.3 inches
Yesterday was a clear, bright morning for snorkeling. We saw the usual tropical fish along the reef, a large Atlantic Sting Ray and then as we came ashore, a big surprise. 4 deer grazing on the grass on the beach. They just stood there watching me for a bit and then went back to the fresh green grass from the recent rainfall. A really exciting morning for me, Enjoy, William
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- Culebra Rainfall Data
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- By William Kunke <wkunke787 at gmail.com>
- Date: Wed, 1 Mar 2017 07:55:14 -0400
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Good Morning, Culebra remains to be mostly cool & dry. However at the end of February we received some small passing showers in the amount of 1 inch for the month. Our yearly total is 1.5 inches.
I attach the rainfall data chart, and some local Culebra photos, Enjoy, William
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- Culebra, PR Rainfall Data
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- By William Kunke <wkunke787 at gmail.com>
- Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2017 21:15:16 -0400
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Good Morning,
January 2017 in Culebra has been a very cool and dry month. We had temps of 60 degrees for a few mornings, and only 0.5 inches of rain. See the attached chart for comparisons to other years. I also attach some underwater photos of our recent snorkeling. Enjoy, William
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- Culebra's Old Year Data & Happy New Year
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- By William Kunke <wkunke787 at gmail.com>
- Date: Sun, 1 Jan 2017 07:13:44 -0400
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Good Morning,
Culebra finished 2016 with 1.5 inches of rain for December and total of 33.8 inches for the year. A very average month and year, with the "Christmas" winds showing-up right on schedule. We had a very pleasant and safe year with no major storms coming our way and just enough rain to keep the cisterns full and the island green and growing.
We thank Storm Carib for keeping us all connected with information, data, and island living around the Caribbean.
Attached are the rainfall data chart for Culebra, and an under/over water photo, Enjoy, William
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