Hurricane Ernesto | August 2006

Posted: Thu Aug 24, 2006 9:24 pm Post subject: Hurricane Ernesto | August 2006

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Posted: Thu Aug 24, 2006 10:26 pm Post subject: Hi Joe

At first I panic'd, then I cried. I'm still crying. Lord knows how much I need this time down in paradise. I'm not sure I'm willing to deal with the stress of a possible hurricane, Heck - I get scared at lightening storms here in New Jersey! I am not going to cancel this trip. I'll just have to pack some playing cards.

Oh well. Crying or Very sad

Frequent Flyer Joined: 10 May 2006 Posts: 76

We're going to be down there here starting on the 30th also through the 4th of September. What's worse, the last time we were there was the beginning of June when TS Alberto developed over the Caymans and we got over 12" of rain in a short period of time.

I sure hope this scoots on through there before we get there. The good side of things is, it should take the energy away from something else developing ans so if we can get this through there before we are there, we should be safe for our trip. Confused

Posted: Fri Aug 25, 2006 7:05 am Post subject:

WOW..Everyones worst nightmare it looks like projections have it making a direct hit.

STAY AWAY!!!

Frequent Flyer Joined: 10 May 2006 Posts: 76

Here's a good queston for the locals there.

Okay, let's just figure that Grand Cayman is going to be hit by a Cat 1 storm on Tuesday. What are the odds that the infrastructure would even allow us to be there on Wednesday as tourists?

It seems there would be power outages and other issues. I guess my question is, if this develops into a storm and hits Grand Cayman, when should we call our trip? We leave first thing Wednesday so I guess we need to see what it looks like on Tuesday and decide.

Any information based on past experience would be useful.

Thanks

Posted: Fri Aug 25, 2006 7:48 am Post subject:

If it does hit the Island and causes any damage, the Airlines will cancel flights for Wednesday.

The Airlines will allow you to reschedule without charging you any fees.

Hope none of this happens and that you are able to enjoy your vacation.

Heidi martini

Posted: Fri Aug 25, 2006 9:00 am Post subject:

Hey RJ,

I too am leaving out Wed. a.m. and would appreciate any input/information/past experience.

Considering the odds - I should now play the lottery!

I'm starting to freak out. My sister is yelling at me, telling me that the National Weather Center is giving SO MANY different scenarios.

She has told me not to get worked up or upset for another few days yet - as weather is so unpredictable.

Jump

Frequent Flyer Joined: 10 May 2006 Posts: 76

We just called American Airlines to see what the possible scenarios are with them and when they will make any kind of decision. Apparently, the remedies are spelled out in any kind of release they make, but until then, they have no idea what will be the possible options. Since we fly out first thing wednesday morning. It is even feasible to be in the air to Miami before they really decide which would really suck.

The worst case would be if the storm stalls enough to actually hit around Thursday. It either needs to get a move on and HOPEFULLY miss the islands, or die out..

The dumb thing is, we planned this trip right after we got back in June because we got rained out of some diving and wanted to go back this year.. The weather has been good until we decide to go gain.. I'm beginning to think its just not meant to be.. crying

Posted: Fri Aug 25, 2006 9:15 am Post subject:

Funny thing is WE planned THIS trip, since our trip to Riviera Maya gave us a full 8 days of a tropical depression back in June. I came home with 'cloud burn' only.

My boyfriend is VERY much into meteorology, etc. He tells me not yet to worry - since there are so many possibly scenarios - and NOAA is still saying that the conditions are so - that it might just all disipate.

Let's pray! palm

Posted: Fri Aug 25, 2006 9:21 am Post subject:

As one who has had a Cayman vacation cancelled due to a hurricane, I hope that this storm will take a different route and spare the Caymans and allow you guys to have your vacations and the people of Cayman to relax. ThumbsUp

Alan

Frequent Flyer Joined: 02 Aug 2006 Posts: 58

I hope the islands are spared and GC is in tip top shape by Sep 10th for our arrival!!!

Edited By : Caymantwins Fri, 25 Aug 2006 17:55:58 -0400

BREAKING NEWS: Caymanian Compass

Tropical depression gathering steam

AP

Friday 25th August, 2006 Posted: 15:24 CIT (20:24 GMT)

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) ? A tropical depression gathered steam Friday over the eastern Caribbean and forecasters warned it could quickly become Tropical Storm Ernesto ? threatening Jamaica, the Cayman Islands and Cuba by the end of the weekend.

The storm could become a hurricane next week, forecasters at U.S. National Hurricane Center said, adding that it was too early to say where or when it would make landfall.

The tropical depression drenched the Windward Islands overnight and had maximum sustained winds near 56 kph (35 mph), below tropical storm strength of 63 kph (39 mph). It did not pose any immediate threat to land.

"At this early stage, the message we want to send to people is not to panic but to watch it," said Jamie Rhome, a specialist at the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami. The storm could reach the United States but any projections of landfall would require "a crystal ball," he said.

The loosely organized system spun off thunderstorms over islands including Trinidad and Dominica, but the rains tapered off early Friday. Wind gusts Thursday night damaged six fishing boats at a marina on the southern coast of Barbados. No injuries were reported.

At 11 a.m. (1500GMT), the system was centered 550 kilometers (340 miles) south of San Juan, Puerto Rico, and 1,200 kilometers (760 miles) east?southeast of Kingston, Jamaica. It was traveling west?northwest at nearly 24 kph (15 mph) on a track that would bring it near Jamaica by Sunday, the hurricane center said.

It was expected to become a tropical storm by Saturday, the fifth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season. The storm has the potential of reaching hurricane strength in the northwest Caribbean, with winds of at least 119 kph (74 mph), the center said.

Fears that the system could damage offshore energy facilities in the Gulf of Mexico sent oil and natural?gas prices higher. Oil producers operating in the Gulf said they were prepared to evacuate nonessential personnel if needed.

The outer fringes of the storm were expected to bring up to 5 centimeters (2 inches) of rain to parts of the Netherlands Antilles, Puerto Rico, Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

Posted: Fri Aug 25, 2006 5:04 pm Post subject:

It's just a walk in the park, Cougar.

Seriously, it's ONLY going to be a category 1. I wouldnt want to be out kite surfing in it, but within a solid building, we're gonna be just fine. Power will prbably be out, im guessing 8-12 hours, but starting when you're already asleep (Im going to crank up the A/C sunday night so it's nice and chilly overnight, so when the power does go out, it will stay relatively cool in the apartment at least until I wake up Monday morning and deal with it.

I've got about a day's worth of pop tarts and bottled water ready to go, but I probably won't even need that. Judging by every other storm I've been through, It'll be sunny again on wednesday, if not on Tuesday.

As far as "being allowed in" as a tourist, I don't foresee any restrictions being put in, barring any change in track and intensification, but you can keep abreast (heh heh i love that word) via press releases on Cayman Airways website under "news". I'm sure someone will cross-post/cut n paste them to here as well.

Posted: Fri Aug 25, 2006 5:52 pm Post subject:

Hi Doc!

From someone who refreshed her weather page about every 5 minutes today....THANK YOU. You have made me feel alot better. I'm still worried, and have a few tears at the thought of having to cancel. Cayman means so much to me, way deep down to my soul. I'm so ready to recharge down there on Wednesday. Let's all just hope it goes well.

'JUST' a Cat 1??? ha! I supposed it's equilvalent to us getting 18" of snow up here in NJ during our winter blizzards. I arrive 1 p.m. on Wednesday. I don't need electricity...I'll be fine right on the beer with a luke warm bottle of beer!!! spin

Sheri

Banned Joined: 15 Feb 2005 Posts: 183

Assuming you get there and this Ernesto doesn't stall over GC, you'll be fine. My husband & I did a bonus trip to GC last October. What was to be our final day there was extended a day due to Wilma churning towards Cancuan. Okay, so we were inside most of that extended day, but treated to awesome views of the angry sea, & totally safe & comfy in our suite on the 5th floor of the Hyatt Beach Suites:) Hyatt arranged our rebooking for flight, made sue we had everythijg we could possibly want or need. One of our best Cayman trips ever!

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