gtaylor Posted September 5, 2017 #1 Share Posted September 5, 2017 Chatting with island friends and it looks bad. Their hurricane watch has been upgraded to a Hurricane Warning, meaning hurricane force winds are expected within 36 hours. Islands under Warning spread from Montserrat to Anguilla. Late Tuesday night into early Wednesday look like closest approach to St. Maarten, with winds of 140 mph. Last flights out of Juliana will be by 2:00 pm, then closing. Unnecessary businesses must close by noon. General island curfew goes into effect at 8:00 pm until after the hurricane passes and a safety assesment has been completed. One of our friends used the phrase "I'm scared". gary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karysa Posted September 5, 2017 #2 Share Posted September 5, 2017 I was really afraid of this when we visited last month. The water was so warm. I never felt the water that warm on any of my many summer vacations there and only remember the water warmer in 2005 when we did a southern Caribbean cruise during Hurricane Katrina. I really hope that Irma takes a turn out to see as the path that has been predicted is bad for days on end as it looks as if it will affect many Caribbean islands and the Bahamas and US as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Despegue Posted September 5, 2017 #3 Share Posted September 5, 2017 Irma will cause devestation on lots of Carribbean islands , the Bahamas and the South of Florida I am afraid. Global Warming at work and it will only get worse my dear Americans.:( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markwojo Posted September 5, 2017 #4 Share Posted September 5, 2017 Global Warming at work and it will only get worse my dear Americans.:( So maybe I am reading to much into this comment....but pretty sure global warming isn't just an Americans creation or issue. Pretty sure hurricanes and cyclones are not a new thing and have been a thing long before global warming....but don't let that interrupt a chance for a good rant and to take a swipe at (all) Americans. Regardless Cat 5 with 175 mile per hour winds will inflict devastation on whoever's path Irma crosses. Hope she weakens and manages to avoid some of the bigger population Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoxiRoo Posted September 5, 2017 #5 Share Posted September 5, 2017 This American believes in Global Warming. I will be in the Caribbean in January and hope to help out in whatever way I can. The islands will certainly be needing our tourist dollars even more than ever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCruisers Posted September 5, 2017 #6 Share Posted September 5, 2017 Gary (OP) .... If you are able to keep in contact with your friends, please pass along any info from them. T&P for them and all others in the path of Irma. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue_water Posted September 5, 2017 #7 Share Posted September 5, 2017 Our thoughts are with the residents of the Leeward Islands during this devastatingly strong hurricane, be safe. The northern leeward islands are especially at risk based on the huge surge and rain projections, Anguilla and particularly poor Anegada are sure to be hit hard, especially if the surge hits at high tide. We are very concerned for everyone in the path. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karysa Posted September 5, 2017 #8 Share Posted September 5, 2017 Gary (OP) .... If you are able to keep in contact with your friends, please pass along any info from them.T&P for them and all others in the path of Irma. We've just heard from some new friends that we met on this past visit. May be Gary can confirm or deny this but we were told that unlike other islands St. Maarten has shelters open only after the storm has passed? That seemed very bizarre to us. We heard from students of the Med school that we know as well and they said that the school/residence acting as a shelter and up and running and accepting students. I concur about Anguilla. I have a picture on the wall in my office from the hill above Anse Marcel in St. Martin with Anguilla in the background and it's just so flat that you can't help but think just how awful this hurricane could be to people there. I read that AA has scheduled more flights out of St. Maarten today and tomorrow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gtaylor Posted September 5, 2017 Author #9 Share Posted September 5, 2017 This is much worse than I ever imagined. Hurricane Cat 5 with sustained winds of 185 mph, gusts to 200, and a direct hit on the island. Tracks that I follow show it tracking across French side from Orient Bay to between Anse Marcel and Grand Case. Today is the 22nd anniversary of Huricane Luis which devastated the island as a Cat 4. I think it may take a LONG time for the island to recover, perhaps not by High Season. I can't get in touch with my friends this afternoon (they may be busy :) ) but my understanding is that shelters are open 'as a last resort' and locals should shelter with family and friends if at all possible. There is a standard government announcement that 'shelters will be open for 48 hours' for displaced persons after the hurricane, but I think this in addition to being open throughout the event. My understanding is that the airport closed at 2:00 local time (same as East Coast right now). I am so sad. gary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karysa Posted September 5, 2017 #10 Share Posted September 5, 2017 I just looked at PJA site and it's got a few flights still going out but they look like small planes to Anguilla. There is nothing marked for tomorrow at all now. The site that I saw says that it's going over Anguilla. There is no good news from any reports right now saying that the islands will be missed and when you look at the map it just seems so cruel that there is so much blue and yet the path shows Irma hitting the islands one after another. I'm sad to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gtaylor Posted September 5, 2017 Author #11 Share Posted September 5, 2017 I believe that the airport is just posting the standard departures/arrivals, without regard to the airport being closed. I just checked my tracking after the hourly update (11 minutes ago) and it shows a dramatic shift to south of (below) St. Maarten, though the North side of a hurricane carries the full force. Currently a direct hit over Barbuda and St. Barths. Perhaps it will shift further south, but there are mere hours to go. :( gary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karysa Posted September 5, 2017 #12 Share Posted September 5, 2017 The airport showed cancellations for most flights but times for a couple still. Perhaps that has been changed now. Why is the north side worse? I heard from people who experienced Luis in Antigua as children that when the eye of the hurricane hit it was very calm and they actually said that they went out and played. They said that the weather before and after were terrible but there was a period of calm in between. They called the time after the eye, the backside of the hurricane. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sky616 Posted September 6, 2017 #13 Share Posted September 6, 2017 Irma will cause devestation on lots of Carribbean islands , the Bahamas and the South of Florida I am afraid. Global Warming at work and it will only get worse my dear Americans.:( Stupid post. Hurricanes have been around for a long time. Way before radar, and all weather equipment. This is a big one, one of the strongest in recorded history yes, but the key is recorded history. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gtaylor Posted September 6, 2017 Author #14 Share Posted September 6, 2017 Stupid post. Hurricanes have been around for a long time. Way before radar, and all weather equipment. This is a big one, one of the strongest in recorded history yes, but the key is recorded history. Just so I have a better idea of what you are saying, do you believe that extreme climates / climate change is not occurring? gary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gtaylor Posted September 6, 2017 Author #15 Share Posted September 6, 2017 A posting a few hours ago from the local newspaper. gary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue_water Posted September 6, 2017 #16 Share Posted September 6, 2017 Despegue's comment is just nonsense, that's all - not appropriate at this time. Out thoughts are with everyone in the path, especially those in these northern islands. Losing power is probably inevitable, but please post your conditions if you are able. Most of all be as safe as you possibly can over the next couple days, it sounds like this morning will be very bad... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
actexasred Posted September 6, 2017 #17 Share Posted September 6, 2017 As I'm posting this, St. Maarten is in the calm of the eye. The island took a direct hit but the storm is moving pretty quickly so it'll be gone by midday. Hope everyone there is ok. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue_water Posted September 6, 2017 #18 Share Posted September 6, 2017 As I'm posting this, St. Maarten is in the calm of the eye. The island took a direct hit but the storm is moving pretty quickly so it'll be gone by midday. Hope everyone there is ok. Images already show devastation... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruise Junky Posted September 6, 2017 #19 Share Posted September 6, 2017 Images already show devastation... Our news just reported that the 4 strongest structures are destroyed. This is not going to be pretty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruising4funnow Posted September 6, 2017 #20 Share Posted September 6, 2017 Thoughts and prayers for all in the path of Irma and what is behind her Jose. Sent from my SM-G930P using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karysa Posted September 6, 2017 #21 Share Posted September 6, 2017 I haven't heard from anyone on the island since 11 last night. Very worried for the people on the island that I love. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markwojo Posted September 6, 2017 #22 Share Posted September 6, 2017 Early images are not encouraging. Hopefully by some miracle there is no loss of life. Such a beautiful place and beautiful people. Really hope Capt Bob and Joyce Prince and their families are safe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pawmtweez Posted September 6, 2017 #23 Share Posted September 6, 2017 I am so sad, it is my favorite island.:(. I can't find any pictures. Can someone post a link to what you're seeing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markwojo Posted September 6, 2017 #24 Share Posted September 6, 2017 Just go to twitter. Type in St Martin Irma in the search feature. Click the latest tab on the top (so you don't get someone spotting about a Trump mansion at the top). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grimace95120 Posted September 6, 2017 #25 Share Posted September 6, 2017 http://www.express.co.uk/news/weather/850691/Hurricane-Irma-path-track-models-update-St-Martin-devastation-video Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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