Hurricane Tomas

Buzz · #1 (**permalink**) 10-30-2010, 09:05 AM

Battening down the hatches. Cobra secured in the garage. So far 70 - 80 mph gusts and about 40mph sustained winds with driving rain. We now have an official hurricane warning and are in the direct path. Full force expected in about an hour or so. I'm actually amazed the internet/power/phones are still up. Barbados, 100 miles east is taking a bit of a beating - roofs off and trees down, but the worst should be over soon for them as Tomas builds strength and heads west - towards us. Looking out at the sea, it looks like a river as wind driven waves and whitecaps surge across the bay.
Life in the tropics...

Maurice Johnson · #2 (**permalink**) 10-31-2010, 05:41 AM

Buzz,

How are you guys making out down there, no major damage I hope. Looks like a bit more than a kite-flying breeze.
Here in Bermuda ,we have been lucky again this year, but keeping fingers crossed yet.
Igor gave us a slam, my 41ft classic yawl broke brand new 7/16" mooring chain (from China), and went up on the rocks in front of my house. Ruined a brand new $10k Imron paint job. Thats what insurance is for.
Shari just went by us, no problem though, 60kts for a few hours. Blew the dead leaves away.
Got sailing buddies over on the Cruisersforum that keep us informed from the marine side.
Keep your head down, and a window open on the leeside.

Jamo · #3 (**permalink**) 10-31-2010, 12:47 PM

Buzz.....?

Buzz · #4 (**permalink**) 11-01-2010, 11:25 AM

Communications and power just came back up in our area, but the hurricane lingered far longer than expected and did serious damage to homes and infrastructure. We came through relatively unscathed, with minor damage to our roof (which we were planning to redo anyway) and a small amount of water intrusion as the wind blasted rain right through some window seals.

It was a long night with screaming winds, breaking branches and falling trees, and the whole thing started calming down just after dawn yesterday. As power and communications are gradually restored, we're hearing reports of serious land slides, wind and flood damage and a number of fires. Quite a few roads and bridges were destroyed and reports are coming in of a number of lives lost in one or two areas; the most tragic so far being that of a mother and her two daughters killed when their house was crushed by a landslide.

All in all, we personally count our blessings, and now we need to see how we can contribute to the recovery efforts and assist those who didn't fare so well. It will be a very heavy blow to our tiny economy, but as always - it could have been worse.

Oh yeah - the Cobra came through fine, but the road to our house will need to be repaired before it can go anywhere.

Just another reminder to cheish life and love and family and friends because you just never know...

Jamo · #5 (**permalink**) 11-01-2010, 12:11 PM

Well then, thankusbetogod you're ok.

Maurice Johnson · #6 (**permalink**) 11-01-2010, 07:20 PM

--and now Tome-ass is headed for us.

Ronbo · #7 (**permalink**) 11-03-2010, 12:45 PM

Hurricanes suck, sat through a couple myself...

Drinking heavily does help though.

767Jockey · #8 (**permalink**) 11-03-2010, 04:46 PM

Thank God you're OK and weathered the storm unscathed, Buzz. My thoughts and prayers go out to the familes of those whose fate was less kind. Godspeed......

Buzz · #9 (**permalink**) 11-05-2010, 08:13 AM

Thanks guys. Damage to me was minimal but some areas of the island took a real bad hit - completely destroyed houses, infrastructure and some loss of life. Busying myself getting together with a few buddies and hauling relief supplies down the coast by boat as the road in to the area was taken out by landslides. People for the most part are pulling together to clean up and help one another and I must say its a good feeling to pitch in and lend a hand.