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Thanks USCG,

Very helpful informative you provided. They have landlines so it makes sense that they must not have electricity anymore but their cells seem to have no service either. One of my relatives is in the Imbery section which looks to be prone to flooding. Everyone else in Barceloneta is up on a big hill you have to walk up to get to their houses.

We've been watching the news and from what I understand Irma is hitting the northern part of the island BUT there is a possibility it may miss the island all together. Which be would beyond awesome! Ok, gonna check into those links and hope I can make sense of the scientific jargon.

gardener1 wrote:

Here's a livestream of Irma, the feed from facebooklive, twitter, wherever they can find someone filming. No news MSM talking heads.



LIVE 🔴 HURRICANE IRMA Tracking HEADING TOWARD FLORIDA, 185 MPH CAT 5 Cuba, Barbuda Antigua
Cool News

Wow, awesome! Thanks! Will check this, too.

@ravenmickey

They seem to be having trouble finding livefeeds running at the moment, cell towers are taking a beating. They will run MSM news while they look for other feeds. Patience.

#Irma on twitter is running a mile a minute.

Reddit is also running a live feed :

"Everyone else in Barceloneta is up on a big hill you have to walk up to get to their houses. "

Don't remember that, I was playing on your fantastic beach one day, and got "fuel"
at Kapi Kapi.

But good news even 100 feet above sea would be a big plus.

And good news more, NOAA has backed off on the surge, now back to 3-5' high tide N Coast.

USCG wrote:

And good news more, NOAA has backed off on the surge, now back to 3-5' high tide N Coast.

This is a beach livecam from the PR south coast at Carib Playa Beach Hotel, Patillas PR. Water is choppy, but not bad.

As stated earlier, My Wife and I are praying for everyone in PR and along the storms path. God Bless You All!!!

@gardener1 Thank you so much!!! Checking out links now thanks to your advice.

USCG wrote:

"Everyone else in Barceloneta is up on a big hill you have to walk up to get to their houses. "

Don't remember that, I was playing on your fantastic beach one day, and got "fuel"
at Kapi Kapi.

But good news even 100 feet above sea would be a big plus.

And good news more, NOAA has backed off on the surge, now back to 3-5' high tide N Coast.

Good news, for sure and a little break.

Yes, you literally park on the street which is on  a hill then walk up a dirt path further up the hill which has houses along it. We call it "carajoland".

Over an hour ago the ping pong ball in the wind gage blew off the top at 160 mph.
Opposite side of island from storm approach ,and on backside of mountain.. Ugh! 

5pm NOAA reports her eye is off of the VI's, and satellite pinned her at 18.8N 65.4W.

That's as close to PR as she is going to get, 55 miles ENE of SJ, probably a little closer to the SE coast. She's headed WNW, that means away from PR, and is .2 degrees further N then she was at 3pm.
Expected to maintain this path taking her further from PR. At 8pm she is predicted to be at 19N, and so on and so until her winds do not reach PR.

But 4 or 5 hours of wind until that time, and predicted rain in the NE, 6-12" with isolated areas getting 20", and 3-6" in the SW, isolated areas getting 10", and also the N coast surge now forecast at 4-6' if at high tide.

So the worst is yet to come in terms of  expected miserable dangerous conditions though she's moving away. The power situation has been a disaster for years so who knows how bad and how long that will be malfunctioning under this enormous stressor. And flooding, property damage, trees down. Could have been much, much worse obviously if she'd made landfall.

Half full or half empty?

PREPA already is predicting 50% of island without power 4-6 months ,But guaranteed mosquitoes in 3-4 days 

Well, for me it may still be trouble.  High tide at my place is 9:51PM.  So it looks like Irma will be directly north of Hatillo at about that time, give or take.   Even if a little further off shore, the surge at high tide may flood the house.

Sitka wrote:

Well, for me it may still be trouble.  High tide at my place is 9:51PM.  So it looks like Irma will be directly north of Hatillo at about that time, give or take.   Even if a little further off shore, the surge at high tide may flood the house.

Hope not.

Just spoke with friends in Camuy, they said wind gusts to 40 +, rain on and off.   They are hitting the rum and wine, sounded like an Irma party hardy!  Then we lost connection, but they are making the best of things.

2300 hours Wednesday NOAA Advisory in line with the last advisory a few hours earlier at 9pm Wed. Irma's eye at 2300 at @ 19.4N 66.8W  and so now 85 miles from SJ, probably more then 100 by the time you read this, moving at 16 MPH toward Sector Key West. those Coasties need the work, most tmes just sunning and chasing bikinis. Yep.

Anyway, Irma's gone from PR waters other then the remaining TSFW's, tropical storm force winds, which can extend 185 miles, the NOAA not commenting further about the span of her tail to PR. And the mess she left behind for months to come. Bad bad bitch.

The forecasting Hurricane Models were 90% amazing in how they had Irma's route to PR forecasted nearly perfect, predicting nature's wildest behavior. Too bad science doesn't work with as high % re: predicting human behavior.

I say only 90 % amazing, 10% penalty because only the US Navy's model (NVGM) as I mentioned a few days ago, had her going thru the VI's and not over them, and so NVGM was the only model that charted her coming much closer to PR then the rest after she left the VI's.

I had charted all of Irma's waypoints forecasted by the NOAA 3 days ago. Turns out Irma transversed very, very close to each charted pin that all the models--about 20 or so--had this time also similarly forecast. Including the very expensive and copyrighted "European Model" ECMWF (licensed users only as opposed to the United State's government GFS model, a freebie to all).

The Euro model, despite the cost, is the most popular now, those in the know say, after the Sandy screw up.  Shippers for example, will pay the piper as will many other deep pocket interests, like major Media Meteorologists bureaus, airlines, agriculture, big oil, etc, etc  all that have alot to lose. Use your imagination of the interests who have the money and the need to see the climatic future to avoid/minimize a catastrophic financial loss.

EXCEPT--- only the USN's had Irma going thru and not above and around the VI's, sorry if I am repeating. All the other Models had it passing PR from 130 180 miles away after their predicted Virgin Isles over pass. But when this thing went down earlier today, she didn't go over the VI's, she cut thru the middle of the US & British possessions as only the Navy model predicted. And of course the Navy predicted she would have to pass PR much closer, from 50 miles, not 150 as NOAA and the others suggested.

BIG difference--for instance in how much deeper and further her hurricane strength winds would cut into the Isle of Enchantment, PR, also the home of the free and the brave.

I think this will be the critique, once calm seas arrive, of an otherwise impressive forecast 3-4 days out. This accuracy was not possible 10-15 years ago--they would do it 3-4 days out, but with much lower accuracy. Artificial intelligence leading countries will take the world says Putin. but A.I. can't procreate and do what it takes to procreate, eeeee-hhhhaaaaa!

Very interesting for me to watch Irma from a distance, both geographically and emotionally.
I don't have the financial real estate ties and/or familial or national ties many of you do.

But I'd like to a dance on the heads of the owners of the SS El Faro for their decision to sail this 800' former military transport ship (Kuwait) smack dab directly into Hurricane Joacquin almost two years ago to the day, taking 33 Merchant Marine souls to the bottom. When they didn't have to. She was owned and operated by Tote--that's the biggest of the Merchant Marine container transport fleet between Florida and PR--if you are going to ship your house and car to PR when you make the leap, it'll probably be on one of Tote's ships.

After the El Faro set sail from Florida and before the Cat 3 warning popped up, Tote management chose property over common sense--right to the bottom of the ocean--for the SS El Faro on her final voyage from Florida to San Juan.  And then Tote had the juevos to blame the Captain, said it was his decision to not turn around when he had plenty of time to do so. But that's another story you may want to get a synopsis of on Wiki--if you want your blood to boil.

Hi everyone,

the team and I sincerely hope you are well ; thanks for keeping us updated.

Stay safe,

Julien

We didn't see many lights in Humacao last night as we looked down from our verandah. We lost power around 9:30 a.m. and still don't have it this morning, but we have nothing to complain about. We have each other, an intact home, and all of our belongings. We had many friends, from Florida and PR, praying for us and all of PR. I haven't heard reports about damage on the north coast, but overall PR has been blessed. The road through Barrio Mariana appears to be passable, so we will probably go down to Yabacoa to check on our friends' house today. They are in the States right now, and missed all the excitement!

It wasn't too bad in our area. Tropical storm force winds for a couple of hours, not too much rain.
A couple of trees down, roads partly blocked but we're on it with chainsaws and machetes.
No damage to houses as far as I can see.

We lost power at 1 PM, water is gone, too but the generator is running and we have plenty of water for at least 2 weeks.

All in all it looks like most of PR dodged the bullet. I didn't hear yet from Fajardo, Culebra. Over there I expect more damage..

Now the cleaning up starts and the waiting until our wonderful power company runs out of excuses and starts to fix things..

Hello everyone! Just want to say that we are ok on Mayagüez. It didn't rain very much, the wind ripped out some trees, but my Avoadotree behind the house only lost one Avocado!
Let's see what comes next.
Hope everyone around the island is doing good.

Hey All
So glad that it was not as bad as it could have been. We are now preparing in North Carolina.

Yes, PR and all our members faired well. I am not aware of any of the members having their place damaged and they all are well.
Lots to clean up specially the roads, airport opening at noon (on generator). 17% of the population without water, 68% without electricity. Crews are out but it may be a several weeks before everyone has power. Good thing is Hurricane season ends at the end of November which is not too far away.

Hurricanes not stopping our move to PR. Still targeting for the 1st of the year. Looking forward to starting a new life in a tropical paradise, helping the PR Economy and will do our best to be a blessing to the PR People.

JOS66 wrote:

Hurricanes not stopping our move to PR. Still targeting for the 1st of the year. Looking forward to starting a new life in a tropical paradise, helping the PR Economy and will do our best to be a blessing to the PR People.

That is the right attitude. Some I seen only care about the tax break and have little to no interest in the island.

ReyP wrote:

JOS66 wrote:

Hurricanes not stopping our move to PR. Still targeting for the 1st of the year. Looking forward to starting a new life in a tropical paradise, helping the PR Economy and will do our best to be a blessing to the PR People.

That is the right attitude. Some I seen only care about the tax break and have little to no interest in the island.

I feel like moving back to Germany when I see what could have happened😱😱😨😨

I'm so glad to hear everyone is OK and their homes/belongings are intact!  Thank you, all for checking in.  Be well!

Marion-Olga wrote:

ReyP wrote:

JOS66 wrote:

Hurricanes not stopping our move to PR. Still targeting for the 1st of the year. Looking forward to starting a new life in a tropical paradise, helping the PR Economy and will do our best to be a blessing to the PR People.

That is the right attitude. Some I seen only care about the tax break and have little to no interest in the island.

I feel like moving back to Germany when I see what could have happened😱😱😨😨

In PR the main thing is the floods in some areas, then rivers and floods can take out roads, uproot trees, and eat at the ground around your home. Most houses are concrete and they stand super well to the storms. Most of what you see as damage is damage cause by the moving water and the trees. I would sleep comfortably during a storm in PR.

Glad to read all survived the storm ok!  All our friends in the Hatillo/Camuy area are fine.   Our beach house came thru the storm fine, no interior flooding!   Just a big clean up job outside and such.

I think the only damage sustained was our solar powered clothes dryer that looks to have been blown down.   My hammock supports, er I mean the Coconut palm trees still standing strong!   

ReyP wrote:

Marion-Olga wrote:

ReyP wrote:

That is the right attitude. Some I seen only care about the tax break and have little to no interest in the island.

I feel like moving back to Germany when I see what could have happened😱😱😨😨

In PR the main thing is the floods in some areas, then rivers and floods can take out roads, uproot trees, and eat at the ground around your home. Most houses are concrete and they stand super well to the storms. Most of what you see as damage is damage cause by the moving water and the trees. I would sleep comfortably during a storm in PR.

I think you are a guy that loves adventures lol

Marion-Olga wrote:

ReyP wrote:

Marion-Olga wrote:

I feel like moving back to Germany when I see what could have happened😱😱😨😨

In PR the main thing is the floods in some areas, then rivers and floods can take out roads, uproot trees, and eat at the ground around your home. Most houses are concrete and they stand super well to the storms. Most of what you see as damage is damage cause by the moving water and the trees. I would sleep comfortably during a storm in PR.

I think you are a guy that loves adventures lol

It is that when you live in the island, you get used to them. Those in areas that flood, know it well and they decide not to relocate, they know the risk. The houses are super strong, the concrete has rebarb inside and they are strong. True, a big tree can fall on your house and damage it, so don't grow big trees close to your home, trim them so they don't grow tall, besides it is a lot easier to get to the fruit if the tree is not 40 or more feet tall.

Look at California, they have storms, Earthquakes, and mud slides. Center of the US gets Tornados often, Florida gets more Hurricane hits than PR and a big chunk of it will be underwater one day. Sea raising in PR would be mostly a headache not a real problem, 20 feet or 40 feet would make little difference to the majority of the population.

I am sure there are conditions in Germany that make it undesirable to someone.

JOS66 wrote:

Hurricanes not stopping our move to PR. Still targeting for the 1st of the year. Looking forward to starting a new life in a tropical paradise, helping the PR Economy and will do our best to be a blessing to the PR People.

What a great post! Wishing you guys many blessIngs and wonderful moments to be had in Puerto Rico.🤗

Growing up I've always heard that Puerto Rico has a way of dodging the worse from a hurricane. Family and I were hoping that'd be the case this time around. Good to read that you all are safe and sound.

You know the island is fine when the malls are open.

There is a very bright light in all this damage and destruction from all of these hurricanes!!!!! Economic Increase!!!!! No matter how small, things are rebuilt. Communities are rebuilt and improved. Things look fresh and new again. This creates Jobs and Revenues for governments, businesses and families!!!!

Due to the massive scale of a hurricane, the economic impact is far greater than most any other natural disaster. Texas will have an even larger economic boom for a number of years to come. All the Islands will and Eastern USA as well!!!!! ALOT of Jobs and sales are coming out of these tragedies!!!! THIS IS A BLESSING FOR ALOT OF PEOPLE!!!!!

Dont shoot the writer, but it is the truth. We do mourn and grieve over ANY lives that are lost, FOR SURE!!!!!! But at least there is good that comes out of the damage.

Of course All Puerto Rican women MUST have new heels and spandex after the storm 
Just my 25 years on the island observation. 

To TRUE ! even Rincon and Cabo Rojo have needed every power pole replaced for last 20 years .
And it is one of the better off sectors .

PR Government already put in a $15 million Emergency declaration request . Emergency services #1 Repair and upgrade power across the island.

The entire island could have been made bullet proof 12 years ago when I was doing the Pensuelas pipeline project . $79 million squandered on government management , and protest .
All the pipeline is still sitting n the right of ways we cleared and were installing .Paid $125 an hour for 5 years ,to do the ground work on yet another incomplete island project.
Even now they have already been paid $511 million to convert the Coal burning power plants to NAT GAS. the receiving port project was shut down and incomplete 3 months ago.
Virtually nothing was ever accomplished.  But My teams would have to return to complete the pipeline and tie it all together.    I AM ABSOLUTELY NOT SURPRISED THE GOVERMENT IS OVER PUKING MONEY OVER 100 YEARS OF INCOMPLETE PROJECTS.  PREPA has received so much money every single power line on the island could have been installed underground 3 times over with unaccountable money to spare.

Aguadilla area fared well I heard.
So what's next Hurricane Jose??
I hear its moved to category 2 and will get near PR .

Dugtx1

Wow and not overly surprised. The US Gov (as you already know) is just as mismanaged, dishonest and screwed up. Hopefully with the influx of business people from the ACTs, there will be some good HONEST/WISE/GOOD CHARACTER & INTEGRITY/EXPERIENCED people that will run for offices in gov and help bring forth some much needed change. Big Government a cancer to any economy.

So glad to hear that you all survived the storm without significant damage!

So happy to hear good reports from you all! Actually just very happy to hear reports!