Rare TLCOhio Posted September 18, 2017 #1 Share Posted September 18, 2017 (edited) This morning, there is the CNN headline: "Hurricane Maria: 'Significant' strengthening likely as storm nears land". Here is their quick summary: "Hurricane Maria is forecast to rapidly strengthen over the next two days as it takes aim at Caribbean islands devastated by Hurricane Irma just days ago. Maria has prompted a hurricane warning for Martinique, Guadeloupe, Dominica, St. Kitts, Nevis and Montserrat." Sadly, this latest storm that will complicate even more the cruise ship folks in trying to figure out their schedules of port stops during the peak winter season for the eastern Caribbean. Full story at: http://www.cnn.com/2017/09/18/americas/atlantic-storms-maria-jose-lee/index.html THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Panama Canal? Completed Feb. 28-Mar. 15, 2017, Fort Lauderdale to San Francisco adventure through the Panama Canal with our first stops in Colombia, Central America and Mexico, plus added time in the great Golden Gate City. Lots of fun, interesting pictures!! Those visuals start on the second page, post #26. See more at: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2465580 Here is the CNN graphic this morning for the direction of Hurricane Maria as it heads to the Caribbean.: (Open your screen/viewer wider to see these pictures larger!) Edited September 18, 2017 by TLCOhio Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
let's go cruising Posted September 18, 2017 #2 Share Posted September 18, 2017 Maria is now projected to be a Category 4 hurricane when it hits Dominica. If anyone on the island reads this, please know that we are thinking of you. If you are able, let us know how you are. Renee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare TLCOhio Posted September 18, 2017 Author #3 Share Posted September 18, 2017 Maria is now projected to be a Category 4 hurricane when it hits Dominica. If anyone on the island reads this' date=' [b']please know that we are thinking of you. If you are able, let us know how you are.[/b] Renee From what I have gathered PR which is the lifeline for the islands affected by Irma, at this time is thought to be in line to receive a direct hit by a category 3 hurricane. Some of the relief efforts have even haulted because of Maria as PR prepares for it. Agree with Renee's kind posting and thoughts. Here is more as to what is hitting these scenic islands. Very sad and challenging situation with above details from another CC Board thread. We will all hope for the best, but "two-in-a-row" are too, too many dire happenings. From the London/UK Daily Mail today, they have this headline: “Category 3 Maria takes aim at the Caribbean islands leveled by Irma” with these story highlights: “The National Hurricane Center in Miami says that Hurricane Maria has strengthened to a Category 3 storm and was 'rapidly' intensifying into a major hurricane. The eye is expected to move through the Leeward Islands later Monday. The storm's center was about 60 miles east of Martinique, with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph. The storm is on a path that would take it near many of the islands wrecked by Hurricane Irma and on toward Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and Haiti. Hurricane warnings were posted for Guadeloupe, Dominica, St. Kitts, Nevis, Montserrat and Martinique. A tropical storm warning was issued for Antigua and Barbuda, Saba, St. Eustatius and St. Lucia.”. Below are a couple of their graphics to better show where this storm is headed, etc. Full story at: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4895266/Hurricane-Jose-pound-East-Coast-week.html THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Enjoyed a 14-day, Jan. 20-Feb. 3, 2014, Sydney to Auckland adventure, getting a big sampling for the wonders of "down under” before and after this cruise. Go to: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1974139 for more info and many pictures of these amazing sights in this great part of the world. Now at 187,278 views for this posting. From the Daily Mail, here are the graphics/charts showing the Hurricane Maria path and direction.: (Open your screen/viewer wider to see these pictures larger!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LondonTowner Posted September 19, 2017 #4 Share Posted September 19, 2017 Such a lovely island with very friendly people. Stay safe everybody. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare 4cats4me Posted September 19, 2017 #5 Share Posted September 19, 2017 So sad, Category 5. Praying for all the people of Dominica. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sky616 Posted September 19, 2017 #6 Share Posted September 19, 2017 The eye is currently right over Dominica as a cat 5. Praying for these people. We've never been here but it was on our list to go to. Hopefully someday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azure Moon Posted September 19, 2017 #7 Share Posted September 19, 2017 Definitely saying prayers for them. The WeatherNation channel said winds of 160 mph and gusts up to 200 mph. :( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Laszlo Posted September 19, 2017 #8 Share Posted September 19, 2017 Hurricane Maria Does ‘Mind Boggling’ Damage to Dominica, Leader Says https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/19/world/americas/hurricane-maria-caribbean.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare TLCOhio Posted September 19, 2017 Author #9 Share Posted September 19, 2017 The eye is currently right over Dominica as a cat 5. Praying for these people. We've never been here but it was on our list to go to. Hopefully someday. Appreciate these kind follow-ups, prayers and wishes for the people of Dominica. Last night around 8 pm, I was watching the weather radar and saw when the center of this hurricane was directly over this very scenic and natural island. Yes, it is very sad as to what Hurricane Maria has done to Dominica and other locations in the Caribbean. From the New York Post this morning, they have this headline: “Dominica PM shares frightening posts on destruction of Hurricane Maria” with these highlights: “The Prime Minister of Dominica posted live on Facebook as Hurricane Maria battered the country, including his own residence. 'My roof is gone,' the PM Roosevelt Skerrit posted Monday night. 'I am at the complete mercy of the hurricane. House is flooding.' Skerrit wrote the updates as Maria, a category 5 hurricane, barreled over the island with 160 mile-per-hour sustained winds.”. If that nation's top official was hit that way, you can image how bad it was on most other residents there. Personally, we loved our visit to Dominica in early 2015. BUT, it is a very poor country that also got badly damaged from a tropical storm two years ago. With a hurricane of this extreme force, it has to be very, very bad in an country not prepared for these winds and this level of damage. Full story at: http://nypost.com/2017/09/19/dominica-pm-shares-frightening-posts-on-destruction-of-hurricane-maria/ THANKS! Terry in Ohio AFRICA?!!?: Lots of interesting and dramatic pictures can be seen from this live/blog at: www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2310337 Now at 34,883 views for this visual sharing including Cape Town, along South Africa’s coast, Mozambique, Victoria Falls/Zambia and Botswana's famed Okavango Delta area. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IslandStar Posted September 19, 2017 #10 Share Posted September 19, 2017 Dominica was hit by the full force of a CAt5 hurricane at 9pm last night. All communications are down the only information coming out is via ham radio. Last communications said half a village has been swept away in flash flood, trees and cars all over the place, everyone has lost their roof, church and main town flattened. We in Grenada are waiting to hear from friends and family that they are ok. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Host CJSKIDS Posted September 19, 2017 #11 Share Posted September 19, 2017 Dominica was hit by the full force of a CAt5 hurricane at 9pm last night. All communications are down the only information coming out is via ham radio. Last communications said half a village has been swept away in flash flood, trees and cars all over the place, everyone has lost their roof, church and main town flattened. We in Grenada are waiting to hear from friends and family that they are ok. Just heartbreaking. So loved my visit there. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your friends and family. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare 3rdGenCunarder Posted September 19, 2017 #12 Share Posted September 19, 2017 Dominica is (was?) beautiful. I went riding in the mountains of the rainforest about 10 years ago. Even with fairly "normal" weather for the island, the trail was very muddy. With all that rain and wind, If trees were knocked down, mudslides would probably follow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rkacruiser Posted September 19, 2017 #13 Share Posted September 19, 2017 Dominica had its tourist-friendly infrastructure issues before Maria. January, 2017, the Nieuw Amsterdam made her maiden call at Dominica. I happened to be in the Crow's Nest at the time that Captain van Zaane and the Dominican Tourist Officials had the ships's Maiden Port Call Ceremony. The Tourist Minister admitted that his island had challenges to meet and resolve, but they were doing their best to provide the cruise guests visiting Dominica a wonderful visit. I have visited Dominica on a few cruises over the years and I can attest to the beauty of the island as well as the pleasantness of her people with whom I have met. My heart breaks at what has now befallen these good people. Progress, so difficultly made, undoubtedly has been reversed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare TLCOhio Posted September 21, 2017 Author #14 Share Posted September 21, 2017 I have visited Dominica on a few cruises over the years and I can attest to the beauty of the island as well as the pleasantness of her people with whom I have met. My heart breaks at what has now befallen these good people. Progress, so difficultly made, undoubtedly has been reversed. Appreciate this nice, kind above posted comments by our "neighbor" in Ohio. Plus, the other notes and words of wishes for their people. Very sad for Dominica and the others in these affected Caribbean areas. Much of the media attention this morning is about San Juan and Puerto Rico. Many of the key headlines are about "Puerto Rico Goes Dark". Their electric grid in Puerto Rico was not that good before this storm, now it is even worse and will be so hard to fix, especially for the smaller towns and more rural area. BUT, there are lots of islands, such Dominica, that have been totally damaged and had not recovered from a major tropical storm that hit them two years ago. We super loved Dominica from our wonderful February 2015 visit there. BUT, because it is a hard island for the media to get there, the attention to their current challenges have become somewhat lost in the overall mess affecting these many Caribbean areas. THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio From our Jan. 25-Feb. 20, 2015, Amazon River-Caribbean adventure that started in Barbados, here is the link for that live/blog. Many visuals from this amazing river and Caribbean Islands (Dutch ABC's, St. Barts, Dominica, Grenada, etc.): www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2157696 Now at 53,317 views for these postings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IslandStar Posted September 21, 2017 #15 Share Posted September 21, 2017 Families here in Grenada now getting word from their loved ones in Dominica. Security and support heading in now to help. This video shot by security forces on a flyover to assess damage first morning shows the NATURE ISLAND with no trees :-( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare nbsjcruiser Posted September 22, 2017 #16 Share Posted September 22, 2017 We were in Dominica in March and had such a great time. We spent the morning walking around town, wandered through the farmer's market and then did a tour that ended up at the Bongo Baths. What a great day and such nice people everywhere. Last night I saw the video from CNN on the island - there is nothing left. Sugar cane fields, farms, trees, houses - its all gone. Its looks like an island that was set on fire from one end to the other. Complete and utter devastation. I can't imagine what I'd be thinking right now knowing that my entire country has been destroyed. Who do you turn to? Where do you go for help? I feel so bad for these people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LondonTowner Posted September 22, 2017 #17 Share Posted September 22, 2017 Yes, it's heartbreaking. Not just for Dominica, but all the islands that have been affected. It is totally unimaginable what you would do or where to turn to in that situation. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare TLCOhio Posted September 23, 2017 Author #18 Share Posted September 23, 2017 Yes, it's heartbreaking. Not just for Dominica, but all the islands that have been affected. It is totally unimaginable what you would do or where to turn to in that situation. Appreciate these added posts. Very sad and tragic. There is a challenging question as to whether to cancel an upcoming cruise for these areas . . . VERSUS . . . not scrubbing as a way to help their local economies. SE Asia is our next major destination in early 2018. So, we do not have any travels to these scenic eastern Caribbean areas planned for the next year or two. From the New York Times this morning, they have this headline:“Storms Moved On. Caribbean Islands Fear Tourists Might, Too”with these highlights: “Two ferocious hurricanes in less than two weeks caused widespread devastation, leaving dozens dead, millions without power or drinking water and countless homes destroyed. The storms also ripped through the tourism industry in a region unusually dependent on well-heeled visitors. In the wake, cruise ports and airports throughout the Caribbean are closed, beachside bars are flooded and, on many islands, tourists are absent. And the risk of a far longer term ripple effect looms, threatening the region’s ability to rebuild: Without a steady influx of cash from tourists, businesses suffer, employers cut back and local residents lose jobs; workers on especially hurricane-stricken islands could move elsewhere for opportunity, denting the local economy further.” Their chart/graphic, shown below, gives background on the paths from these two hurricanes, plus the important shares of the local economies affected by these storm. There are many aspects from these impacts that we do not always consider. This includes: "In the Caribbean region, travel and tourism account for a higher share of the gross domestic product than they do in any other region of the world, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council, and officials say it is far too soon to know when the industry will fully recover. At stake are some of the more than 2.3 million travel and tourism-related jobs in the region." This is a fairly comprehensive look at these impacts, who is hurt most and which locations can recover more quickly. As shown below, Dominica depends on tourism for 35% of their total GDP. That's huge!! Full story at: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/23/us/tourism-hurricane-economy-caribbean-islands.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=second-column-region®ion=top-news&WT.nav=top-news&_r=0 THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio From our Jan. 25-Feb. 20, 2015, Amazon River-Caribbean adventure that started in Barbados, here is the link for that live/blog. Many visuals from this amazing river and Caribbean Islands (Dutch ABC's, St. Barts, Dominica, Grenada, etc.): www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2157696 Now at 53,403 views for these postings. Here are the NY Times charts on the hurricane impacts in these key Caribbean areas.: (Open your screen/viewer wider to see this visual larger!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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