Hurrican Dean- Jamaica & Cancun Brides- lets keep our fingers crossed

[starchild]

Yes, we have people in Jamaica now just outside of Montego Bay and other than having no power and being a little waterlogged, they are safe and sound. Whew! I am nervous of the turn it will take next though (

[MsShelley]

that is good for now... *fingers crossed*

[starchild]

I got this off the RIU website:

 

august 19, 2007

RIU's Resorts in Jamaica and Mexico are prepared for the arrival of Hurricane

RIU's resorts have already instituted the necessary security measures and are constantly updating guests with current information

Hurricane Dean is expected to make land fall on the coast of Jamaica near Negril within the next few hours.

 

RIU's hurricane committee has already met and has finalized Phase C of its hurricane plan. All necessary steps have been completed to insure the safety of guests and personnel.

 

According to Daniel Camponovo, Director of Operations for RIU, "this morning, the main restaurants at our Jamaican hotels were operating as normal and all guests were provided a full breakfast. Beginning at 12:00 pm guests began to receive food and water to store in their rooms."

 

At the present time the weather in Jamaica is stable with few wind gusts. Guests have been instructed to remain in their rooms after 1:00 pm Caribbean time.

 

PREPARATIONS IN MEXICO

 

Based on the projected path of Hurricane Dean, at this moment, RIU is making the necessary preparations at its resorts in Playa del Carmen and Cancun. The company is currently following the steps outlined in Phase B of its hurricane plan.

 

As such, tomorrow morning - Monday, August 20 - at 6:00 am, RIU guests in Cancun will leave their hotels and be transported to authorized evacuation centers.

 

Guests in Playa de Carmen will remain at their hotels. All of RIU's properties in this area are fully prepared and are taking the necessary security measures in advance of the impending storm.

 

RIU will continue to communicate new information as it becomes available through this website.

[MsShelley]

thanks for the update...

[BrittneyD]

Hopefully you guys will have your wedding as planned. We should know by tomorrow how bad the damage really is. It looks like it could have been a lot worse. I am praying that the storm doesn't go to Caymen next. My FMIL and her sisters just finished rebuilding their vacation home that was wiped out by the hurricanes in 2004. It would be devestating to work on rebuilding for 3 years, only to have it ruined again before it even got used. I will be keeping me fingers crossed.

[MsShelley]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrittneyD Hopefully you guys will have your wedding as planned. We should know by tomorrow how bad the damage really is. It looks like it could have been a lot worse. I am praying that the storm doesn't go to Caymen next. My FMIL and her sisters just finished rebuilding their vacation home that was wiped out by the hurricanes in 2004. It would be devestating to work on rebuilding for 3 years, only to have it ruined again before it even got used. I will be keeping me fingers crossed.

For their sake I hope everything is ok there...

[Heidi]

Update on Jamaica situation from Jamaica's tourism website:

 

JAMAICA - A premier caribbean travel destination featuring the resort areas of Montego Bay, Negril, Ocho Rios, Kingston, Port Antonio and South Coast.

 

Hurricane Dean Update

*** HEAVY RAINS CONTINUE WHILE HURRICANE DEAN BEGINS TO MOVE AWAY … HURRICANE WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT ***

The National Meteorological Service update

 

Published on 8/19/2007 12:00:00 AM

 

Sunday, August 19, 2007 - 11:00 pm - A Hurricane Warning remains in effect for Jamaica as dangerous Hurricane Dean moves west of the island. This means that dangerously high water and/or exceptionally high waves, and average winds of 118 km/h or higher are still expected into tomorrow.

 

At 10:00 p.m. the centre of Hurricane Dean was located near Latitude 17.6 degrees North, Longitude 78.8 degrees West; or about 85 km (52 miles) southwest of Negril Point, Jamaica.

 

Dean is moving westward at near 32 km/h (20 mph) and this general motion is expected to continue during the next 24 hours. On this track, the centre of Dean is forecast to move away from Jamaica overnight and pass just south of the Cayman Islands on Monday morning.

 

Maximum sustained winds remain near 230 km/h (145 mph), with higher gusts. Dean is a dangerous Category 4 hurricane; however, some strengthening is forecast during the next 24 hours to bring Dean to Category 5 strength on Monday. Hurricane force winds extend outward approximately 95 km (60 miles), while tropical storm force winds extend 335 km (205 miles) from the centre.

 

Jamaica continues to experience strong, gusty winds and very heavy rainfall as the island remains embedded in the bands associated with Hurricane Dean. Satellite imagery indicates that showers are occurring across the island as well as over territorial waters. Life-threatening flash floods, landslides and storm surges remain a threat of the system.

 

It is possible that eastern parishes could begin to see a decrease in rainfall and winds tomorrow morning, while western parishes will continue to experience showers and gusty winds until later on Monday. Small craft operators are reminded to remain in safe harbour until all warning messages have been lifted and wind and sea conditions have returned to normal.

[Trista]

Thanks for the upate, its greatly appreciated~

[Heidi]

someone on trip advisor's Jamaica forums posted this site & the following Jamaican Press Release (damage reports):

 

stormCARIB: Pleas for Help :: 3. News / Other Websites

 

Press release from Jamaica.

 

DAMAGE HAS BEEN REPORTED FROM COMMUNITIES IN THE FOLLOWING PARISHES:

 

1. St. Thomas:

Extensive damage has been reported from several communities within the parish of St. Thomas. Significant wind damage to roofs, storm surges, flooding, collapsed structures, impassable roadways are among the many reports.

 

2. St. James:

The community of Coral Gardens is severely affected by wind damage.

 

3. Kingston and St. Andrew:

Severe wind damage and downed power lines in the Riverton city area. Also, a fallen tree caused the collapse of a residential building in the Chambers Lane Area of Liganea, St. Andrew.

 

4. Clarendon:

Flooding has been reported from the Denbigh gully.

 

5. Portland:

Several roadways in Port Antonio, Manchioneal, Mount James and Mount Airy in Buff Bay are blocked.

 

6. St. Mary:

Several roadways from Junction to Broadgate are impassable due to fallen trees.

 

7. St. Catherine:

Storm surges have been reported along the Port Henderson road in Portmore rendering the roadway impassable along with roof damage in the communities of Naggo Head and Newland. The Newland Road is also impassable due to a fallen utility pole. Additionally, sections of the roadway have been eroded in Hellshire due to storm surges and rising water levels have been reported in Old Harbour forcing the evacuation of several persons.

 

 

DAMAGE TO CRITICAL FACILITIES ARE AS FOLLOWS:

 

1. Telecommunications

Cellular telephone lines are down in sections of Portland, St. Mary, and Clarendon and there is currently no communication link with the parish of St. Thomas. Efforts are underway to re-establish communication links with St. Thomas as soon as possible.

 

2. Electricity

Well over 125,000 JPS customers are without power supply.

 

3. Water Supply

There have been reports of damage to water supply systems.

[Trista]

Heidi...

 

Thanks...