The Calm Before The Storm
August 20, 2007 11:17 pm Previous Hurricanes ArchiveI just wanted to post quickly before one of three possible things happen: 1. I fall into a coma from being totally exhausted. 2. They actually do shut off the power in Cancun. 3. Hurricane Dean finally hits.
We are expecting heavy rains, strong winds and possible street flooding here in Cancun. But my home and family are ready for this monster. Now that the preparations are done we just need to catch up on normal things like eating meals, taking showers, feeding pets and rest.
My thoughts and prayers go to the people south of us who will take the brunt of Hurricane Dean’s wrath.
Mahajual, which has one of the most beautiful beaches on earth, is set to take a serious beating in this storm. And Chetumal, which is the capital of the state of Quintana Roo (Mexico’s eastern-most state and home of Cancun, Cozumel and the Riviera Maya), is facing it’s worst hurricane in many years. I’ve heard that in Chetumal’s last major hurricane some of the homes (made of wood) literally floated off their foundations and were set down elsewhere. I can even imagine.
I’m not sure how long I’ll have power and internet. But I will post again as soon as possible (well, as soon as possible after I get some sleep).
Posted by RiverGirl
August 20th, 2007 at 11:22 pm
good luck!
August 20th, 2007 at 11:26 pm
RiverGirl, get some rest and my prayers are with you and all the beautiful people of the Yucatan Peninsula. MAY THE LORD WATCH OVER YOU ALL AND YOUR BEAUTIFUL SURROUNDINGS.
Mexican Girl living in Las Vegas
August 20th, 2007 at 11:39 pm
Sorry we could not help with the chores, but we are indeed praying with you for the folks to the south. I absolutely love your style! Good Night. Sleep securely in the thought that you are in our hearts.
August 20th, 2007 at 11:50 pm
Hi Rivergirl, definitely get some much needed sleep and rest. Thank you for giving us this update. I’ll be checking back in in a couple of hours. I’m in Vegas and local time is 10:50 pm. Wishing you the best.
August 21st, 2007 at 12:14 am
God bless you and keep you safe from the storm. (you know this always sounded like a line from a bad song, before now)
August 21st, 2007 at 12:17 am
I am flying down on Wednesday. Come by the Oasis Cancun and I will buy you a few drinks. Thanks for all of the updates. I will check back in a few hours cuz I am heading to bed to get ready to fly to LAX manana then Cancun on Wednesday.
August 21st, 2007 at 12:19 am
Hey Jeff, if you read this I will be at the Oasis on Wed. myself, coming with a friend for a week or so. We fly out of St. Louis Wed. morning, so far the airlines and hotel have everything still confirmed!
August 21st, 2007 at 12:32 am
Excerpted form the 200AM EDT bulletin from the National Hurricane Center by Forecaster Pasche/Brown:
The report is essentially unchanged since 800PM yesterday evening. Dean is moving due west at approximately 20mph, currently located 100 miles east of Chetumal.
The eye will make landfall in a few hours. Still rated a category 5, the storm will lessen slighlty upon landfall. Maintaining Hurricane strength, it will make its way across the Peninsula, during the day, reaching the lower section of the Bay of Campeche tonight.
There are no changes in figures concerning rainfall amounts, wind speeds, surges, or wave heights.
As reported for most of the evening, the upper Yucatan Peninsula is being spared, with the brunt of the storm hitting Chetumal and Belize.
The next official advisory from the NHC will occur at 500AM EDT.
I am getting some sleep. Will check back in a few hours. Things should remain essentially unchanged.
August 21st, 2007 at 12:42 am
Hurricane update–
pressure continues to drop.Strengthining.
August 21st, 2007 at 12:55 am
Fell asleep on the couch. Got up to go to bed and thought I’d check to see what is going on out there. Your time is almost 2:00 am - are you getting some of the storm - really curious about what’s happening in Playa - my hubby is there. He’s probably fast asleep or maybe just now getting woke up by the wind, if there is any - curious ?? Nite all, have a safe rest!
August 21st, 2007 at 1:15 am
Coming to Cancun on Fri. 8/24. What can we bring from the states (as vacationers)that could aid the devastated Mexicans that will get hit by Dean (Chetumal)? Stay safe in Cancun! Sending positive energy your way!
August 21st, 2007 at 2:09 am
I’m in Playa del Carmen … the power just went out. I’m reporting on this storm for public radio in US and would like to hear stories from anyone else who is up.
August 21st, 2007 at 2:28 am
Thank you so much for all the information you have gave us it has been very helpfull. BE SAFE I will be in Cancun on Saturday
August 21st, 2007 at 3:13 am
Thinking you all there . Hope its all not too bad and its over soon .
Praying for you all
August 21st, 2007 at 3:16 am
Good luck with your wind problem !
The eyes and best wishes of the world are with you at this time.
August 21st, 2007 at 3:19 am
It’s just past 4 am Cancun time. We still have power in Cancun. The wind is blowing very hard, it’s raining heavily and we are getting some thunder and lightning.
Things here in Cancun are better than I expected. My concern right now is for those closer to where the eye is crossing the Yucatan, especially those people living in sub-standard housing.
August 21st, 2007 at 3:23 am
Hi RiverGirl.
I will just say that I`m thinking of all you people living in that hurricane area.
May you get throug this one too.
I will check this daily.
August 21st, 2007 at 3:27 am
Uk time 10.20am my daughter is in hotel Rui Cancun, scared and so am I mainly due to lack of info. Thomson Tours operator in the uk have a helpline which told us they would be moved to a hotel with a hurricane shelter. It didn’t happen. they are barricaded in their room. the reps have been useless. i don’t know if the TV reports are accurate, they conflict, I have read about the rise of sea levels and thats worrying. Can anyone tell me how much longer this will go on.
August 21st, 2007 at 3:27 am
Good Luck to you all in this hard hours.
Maybe we will be in Mexiko near Akumal at Tuesday the 28th
August 21st, 2007 at 3:50 am
Karen - Cancun is getting periods of bad weather followed by calmer moments. Where I am, in the center of the city on the mainland, it’s not as bad as I feared it would be. It’s raining and blowing here but it’s not doing a lot of damage. I think we are in for another 3 or 4 hours of this weather. I can’t speak about sea levels, but Cancun is getting off easy in this storm. It could have been much worse.
August 21st, 2007 at 3:53 am
I was in Cancun during Hurricane Wilma, whilst it was frightening, we were treated well by the locals - they have been in similar situations before & know how to deal with it. Cancun has not had a direct hit like it was with Wilma - Also Dean is a fast moving hurricane. Wilma stayed over the Cancun area for 36 hours!
I am sure your daughter is fine
August 21st, 2007 at 4:13 am
Ok…for all you folks in a panic watching Dean’s progression. I’m watching The Weather Channel (TWC). At 6am East Coast time. Reports coming live out of Puerto Adventuras are showing the thatch roof cabana’s on the beachline and resort they are filming and things aren’t looking so bad. At least from my un-educated eye…since its still got a thatch roof…things can’t be that bad in the northern reaches of the Riviera Mayan areas.
I’m watching for my friend whose scheduled to leave for Xcaret on friday. I recall Adventuras was about 25-30 miles south of Xcaret. So now her biggest problem may be any rooms that tourists who couldnt get out of the way…may be taken. So check the hotels to be sure you will have a place to stay.
I love that area and pray for the locals there that they will be ok.
kb
August 21st, 2007 at 5:37 am
Engggggggggggggggg !
August 21st, 2007 at 7:09 am
Hello Rivergirl, is the worst over now? I’ll be in Cancun on Sunday and I hope everyone fared well.
August 21st, 2007 at 11:58 am
Have you heard anything at all about how Cozumel came out from the hurricane? I have been looking for some time on the internet and have been unable to get any word.