Tropical Storm Chantal

So here it is, July and the beginning of the dreaded hurricane season.  Our first named storm, Chantal, is going to be going by us to the south by 130 miles.

Are we scared? No.

We will see some winds and heavy rain, but in the Winter here we get the same winds. We are also 454 feet above the ocean, perched on top of a little hill. I am not really worried about this storm. All though there is always that preparedness of the "what if it makes a turn to the north".

Here is some of that from our marina:

Dear Dock  Tenant:

Tropical storm Chantel is approaching and will pass south of us sometime Wednesday night if it does not slow down in its forward speed.   As of 5am today  (9 July 2013) it appears that it will pass approximately 110 miles south of us sometime early Wednesdaymorning. Obviously, if's path  it bends a little further to the north, it will be closer.  Most likely, we would not experience more than tropical storm force winds.  Given the rapidity of approach, we will not have time to run lines across.   However, you should see to your vessel today and do the following before nightfall:

(1) secure your roller furling jib if you have one by cleating the furling line.

(2) spring your vessel a little further off the dock and double up dock lines.

(3) take down awnings

 If you have a dinghy, you may run your own lines across for further security.

The Marina is closed to boat traffic until further notice.

 

The calm before the storm taken at 11AM, supposed to be here at Midnight

I find it interesting that when we told people in Nevada we were moving to the Virgin Islands, the response we often got was oh but what about those scary hurricanes?

We aren't too afraid of a hurricane.  Our house was built in 1974 and is still standing and is made of solid masonry construction (one of the reasons we bought the Alamo). From what I hear from old timers here the house did receive some roof damage from Marilyn. We also have a downstairs apartment, Honda generator, tarps, canned food and having a cistern, you just drop a bucket in there to get water or even the pool. That isn't to say that if there was a hurricane coming right at us we would have some fear.

When we lived in Nevada, we had a little 11 acre ranchette. There were many times we would have lightening strikes and have flare ups or watching the nearby mountain sides burning up. As opposed to a hurricane where you have days to prepare, a wildfire happens in almost an instant.

Chantal, no one likes you and I am not at all afraid of you, here tonight and gone tomorrow. Welcome to hurricane season in de islands.

I leave you to my weather forecast maps: