Hurricane Dean

[Marlenewallis]

Thanks so much - it's hard to get news, so i really appreciate the quick response!

[riddle760]

Chris, I was a little at ease with you response to my last post. Now after reading you latest post, I’m not so sure. Does it look safe for arrival on 8/20/2007 to Punta Cana ?
I know you guys are going thru a lot more than, me worrying about a vacation. Please know that my prayers are with you.

[armensoprano]

I'm going to Punta Cana for my honeyomoon august 26...what's do you think the condition will be until then ? rain, huricane, should I cancel my flight ? Advice please

[Lambada]

Originally Posted by riddle760

Chris, I was a little at ease with you response to my last post. Now after reading you latest post, I’m not so sure. Does it look safe for arrival on 8/20/2007 to Punta Cana ?
I know you guys are going thru a lot more than, me worrying about a vacation. Please know that my prayers are with you.

Yes. 20th. is Monday, Dean will pass tomorrow (Sat), probably rapidly, so will be gone by then. The next one won't be here by Monday.........it's a long way away.

[Rocky]

Originally Posted by armensoprano

I'm going to Punta Cana for my honeyomoon august 26...what's do you think the condition will be until then ? rain, huricane, should I cancel my flight ? Advice please

That's a long way away and nobody could possibly predict that far ahead.
Certainly Dean will have come and gone by then, not to mention it's track does not appear to be going anywhere near Punta Cana.

[Rocky]

For those who are concerned about themselves or their loved ones on the North coast, forget it.
We'd be lucky to get a bit of rain from the passing storm.

Clearly all who live on the South coast have to be concerned with a storm surge that could cause flooding, specially if you're in a low lying coastal area prone to flooding or mud slides.

It's always good to be prepared to evacuate to the North, and any good distance inland would get you to safety.

The good news is that the hurricane itself does not appear to be lined up to hit the DR, but as mentioned, one should be careful for storm surges.

FLHurricane.com: Category 3 Hurricane Dean Spotlight

[AddEleven11]

Originally Posted by Lambada

Yes. 20th. is Monday, Dean will pass tomorrow (Sat), probably rapidly, so will be gone by then. The next one won't be here by Monday.........it's a long way away.

Hi, im sorry but by which monday do u mean? the 20? or 27th? or even sep 3rd?
Thanks,
-Amanda

[Rocky]

Originally Posted by AddEleven11

Hi, im sorry but by which monday do u mean? the 20? or 27th? or even sep 3rd?
Thanks,
-Amanda

Lambada was pointing out that Dean will have passed by this Monday, as per the question she was replying to, and there's no other storm right behind it.

[DrChrisHE]

Originally Posted by Chris

Here is what is really important for us and I would like some input from Ken, Dolores and Hillbilly on this issue.
Dean is projected to be a category 3 major hurricane when it goes by us.
Storm surges for Cat 3 hurricanes are around 9 - 12 feet above normal in a wide area around the storm.

Dean's predictions are 12 foot storm surge 300 miles to the North East of the storm. The North Eastern quadrant of a storm is traditionally the most destructive. So the storm surge on the South coast and portions of the East Coast is likely to be significantly above normal. This has implications for the low lying residences and buildings, even within several blocks from the shoreline. (I'm thinking of some friends in Juan Dolio and others on the coastline...)

So, we have to put our collective heads together and the experienced South Coasters must give us the benefit of their guidance in terms of these storm surge issues.

Description of Category Three Hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale:
Winds 111-130 mph (96-113 kt or 178-209 km/hr). Storm surge generally 9-12 ft above normal. Some structural damage to small residences and utility buildings with a minor amount of curtainwall failures. Damage to shrubbery and trees with foliage blown off trees and large trees blown down. Mobile homes and poorly constructed signs are destroyed. Low-lying escape routes are cut by rising water 3-5 hours before arrival of the center of the hurricane. Flooding near the coast destroys smaller structures with larger structures damaged by battering from floating debris. Terrain continuously lower than 5 ft above mean sea level may be flooded inland 8 miles (13 km) or more. Evacuation of low-lying residences with several blocks of the shoreline may be required. Hurricanes Jeanne and Ivan of 2004 were Category Three hurricanes when they made landfall in Florida and in Alabama, respectively.

Thanks Chris! What that means in Juan Dolio is that pretty much ALL of the housing COULD be flooded by surge. IF you have a two story home, move anything you don't want damaged upstairs! IF you don't, put as many things up high as you can safely balance (remember, winds still shake even our cement buildings). I have our important papers, stored water, first aid kits, etc. upstairs. WE ARE BOARDING UP--you guys can laugh but I'd rather be safe than sorry. SPM is getting substantially strong 'breezes' right now although it is a lovely sunny day here in Haiti--oh I mean Dominican Republic (what idiots!!)

Something else I noticed when reviewing the storm prep part of DR1 is that they recommend opening a window on the ends of the house. THIS IS OUTDATED INFO! Do NOT open your windows because it allows the wind to enter and exacerbates the risk of roof collapse. See the Red Cross and NOAA sites for more prep info like that.

We'll be online as long as our WIFI holds up (thanks Arjan & Terri). IF anyone needs help medically or from a prevention public health perspective, I'm happy to help. Several people on DR1 have my cell # & I'll give it to you if you privately email me (but I'm not posting it--I already get enough "Quiene es" calls?

[DrChrisHE]

FYI: This came to my email box from the US Embassy...take note if you've not seen it.
"Hello Everybody:

1. This is probably a good time to send out a reminder about hurricanes. The attached message is the public announcement we sent out June 1 and includes general information about hurricane season and suggestions for preparations. As you may know, Tropical Storm Dean is approaching. While it is uncertain how it will develop or where it will ‘land’, you do want to make preparations for any eventuality. I encourage you to monitor the National Hurricane Web page at http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/ to monitor progress of DEAN and tropical storm and hurricane activity in general.

2. The Dominican Republic is a hurricane-prone country and you can learn how to prepare for a hurricane at: by visiting http://www.fema.gov/hazard/hurricane/index.shtm. In general, the www.fema.gov web page has lots of information (in spanish as well) about preparing for emergencies.

Other web pages with useful information to prepare and protect yourself in the event of any disaster: http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/t...cies_1206.html
http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/t...cies_1187.html
http://www.fema.gov/plan/index.shtm

Below are some links in Spanish:
Inundaciones: http://www.fema.gov/spanish/areyouready/flood_spa.shtm
Tormentas: http://www.fema.gov/spanish/hazards/...index_spa.shtm
Huricanes: http://www.fema.gov/spanish/hazards/...pa.shtm#before
General: http://www.fema.gov/spanish/areyouready/index_spa.shtm
3. The Embassy is monitoring the progress of TS DEAN and will send out advisories via these warden messages as necessary with the goal of keeping you informed and to also let you know how the Embassy will be responding.
Regards,
Mark F. Ellis
Chief, American Citizen Services
U.S. Embassy Santo Domingo
Fax: (809) 689-6142
This e-mail is unclassified based on the definition provided by E.O. 12958"