USVI-On-Line

With 8-14 inches reported from various parts of the island since yesterday morning, we've got the most serious flooding since 1983. And Many, MANY more buildings, roads, and people...

That is a lot of rain. I hope everyone is safe.

I am sorry to hear that. More rain than you got in July? After seeing that torrent firsthand I can only imagine what the island looks like now. Hope everyone stays safe and there's not too much damage.

We're on chocolate hole watching the whole thing blow through! No snorkeling today.

Hey Colleen & fam.....thinking of yall. Beautiful weather here in Dallas but I'd love to be where you are: even in the rain!!!

Have fun...looking forward to your trip report/pics. See you on the 22nd for the 4th gathering of DFW VIOL forum friends!!

I've talked to a few people on-island this morning, and they've described the situation as being worse than the 22 inch rains in the November storm 6-7 years ago. Schools are closed, roads are washed out and the power is out in many areas. The storm is now a tropical depression and isn't going anywhere for a couple of days... Pretty bad...

I just looked at pictures from Tortola and the roads look like raging rivers. Very scary.

Be safe, hugo!

Looks like one of the boats in the harbor (on the spice cam) has taken on water. Not good

I just spoke with Jan and Bruce at Luna Vista. They are on Centerline Road between Bordeux and Upper Caroline. They still had power when they left their home a little while ago. Their friends in Coral Bay have a house sitter who can't get the generator running. They are on their way there to help them. They described mud slides that have deposited up to 12 feet of mud on roads, power poles that were on the left side of the road are now on the right side, and Coral Bay is brown in color due to the run-off. When they got near Love City Market they said there was a river running across the road.

They are certain that this unnamed storm is having a bigger affect on STJ than Earl did. If you are on STJ you should probably stay put. There is no where to go and nothing to see or do.


The Weather.com radar shows a storm from PR to the the other side of the BVI's. It is moving to the northeast very slowly. The most intense area is over STX, STT, STJ and Tortola. It might clear STX in the next couple of hours.

If you are on STJ and able to read this, please be careful.

JIM

Wow, I was out of the loop. Didn't even realize this was affecting STJ so badly. Yes, I would think mudslides and instability due to all the rain will be a huge concern...Stay safe all..sending hugs and prayers..

Stay safe-thoughts and prayers to all of you.

Wow. Things sound pretty bad. Sending thoughts and prayers that this storm will move on soon.

Well, I wouldn't say worse than Earl, but in both cases it depends a lot on what part of the island you're on. Our power was only out (so far anyway) for a few hours rather than a few days. A lot of hillside houses with a lot of mud inside this morning, and unfortunately a LOT of reefs with heavy layers of sediment. Almost nothing built in the past 20 years has really dealt adequately with erosion and drainage issues. Almost anywhere else with slopes as steep as ours has restrictions on what is built where.

hugo wrote:Well, I wouldn't say worse than Earl, but in both cases it depends a lot on what part of the island you're on. Our power was only out (so far anyway) for a few hours rather than a few days. A lot of hillside houses with a lot of mud inside this morning, and unfortunately a LOT of reefs with heavy layers of sediment. Almost nothing built in the past 20 years has really dealt adequately with erosion and drainage issues. Almost anywhere else with slopes as steep as ours has restrictions on what is built where.

Hugo
building on hillsides always as environmental consequences look at all the problems in California during the rainy season. A lot of states on the mainland require silt fences around construction projects to mitigate damage. Hopefully this tropical storm starts moving away as the last of the season best of luck and stay safe
on a lighter note is to have this farmer in Vermont's problems and have pumpkins floating about on the beaches the donkeys would love that


<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/27134057@N04/5057214905/" title="jokes sept 23 by SHOEMAK38, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4090/505 ... 92b45f.jpg" width="427" height="500" alt="jokes sept 23"></a>

Talked to my parents this morning and it is horrible out at Coral Bay. I heard there is mud everywhere and their power has been out for about 24 hours. (Thank goodness for cell phones). To everyone on island....be careful and we are thinking about you!