Waiting for the hurricane

It's 10am on Sunday morning, and although hurricane Florence isn't predicted to strike Bermuda for another 24 hours, already the wind is picking up.

Although my wife and I would prefer to ride out the hurricane at home, as we did hurricane Fabian, this time that's not an option. Mandy is now 37 weeks pregnant, and both her obstetrician and her GP (and her husband!) have encouraged her to get west of the Causeway. Should she go into labour during or shortly after the hurricane, we at least want to have a chance of getting to the hospital. The Causeway will be closed when the wind reaches 50 knots and once the hurricane has passed, who knows what state it will be in.

Initially, we hoped to go to Elbow Beach. My wife called them on Friday to explain the situation and ask if we'd be able to get a room. She was told yes. But when she called back yesterday to make the reservation, she was told that the hotel was not accepting any more guests. Even an appeal to the manager was in vain.

We had no more success with the Hamilton Princess. On Friday they told my wife that they had spare rooms for tonight, but when she called back yesterday they were full. Probably all those people from the Morgan's Point pre-fabs.

Eventually, we decided that we're going to stay at my office in the centre of Hamilton. It's relatively close to the hospital, less likely to lose power and telephone than places outside the city, and we should be able to park our new car (which we only got on Thursday) somewhere where a tree isn't going to fall on it. My boss and his wife will be there too, so we'll have some company.

So not only have we had to secure our house, we've had to pack an overnight bag and gather together bedding, food and drink to take with us too. We're pretty much ready now though. We've brought all our outdoor furniture inside and closed most of our shutters. I just need to put a "pineapple" in one of the drains on our roof, to try to reduce the amount of debris that ends up in our tank.

More later...

» The Government's Charting Our Course blog has posted emergency storm information, including the frequency of the emergency radio station and telephone numbers. It also has the press release issued by the Emergency Measures Organisation yesterday.

» Other locals blogging about the hurricane include Bill Davidson, Sean Soares, Marcus Cooper, Shawn and Sue and Mark Carey.

Comments

[ace on 10.09.06 at 11:04]

Good heavens Phil.

Call me. You can't stay at your office. I checked with "the one who must be obeyed" and she agrees.

We are under renovations at present so it will be a bit tight but you guys are welcome to stay with us.

[loki on 10.09.06 at 11:19]

Good God, Phil. You could have stayed with my parents, not 200 yards from the hospital.

[Phil on 10.09.06 at 11:38]

Thanks for the offers, guys, but being at the office really isn't as bad as it sounds. We figured it offers the best combination of familiar surroundings, proximity to the hospital, and things to do.

We have an inflatable mattress, which is very comfy, so sleeping won't be a problem. There'll be other people there that we know and we'll be able to chat, read, watch movies (as long as the power stays on), and surf and blog (as long as power and internet stays on). And maybe even do some work too! ;)

[The Right Reverend Uncle Elvis on 10.09.06 at 13:41]

Shit, Phil. I'd have had you here, too!
Thank God you can't take me up on it, though. We're prolly gonna have two or three others with us as it is!

But you lot are always welcome. You know that.

[Slowhand on 10.09.06 at 14:15]

2PM in the West End, and all is well.... raining quite a bit and breezy, and we are hunkered in for the long haul.... We usually get an evacutation request from the Police, but have seen nothing yet (We don't do it anyway). We never lost power here through Fabian, so hopefully we will get lucky again this time. I'll post whenever I can with reports, Stay safe everybody, and see you on the other side.

[Full Fullish on 10.09.06 at 14:59]

Hi Phil,
Looks like you and Mandy are in the same boat as my siste. Hmmm just after a full moon, lower atmospheric pressure than average (Creates suction you know!) and a hurricane! Guess when she's bound to have it? ;)

Good luck and stay safe, both of you.....

-The Soares Clan-

[Kim Swan on 10.09.06 at 15:43]

All the best to Mandy, Phil and the baby. Probably the most transparent pregnacy in Bermuda's history
"A baby in Bermuda" : )
God Bless,
Kim Swan

[Nick Jones on 10.09.06 at 16:15]

As more of us get storm-bound I'd be interested if people can indicate how long they stayed online. I'm interested in the resilience of blogging as a means of distributing info around the island in disaster situations

I realise it will all be a function of who's telephone line stays up, who's got power and who's got time, but it will be useful to know the capacity and limits of this way of talking to your neighbour.

So, keep posting, posting and commenting and we'll see who has the last word!

Cheers

[Phillip's Mum and Dad on 10.09.06 at 16:28]

Thinking of you all in Bermuda. With you in spirit and wishing you all safe and well. I am starting to worry for Mandy and our first grandchild. Feel really helpless so far away. We keep checking the web-cams. Don't think we will sleep much tonight. It really helps to read all your posts, keep them coming.

[Alex M. DeCouto on 10.09.06 at 16:38]

http://www.belco.bm/Hurricane/index.html

This sounds interesting, but I'm suspicous of its accuracy. The little red dots seem to have no correlation to the outages listing.

If its accurate, then there are already alot of people with power out. All is well in Shelly Bay though. Wind definitely picking up.

[Floating on 10.09.06 at 16:40]

Well 16:30 & Cellular One & Digicel both have data service still running. Calm here, but I can hear the police running around again.

Of course I left the camera at the office....

[loki on 10.09.06 at 16:45]

How in the name of shitting crikey can we have 600+ homes out of power in the East End already? Down here in Southampton the sun's shining and we have a bit of a breeze. I've seen golfers play in worse weather than this.

[loki on 10.09.06 at 16:50]

I have to say, you know, at times like these, I am so grateful for the invention of the Sony PSP. Once we inevitably lose power, I'll waste the hours playing World Poker Tour and Tiger Woods Golf. It sure beats solitaire!

[Hamish (not Dougal) on 10.09.06 at 16:51]

Lots of Chinese whispers that Belco is shutting off power at midnight tonight come what may - does this make sense??

[Floating on 10.09.06 at 16:52]

Bizarre loki. I could be getting a sun tan outside right now.

Anybody else get the hoax text message about Belco shutting down at midnight?

[RedOnion on 10.09.06 at 17:23]

VSB News has just stated that Belco have no plan to cut power, contrary to the hoax emails.

You've got to give credit to the Bermuda Sun, they are sendiing out email news updates quite often with updated news ... quite impressive (for Bermuda).

[Adjustah on 10.09.06 at 17:37]

I'm watching the first damage courtesy of the Weather Channel who had footage of a damaged roof from a tornado. Pathetic that our news services are being shown up by some fella with a video phone. For what it's worth, the coverage was quite good.

[loki on 10.09.06 at 18:17]

Well, the winds are definitely picking up a bit here in Southampton, but nothing serious yet. The sea off of Whale Bay is rough but, again, nothing serious yet.

[Andrew on 10.09.06 at 18:22]

I just got the hoax email too.

I can't find 101.1Fm on the dial. I'm picking up several stations near there, but none sound like EMO. Any information online from EMO?

[island dweller on 10.09.06 at 18:25]

Loki,

The storm is just setting in, tonight should be interesting.

I am wondering if the WOW antennas will stay up.

[loki on 10.09.06 at 18:25]

Andrew,

I don't believe that the EMO broadcast starts until be get into the critical phase, which is a shame, because one would hope that they'd at least broadcast a repeating test message so you could test whether you can pick up the signal.

[cxc on 10.09.06 at 18:27]

emo is at 100.1 not 101.

[loki on 10.09.06 at 18:27]

island dweller,

WOW supposedly take down their broadcasting equipment as hurricanes approach, so I don't think that any WOW customers will be receiving a signal from late tonight until Tuesday.

[RedOnion on 10.09.06 at 18:28]

Andrew, it's 100.1 and it is on the air, although they are playing canned music, crank your volume up too, it's very low. The 100.1 station will go live if and when the over the air stations lose power.

[Andrew on 10.09.06 at 18:30]

Probably a copy cat hoax...

http://www.theroyalgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050721/NEWS/107210072

[Andrew on 10.09.06 at 18:31]

Thanks Red Onion. I don't have an FM radio with a digital tuner, so I'm stuck with the dial. There must be ten stations near that frequency, close enough that I can't tell if they are 100.1 or not.

I guess I should get a better radio...

[loki on 10.09.06 at 18:34]

Yes, RedOnion's correct - I wasn't able to get the signal on one radio, but the other's fine. During Fabian, they didn't come on until after the storm, which was very frustrating as you had no clue what was going on, but they seem to be on the air now, playing canned music.

[loki on 10.09.06 at 18:37]

Bloody hell, VSB radio's coverage makes Ali G's interviewing style look positively professional

[island dweller on 10.09.06 at 18:49]

Loki,

VSB... you need to change the channel. BBC has coverage too.... hey, perhaps those traffic guys can drive around the island giving updates on the storm! Hott has one and Power has one as well.

[Adjustah on 10.09.06 at 18:52]

Check CNN and The Weather Channel - both of whom have teams here. Apparently all the major networks are here.

http://www.weather.com/multimedia/videoplayer.html?clip=328&collection=topstory&from=vid_brws2&tab=3&nav=84

[loki on 10.09.06 at 18:55]

I love all the announcements, saying that certain businesses and organizations are closed tomorrow. Ya reckon? Why don't they just bloody well say, "everything's fucking closed tomorrow, people. There's a hurricane coming. Didn't you hear?"

[Alex M. DeCouto on 10.09.06 at 18:57]

http://www.ssd.noaa.gov/goes/east/natl.html

This site gives great satelite imagery.

[loki on 10.09.06 at 18:57]

Get over the Causeway now, people. The police have announced that it's closing at 7.15pm.

[island dweller on 10.09.06 at 19:12]

Loki,

Switch channels... and learn about law on Hott!

[island dweller on 10.09.06 at 19:13]

Alex,

Nice site. Looked at the loop.

[loki on 10.09.06 at 19:19]

"learn about law on Hott!"

Sounds positively.....scintilating.....

[Linda on 10.09.06 at 19:21]

Stay safe everyone. Saw some roof damage in Southampton near Turtle Cove. Bit breezier here in Paget right now, but nothing major. Best of luck to Phil and Mandy with the baby. Please don't name her Florence, assuming its a girl.

[Floating on 10.09.06 at 19:23]

If you have Google Earth this is a great link for storm information. Sometimes not fully up to date on the models, but close. The sat photos are great. Also has sea surface temperatures & other useful info.

[island dweller on 10.09.06 at 19:25]

Loki,

We need to all understand that breaking the law is breaking the law. I am so learning a lot!

Linda,
Do you have pics of the roof damage?

[Two Cents on 10.09.06 at 19:47]

Dear All,

I have now been in Brigham & Women's Hospital in Boston for 15 days (see my wife's medical update at end of my message). All in Bermuda are in our prayers as Hurricane Florence approaches. God Bless & Stay Safe

Best Reegards,

PAUL'S MEDICAL UPDATE

Paul

Hi Everyone,

A couple of things have changed... they wanted to try surgery for a third time in his left arm as he has had a good pulse in his Dialysis graft all week, so they put off putting in the new graft and tried to fix his original graft. Well, it looks like the third time we were not lucky...again they were unable to place the shunt and keep his arm from clotting. So it looks like they will have to put in a new graft in his right arm. Hopefully this will happen and Monday or Tuesday.

Good news though... he had 11 liters of fluid removed from his tummy today and he is feeling MUCH better. He has been able to get out of bed and walk with the help of a walker and even a couple of steps on his own. Hopefully by tomorrow the fluid on his hips and knee will disappear and he will be even more mobile. Ya!!!!

We hope to be home next week after the hurricane. It looks like it may be a scary one. To everyone in BDA please be prepared and stay safe. You are all in our thoughts.

Shannon

[marc on 10.09.06 at 20:12]

WOW can't take down their broadcast antennae. They're at the top of ZBM's transmit tower and stand 8 ft tall each. As long as they don't blow off, and they don't lose power, you should have WOW when the power comes back on (if you lose it).

[Chris Broadhurst on 10.09.06 at 20:13]

Of course out here on Hinson's Island we have it tough. WOW is still working so U.S. Open going which makes Fiona happy. But there's no more Black Seal. Heinekens coming out my backside - no Dark n stormies.

Boats out, ferry cancelled. Oh well, there's worse places to be marooned.

All the best Phil. Hope you guys make it thru Florence (boing said Zebidee).

[Linda on 10.09.06 at 20:13]

No pics island dweller...forgot the camera, think I have a touch of "halfzeimers". Heard of another tornado touchdown in Devonshire near the Premiers residence...can anyone confirm? Just tried Hott...heard some dude talking about copyrighting his name, interesting!

[loki on 10.09.06 at 20:18]

Marc,

Perhaps you're right, but WOW's own website says:

"During a hurricane WOW will temporarily dismantle its transmitting antenna and reassemble after the storm. Any hurricane damage to a subscriber’s antenna will be replaced at no cost."

[RedOnion on 10.09.06 at 20:19]

Chris, uh didn't you hear about the hurricame? First thing on your preparedness list should have been Black Seal. Then comes bread milk and less important items.

[loki on 10.09.06 at 20:20]

"Heard of another tornado touchdown in Devonshire near the Premiers residence...can anyone confirm?"

Yes, according to VSB news, a tornado touched down and did some damage at 'The Laurels', the Chief Justice's residence which, funnily enough, is the Premier's former residence.

[Linda on 10.09.06 at 20:41]

Thanks Loki. Switched over to Carol on Mix 106. More relevant info, and the music is good too. She's a real chatterbox, I'm hoping my parrot will pick up something if I leave her on long enough.

[Slowhand on 10.09.06 at 20:42]

There is coverage of the roof damage in Southampton on the Weather Channel. Looks quite extensive.

Just heard on VSB...

"Check It... This is me reportin' East of the West End, West of the East End an' its blowin' out dere. Boyaka-sha."

[loki on 10.09.06 at 20:50]

"I'm hoping my parrot will pick up something if I leave her on long enough."

No such luck in this household. Our Lovebird has a strict bedtime of 8.30pm, or he gets cranky in the morning and demands to be let out to sit on my shoulder at 6.30am.

[loki on 10.09.06 at 20:51]

"Out 'ere in St. Davids, wiv me main man, Seaegg. RESPECT."