Tropical Storm Paloma

[ScorpioScuba]

We were scheduled to leave this morning for Grand Cayman and our trip was cancelled yesterday as news of Tropical (now Hurricane) Paloma hit. We were lucky and got our trip rescheduled for Friday Nov. 14th. We didn't even unpack. We can't wait to come and we're praying that the eye of the storm stays more to the East so there isn't too much damage.

Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you out there!!

 

[DandyDon]

I've been posting info on the storm in the Storm Forum http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/st...cast-major-hurricane-caymans.html#post3959087 .

My preference for updates and forecasts on such is Dr. Master's Tropical Weather : Weather Underground

Good luck on minimal damages down there.

 

[LauraLynnee]

Just confirmed that our flights are cancelled as well and we've rescheduled for an arrival on the 15th. Thanks again for all the updates on the situation there, we'll be praying that there isn't much damage for you guys. Take care!

Laura

 

[siikik]

For the latest advisories, here is the link for the National Hurricane Center. National Hurricane Center



Ken

 

[ScorpioScuba]

You can check out a few cool videos and some pics from some brave souls on Grand Cayman on CNN's IReport website: Unedited. Unfiltered. News. iReport.com Just do a search on "Hurricane Paloma" and they should come up.

 

[DandyDon]

What the hell?! Five computer models now show Paloma turning back on or after crossing Cuba...?!

From Dr.Masters...

The track forecast
A strong trough of low pressure approaching the U.S. East Coast is pulling Paloma to the north, and this trough should continue to pull the storm northwards and then turn it northeastward by Saturday morning.

​

 

[-hh]

Just a quick note; I have a flight to catch...won't be able to follow-up for awhile.


As of Friday AM/midday, it looked like Paloma was going to cross right over Grand Cayman.

By Friday evening, the track was twisting east; looked like the East End was going to get nipped, and then it was going to track right up the north shore (Bloody Bay) of Little Cayman.

As of ~5AM Saturday, it turns out that that twist was stronger than expected; it looks like it is ripping down the southsides of Little Cayman & Cayman Brac; I've plotted the (5AM SAT) storm center location onto Google Map here.

This gives the appearance of it being 5 miles off the south coast, but the track has a 15 mile error bar, so we need to watch the CYB weather gage for more info. As of SAT AM (7 EST), winds have generally been from the North, at 70-100mph; gusts to 110mph. And 6 inches of rain within the last hour(!)

Stormcarib.com will be the place for local reports afterwords.

I'm afraid that this one is going to be a pretty bad one; probably worse than Ivan and at least very comparable to Gilbert. There will also be some that will draw the parallel to the Storm of '32, as it was also an Early November storm and Paloma is hitting on its 76th anniversary.


-hh

 

[DandyDon]

From Dr.Masters

Hurricane Paloma exploded into a extremely dangerous Category 4 hurricane with 140 mph winds last night as it hammered the Cayman Islands. Paloma now ranks as the second most powerful November hurricane on record, and stands poised to deliver Cuba a devastating blow tonight.

continued

Sounds like Little Cayman and Cayman Brac took is really bad...

 

[BDSC]

The early reports that are coming out of the Caymans seem to indicate that Grand Cayman dodged a bullet but just like DandyDon said, Little Cayman and Cayman Brac got pounded. Power down every where and roofs blown off houses. What a tough break for those fine folks but they'll come back strong because they always do. On a positive note, so far there have been no deaths reported. Let's hope it stays that way.

We're all wishing them the best.

BDSC

 

[DandyDon]

Also good that it didn't veer east into Haiti where rescue efforts are underway to save children trapped in a collapsed school.

None of the computer models agree on where it may go after Cuba...?