The entire island

[Rae]

Is gonna be in the eye shortly. Talk about a direct hit.

[HurricaneGirl]

Holy Crap!!

[Normandy]

At least they get a short break. Its jogging NNW now so it appears parts of the island will again be in the eyewall (this time SW). Cancun is about to get slammed....hard.

[shaggy]

wonder how much is going to be left of this island when its all over.Does anyone know elevation levels on cozumel?

[LizzardInFlorida]

[shawn67]

wonder how much is going to be left of this island when its all over.Does anyone know elevation levels on cozumel?

Highest point is 15 meters (45 feet)

Shawn

[lisa0825]

posted on a Cozumel board:

Just got off the phone with Christi. Exhaustion is setting in as they haven't slept any more than a couple of minutes at a time in over 24 hours. This time, I could clearly hear the wind quite loudly through the phone as we talked. Christi said she was having trouble hearing me over the noise. In looking at the satellite photos, they appear to be in the very worst of the storm right now - with sustained 150 mph winds and gusts to 185 mph.

They currently have water coming into the house through the windowsill tracks and under the doors - this is NOT due to rising water in the street (which is still draining well), but instead to the relentless wind literally blowing it into every crevice. They're busy using every towel in the house to soak it up, but it seems to be a losing battle. They've moved food and all the bedding to the 2nd floor in case of a storm surge, but that's just for emergency preparation's sake - they're well inland and there's no real expectation of that occurring. However, better to be safe than sorry!

It looks like they'll be getting the eye very soon, so they'll have a couple of hours of relief - but then it all starts over again, only this time from the other direction! ::::. At least, however, this will be the end of it. I've read her all your posts with your thoughts and prayers - they're MUCH appreciated, believe me. Becky and Jason send their love as well and also appreciate your thoughts as do Bob and Noelle (not D2D members, but were staying at Caribe Blu along with Becky and Jason - they're very lovely people - chatted with Bob, too ). While it would've been better for *all* of them to evacuate (Christi included), I'd say that if I were going to get stuck on an island in a Cat 4 hurricane, I couldn't have picked a better group of people to be stuck with - I know Christi feels the same.

So they're all safe for now, if somewhat moist , exhausted and frazzled. The island is getting seriously hammered. This is a dead-on hit with a storm that makes Gilbert and Emily look like nothing.

[shaggy]

so in other words better hope there wasn't a huge storm surge like with katrina or there is going to be a big problem for anyone who stayed on that island!

[SamSagnella]

Local bathymetry supports 'only' a surge of about 15' or less.

[jax]

it'll take a while to figure out just how bad
they go hit... God's speed to them.

[djtil]

Just got off the phone with Christi. Exhaustion is setting in as they haven't slept any more than a couple of minutes at a time in over 24 hours. This time, I could clearly hear the wind quite loudly through the phone as we talked. Christi said she was having trouble hearing me over the noise. In looking at the satellite photos, they appear to be in the very worst of the storm right now - with sustained 150 mph winds and gusts to 185 mph.

quite a contradiction with first and last line..."on the phone" and "150mph sustained".


uuuuuuhhhh no.

[lisa0825]

There were also reports of people getting through by phone on the isla mujeres board as well. Call them liars, but don't call me one.

[djtil]

Call them liars, but don't call me one.

i believe i quoted the author.

and i dont think they are liars, just mistaken.

[Droop12]

During Ivan we didnt have power for 8.5 days after landfall but our phone line seemed to stay intact. We had trees on the lines and some of the poles were snapped yet the phones still worked, so its possible. It's not a good thing to call these people liars, they havent slept in days and there dealing with cat 3-4 conditions. People arent perfect especially under those circumstances. Dont be so quick to jump on these peoples statements and show a little respect.

[djtil]

not calling anyone liars, again.


but quoting a day old nhc advisory as "current conditions" is not accurate....just pointing that out.

[gtalum]

Cozumel will be okay. They're taking a ton of damage, for sure. But they'll rebuild.

[Droop12]

Alright, you posted a minute before I did so I didnt see your post. But still, Im betting the 150mph nhc current intensity is the last they saw since most are without power now. They dont know any better. Im sure theres not to much of a difference of 140 and 150mph. Both cause massive damage.

[conestogo_flood]

I thought the eye could make landfall Saturday morning? That is the last I heard, does this mean Wilma is gaining speed?

[lisa0825]

more updates from Cozumel:

"Just talked to Pinky -Alex's wife -house phone works, no power or water. The boys are sleeping the eye is passing them now so a little calmer (140) but the rest of the ring is coming with more water. Still brutal pressure from the sound of the wind and water outside.
Pinky said the street was like a river but no water inside the house -just winds are wearing on them all. With more time in the storm I hope they can remain steady as she goes..."

"Just spoke with Alicia of the B & B...Very poor connection, but working. Says just very scary and horrible, but they are safe, and her house up off ave 65 and calle 19 is not taking any water. Praying for all!!"

[djtil]

initial reports from cozumel sound promising....in the eye and still with communications and structures.