Hurricane Emily

Thanks steve we appreciate the updates from a local, especially since yours contain substance and not just "its windy" or "its raining"

[pazoozoo1]

In terms of some of the migrant workers, what exactly has the local governemnt done to let people know what is going on? I can recall an incident in Puerto rico (vieques island) that the loudspeaker trucks (usually reserved for political stumping) were called out in force and fairly effective.

[Jo]

Steve- thank you SO much for the update!!!!
Although the nervousness of all us folks who are not there is nothing compared to what you're facing you are still helping us with doing that- which shows what a wonderful being you are.

[SunKneeMarie]

I thought I'd read something about police rounding up anyone still on the streets after a certain time and getting them to shelters. Something like that??

[playadreamer]

Thank you Steve! We appreciate all that you are doing for the people of playa and your guests. We greatly appreciate you keeping us informed too. Hope to meet you some day soon.
God's Speed!
CDavis
Playadreamer

anyone have any idea what time they are prediting it to him (playa del carmen time)

[Nerak936]

Originally Posted by ryberg

Some police also arrived and were indeed rounding people up to get off the beach. We told them about it, too -- Delmy said she even know one of the officers we were talking to -- so hopefully they'll get that straightened out and get all those guys out of there.

Steve

Steve: Your taking the time to notice and going to the trouble of trying to help out some guys who aren't fully aware of what's about to happen rather than just concentrating on you and yours....... that earns you a blue ribbon in my book. Your efforts just might have saved some lives, Steve. And on their behalf, I say "Thank you".

[Page]

Folks, this is a note from someone on the ground here at about 5:45 p.m. EST, 4:45 p.m. Playa time. Right now we're seeing increasing winds, the sky is grey (not black yet), and we've had a few showers. Nothing major as yet.

Speaking for the folks on Calle 26 (J&A, Heather and Mike and my husband Bill and me, plus lots of other neighbours), we're as hunkered down as we can get. A lot of the houses are boarded up - ours was finished just two hours ago, if you can believe it. We thought we had a crew set up to do four houses, but they didn't show up this morning as they said they would.

However, our dear friend Martin (some know him as Chivo - sp? often at Java Joe's in the mornings) came through with a crew of two. They had already boarded up Java Joe's, Zocalo, several homes in Playacar. Basically, he was going around town doing everything he could to help his friends. Before he left, I hugged him and told him he was such a special friend to us (this is NOT the first time he's helped us out big time). Kudos, Martin - and I'm glad your family is safe in Amsterdam right now.

The school across the street - Yitsatil - is safe haven for all the guests from Coco Reef Club hotel. There are shelters all over town and I'm just glad we don't need one right now.

Our fellas have gone over to one of the homes a couple of blocks away with lots of wood to board up a few crucial windows (decided by the occupants, of course). Once everyone is back home, we'll all just close the front door (only one that isn't boarded up), tape it and wait it out.

From the last word I had, the power will be shut off at 6:00 p.m. our time. We've all got all the food and supplies we will need. Every large container is filled with tap water and we've all got lots of purified water for the next few days.

Our situation is no doubt much better than many of the local people and my heart aches for them. So if you're praying for someone, make it the poor people who don't have the choices and opportunities to prepare that we do.

I send many thanks to all of you who are thinking of us during this time. It helps more than you'll ever know. God bless us all, and I know He will. Catch ya on the other side!

[alwaysmissinpdc]

Originally Posted by Julsie

I'm in tears with worry after hearing the reports, seeing the beautiful calm-before-the-storm photos and praying for all in Emily's path.

All natural disasters are unfortunate, to say the least. But it hits you extra hard when one affects an area to which you've been. I've walked those streets... talked to those people... eaten in those restaurants, etc... To know that they are in danger is so sad and distressing.

My thoughts and prayers are with all of those in harm's way and those who will have a long night and maybe days waiting for important news. Just remember their are a lot of us sending good thoughts your way.

[Andiline]

I would suggest to make a special ceremony for Steve next year sometime during the Playa Peep-Fest... he certainly earned something for keeping us all updated (guess we still have to think about something really special).

Andrea

[ryberg]

Yes, as I was saying, officials were arriving to evacuate people. We also saw a higher number of lifeguards patrolling the beach, and doing so in pairs, not solo. I'm confident somebody would have come to talk to those guys even if we'd done nothing. What I'm not confident of is how seriously those guys will take it, and I don't think the police have time to come and take away people who refuse to leave.

I also meant to mention that it's a real ghost town. Not a single car in the parking lot at Plaza Pelicanos, and none along the 10th street side of it, either. Only saw 2 cars in the big parking lot across from Plaza Antigua (where immigration is, before the entrance to Playacar). And along the way we noted that they had taken down the light signals on Juarez Ave. Lots of boarded up windows everywhere, of course.

OK, have to disconnect, now. See you!

Steve

[Michael]

Originally Posted by Kogia

Michael, where in Playacar I is your condo? Is it right on the beach or further back?

Our house is on row three. You can see pictures of it here:
www.villaflamboyan.com

Row 1 is beach front. We expect row 2 to be beach front on Monday.

Some good news.

Finally our rental guests are leaving and heading for the shelter.

Our rental agent took “advisory 28” over to the house and made sure the guests understood the storm surge. Finally they decided that 8 to 12 foot would be more than a little inconvenient. So the power is off the gas is off, the house is empty and now we wait.

And….I’ve just got of the phone with an owner of a hotel in town away from the beach. His last guest was also not interested in leaving. However it appears that the hotel manager finally convinced him to go. So they also are shutting down and getting ready.

[SunKneeMarie]

Thanks for the update, Caroline. It sounds like you're as prepared as possible. And it's wonderful to hear stories of people coming to the aid of friends and strangers alike. It helps restore some faith in the goodness of humankind. All of the Yucatan people will be in our prayers. Stay safe.

[playabum17]

Originally Posted by Page

Folks, this is a note from someone on the ground here at about 5:45 p.m. EST, 4:45 p.m. Playa time. Right now we're seeing increasing winds, the sky is grey (not black yet), and we've had a few showers. Nothing major as yet.

Speaking for the folks on Calle 26 (J&A, Heather and Mike and my husband Bill and me, plus lots of other neighbours), we're as hunkered down as we can get. A lot of the houses are boarded up - ours was finished just two hours ago, if you can believe it. We thought we had a crew set up to do four houses, but they didn't show up this morning as they said they would.

However, our dear friend Martin (some know him as Chivo - sp? often at Java Joe's in the mornings) came through with a crew of two. They had already boarded up Java Joe's, Zocalo, several homes in Playacar. Basically, he was going around town doing everything he could to help his friends. Before he left, I hugged him and told him he was such a special friend to us (this is NOT the first time he's helped us out big time). Kudos, Martin - and I'm glad your family is safe in Amsterdam right now.

The school across the street - Yitsatil - is safe haven for all the guests from Coco Reef Club hotel. There are shelters all over town and I'm just glad we don't need one right now.

Our fellas have gone over to one of the homes a couple of blocks away with lots of wood to board up a few crucial windows (decided by the occupants, of course). Once everyone is back home, we'll all just close the front door (only one that isn't boarded up), tape it and wait it out.

From the last word I had, the power will be shut off at 6:00 p.m. our time. We've all got all the food and supplies we will need. Every large container is filled with tap water and we've all got lots of purified water for the next few days.

Our situation is no doubt much better than many of the local people and my heart aches for them. So if you're praying for someone, make it the poor people who don't have the choices and opportunities to prepare that we do.

I send many thanks to all of you who are thinking of us during this time. It helps more than you'll ever know. God bless us all, and I know He will. Catch ya on the other side!

As much in knots as I am feeling, I can't even image what those are feeling that are actually there and dealing with this. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Originally Posted by Joana

But as I never pray I would have felt it would be...hollow to start now while facing this.

Sweetie, I assure you that a time such as this is a wonderful time to start praying. I feel certain that God would not find it hollow at all. You're concerned for people's lives... not asking to win the lottery.

More ((hugs)) for everyone waiting and worrying.