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UPDATE:
The information in this article is no longer correct. Tropical Storm Isaac has now passed by the Dominican Republic.
Here in Casa de Campo, sports facilities, services and restaurants are reopened with the exception of the Teeth of the Dog golf course – which is currently being clear-up as it was damaged by the storm surge.
For PHOTOS and more about Tropical Storm Isaac in Casa de Campo, CLICK HERE!
Those of us in Casa de Campo were rather rudely woken up this morning to pouring rain and scarily loud thunder – marking the arrival of part of the “outer bounds” of Tropical Storm Isaac. The Center of Tropical Storm Isaac remains to the South of Puerto Rico and although less likely to strengthen into a hurricane category 1 (at least before it reaches the Dominican Republic), the entire East coast of the country is currently under a “hurricane warning”, and as such the entire resort of Casa de Campo is taking the necessary precautions to limit damage to people and property.
“It is expected that the storm will strengthen to a strong Tropical Storm (up to 60mph) or a category 1 hurricane as it approaches Hispaniola in the next 24 hours.”
— www.weather.com (11am, Thursday August 23rd 2012)
This means that whatever happens – we can expect heavy rain and winds, so please make sure you are prepared.
So in the spirit of keeping you “in-the-know”, here we bring you a summary of everything that is being done “just in case”:
Casa de Campo Security: fire brigade and ambulance
• The Casa de Campo security services are available 24 hours to attend to whatever emergency may arise.
• Call EXT. 5193 or 5194 for emergency assistance.
Casa de Campo Restaurants and Food Services
• The following restaurants are CLOSED until further notice: Lago Grill, The Beach Club By Le Cirque and the Coco Bar Mar on Minitas Beach, 19th Hole bar.
• The following restaurants are OPEN: La Caña By Il Circo in the main Casa de Campo hotel area for lunch and dinner, La Piazzetta in Altos de Chavón for dinner, Chinois in the Marina Casa de Campo for lunch and dinner.
• Room service is available 24 hours for Casa de Campo hotel guests and to villas (private or otherwise) – please call: EXT. 3118 or 3117.
Shopping
(Now may be a good time to stock up on emergency supplies such as water etc. – click here for our preparation advice.)
• El Nacional Supermarket in the Marina Casa de Campo and El Mercadito mini-market in Altos de Chavón remain open as normal. Both shops close tonight at 8pm.
Casa de Campo Sports and Facilities
• The following Casa de Campo sports and facilities are closed until further notice: Minitas Beach, La Terraza Tennis Club, Casa de Campo golf courses; Teeth of the Dog, Links and Dye Fore, the Casa de Campo Shooting Center, the Casa de Campo hotel swimming pools and the Casa de Campo Equestrian Center
• The Casa de Campo Spa is currently OPEN – but it is possible that it may close early today at 3pm (depending on the weather conditions).
The Marina Casa de Campo
Frank Castillo, Harbour Master at the Marina Casa de Campo emitted the following message:
“We are warning all Casa de Campo Owners, Captains & Crew members who have boats on dock in the facilities of the Marina Casa de Campo to plan ahead & take all necessary steps to remove their vessels out of Marina Casa de Campo facilities for protection. Marina Casa de Campo will not be responsible for damages or losses to any vessel which for any reason desire to stay on dock during the path of Tropical Storm Isaac.”
Casa de Campo Hotel
• A “lounge area” has been set up in the Flamboyant Conference center for Casa de Campo hotel guests. This area is designed as a social area offering fun activities for both adults and children. Complimentary non-alcoholic beverages, as well as WI-FI (weather permitting) are available.
NOTE:
As of the time of publishing (11am, Thursday August 23rd, 2012) the above information is correct to the best of our knowledge. But please be aware that due to changing weather conditions the above information is subject to change.
Weather update: Tropical Storm Isaac
• Tropical Storm Isaac, now with maximum sustained winds of 40mph is currently located to the South of Puerto Rico – with the “outer bands” already affecting the Dominican Republic with heavy rain showers, some gusts of wind and numerous frightening rolls of thunder.
• Tropical Storm Isaac is currently moving WEST at just 13mph (yesterday he was moving West at 22mph) and the “center” is expected to remain over the ocean for at least the next 24 hours – giving it time to potentially develop into a hurricane.
• A hurricane warning has been emitted for the East coast of the Dominican Republic from Saona Island westward to the Haiti/Dominican Republic border, as well as for the entire coast of Haiti.
[A hurricane warning means that hurricane conditions are expected anywhere within the warning area within 36 hours – although in this case hurricane conditions are now expected within 24 hours.]
• Tropical Storm Isaac is predicted to hit the Eastern coast of the Dominican Republic within the next 24 hours – tonight (Thursday) or tomorrow (Friday) morning. It is not yet known whether the system will be Tropical Storm Isaac or Hurricane Isaac when this happens.
Hurricane watch for the Eastern Coast of the Dominican Republic
What does this mean for us (in the Dominican Republic, Casa de Campo and La Romana)??
• Whatever happens (good, bad or ugly) we will be getting some bad weather (rain and wind) – just how severe we do not yet know.
• You should already be prepared – if you are not ready click here for our list of tips for getting yourself and your Casa de Campo villa in case of a hurricane.
• The damage level associated with a category 1 hurricane is (fortunately) classified as “minimal” and can include: flooding, flash floods, landslides and limited damage to wooden and/or fragile buildings and roads.
DISCLAIMER: I am not a weather-girl
For those of your who have never met me (or those who don’t know me very well) – I am not at all qualified in “weather predictions”. I have a Math degree, I was a math teacher for 5 years and for the last 4 years have been the editor of Casa de Campo Living website (this one), the social editor of CasaLife magazine and now I am also editor of TODO Casa de Campo magazine. Which means that in order to bring you these wonderfully insightful weather updates I use google and my common sense….not any superior knowledge of hurricanes etc.
KEEP INFORMED!
Whilst we at Casa de Campo Living will do our best to keep you informed, we recommend the following for keeping extra-informed:
• www.nhc.noaa.gov – The National Hurricane Centre
• www.weather.com – The Weather Channel
• ONAMET.gov.do – the Dominican Republic’s official weather warning people (this one is in Spanish)
• Twitter: We recommend following NHC_Atlantic – for regular tweets on hurricanes, tropical storms etc