This post is also available in: Spanish

It seems that not much longer since we breathed a sigh of relief that Hurricane Irma had passed and diverted itself from our shoreline that Hurricane Maria is now close on its heels. Quickly approaching and forecasted to be a much closer impact, we bring you the following news and updates about the storm:

The National Hurricane Center public advisory notes, “Maria is a category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Additional rapid strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours, and Maria is expected to be a dangerous major hurricane as it moves through the Leeward Islands and the northeastern Caribbean Sea.” Tropical storm force winds are due to hit the eastern regions of the Dominican Republic around Wednesday morning with severe rainfall on Thursday. 

Hurricane Maria wind gusts

Maria has already escalated and is expected to intensify in the coming days. While it does not have the size and strength of Irma (hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 15 miles, as opposed to 70 miles), its storm surge and heavy rains are expected to more significantly disturb the land. Water levels could raise between 6-9 feet above normal tide levels as it moves through Puerto Rico, and evacuation orders have already been issued in four areas. With the destruction we have witnessed already in other islands and states from Hurricane Irma, please stay alert and follow the below hurricane procedures to prepare here in Casa de Campo!!

Disturbingly, a look past Hurricane Maria will show tropical storm “Lee” taking shape in the Atlantic. Stay tuned as we bring you more updates this week. 

Atlantic storms

HURRICANE MARIA

As of 11:00 AM AST Mon Sept 18: 
Location: 14.7°N 60.1°W
Moving: WNW at 10 mph
Min pressure: 959 mb
Max sustained: 120 mph

Information from the National Hurricane Center.

Read Costasur’s Cautionary Measures:

Before the hurricane:

  • Pay attention to the official bulletins transmitted by radio, television and written press.
  • Prepare a first aid kit with non-perishable food, radio, flashlight, personal documents and medicines.
  • Cut branches from trees that could fall off and cause damage.
  • Secure doors and windows with additional iron supports that withstand strong winds.
  • Secure glass windows with tape, special adhesive paper or plywood to prevent someone from being injured.
  • Analyze the probabilities of having to evacuate the home.
  • Secure all objects that are not fixed to the floor, such as furniture, appliances, decorative objects, grills, etc.

During the hurricane:

  • Keep calm and reassure your family members. An anxious person can make many mistakes.
  • Keep gas, light and water disconnected until there is no leakage or danger of a short circuit.
  • Avoid being near doors and windows, where there are glass or open spaces.
  • Have a potable water supply, first aid kit, flashlight and radio on hand to receive information and instructions from official sources.
  • Do not light candles; use battery flashlights.
  • If the wind opens a door or window, do not advance towards it frontally.
  • Do not go out until authorities inform that the hazard has ended.

After the hurricane:

  • Check the house carefully and make sure there is no danger.
  • Make sure electrical appliances are dry before connecting them.
  • Use the phone only to report emergencies to 911.
  • Remove stagnant water to prevent mosquito pests.
  • Houses located in front of the sea must keep the security measures for 48 hours.

Important: Prevention begins with us, our family and the community.

GET READY NOW: HURRICANE / STORM PREPARDNESS TIPS!

A few things you should do/get ready now (just in case)…..

1. Prune your garden 
It is always safe and a good idea to trim branches from any trees (especially palm trees) near your Casa de Campo villa. Making sure any “dead” or precarious branches are cut down will prevent them blowing off in high winds and causing damage.

2 – Keep informed!
Its important to keep up to date with news concerning the weather forecast! 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
• Facebook: Follow – http://www.facebook.com/US.NOAA.NationalHurricaneCenter.gov

3 – Towels etc for flooding
With so much rain even the nicest, newest Casa de Campo villa is at risk of flooding/leaks – so it’s a good idea to make sure you have a supply of old towels to lay around leaking windows/doors and around any “indoor” gardens/landscaping your home may have.

4 –  Prepare a “hurricane kit”
You never know how long a storm/hurricane will take to go away. A good idea is to go to a nearby supermarket and buy some food for at least 3 days (canned food, bottled water, cokes, juices, crackers), as well as medicines normally included in a first aid kit (bandages, cotton, iodine, pain killers, alcohol, batteries, lanterns, candles, matches etc). If a hurricane is coming you don’t want to get to the supermarket and found that they’ve sold out of water!
Click here for a full list of everything you will need.

5. Stock up on strong electrical tape
If a storm is coming it is typical to protect windows/patio doors by putting tape in a “x” across the glass – so it’s a good idea to have some in your house!

6. Where will you go? What will you do?
If a hurricane is coming – you may need somewhere to wait out the storm. It’s a good idea to choose in advance which room will be your “safe room” – select an interior room with no windows, usually a bathroom.

7. If you are NOT at your Casa de Campo villa for hurricane season – make sure in advance that you home is safe.
If you have a villa manager – make sure they know how to prepare your villa for a hurricane or if you don’t it would be a good idea to prepare in advance by bringing all outdoor furniture indoors (including hanging light fixtures), closing shutters/boarding up if you feel it is necessary.

* Images from weather.com