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Re: Should we go? How risky and dangerous is it?
[Re: GPM]
#65367
08/21/2015 11:49 AM
08/21/2015 11:49 AM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,673 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,673
Central Florida!
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I honestly don't think anyone can really answer that question for you, as to whether you should go. As far as this particular storm, it appears it will weaken considerably before it reaches the islands and this is a VERY small storm, in terms of size, so that unless you are in the very heart of the storm, it will be a somewhat non-event. BUT! there is not a really good way to know that, by tomorrow.
Have you checked with your AIRLINE to see if they would allow you to cancel and re-book without penalty? Sometimes they will. The same is true of your villa rental. It's possible they would let you re-book without any penalty and if that would make you feel better, definitely do that.
Have you checked with the owner or property manager to see if there is a generator in the villa? Having suffered through the aftereffects of a hurricane here in Florida, when there was no electric (for a/c or even a FAN!) and it was 95 degrees and very high humidity, I can't imagine being without electric in that situation. So, do some checking about your options and make your decision.
Carol Hill
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Re: Should we go? How risky and dangerous is it?
[Re: GPM]
#65368
08/21/2015 12:24 PM
08/21/2015 12:24 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,142 Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
islandgem
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,142
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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Carol has given you a very good answer. I notice this is your first post to this board. If it is also your first visit to St. Maarten, I would definitely be very cautious as heavy rains could make your visit unenjoyable and sometimes difficult to get around the island since water drainage is often a problem there.
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Re: Should we go? How risky and dangerous is it?
[Re: GPM]
#65370
08/21/2015 02:33 PM
08/21/2015 02:33 PM
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 5,917 New England (home), St. Maarte...
jmbcomms
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Traveler
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 5,917
New England (home), St. Maarte...
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We've been there through a few. We'd go. Storm is entering an area where it could be torn apart by upper winds; it is still hundreds of miles away; it is also very small. Odds favor lots of rain but I'd bet not much in the way of destructive winds.
Jeff Berger Visiting SXM Since 1978
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Re: Should we go? How risky and dangerous is it?
[Re: GPM]
#65373
08/21/2015 03:35 PM
08/21/2015 03:35 PM
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 7,376
SXMWendell
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 7,376
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I have been in a hurricane in SXM. It is no fun. If it knocks out the power it can take several days to get the power back. This means restaurants and markets are closed, gas stations can't pump gas, the villa I stayed at didn't have water because no electricity to run the water pump, no AC, no television or radio to see weather reports ( like , is the storm over? is the storm coming back?). It took 4 days to get rebooked on a plane to leave ( since it came on the morning we were leaving). video of hurricane in SXM OB post hurricane Bertha SXM??? Wendell
Last edited by SXMWendell; 08/21/2015 03:54 PM.
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Re: Should we go? How risky and dangerous is it?
[Re: irina]
#65374
08/21/2015 03:36 PM
08/21/2015 03:36 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,673 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,673
Central Florida!
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Irina--As I guess maybe you know, IF there are FF seats available, you can always change FF tickets on AA with no fee (as of now anyway), so long as you are only changing the DATE, not the routing on either end. In this case, perhaps they let you switch when there were not FF seats available, which if so, was a good gesture on their part.
Carol Hill
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Re: Should we go? How risky and dangerous is it?
[Re: Angelface]
#65379
08/21/2015 06:22 PM
08/21/2015 06:22 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,673 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,673
Central Florida!
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Agreed, if you are going to go, DEFINITELY see if they have a working generator, and once you arrive, stock up on essentials.
But, have you checked with the airline and with the villa to see if you can cancel with no penalty??
Carol Hill
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Re: Should we go? How risky and dangerous is it?
[Re: GPM]
#65380
08/21/2015 07:02 PM
08/21/2015 07:02 PM
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 4,300 Vancouver, WA
Todd
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 4,300
Vancouver, WA
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I would go, if you can not cancel and reschedule I would go but note that it is the chance I would be willing to make. Chances are you will be fine based on the present predictions but it could change for the better or worse.
First thing I would do however is stock up on water and beer! Probably a bag of chips as well just in case.
I also would rent a higher ground clearance type vehicle, such as a jeep. The water along the road to and from the area you are staying from the airport can flood at times.
T
I prefer the Isle seat
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Re: Should we go? How risky and dangerous is it?
[Re: irina]
#65384
08/21/2015 09:53 PM
08/21/2015 09:53 PM
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Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 24
encpirate
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 24
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My experience with hurricanes/ tropical storms in North Carolina is that once they pass the weather is usually great. But, that doesn't answer the questions as to damage to infrastructure, electricity, access to food, water, ice, etc. Follow the weather reports and make your decision accordingly. The money gone should really be no issue in comparison to your safety, comfort and welfare while on the island. Unfortunate that the weekend you selected has this issue arise. Would you rather be miserable at home about what you are missing or miserable about what you could be experiencing in SXM after a hurricane. Unless convinced it is going to pass over I would rather be home and visit SXM another time. Sometimes I may not receive the greatest impact directly from the storm, but another area is impacted more so and it will effect my receipt of services. That is just from my experience in NC. People at SXM know more about how hurricanes impact SXM so I am just relaying this info for you to consider. I hope that whatever you decide works out for the best for you.
Last edited by encpirate; 08/21/2015 10:14 PM.
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Re: Should we go? How risky and dangerous is it?
[Re: carternewman]
#65385
08/21/2015 10:12 PM
08/21/2015 10:12 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,673 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,673
Central Florida!
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OK, best wishes that things work out great for you! Please do keep us updated, as you are able.
Carol Hill
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Re: Should we go? How risky and dangerous is it?
[Re: encpirate]
#65386
08/21/2015 11:09 PM
08/21/2015 11:09 PM
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,636 United States of America
bdeeley
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,636
United States of America
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If it was me, I'd ride the Hurricane Hunter plane in and parachute onto the island if it was necessary. Just hitch up the big girl panties and enjoy the adventure.
Be Happy! Simply because you deserve to be. 😁
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Re: Should we go? How risky and dangerous is it?
[Re: bdeeley]
#65387
08/22/2015 01:03 AM
08/22/2015 01:03 AM
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,636 United States of America
bdeeley
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,636
United States of America
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Danny has already been downgraded to a Category 2 hurricane and by Sunday it is expected to be downgraded to a Category 1 storm and it will still be hundreds of miles from St. Maarten
Be Happy! Simply because you deserve to be. 😁
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Re: Should we go? How risky and dangerous is it?
[Re: bdeeley]
#65389
08/22/2015 08:04 AM
08/22/2015 08:04 AM
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,085 Massachusetts
boucharda
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,085
Massachusetts
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If I was making this trip my only fear would be not getting to my destination...if I knew that the storm was a couple of days out then I would be there in a heartbeat. As was mentioned there would be a few hours of ugly weather and "issues" followed by decent weather and cleanup. Get non-perishable essentials (including water) on arrival and plan for a couple of uncomfortable days....(only the first warm beer tastes strange). I do not need a cooked meal EVERY day. Bring a battery powered light(s) (and batteries). If someone has health issues or is unable to get around obviously this would change the situation completely. If you absolutely need AC or your lodging is in a low level flood prone area that would change things. The predicted strength of the storm would change things...while not definite, this storm seems to be weakening not strengthening. It is a game time decision.... This is what I would do and obviously not applicable to everyone.... report 6am today: ADDITIONAL WEAKENING IS EXPECTED DURING THE NEXT 48 HOURS AND DANNY COULD BECOME A TROPICAL STORM ON SUNDAY AS IT APPROACHES THE LOCAL REGION.
ON THE FORECAST TRACK...THE CENTER OF HURRICANE DANNY IS EXPECTED TO PASS JUST SOUTH OF ST. MAARTEN ON MONDAY.
Last edited by boucharda; 08/22/2015 08:07 AM.
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Re: Should we go? How risky and dangerous is it?
[Re: GPM]
#65394
08/23/2015 09:22 AM
08/23/2015 09:22 AM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,673 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,673
Central Florida!
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GPM--you haven't been back on, so I guess that means you decided to go? Please do post an update when you return.
Carol Hill
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