And Then there was Erika

Another named storm on the way ... And this time, I am feeling it.

Not too sure what is going to happen with this one yet, but my knee started to ache tonight and is already starting to swell.

We didn't get much of a break in between. My Internet acces is really sloooow tonight so have not investigated. Will look at it in the morning.

In the meantime, if anyone else has a good connection, perhaps you could post some info?

Yes....heard Danny's sister is packing more of a punch.....

http://www.nola.com/hurricane/index.ssf/2015/08/tropical_storm_erika_forms_in.html

My hurricane software currently shows the track to be within 25 miles of BVI around 5PM on Thurs. I am scheduled to fly into STT on Friday. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />

Hurricane track is dead over Anegada at present on thurs

'Tis the season... Erika is moving west much faster than Danny. It is forecasted to be a strong tropical storm as it passes the Leewards, Virgins, and Puerto Rico. We were planning to leave P.R. for a cruise to the Virgins after Danny passed, but now we'll need to stay put.

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/graphics_at5.shtml?5-daynl#contents

Praying that it brings needed rains to the islands with no damage !!!

Looks like Danny broke up that wall of dry Sahara air so Erika has a pretty clear path up the islands.

This website has something of a Florida slant to it, but it focuses on tropical storms and hurricanes in the Atlantic, so very good information on anything that is going to affect the Caribbean/Bahamas.

http://flhurricane.com/

Yup, looks like we may get some rain after all. It doesn't look like it is very organized right now though. That could certainly change, but once again, my knee is saying probably nothing more than a strong blow with some rain mixed in. If it slows down, then I might start to get a little worried, but it's moving at a pretty quick pace which is just fine with me.

I am far more concerned about the behemoth that is just coming off the African coast now. It is MASSIVE! If that thing organizes, I may be looking for a flight out of here.

I don't recall ever seeing anything quite that big before. It looks rather intimidating and has me watching pretty darn closely.

I guess the picture will start to take shape in the morning. Have a look at the Intellicast Atlantic Satellite. Yikes! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" />

Perhaps somebody who understands these things better than I do can tell me if I am worrying for no reason. To me, it looks like a HUGE storm that already has an eye forming and the motion/appearance of a tropical storm?

Definitely worth watching but I would wait a day or two before worrying about that system. It has just started leaving the coastline within the last hour and once over water it should change considerably.

Thanks Glenn, I realize it is likely to change once it is out over the water ... but holy cow that thing is big. I certainly hope it breaks up and dissipates. But is it possible that something that big could form several smaller storms?

It seems to have broken up once it got over the water. The probability is to turn into a strong wave. OTOH, this series of Danny and Erika look to have broken the lock the Sahara air and the small disturbances that proceeded it are moving north which may block the dry air from reforming. That could give a clear path for something to develop and move quickly.

At best I think the islands will get a break in the drought for the next few weeks. At worst, a pretty serious blow. Either way keep your painkillers handy.

I just received my hard copy of my insurance today....fingers crossed but bad mojo.

LUCI is on hard, and just checked the straps. I'll be out in Evans neck of the woods watching the Beatles (tribute band) at Red Rocks when it is scheduled to land (island) fall.

Glad you reminded me. I have to go into town in the morning. Will add another bottle of Advil to my shopping list. But so far, so good with Erika. No need for anything yet. I'm hoping it will be more or less a repeat of Danny.

Not sure what you are looking at. There are no new cyclones developing off of Africa in the next five days.

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/gtwo.php?basin=atlc&fdays=5

Erika is still a threat, but it looks like that "blob" behind her broke up once it moved out over water.

Islands now under Tropical Storm Warning

Yep - warnings concerning ferry service stoppage on the BVI Community FB page. Stay safe everyone and hope there's just a lot of much-needed rain!!

looks like rain for BVI and winds at 45Kts hopefully not too bad.

Every body keep an eye out, with hurricanes you never know what will happen until it does.

I just don't like it that NOAA's 5 day forecast (8AM Mon) has the dot with an H (for hurricane) right above my house in West Palm Beach, FL.

Out of curiosity, I was wondering what the charter companies have people do when tropical weather is on the way. Do they call everyone who is out and ask them to return to the base by a certain date and time? Once there, do they try to put people in hotels or shelters or can they stay on the boat if the harbor is protected enough and the storm isn't too strong? Would trip insurance offer a refund for an "interruption"?

It looks like Erika will probably pass through in a day, so that might not be too much of an interruption. But it might not be too much fun to be in the aftermath if there is a lot of debris, power outages, etc., to deal with. Like I said, I am just curious. I hope everyone there stays safe and we don't have another wreck like the Rhone.

Several years ago we were called back to Voyage for Dennis. Stayed on the dock, in the cat. Sons and I helped the staff with the process, great learning. 48 hours later back sailing having fun. The night the storm passed over, lots of rain and big gusts. Never felt at risk. I grew up in New Orleans so I have some respect for them!

Many, many years ago, we too were contacted by our charter company to head straight for Peter Island and head into their small harbor. Once there, the wind hit us so hard that metal trash cans were flying through the air. The guys jumped off our charter boat hoping to pull us into a side-tie but the wind was too strong so I had to use the back & forth engine method to get us close enough. By that time, the sharp rain felt like bullets against our skin. Once secure, the four of us, dripping wet, met below. Minutes later, the marina staff knocked on our haul telling us that the last boat that side-tied to this dock during serious weather ended up ON the dock so we had to move. We tied ourselves from bow to stern in a "V" shape and had to use our dinghy just to get from the boat to the dock for the next two days. Having said that, what great memories we have of that adventure. We survived to tell this story over and over again.