It’s 4.15am and I am wide awake.<\/p>\n
Today’s the day. \u00a0Irma will be passing too close for comfort late this afternoon through the evening and night and into tomorrow. \u00a0Already I can hear the wind outside as she starts to make her presence known. \u00a0I was awoken by a phone call from my neighbour S who was in the departure lounge at Gatwick North, waiting to board her flight here. \u00a0She asked me to check on a couple of things for her. \u00a0And, once awake, it’s been impossible to get back to sleep so I’ve spent the last hour online looking at what’s happening with Irma. \u00a0Despite all the predictions, the Bitch is not for turning! \u00a0She’s still heading due \u00a0West at a speed of some 13mph. \u00a0This means the eye will pass perilously close to our twin sister island, Barbuda and will probably put us in the 40-mile radius of the full power of the storm, which could means winds of up to 140mph.<\/p>\n
Poor Barbuda! \u00a0The island is very flat; the highest elevation is 125ft asl. \u00a0The storm surge could be 30ft.<\/p>\n
I have to say I am amazed that flights are coming here when she is so close. \u00a0Apparently the airport will close down later and also the power will be switched-off island-wide as a precautionary measure. \u00a0That is the bit that sounds so ominous; we will be literally in the dark for so many long hours. \u00a0It’s comforting that people like B and another friend BLB called to ask if I’m ok and if I need any help.<\/p>\n
My friend B has told me to go and stay at hers. \u00a0I am loathe to leave Avocado Cottage but dread the thought of being here alone in such a storm for such a long time. \u00a0The Fella came and helped me secure the yard and the veranda and urged me to go by B’s. \u00a0I said I wanted to stay put ‘in case something happens like the roof blowing off.’ \u00a0He looked at me and shook his head. \u00a0‘Elaine, what you gonna do if the roof blows off?’ he quite rightly asked. \u00a0So, once I’ve done what S phoned to ask me to I shall secure Avocado Cottage and take myself down to Jolly Harbour. \u00a0Providing I can get petrol for the car, that is. \u00a0The queues were hundreds of yards long yesterday. \u00a0I shall go in search as soon as it’s light, which will be in a short while.<\/p>\n
But, Irma, listen to me, sweetie. \u00a0There’s still time to turn! \u00a0How about you do a sexy, pirouette and take yourself off over the Atlantic where you’ll do the least harm?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
It’s 4.15am and I am wide awake. Today’s the day. \u00a0Irma will be passing too close for comfort late this afternoon through the evening and night and into tomorrow. \u00a0Already I can hear the wind outside as she starts to … Continue reading