CubaAmor.Org
This Is How We Do It => Cuban Travel => Weather => Topic started by: Mividamialma on August 31, 2017, 06:33:04 pm
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Hurricane Irma on Thursday strengthened into a Category 3 hurricane over the eastern Atlantic and was headed towards the Caribbean, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said in its latest advisory. Irma is currently headed towards the Caribbean, but it will take about a week before it reaches land.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/hurricane-irma-1.4270070
Claims that it may be just as dangerous as Harvey and if it stays on it's current path it could run right up the entire island, making landfall as a Category 4. Right now winds are 115mph and gaining strength and speed.
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Irma's current path.
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Still to early to say which path it's going to take, but sure looks scary.
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If it goes along the projected path it will hit Cuba directly but agreed....it's too early to say what the actual path will be.
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While much of the United States' focus is still on Texas and the destruction left behind by Hurricane Harvey and it's historic rainfall, powerful Hurricane Irma is rapidly intensifying in the open Atlantic and poses a major threat to the Caribbean and potentially the United States next week.
Irma was named as a tropical storm on Wednesday morning and by Thursday afternoon it had strengthened into a large Category 3 hurricane, with winds of 115 mph.
Such explosive strengthening is known as "rapid intensification," defined by the National Hurricane Center as having its wind speed increase at least 30 knots (35 mph) in 24 hours.
"Irma has become an impressive hurricane," the National Hurricane Center said on Thursday, noting the rapid intensification, and saying "this is a remarkable 50 knot [58 mph] increase from yesterday at this time."
http://www.msn.com/en-ca/weather/topstories/powerful-hurricane-irma-could-be-next-weather-disaster/ar-AAr44XL?li=AAacUQk&ocid=spartandhp
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Hurricane season , and especially September and October , is always a stressful time when one ( at least me ) is constantly looking at http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/ for the latest news. Irma sure seems to be a big one .
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If it goes along the projected path it will hit Cuba directly but agreed....it's too early to say what the actual path will be.
Although they can change none of the models currently show it hitting Cuba.
https://www.wunderground.com/hurricane/atlantic/2017/hurricane-irma
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Although they can change none of the models currently show it hitting Cuba.
https://www.wunderground.com/hurricane/atlantic/2017/hurricane-irma
A week away is still too soon to say WHAT path it will take. It picked up 50 knots just over night, it can go anywhere at this point.
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hmm we will need to wait till next week with fingers crossed
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https://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/category-5-hurricane-irma-to-threaten-lives-property-in-the-northern-caribbean/70002638
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"By Friday, Cuba and the Bahamas could begin to be severely impacted. These areas should prepare for devastating hurricane conditions."
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"Computer models show the system eventually heading near the Dominican Republic, Haiti and Cuba on Friday into Saturday"
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This does not look good for Cuba, Haita, DR, Puerto Rico, US VI and the Leeward Islands. Cat 5 this morning. Going to be terrible for millions either way.
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Agreed gallofino. My FIL is getting the house boarded up this week. In the past, hurricanes that have hit our end, has been mostly heavy winds and rain but the winds are enough to take out windows so we're making sure to protect them for this one.
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Hopefully we'll remain somewhat south of the main track - NOAA is currently predicting Tropical Storm force winds for us on Thursday night / Friday morning, but that's still enough to bring down trees etc.
My biggest preoccupation is my terrace (attached), it's taken us more that two years to grow the plants across the framework and I have it earmarked as work space. Don't really want to have to start again.
Doesn't look good for the north coast though. Let's just hope it tracks even further north.
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Even though it's still with the cone, the latest forecast from a few minutes ago is saying that it looks like it will stay well north of Cuba and go between Cuba and the Bahamas and then into Florida. I'm sure Cuba will still have tropical storm force winds but they can handle that I think.
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"Computer models show the system eventually heading near the Dominican Republic, Haiti and Cuba on Friday into Saturday"
This looks REALLY bad for the North coast. With the eye still overt water, this storm is not going to diminish in strength.
Currently listening to Radio Taino over the Internet
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Hurricane José has now formed behind Irma and they are tracking it's projected path towards the Caribbean again.
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Still out there but watching it as it moves along
http://abc11.com/weather/hurricane-jose-forms-in-the-atlantic/2378259/
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https://www.theweathernetwork.com/news/articles/powerful-hurricane-irma-threatens-caribbean-florida-cuba/85844
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Looks like it goes more and more to the north, avoiding Cuba. Fingers crossed.
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I think it might bring some much needed rain to the eastern part of the country.
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I think it might bring some much needed rain to the eastern part of the country.
Agreed, I know the farm could use it but it would be nice if it would leave the roofs intact...lol
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I think it might bring some much needed rain to the eastern part of the country.
Sad to say, not so much rain as hoped for according to the prognosis.
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Incredible!
http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/hurricane-irma-dominican-republic-cuba-poor-communication-holidays-florida-thomas-cook-cayo-coco-a7933631.html
Holidaymakers returning from Cuba have hit out at the lack of communication from travel firms as Hurricane Irma sweeps across the Caribbean — and the fact that travellers are still being taken to the region.
Pindi Gill from Derbyshire arrived at Manchester airport this morning from Cayo Coco, off the north coast of Cuba. The Thomas Cook aircraft he flew home on had carried holidaymakers out to a location in the path of Hurricane Irma. “We were stunned that there were people coming off the flight,” he said.
Mr Gill and his wife Harjeet reported “lots of panic” among holidaymakers who are still in the resort, and said that Thomas Cook had failed to keep customers informed.
Paul and Michaela Jones from Bolton were also on Thomas Cook flight MT2933 from Cayo Coco to Manchester.
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With a hurricane watch in effect from Matanzas in central Cuba east to the province of Guantánamo, the island kicked up its preparations for Hurricane Irma on Wednesday.
Cuban forecasters were keeping a careful eye on the storm’s track. Although Irma’s future route remains uncertain, Cuban forecasters said models indicate it will pass along or near the northern coast of Cuba beginning Friday night. Tropical-storm-force winds could be felt earlier.
During a meeting with Cuba’s Civil Defense Council, forecasters said various models project the Category 5 storm — which has sustained winds of around 185 mph — to arrive in Cuban territory in northern Ciego de Ávila province by Friday and skirt the coast before heading northwest toward Florida.
Cuba, which is known for carrying out its hurricane preparedness plans with military precision, began preparing its communications systems, pruning trees, safeguarding crops and cleaning caves in rural areas where Cubans often seek shelter. Even though a watch had not yet been announced for Havana, long lines formed outside supermarkets in the capital to stock up on hurricane supplies.
Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/weather/hurricane/article171515532.html#storylink=cpy
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Cuba Evacuates Thousands of Tourists
http://www.havanatimes.org/?p=127135
With the approach of hurricane “Irma”
Some tourists preferred to move up their departure from Cuba instead of waiting out hurricane Irma. Photo: Ortelio Gonzalez Martinez / granma.cu
HAVANA TIMES – The government has begun moving more than 36,000 vacationers at beaches resorts on the northern coast of eastern and central Cuba to safe areas before a possible arrival of Hurricane Irma, local media reported.
More than 60 percent of the tourists staying at hotels located on the northern keys of the island are Canadians, state television’s morning news reported.
Foreign tourists are transferred to safer hotels while national tourists are transported to their home towns.
The forecasts of the Cuban Meteorology Institute show that the central provinces of Ciego de Ávila and Villa Clara are the ones most likely to receive the greater impact of the intense rains and strong winds of hurricane “Irma”, a maximum category five storm on the Saffir-Simpson scale.
The 17 hotels in the Jardines del Rey resort, located between Cayo Coco and Cayo Guillermo, on the north central part of the country, could be most affected by waves between three and five meters high.
The Civil Defense authorities activated Wednesday the second phase of the protocol in this type of weather condition. The alert phase was decreed for the provinces of Guantanamo, Santiago de Cuba, Granma, Holguin, Las Tunas, Camagüey, Ciego de Avila, Sancti Spiritus and Villa Clara.
The last hurricane to hit the island was “Matthew” in October 2016, a category 4 storm on the Saffir-Simpson Intensity Scale. It caused serious material damage, especially in houses in the far eastern part of the country.
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It looks like the Oriente is going to get hit with some hurricane force winds after all. It's already starting up near Moa and will most likely effect the Guardalavaca area as well causing problems for the tourist areas.
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It looks like the Oriente is going to get hit with some hurricane force winds after all. It's already starting up near Moa and will most likely effect the Guardalavaca area as well causing problems for the tourist areas.
Guardalavaca and Cayo Coco are going to get hit hard with winds and rain. They've evacuated over 35K tourists from both areas so far. Winds have picked up in Holguin as well. We were talking to my father in law at 5:30 this morning and you could hear the window shutters shaking in the background...
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My wife and MIL were texting about 30 minutes ago and there is no electricity in Moa although the government may have intentionally cut it because of the storm. The map currently has it about 100km north of Moa now meaning it will probably get within 65km north of Guardalavaca this afternoon. I think that means Cat 1 or 2 based on the distance from the eye.
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My wife and MIL were texting about 30 minutes ago and there is no electricity in Moa although the government may have intentionally cut it because of the storm. The map currently has it about 100km north of Moa now meaning it will probably get within 65km north of Guardalavaca this afternoon. I think that means Cat 1 or 2 based on the distance from the eye.
Hope they weather this out OK. Its standard operating procedure in Cuba to cut electricity before a hurricane hits. I saw some footage from the Leeward Island, Puerto Rico and DR and they didn't cut the electricity. On two videos I watched fires start and transformers blow up due to downed power lines. Much more expensive and time-consuming to replace transformers than just the lines...
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"Irma was about 270 miles (435 km) east of Caibarien on Cuba's central-north coast, and 405 miles (655 km) southeast of Miami, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) said in an advisory at 11 a.m EDT (1500 GMT) on Friday. Hurricane conditions were spreading westward over parts of Cuba and the central Bahamas."
"Irma was forecast to bring dangerous storm surges of up to 20 feet (6 meters) to the southeastern and central Bahamas, and up to 10 feet (3 meters) on parts of Cuba's northern coast.
Cuba, where the Communist government has traditionally made rigorous preparations when the island is threatened by storms, was at a near standstill as Irma began to drive up the northern coast from east to west offshore.
Schools and most businesses were closed, hundreds of thousands of people were evacuated, and train, bus and domestic air services around the island were canceled. Airports were closing to international flights as conditions warranted.
Irma was forecast to move closer to land as it approached the center of Cuba later in the day and on Saturday, when it could seriously damage resorts on vulnerable keys. Tourists, and even the dolphins that entertain them, were evacuated. The storm was then predicted to veer north, sparing western Cuba and Havana.
In the Cuban fishing town of Caibarien, residents secured their roofs and moved belongings from low-lying coastal areas to houses higher up inland as the skies clouded over. Most said they were worried but well prepared.
Esteban Reyes, 65, was pushing his bicycle taxi laden with a mattress, iron and DVD player. "We are used to storms but I'm still a bit scared. But the government has taught us to be prepared and help one another," he said."
https://beta.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/irma-ravages-caribbean-drives-toward-florida-with-second-hurricane-in-its-wake/article36208299/?ref=http://www.theglobeandmail.com&
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We haven't been able to reach family yet, last spoke to in-laws at 5:30am this morning.
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Spoke with MIL in Holguin this morning at about 9.30 AM...Gibara was hit hard. Heavy rain and winds in Holguin but she still had power. Not sure how things are this afternoon.
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Spoke with MIL in Holguin this morning at about 9.30 AM...Gibara was hit hard. Heavy rain and winds in Holguin but she still had power. Not sure how things are this afternoon.
In-laws are in Holguin as well....still waiting to get through. I know when we spoke to them this morning the winds were bad...
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Just called home and got through first time. Some wind and rain in Contramaestre. No power, but probably just a precaution rather than any real outage. Wish the best to all of you with friends and family along the north coast.
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Baracoa apparently go hit hard again. Moa is fine except they still have the power out.
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Marti in Matanzas is A OK at this moment
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Wind is picking up a bit in Havana.
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Santiago is fine. No serious damage
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Spoke to family in Holguin and they've got strong winds and lots of rain, no power. Watching the news they may be calling landfall within the hour, just past Ciego. Winds are still almost 190 miles per hour.
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Spoke to family in Holguin and they've got strong winds and lots of rain, no power. Watching the news they may be calling landfall within the hour, just past Ciego. Winds are still almost 190 miles per hour.
Glad to hear you got through. As for the winds, that must be gusts because they are currently 155mph sustained which is 1MPH less than what is required to be a Cat 5. It is expected to go back up to Cat 5 soon. The highest it ever got was 185MPH.
BULLETIN
Hurricane Irma Intermediate Advisory Number 39A
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL112017
800 PM EDT Fri Sep 08 2017
...IRMA'S SOUTHWESTERN EYEWALL MOVING OVER THE NORTH COAST OF
CUBA...
SUMMARY OF 800 PM EDT...0000 UTC...INFORMATION
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LOCATION...22.2N 77.2W
ABOUT 150 MI...240 KM E OF CAIBARIEN CUBA
ABOUT 315 MI...510 KM SE OF MIAMI FLORIDA
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...155 MPH...250 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT...W OR 280 DEGREES AT 12 MPH...19 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...924 MB...27.29 INCHES
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Now at Cat 5 over Cuba
...IRMA MAKING LANDFALL ON THE CAMAGUEY ARCHIPELAGO OF CUBA AS A
CATEGORY 5 HURRICANE...
...HURRICANE WARNINGS EXTENDED NORTHWARD ALONG THE FLORIDA
PENINSULA...
SUMMARY OF 1100 PM EDT...0300 UTC...INFORMATION
-----------------------------------------------
LOCATION...22.1N 77.7W
ABOUT 120 MI...190 KM ESE OF CAIBARIEN CUBA
ABOUT 300 MI...485 KM SSE OF MIAMI FLORIDA
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...160 MPH...260 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT...W OR 280 DEGREES AT 13 MPH...20 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...924 MB...27.29 INCHES
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Authorities just cut power to all areas around Varadero. Winds are picking up and sustained. Not what was expected hours ago but now looks like a direct hit to mid-North Cuba, Caibarien to City of Matanzas at the very least.
Family is hunkered down. Many people in the house. Earlier there were 7, now 13. Wishing all Cubans and their families the best. And we are all very worried.
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Does anybody know how to have access to cubavision, tv cubana something like that? Thanks
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I have been checking for updates, but very hard to get information about the current state of Cuba, and Irma's current position. Does anyone have any updates solely on Cuba?
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Just fund tv Cubana on YouTube
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It is in direct
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https://www.ventusky.com/?p=22.01;-78.46;8&l=wind
is good to follow the wind for a city in direct
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Thank you so much Manguita!
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Still no power in Contramaestre, my wife says on of the major transmission pylons to the north came down in the wind so it's likely to be a while before it's restored. Telephones seem to be working fine though. A lot of rain and wind but must have been just the southern edge of the storm.
My wife is going to start handing out the food we have in the freezers at the restaurant before it spoils. Luckily we cook using gas at home so are not dependent on electricity for that - last night when I called there were a bunch of neighbours and family at home pooling resources and making sure everyone had a hot meal, I dare say tonight will be a repeat of this.
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http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-41210865
The hurricane made landfall on the Camaguey Archipelago, in Cuba's north-east, as a category five storm but has now weakened to a category three.
In Florida, 5.6 million people, or 25% of the US state's population, have been told to leave as the storm approaches. At least 20 people are known to have died so far across the Caribbean.
Irma hit the Sabana-Camaguey Archipelago late on Friday, threatening nearby coastal towns and villages.
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http://www.cnn.com/2017/09/09/americas/cuba-caribbean-hurricane-irma/index.html
Caibarién, Cuba (CNN)Hurricane Irma slammed northern Cuba on Saturday, continuing its path of devastation through the Caribbean towards the US state of Florida.
A string of small islands to the east have been left reeling in the wake of the massive hurricane, which strengthened to a Category 5 storm as it made landfall in Cuba overnight, before being slightly downgraded to a Category 4 storm early Saturday.
Meanwhile, Irma's center was about 10 miles northwest of the northern Cuba coastal resort town of Caibarién at 8 a.m. ET Saturday, packing sustained winds of 130 mph (215 kilometers per hour), the US National Hurricane Center said.
Blinding rain and powerful winds began pummeling Caibarién late Friday as the outer bands of the massive storm made their entrance, knocking out power in a town that would normally be busy with tourists.
By dawn, the town's main street had waves rolling down it and within hours the whole town was flooded with several feet of water. Roofs could be seen flying off and trees were blown down as the wind gusted and roared.
Many of the houses in Caibarién are single story, putting residents at great risk as floodwaters rose to roof level in some cases.
Many people had left town in the past couple of days, with all foreigners urged to evacuate for safer areas. Those who remained told CNN they were prepared -- but this is a storm like few have ever experienced before.
The Cuban government was putting emergency supplies and building equipment in place ahead of the storm's arrival but it could take a long time before the full extent of the damage is known.
Cuba's meteorological agency reported that Irma struck the archipelago north of Cuba's Camaguey and Ciego de Avila provinces with gusts so strong they destroyed the instrument used to measure wind.
Hurricane-strength winds were then recorded in the northern half of Camaguey province, the agency said.
As Irma advanced over neighboring Ciego de Avila province, 16-foot to 23-foot waves (5 to 7 meters) were recorded. As the storm moves westward, the possibility of even bigger waves and flooding are high along the northern Cuban coast including in Havana, the agency said.
According to the state media radio station in Camaguey, Irma was the first Category 5 hurricane to hit the province in 85 years.
Damage is being reported in all municipalities in Camaguey, the station said, mostly in the form of torn-off roofs, damage to buildings, downed trees and loss of electricity.
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Baracoa was hit hard, but not as hard as it was by hurricane Matthew, as the eye wall of IRMA was out to sea.
The hurricane eye wall made contact with the northern coast of Cuba last night, moving all the way from Cayo Cruz (north of Camagyey) west, up to Cayo Santa Maria . I understand the Cayos were evacuated (together , I expect, with all of the tourists in the hotels at Cayo Coco, Cayo Guillermo and Cayo Santa Maria). The center is currently on the shore, just west of Caibarien. I expect the resorts on Cayo Santa Maria and Cayo Coco will have sustained a lot of damage. The Hurricane has been downgraded slightly, to a category 4.
IMHO, this hurricane is going to take a good % of the Cuban economy offline, if all of the resorts get smashed and are not serviceable for a period of time.
The next stop appears to be Veradero.
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Does anybody know how to have access to cubavision, tv cubana something like that? Thanks
We just google it and click on the link. It's a horrible connection on a good day so I imagine it will be unwatchable now.
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The power is back in Moa and Guardalavaca apparently didn't get hit too bad.
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That must be a huge relief WC. My friend's mom lives in el Santo in el campo about an hour from Santa Clara. Her house was flattened and she lost what little she had. Santa Clara was hit pretty hard. I don't know the extent of the damage there.
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listening to Radio Taino... They are broadcasting non stop on the hurricane.
They shut the power in Marti, Matanzas, last night. The next 8 hrs will have the worst of the hurricane affecting them.
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From the Archipelago de Camaguey right up to the Archipelago de Sabana, was hit very hard, sustaining winds of up to 155 miles per hour, the whole stretch of the Archipelagos was evacuated. I'm sure the hotels in Santa Clara and Cayo Coco sustained heavy damage but still waiting to see the aftermath...
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SEPTEMBER 09, 2017 3:39 PM
Hurricane Irma battered much of the keys on the northern coast of Cuba as well as central coastal towns, and threatened to hit the capital city of Havana with severe flooding as forecasters predicted that monster waves as high as 30 feet would likely crash over the Malecón seawall by Saturday night.
The coastal town of Caibarién was overcome with deafening winds and unremitting rain, pushing seawater inland and flooding homes, according to various reports, although authorities have not yet issued a formal assessment on damages. Meanwhile Ciego de Ávila, in central Cuba, was walloped with 160-mph winds.
Hurricane Irma swept the entire central north coast of Cuba and continued to flex its muscle as it moved toward Florida. More than one million people were evacuated across the island, most of them taking shelter in the homes of relatives and neighbors, the national press reported.
ADVERTISING
At 2 p.m., Irma moved slowly at 9 miles per hour and was 65 miles east of the famed Varadero beach resort area. But its impact with land did help weaken the storm, which was downgraded to a category 3.
But Irma was a mighty category 5 when it began to lash the island Saturday morning and its effects were expected to be felt through Sunday.
CNN correspondent Patrick Oppman, who reported from Caibarién, said that floodwater reached as high as five feet and several homes were destroyed. The village's waterfront, from which 12,000 people had been evacuated, was completely underwater.
“The winds are so strong that even the park's benches have been blown off,” Cubadebate reported.
Several foreign reporters who spent the night in the nearby town of Remedios, were faced with Irma’s wrath when strong winds knocked down the door of the hotel. An employee of another luxury hotel, Iberostar Ensenachos in Cayo Santamaria, said strong bursts of wind bent trees and pushed water tanks several feet in Caibarien. A photo published in Cubadebate showed a telephone tower knocked down in Cayo Coco.
In Yaguajay, in Sancti Spiritus, there were reports of roofs ripped off of homes. Strong wind gusts also could be felt further inland, including the central city of Santa Clara.
In Havana, fear of flooding and further damage spurred mandatory evacuations for those in areas near the Malecón, including the highly populated neighborhoods of Central Havana, Vedado and Miramar. Even Cienfuegos, on the south coast, experienced strong winds and floods.
The eye of the storm was projected to pass near Sagua la Grande, in Villa Clara, by early afternoon and could approach Cárdenas, in Matanzas, in which 3,000 people living in flood zones were evacuated.
Preliminary reports from the newspaper Granma, said the eastern zone had been sparred from major damage. However, the telecommunications company ETECSA reported that 174 Wi-Fi site had been affected. And images from Gibara, a coastal town in Holguín, showed huge waves as tall as 26 feet crashing over a seawall, fallen trees and destroyed homes.
Cuban officials said Hurricane Irma damaged crops in the rural eastern part of the country.
Civil Defense official Gergorio Torres told reporters that authorities were still trying to tally the extent of damage in Las Tunas province and nearby areas. He said damage seems to have been concentrated in infrastructure for crops including bananas.
Eastern Cuba is home to the island’s poor, rural population. Once known for sugarcane and other crops, the agricultural industry was declining even before the hurricane.
Video images from northern and eastern Cuba showed utility poles and signs uprooted by the storm and many fallen trees as well as extensive damage to roofs. There were no immediate reports of casualties.
Cuban television reported heavy damage to tourist facilities in Santa Lucia, Camagüey and floods in other towns on the north coast. In Nuevitas, several factories and warehouses lost their roofs and several units of the Thermoelectric Power Plant ceased operations.
“It's a total disaster,” Dianelys Alvarez, reached by cellphone, told the Washington Post adding that not a single tree remained standing.
“The streets are full of rubble. There are houses with their roofs ripped off,” she said. “Even the oldest trees in town have been knocked down.”
INFORMATION FROM THE ASSOCIATED PRESS WAS USED TO SUPPLEMENT THIS REPORT.
NORA GÁMEZ TORRES: 305-376-2169, @NGAMEZTORRES
Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/weather/hurricane/article172285182.html#storylink=cpy
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According to what i see on google earth, the storm is starting to move off into the straights of Florida. It is now at 23 degrees 24 minutes NORTH, 80 degrees, 31 minutes WEST..... So perhaps Veradero will not get hit that bad and Habana won't get it too bad at all....
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http://www.cp24.com/world/cuba-surveys-toppled-houses-flooded-cities-in-wake-of-irma-1.3582934
CAIBARIEN, Cuba -- Hurricane Irma ripped roofs off houses, collapsed buildings and flooded hundreds of miles of coastline as it raked Cuba's northern coast after devastating islands the length of the Caribbean in a trail of destruction that has left 22 people dead so far.
As Irma left Cuba and directed its 130 mph (215 kph) winds toward Florida Sunday, authorities on the island were warning of staggering damage to keys along the northern coast studded with all-inclusive resorts and cities, as well as farmland in central Cuba.
There were no immediate reports of deaths in Cuba - a country that prides itself on its disaster preparedness - but authorities were trying to restore power, clear roads and warning that people should stay off the streets of Havana because flooding could continue into Monday.
Residents of "the capital should know that the flooding is going to last more than 36 hours, in other words, it is going to persist," Civil Defence Col. Luis Angel Macareno said late Saturday, adding that the waters had reach at about 2,000 feet (600 metres) into parts of Havana.
As Irma rolled in, Cuban soldiers went through coastal towns to force residents to evacuate, taking people to shelters at government buildings and schools -- and even caves.
Video images from northern and eastern Cuba showed uprooted utility poles and signs, many downed trees and extensive damage to roofs. Witnesses said a provincial museum near the eye of the storm was in ruins. And authorities in the city of Santa Clara said 39 buildings collapsed.
More than 5,000 tourists were evacuated from the keys off Cuba's north-central coast, where the government has built dozens of resorts in recent years.
Civil Defence official Gregorio Torres said authorities were trying to tally the extent of the damage in eastern Cuba, home to hundreds of rural communities.
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At least one bridge on a causeway to the area collapsed, and the communications tower for the keys was no longer standing.
Dozens of coastal towns were damaged, with some reports of collapsed houses, though no deaths had been reported.
"This is a beautiful town but now it is a disaster," said local resident Sandro Sanchez, 27, walking through the main square after the hurricane had passed Remedios, in Villa Clara.
Caribbean islands hammered by Hurricane Irma's wrath
Corrugated iron from roofs was strewn in the streets alongside rubble. Lampposts were bent double, plant pots smashed and the fronds of palm trees shredded.
"You can't do anything against nature," he said. "We never had a storm wreak so much damage here. This is really a mess."
On Saturday, Irma covered most of the island, the Caribbean's largest. Its force sent shockwaves and flooding inward.
http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/world/hurricane-irma-cuba-1.4282846
By Saturday evening, the sea had penetrated two blocks over parts of the city's historic seafront boulevard, and the waters were expected to advance farther as the surge grew. Restaurants on the seaside drive pulled down their shutters and stacked sandbags against the storm.
Still, many Cubans expressed a sense of relief after the eye of the first Category 5 storm to make landfall on the island since 1932 passed over the northern keys, just grazing the mainland with its full force.
265 Canadians have asked government for help in wake of Hurricane Irma
"Honestly, I expected worse. I thought I would come back and find the roof gone," said Yolexis Domingo, 39, using a machete to hack the branches off a tree that fell in front of his house in Caibarien. "Still, it is going to be a while before I can come back to live here. The water came up to a metre high and some of the roof flew off."
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http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/world/hurricane-irma-cuba-1.4282846
In the city of Camaguey, Anaida Morales said she just been through a night from hell with her mom, stepson and husband.
"The trees in the park in front of my house are down and others strewn all over the streets. Lots of roofs are gone and some houses collapsed. The river that runs through the city is about to flood," she said.
"The wind roared all night and it is still strong. I couldn't sleep. I'm scared of hurricanes, and this is the worst I have been through," she said.
Morales said she made a phone call to her daughter, who shares her name, in Florida, where millions of people were preparing for Irma's arrival.
"I just spoke to Anaida," she said. "It is hard to believe she is getting ready to go through the same thing I just did."
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Now that family has been able to get back to the farm, we sustained minimal damage...a few trees down and our windmill has suffered some damage (bent from the winds), nothing that cant be repaired in time. At least it didn't come down. Looks like we will have some clean up to do when we get there. Everyone is safe and that's what counts.
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Now that family has been able to get back to the farm, we sustained minimal damage...a few trees down and our windmill has suffered some damage (bent from the winds), nothing that cant be repaired in time. At least it didn't come down. Looks like we will have some clean up to do when we get there. Everyone is safe and that's what counts.
Much of Oriente was lucky this time.
I have read several places that Santiago is disappointed that it didn't get more water/rain this time.
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i have had emails as well from friends in holguin prov--they are safe and damages are repairable--and they are safe
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Has anyone heard anything from Varadero?
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Pullman Cayo Coco
Check out this video on YouTube:
http://youtu.be/lFlKRxWmRWQ
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Has anyone heard anything from Varadero?
My bf said earlier that there was a lot of damage in Varadero but getting back to normality now. I am due to fly there Thursday from UK. Not feeling as optimistic as he is right now but happy he is safe.
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Oh I'm glad to hear he's ok and things are improving. Is your BF Cuban? I was thinking of a long weekend getaway myself and was going to leave on the 14th too... probably won't now. Good luck :)
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Lots of wind in Havana but not so much rain I was told. Some flooding near the sea as the surge came inland. No Power in Habana Vieja at least and probably over most of the city I'd guess.
In Contramaestre they've been told that they'll have at least 3 more days without power. Apart from the transmission lines being down to the north, a sub-station exploded in Santiago that caused problems there and Holguin also has problems that will take time to fix.
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Granma is doing regular reporting on the hurricane
http://en.granma.cu/cuba/2017-09-08/minute-by-minute-hurricane-irma-in-cuba
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They got a good whopping. It slowed down and the eye entered close by. No trees left at home. Either snapped trunks or uprooted entirely. Plantains are expected to fall. Al the mango, guava, avocado is gone. That's about 5km inland so I suppose Varadero itself is in shambles.
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Vedado, Centro and to a lesser degree, Havana Vieja in Havana, is under 5 ft of water. This, about 500 yards from the shore. Just saw a live video. Unbelievable.
Varadero got seriously whacked.
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Like mentioned by others I just wonder what this is going to do to Cubas fragile economy.
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Ya, and they just passed a law where construction brigades cannot work outside their province nor hire licensed tradesmen. Duhhh.
The government hasn't fulfilled their promise of building xx,xxx houses every year since the last major hurricane. Now this?
The positive that may come of this disaster is they start loosening up....
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Putin has assured Cuba that he will help with the rebuilding.
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But he hasn't said what form of help or how much $$$$
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Ya, and they just passed a law where construction brigades cannot work outside their province nor hire licensed tradesmen. Duhhh.
The government hasn't fulfilled their promise of building xx,xxx houses every year since the last major hurricane. Now this?
The positive that may come of this disaster is they start loosening up....
Yes, I think they are going to make an exception now. The different provinces in Cuba always send brigades to the more damaged places. I see that Santiago is sending brigades to Camaguey.
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But he hasn't said what form of help or how much $$$$
Not yet, but when he does, we'll hear him tooting his own horn from here.
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To clarify..... These are independent brigades, cooperatives, not government, which I was referring to.
Of course, if you are poor, you are not in a position to hire them but not everybody is poor.
I completely forgot Cuba gets hurricanes... Surprising since i have been in Cuba for 2 of them.
Adding hurricane proof to my criteria for buying a house in Cuba. Primarily, not too near a coast. Winds we can deal with, flooding, no.
Granma.cu had posted quite a few pictures of Havana and west... In the last few hours.
Playa Baracoa, a place of interest in our house hunt.... Not sure now if it is prudent to buy there, based on the pictures.
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But he hasn't said what form of help or how much $$$$
I'm sure he will in the coming days. I think it's too early to give specifics until they can completely assess what's needed.
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I'm sure he will in the coming days. I think it's too early to give specifics until they can completely assess what's needed.
I was talking with my wife about this a few days ago. With the amount of aid that Texas, the rest of the Caribbean including Cuba and now Florida will need, donation fatigue will inevitably set in and become an issue, so any help will be good.
On the other hand, that is where exists massive corruption. As in You get XXX amount of dollars for aid but can only spend it with a specified handful of companies, which in turn give kickbacks all down the line, artificially inflating the cost of goods up to a factor of 10 times the actual value.
And to be clear, this practice exists just about everywhere in the Caribbean, not just in Cuba.
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It looks like parts of Havana got a bit wet..
Does anybody recognize their Cuban friends?
https://beta.theglobeandmail.com/world/video-cubans-wade-boat-through-downtown-havana/video9274c01f-c987-4808-9c3c-8129e8dd8fc7/
Is that a looting of an El Rapido in progress, at 53 seconds ? the guy is making off with twinkies and two bottles of booze. :error: :resigned: :resigned:
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Does anyone get a sense from all the reports just how far the water goes into Havana near the prado? When I stayed there last I was on Consulado between Colon and Trocadero... some very lovely women ran the casa. It looks so close to the malecon on the map, I can't imagine their building was spared.
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The intersection of Consulado and Trocadero is up the hill somewhat, just off the Prado, so I rather doubt that intersection would be flooded. MAYBE the basement, but I do not know that 'hood very well.
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They just passed the 24-hour mark without power in Viñales.
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Vinales.... Other than some rain..... Nothing happened. PDR was spared.
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My bf said earlier that there was a lot of damage in Varadero but getting back to normality now. I am due to fly there Thursday from UK. Not feeling as optimistic as he is right now but happy he is safe.
Canadian gov't is reporting that all airports in Cuba are closed, no details on reopening. Interesting because it looks like there are still flights scheduled. Anyone else have different info?
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Vinales.... Other than some rain..... Nothing happened. PDR was spared.
I know. I called my husband probably every 3 hours during the storm to see how it was. It rained a lot but no strong winds. Not sure why the power's not back.
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Canadian gov't is reporting that all airports in Cuba are closed, no details on reopening. Interesting because it looks like there are still flights scheduled. Anyone else have different info?
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Still have not been able to get through to family in Esmeralda, small town just south east of Moron. No phone or cell contact, no pictures/ video/youtube that I can find, nothing, we are worried...
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Airports are all closed but some airlines still scheduling Cuba flights?
It must be SUNWING still promoting its all inclusive packages to Cayo Coco, Cayo Santa Maria, Playa Santa Lucia. ... :wink-tongue: I hear there is a discount special this coming week (es un broma :be-quiet: )..
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Interesting. Speaking to someone in varadero it seems some tourists are flying home to the UK tomorrow and some workers are heading home.
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Canadian gov't is reporting that all airports in Cuba are closed, no details on reopening. Interesting because it looks like there are still flights scheduled. Anyone else have different info?
No flights to Cuba from UK at mo. My trip is cancelled.
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As a side note (not to get the thread too off-track), for those who have an interest in giving our government an ear-full about the state of air travelers' rights in this country, the House of Commons Standing Committee of Transportation is inviting comments on proposed legislation (which in my humble opinion is BOGUS), by submitting a brief at ourcommons.ca. The comment period is ending soon. You can submit a breif by uploading a WORD or PDF file
BILL C-49
An Act to amend the Canada Transportation Act and other Acts respecting transportation and to make related and consequential amendments to other Acts
First meeting scheduled for: Monday, September 11, 2017
The link is below :
http://www.ourcommons.ca/Committees/en/TRAN/StudyActivity?studyActivityId=9632089
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This is from the Sunwing site
Special flights were arranged on Saturday for evacuated customers that were transferred by land from Cayo Coco and Cayo Santa Maria on Friday. These customers returned on flights from Varadero in the morning and Havana in the afternoon after the Varadero airport closed. Additional flights also operated Saturday to bring home passengers that were vacationing in Varadero. All southbound flights to Cayo Santa Maria, Cayo Coco, Camaguey, Varadero and Holguin have been cancelled up to September 14th. Flexible policies are in place for customers to rebook or change destination.
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Still have not been able to get through to family in Esmeralda, small town just south east of Moron. No phone or cell contact, no pictures/ video/youtube that I can find, nothing, we are worried...
http://www.cadenagramonte.cu/english/show/articles/26688:esmeralda-devastated-because-of-hurricane-irma
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http://cartasdesdecuba.com/cuba-empieza-a-recuperarse-tras-el-paso-de-irma/
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I'm not sure if anyone here has any contacts with anyone in the national media but it would be nice to have more coverage of the hurricane aftermath in other areas instead of most of the focus going to Florida. While I feel bad for them also, Cuba and the Caribbean are much worse off. In my opinion, Cuba and the Caribbean is the real story because a lot of these people didn't have much to begin with in the first place and now saying they will really struggle is an understatement.
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Thank you Greslogo, now I know why I have not had any success in getting through, have to sit this out and pray.
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I'm not sure if anyone here has any contacts with anyone in the national media but it would be nice to have more coverage of the hurricane aftermath in other areas instead of most of the focus going to Florida. While I feel bad for them also, Cuba and the Caribbean are much worse off. In my opinion, Cuba and the Caribbean is the real story because a lot of these people didn't have much to begin with in the first place and now saying they will really struggle is an understatement.
I've heard this complaint from a few sources lately. Not sure where everyone is looking, but there has been plenty of coverage in the major Canadian newspapers on places other than Florida, for example about St. Martin, Turks, Barbuda, and Cuba.
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Castro Sees Cuba’s Tourism Infrastructure Restored Quickly
http://www.havanatimes.org/?p=127200
"Furthermore, it hit our main tourist destinations; however, these damages will be repaired before the peak season begins."
Believe it when I see it!
"Let’s face this task of recovery with the example of the Cuban Revolution’s Commander in Chief, Fidel Castro’s, ..."
Blah, blah, blah
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Havana airport is closed until noon tomorrow: https://www.cubanos.guru/aeropuerto-de-la-habana-estara-cerrado-hasta-mediodia-del-martes/
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Some photos of different areas.
https://www.facebook.com/todocubaonline/photos/pcb.2052672051413405/2052668104747133/?type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/todocubaonline/photos/pcb.2051394298207847/2051392558208021/?type=3&theater
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http://en.escambray.cu/2017/hurricane-irma-hits-eastern-baracoa/
https://www.cibercuba.com/videos/noticias/2017-09-08-u1-e129488-situacion-actual-baracoa-tras-paso-huracan-irma-oriente-cuba
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Bonjour, mon copain est à Santa Clara et étant donné qu'ils n'ont plus d'électricité, il ne peut plus charger son cellulaire, donc je suis sans nouvelle depuis samedi soir.. Si jamais vous avez des nouvelles de quelqu'un à Santa Clara, svp partager afin de me donner une idée de l'évolution de la situation. Merci!!
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Power is still off in a lot of Havana.
We have not been able to make contact with family in Marti, Matanzas. Saw a video of the town made yesterday...doesn't look that bad.
Calling the house phone and two cel phones. All ring (cuban ring tones) but no answers.
One of my SIL'S went to Havana before the hurricane to watch our house. No damage. She's trying to see if she can find transport to Marti, asap.
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My friends live in Santa Clara. There is no power but luckily one of the neighbours have a generator so they can charge their phones. They had damage to their homes. Don't know what else yet. Hope this helps!
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Probably you have already seen it, but if not, here it goes:
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Thank you so much!! I saw some of these videos. By chance, my bf doesn't much of damages with dad's house and grand-mother's house in the last news. Can't wait to have news again when he's gonna to have electricity.. let me know if something new happen ( like electricity is ok). Thank you so so much again!!
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That's a good news!
According to the authorities in the city of Santa Clara, 39 buildings collapsed:
https://www.thestar.com/news/world/2017/09/10/hurricane-irma-topples-homes-floods-cities-after-barrelling-through-cuba.html
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Je sais!!!! C'est fou comment il est incroyablement chanceux!! Les fenêtres chez sa grand-mère étaient brisées. Par contre, il m'a écrit lorsque la tempête était plus calme et n'était pas au courant de tous les dégâts encore. Il n'était pas sortie vraiment de chez lui.
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I'm not sure if anyone here has any contacts with anyone in the national media but it would be nice to have more coverage of the hurricane aftermath in other areas instead of most of the focus going to Florida. While I feel bad for them also, Cuba and the Caribbean are much worse off. In my opinion, Cuba and the Caribbean is the real story because a lot of these people didn't have much to begin with in the first place and now saying they will really struggle is an understatement.
I agree. Puerto Rico was hit pretty hard and yet I've seen almost nothing in the media about them, even though they are U.S. news channels and Puertoricans are supposedly Americans. I definitely did not see any of the same level of concern for their safety and well-being as for those in Florida, although it certainly comes as no surprise!
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Finally, my niece sent us an update late last night, via text. Power is out and trees are down. Not too much damage to the town.
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Still waiting for any news of relations in Esmeralda, phones don't connect and cell not working, so if anyone has any further info, would be good to hear or see. Thanks.
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http://www.periodicocubano.com/sistema-energetico-cuba-colapso/
El sistema energético en Cuba colapsó
Sep 12, 2017 | Actualidad cubana, destacados | 0 Comentarios
Las afectaciones del huracán Irma al Sistema Electroenergético Nacional (SEN) condujeron a que la generación cayera a cero, algo que ocurre por primera vez en la historia y que exige un proceso de restauración de mucha disciplina tecnológica y respeto milimétrico a cada paso, explicó Lázaro Guerra, director técnico de la Unión Eléctrica (UNE), a medios locales.
Foto ACN
La restauración del sistema exige cautela y análisis técnico de cada paso. El sistema está débil y una perturbación técnica puede echar para atrás lo hecho, añadió el funcionario.
Preguntado sobre el tiempo que demorarán los trabajos, explicó que este es un proceso en el cual no puede haber «corre-corre». No puede perderse un minuto, pero hay que hacerlo con la cautela, con la mesura y con el análisis técnico que lleva.
«El sistema está débil, y una perturbación técnica puede echar para atrás el trabajo y obligaría a empezar de nuevo. No obstante, «se está avanzando; se avanza analizando todos los elementos necesarios y cada día el sistema está mucho más fortalecido».
Al explicar lo que está sucediendo, indicó, por ejemplo, que de las ocho centrales termoeléctricas (CTE) de la nación, incluyendo la planta de Tallapiedra, en la Bahía de La Habana, seis se encuentran en el litoral norte, el más devastado por el paso del ciclón más grande que se ha formado en esta cuenca en los últimos cien años.
Las CTE sufrieron daños y algunas aún no pueden ponerse en marcha. «El paso del huracán causó averías a la integridad del sistema interconectado nacional, del cual forman parte todas las unidades generadoras», enfatizó Guerra.
Hay muchos daños, además, en las líneas eléctricas, severos en las zonas por donde batieron los vientos huracanados. Y en algunos territorios, como Matanzas, no se ha terminado la evaluación de los daños. No obstante, se avanza en la restauración del sistema y la revitalización del servicio a la población y las entidades, dijo.
Con información de: medios locales de Cuba
The energy system in Cuba collapsed
Sep 12, 2017 | Cuban News, Featured | 0 Comments
The effects of Hurricane Irma on the National Electroenergetic System (SEN) led to a zero-generation, something that happens for the first time in history and which requires a process of restoration of much technological discipline and millimetric respect at every step, explained Lázaro Guerra, technical director of the Electricity Union (UNE), to local media.
Photo ACN
The restoration of the system requires caution and technical analysis of each step. The system is weak and a technical disturbance can throw back the fact, added the official.
Asked about the time the work will take, he explained that this is a process in which there can be no "run". You can not miss a minute, but you have to do it with the caution, the moderation and the technical analysis that it takes.
"The system is weak, and a technical disturbance can throw back the work and force it to start over. However, "progress is being made; progress is made by analyzing all the necessary elements and the system is much stronger every day ".
In explaining what is happening, he indicated, for example, that six of the nation's eight thermoelectric power stations (CTE), including the Tallapiedra plant in Havana Bay, are located on the northern coast, the most devastated by the passage of the largest cyclone that has formed in this basin in the last hundred years.
The CTEs were damaged and some still can not be started. "The passage of the hurricane caused damages to the integrity of the national interconnected system, of which all the generating units form part," emphasized Guerra.
There are many damages, also, in the electrical lines, severe in the areas where the hurricane winds beat. And in some territories, like Matanzas, the assessment of damages has not been completed. However, progress is being made in restoring the system and revitalizing service to the population and entities, he said.
With information from: local media in Cuba
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Power came back to Contramaestre this morning and Habana Vieja at some point during the day (not sure when but just spoke with family and they have electricity now).
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My in-laws in Vedado are still without power.
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https://www.cibercuba.com/videos/noticias/2017-09-12-u73624-e73624-asi-quedo-varadero-tras-azote-huracan-irma
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Hearing that electricity is back in Cardenas
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http://www.periodicocubano.com/la-electricidad-agua-temas-complicados-cuba/
Electricity and water complicated issues in Cuba
Sep 13, 2017 | Cuban News
The lack of electricity in much of Cuba adds to the critical situation of water shortages, with 1,005 water supply systems being paralyzed, mainly due to a lack of electricity, according to the National Institute of Water Resources (INRH) ).
Yosvany Rubí Bazail, engineering director of the INRH's Aqueduct and Sewerage Group (GEAAL) told local media that 1,178 systems have now been recovered thanks to the restoration of electricity.
The note published on the official website Cubadebate , states that, "The restitution of the service occurs through the interconnection of 763 units to the national electricity system, another 270 operate with generators, seven with motor pumps and 138 by gravity," added the official.
The main affectations are located in the center of the island where "no system (water supply) is rehabilitated by the National Electroenergetic System".
Rubí said that the "worst situation" is in Camaguey where the water supply works by generators. He also referred to the affectations in the northern cayie of Ciego de Ávila.
As for the west of the country, the official said that "it presents a more favorable situation because it does not affect infrastructure, although in the absence of electricity in some areas work with generators."
According to these official data, 60% of the supply systems were operating in Pinar del Río, 80% in Havana, 60% in Artemisa and 63% in Mayabeque.
Meanwhile, in Guantánamo, Santiago de Cuba and Granma, all of the supply systems have been restored, and in Holguin and Las Tunas they are working in a partial way.
For its part, notes the note-Unión Eléctrica de Cuba has said that "the recovery of the national electricity system will be slow and complex." Most of the Cuban thermoelectric plants, except Renté in Santiago de Cuba and Carlos Manuel de Céspedes in Cienfuegos, are located on the north coast, in the same path followed by the hurricane, and suffered damages.
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In Marti they are saying one more week... I doubt it.
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J'ai eu des nouvelles de mon copain!!!!! Trop trop contente!!! Bref, il n'y a toujours pas d'électricité à Santa Clara si jamais ça peut aider quelqu'un..
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And now these...
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/gtwo.php?basin=atlc&fdays=2
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Jose is out of the picture, imo, but the new ones forming..... Hope they follow Jose.
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Jose is out of the picture, imo, but the new ones forming..... Hope they follow Jose.
So do I but its unlikely.
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The power is back on in Santa Clara. Hallelujah!
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Sorry. Spoke too soon. The power is out again. :thumbsdown:
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HELP! I see there is a new hurricane developing in the Atlantic that seems to take more or less the same path as Imra ! :frightened:
POTENTIAL TROPICAL CYCLONE FIFTEEN
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/graphics_at5.shtml?cone#contents
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Power is back up in Marti...i am impressed.
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HELP! I see there is a new hurricane developing in the Atlantic that seems to take more or less the same path as Imra ! :frightened:
POTENTIAL TROPICAL CYCLONE FIFTEEN
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/graphics_at5.shtml?cone#contents
Yes, Hurricane Maria is headed on the same path as Irma right now, we're watching this one now to see if it veers right as it goes over Puerto Rico. My FIL says Cuba is under a Hurricane watch right now.
http://www.cnn.com/2017/09/18/americas/atlantic-storms-maria-jose-lee/index.html
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Yes, Hurricane Maria is headed on the same path as Irma right now, we're watching this one now to see if it veers right as it goes over Puerto Rico. My FIL says Cuba is under a Hurricane watch right now.
http://www.cnn.com/2017/09/18/americas/atlantic-storms-maria-jose-lee/index.html
CNN was showing a track of Irma in that picture. If you watch that clip was linked it shows that the European model has it heading out to sea after Puerto Rico and the American model shows it hitting the Carolinas. None of the models have it affecting Cuba.
There is no watch for Cuba. As of now no part of Cuba is even inside the cone although it could change I suppose. Usually they are good at predicting a cone although not to good at the exact location.
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/refresh/MIATCPAT5+shtml/182048.shtml
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/graphics_at5.shtml?cone#contents
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CNN was showing a track of Irma in that picture. If you watch that clip was linked it shows that the European model has it heading out to sea after Puerto Rico and the American model shows it hitting the Carolinas. None of the models have it affecting Cuba.
There is no watch for Cuba. As of now no part of Cuba is even inside the cone although it could change I suppose. Usually they are good at predicting a cone although not to good at the exact location.
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/refresh/MIATCPAT5+shtml/182048.shtml
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/graphics_at5.shtml?cone#contents
Up until Puerto Rico the path is the same, hence my comment about being on the same path...as of right now, it is. It veers after it goes over Puerto Rico. The hurricane warning is information we got from my FIL so either he's senile or the watch is strictly a watch put out by the Cuban government to its people and not an official watch put out by the NOAA.
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Up until Puerto Rico the path is the same, hence my comment about being on the same path...as of right now, it is. It veers after it goes over Puerto Rico. The hurricane warning is information we got from my FIL so either he's senile or the watch is strictly a watch put out by the Cuban government to its people and not an official watch put out by the NOAA.
I have no idea if he's senile or not but there is nothing is in effect for Cuba according to my MIL. In fact she told my wife they also expect it to miss Cuba. Hopefully they are right. Also the course of Maria is thankfully further south right now than Irma meaning it's going to miss Barbuda and Antigua but unfortunately do damage to other Islands. This one looks like a direct hit on Dominica and then Puerto Rico before heading more north.
I'm not trying to be argumentative but I don't want people here to worry about Cuba more than they need to. Irma gave everyone enough to worry about.
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The projected path is it will head north and miss Cuba entirely.
It's at least a week away from reaching Cuba, if it ever does.
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I have no idea if he's senile or not but there is nothing is in effect for Cuba according to my MIL. In fact she told my wife they also expect it to miss Cuba. Hopefully they are right. Also the course of Maria is thankfully further south right now than Irma meaning it's going to miss Barbuda and Antigua but unfortunately do damage to other Islands. This one looks like a direct hit on Dominica and then Puerto Rico before heading more north.
I'm not trying to be argumentative but I don't want people here to worry about Cuba more than they need to. Irma gave everyone enough to worry about.
Dominica is "Nature Island" and very mountainous. Its in the direct path of Maria and judging by the damage it took with Tropical Storm Erika in 2016, this Cat 5 will devastate the island. Wind damage, mud and rock slides, flooding. Add various hot springs including the boiling lake, things could be unimaginably bad for them. This is not a rich island-country and I wish them the best.
Here is a clip about TS Erika so you fully understand what this place looks like and is in the eye of tonight.
https://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/video/tropical-storm-erika-slams-the-caribbean--12-dead--dozens-missing-515362883605
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I have no idea if he's senile or not but there is nothing is in effect for Cuba according to my MIL. In fact she told my wife they also expect it to miss Cuba. Hopefully they are right. Also the course of Maria is thankfully further south right now than Irma meaning it's going to miss Barbuda and Antigua but unfortunately do damage to other Islands. This one looks like a direct hit on Dominica and then Puerto Rico before heading more north.
I'm not trying to be argumentative but I don't want people here to worry about Cuba more than they need to. Irma gave everyone enough to worry about.
I think you're making more of my post than it was. At the time I posted it, it had not reached the DR and it's path up to that point was on the same path as Irma. As the hours pass and it moves, it's path becomes more clear. As of right now it will head the same direction as José, based on projections and miss Cuba completely. At the time I posted, H had spoken to his dad the night before and was told there was a hurricane watch put out by the government. A watch is not the same as a warning, it's simply a watch. As for not worrying about Cuba more than people already have, Irma did a number on the keys, speak to anyone who lived around the keys who have no home left. Anyways, I'm not here to waste time arguing, I simply posted a link to show its path at the time I posted, as it has moved its path has become more clear in regards to its direction.
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I think you're making more of my post than it was. At the time I posted it, it had not reached the DR and it's path up to that point was on the same path as Irma. As the hours pass and it moves, it's path becomes more clear. As of right now it will head the same direction as José, based on projections and miss Cuba completely. At the time I posted, H had spoken to his dad the night before and was told there was a hurricane watch put out by the government. A watch is not the same as a warning, it's simply a watch. As for not worrying about Cuba more than people already have, Irma did a number on the keys, speak to anyone who lived around the keys who have no home left. Anyways, I'm not here to waste time arguing, I simply posted a link to show its path at the time I posted, as it has moved its path has become more clear in regards to its direction.
Maybe it's me and I just don't follow what you say because it sounded clear at the time that you were saying one thing and are now saying something else. We obviously get our info from different sources. I try to rely on official sources for these sorts of things as it's normally more accurate.
By the way, it still hasn't passed the DR and isn't forecast to get into the areas until the early hours of Thursday. It passed over Dominica last night but that is an entirely different island and has nothing to do with the Dominican Republic.
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Ok WC, you win...lol :rolleyes_small:
No, all I did was explain myself more in the second post....didn't realize anyone would take it as you did and turn it into a debate.
Anyways, I'll just say hasta luego, I'm outta here.
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I wasn't trying to turn it into a debate or win anything but I've been noticing for a while that when you post something, even in error or that isn't accurate even if by mistake you won't correct yourself and just admit you made a mistake. I'm not sure why that is. My whole team at work has been told lately that they want more detail and fact checking before we submit our reports and then I read this stuff and it jumped right out at me.
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I didn't post anything incorrectly, I posted a link showing where hurricane Maria was at that time and said it was on the same path as Irma and based on where it was at the time I posted the link, it WAS on the same path as Irma....its only as the models predict its more future path, does it turn right and follow José's path.
As for the hurricane watch, I never said the watch was put out by any mainstream hurricane centre, I simply said my FIL said that they were under a hurricane watch. You're the one that came out and assumed that there must be something from the hurricane centre and when there wasn't, piped up and said NOAA had no such warning out. I therefore had no choice but to explain in more detail my original post.
At the time that hurricane Maria was still on the same path as Irma, my FIL said the government put out a watch.
You had the same "meh" attitude when I originally posted about Irma...saying it was too early to tell, it could switch directions, etc. As long as Maria was on the same path as Irma, nobody knew whether it would stay on that same path or veer off as it appears to be doing ad the days pass.
I'm not your team at work and don't post the detailed posts you expect of them, that doesn't make me wrong or mean I posted something in error. Lack of detail does not equate to error, it simply means lack of detail so ask.
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Anyways, I'm done explaining myself, not worth the time and effort.
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I didn't post anything incorrectly, I posted a link showing where hurricane Maria was at that time and said it was on the same path as Irma and based on where it was at the time I posted the link, it WAS on the same path as Irma....its only as the models predict its more future path, does it turn right and follow José's path.
As for the hurricane watch, I never said the watch was put out by any mainstream hurricane centre, I simply said my FIL said that they were under a hurricane watch. You're the one that came out and assumed that there must be something from the hurricane centre and when there wasn't, piped up and said NOAA had no such warning out. I therefore had no choice but to explain in more detail my original post.
At the time that hurricane Maria was still on the same path as Irma, my FIL said the government put out a watch.
You had the same "meh" attitude when I originally posted about Irma...saying it was too early to tell, it could switch directions, etc. As long as Maria was on the same path as Irma, nobody knew whether it would stay on that same path or veer off as it appears to be doing ad the days pass.
I'm not your team at work and don't post the detailed posts you expect of them, that doesn't make me wrong or mean I posted something in error. Lack of detail does not equate to error, it simply means lack of detail so ask.
Ok we can drop this, but it did come across as an error or incorrect info to me. The National Hurricane Center doesn't put out watches or warnings for other countries. When you read them on their site, it will say "the government of Cuba has issued a tropical storm watch for the province of Holguin", as an example. Also, you did seem to mistake Dominica for the DR and that's sort of what I was saying. Maybe I'm just too focused on attention for detail but that stuff naturally jumps out at me. Maybe it's a flaw that I have. lol
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At the end of the day... None of this interpretation is important.
Chill, everybody.
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Time for a glass of wine.
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Time for a glass of wine.
.....or 5......
18 days to go for me! Whoohoo......LOL
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You should be glad to know I achieved that level of consumption, yesterday....jeje.
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Time for a glass of wine.
Was thinking about you today. Are you still in Mexico?
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Well now thats settled, and everyone has a glass in there hands, maybe you could advise me. Yes it might be in the wrong thread but it concerns Irma and its affect.
I had finally two mins on the phone yesterday with my partner who is with her family in Esmeralda, that is no word or contact since the Hurricane went through, add to that her luggage went missing, no water and very little food. So I remember hearing that you can send a kilo or two via DHL or similar. Can anyone tell me if i can send a small water filtre, some chicken soup base , a memory stick, chanca pedra , , it will weigh under a kilo. Would it get through, as I know this isnt going to be the last Hurricane that will go through this season. Please move this if it in the wrong place. Thanks
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First off... DHL is extremely expensive.
Second, Anything other than documents will probably not be accepted. Others can correct me.
Post office if you have confidence it will make it to its destination. By the time it makes it there, the shortages should be over.
Quite frankly, save the money for the contents, which are inexpensive and the shipping, which is expensive and send the equivalent in cash.
What country and city are you in ?
Esmeralda got seriously whacked, btw.
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In Ontario, east.
She said money was not the issue really, as there is nothing to buy at the moment, the phone and power are on and off..water is a real problem for them, some people are getting sick ..
hence the filtre. Yes they got hit hard.
I am trying to find a way to get stuff to them
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Gotcha...
Call Excel Cargo in Montreal. They have offices in Toronto. Ask them for the Toronto number.
514-631-0941
514-631-1240
They ship packages to Cuba. Used to be daily but when Cuba switched to charging recipients in cuc and not cup, Cubans pretty much stopped sending packages to Cuba. They now have weekly flights.
10 kilos/20 kilos
10 kilos or under is around $70 cad... Might as well fill it.
The only destination they ship to is the airports in Habana/varadero/holguin.
When the package arrives, they will inspect the contents, assess duty then they will call the recipient and they have to pick it up at the airport and pay customs. There will be duty charged in cuc.
If the parcel is under 3 kg... There is no duty.
We used to send lots of packages, including tv's when they charged in cup.
Even in cuc, depending what you send, the hit may not be that bad... It's an Emergancy... Understandable.
The only problem is that they will have to go to Holguin to pick up the package, in your case.
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Thanks gres! That is very helpful.
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I should add, the price for shipping is if you drop it off in Montreal. Toronto will probably be more expensive since Montreal is where they aggregate all the parcels, including shipments from the EU. They go via Cubana.
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Thank you so much. I can get packages dropped of in Montreal. I will find out what chance she has of getting to Holgiun and back, for water filtres it would be worth it for her and maybe a friend to go there. Do you think if l put a memory stick in there ( not politics or porn ) it might get through as well, or do they tend to "borrow " those as they inspect.?
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Lushes. All of you. Hic.
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Thank you so much. I can get packages dropped of in Montreal. I will find out what chance she has of getting to Holgiun and back, for water filtres it would be worth it for her and maybe a friend to go there. Do you think if l put a memory stick in there ( not politics or porn ) it might get through as well, or do they tend to "borrow " those as they inspect.?
Never lost anything shipping that way.
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The water filer will get through no issues, however, the chicken stock may not...that will be up to the discretion of the immigration officer that receives the package. Food of any sorts is touch and go to get through customs. I sent you a PM.
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I think this type of caution, although worth mentioning, is often overblown.
We've sent Ramin noodles, spices, bullion cubes, and similar, many times in these packages. These packages always get opened and inspected before they call you.
My mil, here twice, in the last year returned with pounds of different spices, both times.
As long as it is in original packaging/container, unopened... You should be fine.