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Tropical Storm Gustav Takes Charge - Update

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Julia Rosien | 08/25/2008 - 17:22 | Add new comment

Hurricanes season is here, in case you hadn't noticed...

Read where forecasters expect Gustav to head next: Gustav Following in Katrina's Path (updated August, 28, 2008)

Hurricane season may have had a sluggish start, but Mother Nature is wide awake now and in her full hurricane regalia. Last week Tropical Storm Fay saturated Florida. This week, Gustav is charting a path towards Haiti, Cuba, the Bahamas and possibly Florida.

Haiti has issued storm warnings and is preparing for a worst case scenario. Port-au-Prince, Haiti's capital and home for 3 million people is in the direct path of the eye of the storm. While Gustav is still a tropical storm (it hasn't been upgraded to a hurricane) it can still cause significant damage, according to Reuters:

"Haiti is vulnerable to devastating floods because hillsides have been stripped of trees by people desperate for charcoal to be used as cooking fuel. In 2004, Tropical Storm Jeanne was blamed for flooding that killed some 3,000 people."

Forecasters are predicting Gustav will hit Haiti, storm through Cuba and then move onto the Bahamas and Florida. But the computer models predict it will move south to Jamaica and then the Yucatan peninsula. It's obviously not an exact science, so if you're traveling in the area you'll have to apply a little bit of gut instinct to the formula.

I dodged a hurricane once when visiting Jamaica a few years ago. My plane took off from the island a full 24 hours before it hit. In retrospect, I feel like I dodged a bullet - a huge one. I can't imagine being trapped in an airport - or worse our seaside hotel - weathering out winds that bring down buildings and toss cars around like dinky toys.

Have you ever been caught in a tropical storm or hurricane while traveling? If you're accustomed to this kind of weather at home, panic isn't likely your first move. But if you've never had to live out a hurricane in a basement, I'm guessing you'd want to get out of Dodge quickly.

If you're traveling to the Caribbean this week, these resources may come in handy:

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  • On Tour Bus Crash in Tortola – Caribbean Princess Passenger Dies, Sad and heavy heart said "On a note about the roads of Totrola which are steep, and windy and narrow, all the more reason that tour vehicles should have regular safety checks, SEATBELTS (which dirvers should mandate use or not allow passengers to continue with the tour, driver's should go slow, and Princess Cruise Lines should do extensive background checks, and not hire people with the nick-name of Crash-Dummy."

  • On Tour Bus Crash in Tortola – Caribbean Princess Passenger Dies, Jan said "We were also on the ship with our friends, had spent the day at the beach in Tortola where the slider on my Omega came off, "broke" and lost. I had just purchased it on board the ship the day prior. But nothing can compare to the loss of a family member. The Captain had everyones attention for the announcement. Captain Draper done a great job informing the passengers of the accident. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Rumphrey family."

  • On Tour Bus Crash in Tortola – Caribbean Princess Passenger Dies, Anonymous said "I was on that cruise that took Aaron's life, and it definatley upset my week. My heart was so heavy over the thought of his dear parents losing their son on what was to be a very happy time. My heart is with his family and I will pray for them."

  • On Tour Bus Crash in Tortola – Caribbean Princess Passenger Dies, Julia Rosien said "Thanks for posting your comment. I was very impressed with the way Captain Draper handled the situation and I told him so. He made it a priority to inform all passengers and eliminated rumor and speculation. It's nice to know the other passengers involved felt the driver saved their lives. The roads in Tortola are terrible and I'm sure much skill is involvd navigating them safely. I hope you enjoyed your cruise, despite this tragedy. Julia"

  • On Tour Bus Crash in Tortola – Caribbean Princess Passenger Dies, Anonymous said "I just returned from this tragic Caribbean Princess cruise. Although I was not a part of this particular excursion, it was both saddening and shocking for everyone on the ship when Capt. Draper made the announcements. The following day, we spoke to one of the excursion bus passengers who felt the bus driver did everything in his power to slow the bus down and they felt the bus driver had saved all of their lives. According to my fellow passenger, the fatality was caused by the young man being thrown through the front windshield. Of note, it was rumored told during the cruise that a witness saw the brakes being worked prior to the excursion."