2017 Life Logs, Day 263: All Eyes on Puerto Rico
Date: Wednesday, September 20, 2017
Weather: Overcast and Rainy, Winds Increasing; High 69, Low 67 degrees F
Location: At Home in The Studio, Falmouth, MA
It is 8 pm here and all I can do watch the Weather Channel as Hurricane Maria is pulling away from the island, but still very much in play. So, all eyes (and hearts) on Puerto Rico. I have heard nothing from Justin and Jo. I know they are still being pelleted by the wind and rain from the hurricane that is still only about 25 miles offshore, but I think if they had cell service I would have had a text from them by now. I was in email contact with Jo’s parents in England around noon, and we will certainly let each other know if we hear from them. I can only assume the there is no cell or wi-fi service, plus no electricity, and now I am hearing this could be the case for weeks. I thought I had grasp of the damage this hurricane could do, but I did not. After Irma, there was no electricity, but there was still cell service. Now the three and half million people that live on the island of Puerto Rico are in the dark tonight because there is no power, no way to communicate, and the devastation of flooding is just beginning. Puerto Rico is a beautiful, mountainous island with everything from gorgeous beaches to rain forests. Justin and Jo live on the west coast in the mountains just above the surfing capitol of Rincon. This is about 15 miles north of a much larger city, Mayaguez. Since the last Category 4 hurricane to hit the island was in 1932, most people living there really didn’t know what to expect from Maria. I heard tonight that the airport in San Juan might open on Saturday. If I haven’t heard from Justin and Jo by then, part of me wants to get on a plane and go there to find them. The other part of me says I should wait until I hear from Justin. Again, I ask you to hope with me that all is well.
Thankfully I have a couple of busy days coming up that will be a distraction. Tomorrow I am going to the Peabody Essex Museum north of Boston and on Saturday I am hosting a dinner party for nine of us. At least this will keep me from just sitting and watching the Weather Channel!
Justin, Jo, Ziggy, and Coco. So many people contacted me today asking about your safety. You have people all around the world hoping that you come through this unscathed. We all love you and hope to hear from you soon. Be safe.
