Ready or Not

There is a tropical storm coming through right now and it is heading right in the direction of our island. Supposedly, it has an 89% chance of turning into a cyclone.

Here is some more info from the weather channel.com.

Will we have Emily today?

Kevin Roth, and M. Ressler, The Weather Channel

Aug 1, 2011 4:48 am ET

Tropics Watch: Daily map analysis

ATLANTIC BASIN

- The tropical wave east of the Lesser Antilles has not formed into a depression yet.

- An Air Force reconnaissance mission late Sunday afternoon found that a surface low pressure system had not formed yet.

- Another recon mission will investigate the area later this morning to determine if the low has formed at the surface.

- If it has the system could become Tropical Depression #5 or Tropical Storm Emily depending on the maximum surface winds.

- Due to its proximity to the Windward and Leeward Islands tropical storm warnings would be raised quickly once the system is classified as a depression or tropical storm.

- It is expected to move west-northwest through Tuesday passing close to the islands Martinique, Dominica and Guadeloupe in the Lesser Antilles late Monday night or Tuesday morning.

- It could then continue to strengthen while affecting other portions of the eastern Caribbean from the Virgin Islands to Haiti through the middle of this week as it turns to the northwest.

- It is too soon to determine what if any other land areas could eventually be affected.

- Another tropical wave is moving south of the Cape Verde Islands off the west coast of Africa, but models do not yet forecast much development over the tropical eastern Atlantic.

EASTERN PACIFIC

- Tropical Storm Eugene steadily strengthens but is expected to remain well offshore from the southern Pacific coast of Mexico.

- It should move toward the west-northwest and roughly parallel to the coast of Mexico throughout the week.

- Eugene could become a hurricane Tuesday, but will then weaken over cooler waters by the end of the week.

WESTERN PACIFIC

- Typhoon Muifa, centered between Guam and the Philippines is the equivalent of a category 3 hurricane.

- It rapidly intensified Saturday to what might have been equivalent to a category 5 hurricane.

- It is forecast to move more northwestward with time, so it is possible it could eventually affect Japan, China, and/or Taiwan later this week.

We are currently in "hurricane season" here in Dominica. We haven't experienced a serious hurricane since we have been here, so hearing a big one is coming makes me wonder if we are prepared- do we have enough supplies, water, and if it hits, will the power be out- and if so, for how long? It has been raining a ton lately and normally when it rains hard, it overwhelms the water filters and the water gets shut off. When it comes back on, the water is usually a brown mirky color.

This is water in our washing machine after a good rainstorm. I opted not to do laundry this day.

This is exactly how the water looks coming out of our tap in the sinks and shower as well. Gross, right?!!

So that means- if the storm really does hit here and there is a good chance it will, we will have no water to shower, do dishes, laundry, no flushing toilets etc... and if it does, it will be gross brown mirky water at that. It is kind of scary- wondering if we are ready for this bad boy to hit us. Of course it just so happens to be on one of the craziest weeks for Broc too. I have to admit I feel a little anxious, wondering if it hits how long will we be out of water/ power.

So here is my checklist:

*Dishes done- CHECK

*Shower- CHECK

*Water containers filled- CHECK

*Laundry done- CHECK

*5 gallons of drinking water purchased- CHECK

*Paper cups, plates, bowls purchased- CHECK (we can't do dishes if the water is off)

*Stocked up on snacks and food- ... (I still want to get a few more things tomorrow morning- hopefully the storm hasn't hit yet. Oh and tomorrow is a Dominican holiday so most of the stores will be closed. Perfect.)

*Batteries in flashlights- CHECK

Ahhhh! Not sure if I am ready for this... Wish us luck!!!