One year ago, we were watching as Wilma headed straight for us but still completely unaware of what we were in for or that we would be captive in our boarded up homes a/k/a “caves” for the next 50 hours.
On October 18th, we were monitoring Wilma as a tropical depression, not even predicted to make landfall in the Yucatan…at that time, Cuba was in more danger than anyone. Just before I went to bed that night, she was upgraded to a tropical storm. Literally overnight, she developed from a tropical storm to the most intense category 5 hurricane in history to form in the Atlantic and she was now predicted to make a direct hit on our little island. Less than 48 hours later, the eye of Wilma made landfall on Cozumel and completely engulfed the island, just three months after Category 4 Emily made her claim on the island.
With little time to prepare, we rushed to help our divers get off the island, secure our homes, our businesses, our boats, our pets, and our loved ones to make sure that we were as secure and safe as possible…leaving the island was no longer an option as of this morning, October 20th, 2005. Ferry boats were gone and planes were not landing or taking off in Cozumel or Cancun.
Who could imagine the wrath and fury that Wilma would bring…or the duration she would torment us. She battered us relentlessly for a solid 40 to 50 hours, with no mercy. The next three days would be sleepless, wet, horrifying, and emotional.
My bathroom became our “dry place” where we ate “gourmet” peanut butter or tuna sandwiches or tortilla wraps by candlelight in between massive squeegee sessions as the winds and rain pounded us outside. At times we could actually feel the house shake, we could feel the pressure drop more and we actually had to equalize inside my house. As the water rose outside, we began to move our more vital supplies upstairs to protect them from the rising water. This was real life survivor, but the worst was yet to come.
As I reflect back one year ago, I just want to express my sincerest thanks to all of you who stood by all of us and supported the island during this time. Your prayers, donations, thoughts, sentiments…and most importantly your faith in this little island means more than you can probably ever imagine. Those of you who have returned once or twice or even multiple times since Wilma have especially helped the island get through this year. God Bless you all!
We are all starting to breathe a sigh of relief now that this season is coming to an end and we’ve been spared…everyone has been spared…thank God!
On a more personal level, I want to share a special thank you to my “house guests” during Wilma. Jason, Becky, Bob and Noelle…I am not happy that you had to experience this awful storm…but I am very grateful that it was the four of you that were here to ride the storm out with me, Emma, Alex and Luke. You not only made it bearable, you helped save us. The fear, sweat, tears, laughter, and everything else we shared will never be forgotten…bittersweet memories of a desperate time.
As I rode my bike down the waterfront this afternoon, bustling with people and looking up into the bluebird skies (with a few white fluffy clouds), and a fresh breeze coming off the Caribbean...I couldn't help but smile and think to myself, "What a difference a year makes."
Viva Cozumel!!!!
On October 18th, we were monitoring Wilma as a tropical depression, not even predicted to make landfall in the Yucatan…at that time, Cuba was in more danger than anyone. Just before I went to bed that night, she was upgraded to a tropical storm. Literally overnight, she developed from a tropical storm to the most intense category 5 hurricane in history to form in the Atlantic and she was now predicted to make a direct hit on our little island. Less than 48 hours later, the eye of Wilma made landfall on Cozumel and completely engulfed the island, just three months after Category 4 Emily made her claim on the island.
With little time to prepare, we rushed to help our divers get off the island, secure our homes, our businesses, our boats, our pets, and our loved ones to make sure that we were as secure and safe as possible…leaving the island was no longer an option as of this morning, October 20th, 2005. Ferry boats were gone and planes were not landing or taking off in Cozumel or Cancun.
Who could imagine the wrath and fury that Wilma would bring…or the duration she would torment us. She battered us relentlessly for a solid 40 to 50 hours, with no mercy. The next three days would be sleepless, wet, horrifying, and emotional.
My bathroom became our “dry place” where we ate “gourmet” peanut butter or tuna sandwiches or tortilla wraps by candlelight in between massive squeegee sessions as the winds and rain pounded us outside. At times we could actually feel the house shake, we could feel the pressure drop more and we actually had to equalize inside my house. As the water rose outside, we began to move our more vital supplies upstairs to protect them from the rising water. This was real life survivor, but the worst was yet to come.
As I reflect back one year ago, I just want to express my sincerest thanks to all of you who stood by all of us and supported the island during this time. Your prayers, donations, thoughts, sentiments…and most importantly your faith in this little island means more than you can probably ever imagine. Those of you who have returned once or twice or even multiple times since Wilma have especially helped the island get through this year. God Bless you all!
We are all starting to breathe a sigh of relief now that this season is coming to an end and we’ve been spared…everyone has been spared…thank God!
On a more personal level, I want to share a special thank you to my “house guests” during Wilma. Jason, Becky, Bob and Noelle…I am not happy that you had to experience this awful storm…but I am very grateful that it was the four of you that were here to ride the storm out with me, Emma, Alex and Luke. You not only made it bearable, you helped save us. The fear, sweat, tears, laughter, and everything else we shared will never be forgotten…bittersweet memories of a desperate time.
As I rode my bike down the waterfront this afternoon, bustling with people and looking up into the bluebird skies (with a few white fluffy clouds), and a fresh breeze coming off the Caribbean...I couldn't help but smile and think to myself, "What a difference a year makes."
Viva Cozumel!!!!
