Please select your home edition
Edition
Palm Beach Motor Yachts

Update on the Atlantic Hurricane Season

by Louay Habib 8 Sep 2017 04:30 PDT 8 September 2017
Hurricane Irma © Irma

Hurricanes are a fact of life in the Caribbean and Southern USA. Hurricane Harvey reeked havoc in the Southern United States, before Irma started, and the danger to people and property in this region is far from over.

Irma is heading for Florida, and Hurricane Jose with sustained winds of 120 mph is moving across the Atlantic, whilst Tropical Storm Katia, in the Gulf of Mexico, has just been upgraded to a Category 1 Hurricane.

Irma started life as a Tropical Wave off the Cape Verde Islands on the West Coast of Africa. Warm air rising from the Sahara, becomes fuelled by the warm waters of the Atlantic, and grows in size and power until it becomes categorised as a hurricane. Irma grew to an area the size of France, and the spinning cloud around its centre reached 185 mph, as it arrived in the Caribbean on the other side of the Atlantic. Well known yachting destinations have been devastated by its power. Barbuda, 40 miles north west of Antigua, took a direct hit. St. Barts, St.Maarten and Anguilla were next, followed by the British and US Virgin Islands.

The most active Atlantic hurricane season in recorded history, shattering numerous records was 2005, and in 2008 eight hurricanes were recorded but none of them was a Category 5. Irma was declared a Category 5 Hurricane, one that is considered by the United States National Hurricane Center, to have had sustained wind speeds greater than 136 knots (157mph; 252 km/h). Since 1924, 32 Category 5 Hurricanes have been recorded.

Antigua felt the force of Irma, but the hurricane turned north just before arrival, sparing the island from a major catastrophe. Barbuda is part of the twin island nation of Antigua, in yacht racing, a racing mark off Barbuda is the first of the RORC Caribbean 600. The coral island is very flat, and was absolutely devastated by Irma. The local population have been left with virtually nothing; all of their homes have been destroyed, there is no power, no communication, and drinking water has been contaminated by the damage and debris.

Reports are starting to come in from St.Maarten, home of the Heineken Regatta, and St. Barths which hosts the Barths Bucket and Voile de St. Barths. The airport at St.Maarten has been devastated, the marinas have sustained damage and there is severe flooding in low lying areas for both St.Maarten and St. Barths.

There is little information coming from the British Virgin Islands but it is believed that Nanny Cay, Tortola, the home of the BVI Spring Regatta, has been hit hard.

In recent years, Caribbean nations have invested time and money to defend themselves against these potentially catastrophic natural disasters, building stronger homes, providing storm water drainage, and developing early warning systems so that people can prepare for the worst. All of this will not stop a hurricane from developing. However the development of this infrastructure has, and will, save lives.

The Red Cross has set up an Hurricane Irma appeal fund here: beta.redcross.org.uk/appeal/hurricane-irma-appeal

Editor's Note: Louay has asked for his fee for this article to be paid to the Red Cross, which we have done together with our own donation.

Related Articles

Debut of the Picnic Boat 39
A new icon joins the fleet We invented the Picnic Boat. And we've never stopped perfecting it. The new Hinckley Picnic Boat 39 is a masterpiece of timeless design and modern ingenuity. Posted on 27 Jul
Prestige F4.3 - a new model for Cannes
A unique entry into the world of high-end yachting Experience the elegance and refinement of the new generation of the F-Line aboard the PRESTIGE F4.3. The quality of materials, fit and finish, interior and exterior design, functionality. Posted on 25 Jul
Four Winns debuts TH33 and TH38 power catamarans
Engineered to transform boating experiences into refined escapes Engineered to transform boating experiences into refined escapes, the new Four Winns TH33 and TH38 set a new standard for power catamarans of its size as the latest addition to its TH (Twin Hull) Series, launched in 2023. Posted on 24 Jul
Helping boaters steer clear of common mistakes
Veteran Sea Tow® captains share their tips Boating season is already in full throttle, and Sea Tow®, recognized throughout the marine industry as Your Road Service at Sea®, is proud to offer boating tips to avoid some of the most common mistakes seen on the water. Posted on 24 Jul
Airship | Ford's Terror to Wood Spit
We slept in again this morning at Ford's Terror We slept in again this morning at Ford's Terror, and then Taylor made a super yum breakfast taco bar...scrambled eggs, hash browns, Jerry's double-smoked bacon, tomatillo cream sauce, etc.... Posted on 24 Jul
Harris Boats unveils new Sunliner & Sunliner Sport
A bold evolution in Pontoon design Harris Boats, a leader in luxury pontoon craftsmanship and a Brunswick Corporation (NYSE: BC) brand, has announced the launch of the completely redesigned Sunliner and the debut of the dynamic Sunliner Sport. Posted on 23 Jul
Marine Auctions: July Online Auctions
Bidding to start 24th July and will end 30 July We are now accepting entries for our August Online Auction. Posted on 22 Jul
The after party starts now!
Prestige have already given us two instalments of their M-Line, and now here is the third Prestige have already given us two instalments of their M-Line, and now here is the third - M7 Posted on 21 Jul
Why V-Hull powerboats dominate rough waters
The hull design plays a critical role in how a boat handles the water V-hull powerboats have long been favored by boaters who prioritize performance, especially when navigating choppy or offshore conditions. Posted on 19 Jul
The Italian Sea Group delivers 78m M/Y Admiral
A masterpiece by Admiral combining art, technology, and sustainable vision The Italian Sea Group proudly announces the delivery of the new 78-metre Admiral megayacht. Posted on 19 Jul
Palm Beach Motor YachtsMaritimo M50