The
electrical power just went out. Hopefully, it's temporary and will be
back up at least for the next couple of hours. That kills phone land
lines, as well. We are experiencing storm gusts at about 28-48 mph every
minute or so, with intermittent heavy rainfall. The storm is scheduled
to begin entering Puerto Rico at about 2-3 am.

BULLETIN
Hurricane Maria Advisory #16
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL
1100 PM AST Tue Sep 19 2017
...EYE OF POTENTIALLY CATASTROPHIC CATEGORY 5 HURRICANE MARIA
NEARING ST. CROIX...
...CORE EXPECTED TO REACH SOUTHEASTERN PUERTO RICO WEDNESDAY
MORNING...
SUMMARY OF 1100 PM AST...0300 UTC...INFORMATION
-----------------------------------------------
LOCATION...17.3N 64.7W
ABOUT 30 MI...45 KM SSE OF ST. CROIX
ABOUT 120 MI...190 KM SE OF SAN JUAN PUERTO RICO
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...175 MPH...280 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT...WNW OR 300 DEGREES AT 10 MPH...17 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...909 MB...26.85 INCHES

From Maria's description of her location, I believe the eye went over, or very near Maria's location. I know we are all concerned, but it may be awhile before we hear anything. I am glad she lives on the NW rather than SE, as the land slowed and weakened the storm a bit before it got to her.

jedobaTX, I think you are right. I read an article that said the eye was 15 miles from Arecibo (at that time). Still praying that all is well. Flooding looks bad in the SE.

I have heard that the entire island is without power, and that estimates are 4-6 months for power to be restored. It is unbelievable.

Yes true, the whole island is out of power and no drinking water. Im so worried about Maria Elena and her mom. It is such a tragedy. Apparently they will have to build a New Puerto Rico as it is totally destroyed. This weather lately is totaly crazy. We even had small storm in west aus, knocked over my baby seedlings inside my greenhouse.

Please remember that the media will make everything sound worse than it is. Maria Elena said this after Irma. There are a lot of generators on the island, so if they can get fuel they will be able to have some power - especially with underground lines like she mentioned.

This was a biggie, so of course I still pray for everyone's well being. Hope we hear something soon - even just a thumbs up. Patience is not my forte.

Just watched "Washington Week" on PBS, and they had a segment on the Puerto Rico Recovery Effort. Things most certainly didn't look good, and one of the biggest problems they reported is... There are a lot of relief supplies already there, but they're just sitting in a warehouse not being distributed; due to some logistical & bureaucraticconfusion.

I hope Maria is doing well.

<iframe src='http://abcnews.go.com/video/embed?id=50120505' width='640' height='360' scrolling='no' style='border:none;'></iframe>

Rob

Thanks, Rob! It does look bad. This is just heartbreaking. I hope they can get drivers or whatever vehicles they need to deliver these supplies.

I keep searching for news from Arecibo, but all I see is the observatory was damaged and the roof blew off an emergency medical center. OK. The people don't live in the observatory, and what has happened since that roof blew off? Not everyone lives in San Juan, just like not everyone lived in New Orleans.

I do worry about Maria Elena and pray that she and her mother are well. No one enjoys the heat and humidity after a hurricane, but I pray her mother can tolerate it.

It would be nice to hear from you, Maria Elena, to see that you and your family are ok. Daily thoughts and prayers for you and your family!

Jeannie

I am sure that Maria Elena would reach out and let everyone know that she and Mom are safe, but if without Power. It would pose a problem.

Hope we hear they are safe soon.

Rick

I’ve heard that power will take a month to be restored, I hope that our friend and her mom are okay

I think Maria may be in real trouble she not only has mom to take care of she her dad with no power and water things have to be getting bad

roger

I've been following this thread for a while, she's great, I'm preying for her and her mother

Hey Sara, I haven't seen anything from Maria Elena on this thread since her most recent post above on September 19th where she was writing about the power going out. Have you had some other communications with her or is she posting elsewhere? We are all very concerned and anxious to hear of any news of or from Marai Elena. If you've heard from her, please share.

Thank you, Tyler

Oh I'm sorry Tyler..I didn't mean she's great(as far as the stormI'm so sorry it came off that way ) I ment, she's great(as in a heart person ... always helping out.. I've been quite worried as well, definitely preying for them.. so sorry for the miscommunication...from what I hear.. things arnt very good over there as I've been following the news closely. Sorry again Tyler and everyone (now that I read it back(u could take it the other way) I apologize ..I prey that it's just power being out that is preventing her from communicating with everyone here, as she has lots of friends... and I feel if she could jump on and let us know how she is.. she would..I'm sure she's ok and we will hear from her soon.. she's just so lovely... preying hard

Great* person

I'm alive!

In my boredom, I decided to clean my keyboard and lost a letter and some of my symbol and number keys. You'll figure out which letter it is because I cannot ty_e it at all. So my message will be a "fill in the blank."

The hurricane exited through my town as a category 3 and caused a lot of flooding in flood zones, near rivers and waterways. Thank God we have no structural damage or flooding. All is well. Exce_t for downed lines, mainly traffic lights and street lam_s and fallen trees, nothing ha__ened here in our immediate area. Of course, any faulty construction flew off. But most of our town is u_ to code, so those are few and far between. The flood zones flooded very badly and folks were left with nothing. Remember that flooding is not just rain & river water, but sewage as well. Total loss. We have also lost eighty % of all vegetation. The trees are either
broken, downed, or wind-burned. The birds and bees literally have
nowhere to go. Farm cro_s were a total loss.

We were in the dark for two full weeks. We have a small generator, which we used nightly for a few hours. We have had to collect rain water for bathing, cleaning, washing clothes, flushing. Sur_rise: Rain water leaves your skin and hair silky smooth!! Drinking water is nowhere to be found but we refill our jugs with filtered water at a local establishment at sixty cents a gallon. The electricity came on three days ago. My _hone connection just came back u_ yesterday and my internet today. I have ke_t myself busy kee_ing the house clean and hel_ing out the neighbors. I have a 93 year old friend in a wheelchair who lives alone and has no one. Her neighbors didn't even offer her a bottle of water. I go over there to clean u_, make sure she eats, collect rain water for her and deliver bottled drinking water.

What is occurring here in terms of relief aid is nothing short of disgusting. We have not seen one bottle of drinking water to this day. Imagine my horror when I realized we were down to one gallon and none of the big box stores were o_en! Thank God we found that establishment that refills jugs with filtered water. Lines are long and we have to stand under the hot sun for at least an hour to get water, to enter the su_ermarket, to _ay for merchandise, to get gas, to use an ATM. My father _assed out getting gasoline. I have gotten tanned. There are no s_ecial treatments for the elderly here, even though it is a federal law to allow courtesy lines for the elderly and handica__ed. I have my _arents sit in the car while I stand on line. Lines are diminishing, but slowly.

About relief _rovisions, over 7 tons of goods are sitting on the docks, not getting to the _eo_le who need it because the local truck driver union has decided to negotiate demands in the midst of a national crisis. They will not assign a truck until their demands, whatever they are, are met. I don't know what the issues are but we have a few thousand National Guard that can take over that o_eration and to hell with the damned union. Everyone is _assing the buck. See video link below. The Army Cor_s of Engineers have not yet installed tar_s on the houses that lost their roofs, totally or _artially. It's rained heavily three times since Maria and a friend of mine is in tears as she has watched thousands of dollars in LR & DR furniture needlessly get soaked, which is in a foot of water ... inside her house. FEMA was su__osed to distribute tem_orary tar_s until ACE installed the thicker ones but the tem_orary tar_s never made it to the towns. The mayors are irate because their hands are tied.

Meanwhile, FEMA distributed 2 small boxes of relief aid in our town: one was a box containing a bag of M&Ms, a Snicker bar, a bag of cookies. WTF!!!! The other contained a 1 lb bag of rice, one can each of red beans, vienna sausages, corned beef hash, s_am, a small jar of _eanut butter, two cartons of milk. What a joke!!! I _ersonally don't eat _otted meats and am sticking to trail mixes and almonds & walnuts for _rotein. The su_ermarkets have inflated their _rices to double and tril_e ... during a national disaster. They should be shot! Bad enough no one is acce_ting credit cards ... cash only. We cannot find batteries, lanterns, BBQ grills, candles, flashlights, bottled water anywhere. Now that the electricity is back u_ it's no longer an issue ... exce_t the electricity seems to be going out daily for a few hours.

Here's what's really going on in terms of relief and aid: https://www.facebook.com/india.colon/videos/1620297788028440/

Enough com_laining! I am very grateful for what we do have. I am so ha__y that my mother is no longer stressed out by so much darkness and the noise of a generator. Now that I have access to the internet, I will s_end today vegging out and catching u_ on all the "Chicago" season _remiers on Netflix. Going to try to have as normal a day as _ossible.

Thank you all for your _rayers and well wishes. If this ever ha__ens again, you can check my FB, Maria Elena Mercado ... I'm wearing a _each sleeveless to_ and a big grin ... which I haven't checked yet but know my family is commenting on there. You are all very s_ecial to me. Grou_ hug!!

Maria Elena

Omgosh Maria .... praise god you are ok.. how is your mom and dad and your home... om goodness what a relief..hugs ❤️

Mom & dad ok you need anything? Everbody been missing you

roger

Wonderful news!

Yes, we are fine. I added details above. You guys are very s_ecial and bring a smile to my face! Thank you!!

So happy to hear that Mom, Dad and Yourself are fine. To a degree. We all live in different parts of the world and have never met, but we share a passion and desire to learn, share experiences between us. For this, brings us close and it is human nature to be compassionate.

So glad to have you back chatting. Sure hope all gets better for everyone there. You hear so much, but it is good to here from a friend that is living where it all happened. Take care.

Rick

Every time I saw this thread had been updated I was hoping you were back Maria Elena. I am so relieved this time you are, and that you and your parents are ok.

I am disgusted with the attitude of some people as you describe above, and as we've seen on the tv. If only we were nearer we'd come out and help.

Despite everything, I hope life will return to normal for all of you as soon as possible.

Warmest wishes.

I'm glad you & your family are doing ok. I'm completely embarrassed and disheartened by the shameful response to this crisis. No words.

Tyler

Rick ..... I think you said it best for everyone!!! It's like a family on here and we're all very blessed

Wow I just read your update and that is absolutely disgraceful.. how could they make you endure this stress after a HUGE national crisis ..I have no idea how those ppl sleep at night, thank god for you Maria. Taking care of your mom, dad and elderly neighbor, as who know what would've happened to her (I can't believe the EFFEN water situation and food prices and no tarps..not to mention the overall damage you are all seeing outside..to trees and everything.. it's catastrophic) but really not to many people are like you anymore unfortunately:( helping people without any personal gain)please have a stress free day and watch your Netflix ..it helps lol.. and I will try a rain water bath one day(under less stressful circumstances lol) poor thing!!! Still preying for you and your fam... and everyone there, thanks for keeping us informed xox

Maria, I am so sorry you, your family, and friends are going through this. I am happy y'all are ok and will continue to send prayers your way.

Maria its great that you and your family came through it unscathed sounds like you are getting _issed off and frustrated chin up all will be good maybe someone living closer to you could get u a new key board so u can get your _&qs rite:×)

I could not be more happy to see you reply!!! Every time I saw this post updated i thought it was you!

We are hearing that the union story is fake and that the drivers are not staging a work stoppage. Sheppard Smith reported that.

Was there an alternate reason given as to why the supplies aren't reaching the people?

_eter: LOL ... Sorry it had to be you I didn't have the right letter for. No, I'm not _issed or even disillusioned. I've known all along that this is a "nation" that sings with its tongue tied; yet we sing. I have never understood how the _ eo_le here could acce_t colonialism and go to war in dis_ro_ortunate numbers for a country that doesn't allow them to vote for the _residency.

We are all hearing a lot of things and the truth is somewhere in between. All I know is that su__lies are not reaching ME and many are in the same boat. I _ersonally know a driver who just left for Florida because he showed u_ to drive and was never assigned. A delivery here or there with a _hoto o_ is not disaster rescue & relief. The munici_alities are now setting u_ makeshift sou_ kitchens to serve hot meals M-F, which is great for those who are really in need. But what do they eat on Saturday and Sunday? Give a man a fish and he eats for a day. I am of those who believe in teaching a man to fish so he can su__ly for himself. We are a _roud _eo_le and many are insulted by the idea of standing on lines to eat ... It's humiliating and so nineteen-fourties de_ression. I see a lot of _oliticking going on and a lot of false or com_lete lack of communication. Is it deliberate? I believe so.

The hurricane occurred 19 days ago. I needed candles, batteries, cooking gas, and water for two weeks and couldn't find any. There was no Walmart, K-Mart, CVS, Sam's Club, etc o_en. Imagine those who needed clean, dry clothing on their backs and shoes on their feet ... the victims of flooding. Many died for lack of oxygen tanks ... They sim_ly ran out of oxygen waiting for hel_ to arrive ... It never did. Now that the electricity is back u_, I don't need any of those things anymore, neither do they. 19 days was too long a wait.

The governor is a nice guy and means well but is guilty of _utting _olitics before the governance of his territory. His agenda to obtain statehood makes him a weak _u__et of di_lomacy. He is not s_eaking u_ for the _eo_le. He is down_laying death rates and not s_eaking truthfully. ONE radio station remained on the air through all this because they were the only station to maintain a redundant system. I have had a headset glued to my ears and my twenty year old, faithful Sony Walkman cli__ed to my waist all along. I distinctly recall the US a__roving X amount in aid and the governor _roclaiming that the money would be used to "_ay our munici_al em_loyees" ... Hurricane relief funds.

The hel_ will no doubt eventually arrive. It sim_ly has to. The issue is who the hell is going to stand on lines for stuff that arrived too late? WE have gone out into the streets and cho__ed u_ downed trees with our own _ower saws. We have stacked u_ the debris for the munici_alities to collect. Now our mindset is on rebuilding the infrastructure and re-greening our environment. Our rainforest, El Yunque ... the only existing rainforest in North America with many years of _ristine, self-contained ecosystems, is devastated. Eighty _ercent of our vegetation is lost. Our flora and fauna has suffered. Our natural resources need to be salvaged. The Arecibo Observatory, the largest in the world, needs attention. We need to hang new flags to re_lace the ones left tattered by the hurricane. The waters have receded and our Reinita has returned with our national flag in her beak ... Very Noah's Ark-ish!

Pitiful and disgraceful all the way around. Politics, lies and agendas while people suffer and die. Just shameful.

So many things we all take for granted, until they are no longer available or accessible. Our hearts and prayers go out to all of you there. We hear the three saints isles got whacked equally hard ...

Sickening just horrible...the help has come to late... wtf.. these are American born citizens(in the words of India Colon)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is disgraceful and all the supplies are there and no one is handing them out!! America should be ashamed. It hurts my heart what you all have already gone through(not to mention having to clean up after a national disaster..hurt and in pieces) and are still going through it and yet still no help has come...your a strong girl Maria

Hi Maria Elena,

So, so , so glad to hear that you and your parents are ok....hang in there....recover takes a while :(

I just heard a noise and went to window and a small tank looking thing just went by to pick up more debri (from bad Harvey) off the street down a ways.

I took pictures of the pink/red Adenium last week, but didn't want to post until I knew you and your family were ok. Two of the blooms opened before I left: left one was first day and then right one opened day I left (Friday).

I just got back from out of town late last night (my grand-daughters birthday get-a-way we do every year) and I just took a picture of the 3rd bloom this morning. I will name this Adenium Angel :)

You are such an awesome person.....and one to always help out others, is beyond special!

Happy Gardening, Jeannie :)

It was one of the 3 you sent me and it was labeled EV2. I believe the one you sowed July of 2016. Beautiful blooms! Thanks so much:)

You are always so thoughtful, Jeannie ... Bless your heart! I am so happy to see you have blooms on that one. That seed was given to me by one of our members, Ed Villafranca of Clearwater, Florida, from one of his red seed pods. I gave away 11 from that batch but kept one for myself ... It has not bloomed yet. Good to know blooms are not far away.

Angel ... I called you an angel for the box of succulents you surprised me with between hurricanes Irma and Maria. Everything has rooted and is doing beautifully. One of the mini neoregelias had a baby, and the Earth Star has 3 pups!! I also love the string of hearts and the epiphyllum curly locks. Thank you for sharing them.

Well, I can't say anything that everyone else hasn't already said. So, I'll ask the question everyone want's to ask....... How are your Adeniums doing?

If you need replacements, I'm sure everyone here would be happy to help. ;-)

They are all alive and well, Rob ... A little chlorosis from being indoors for both cyclones but recouperating well. Thank you for asking. Still waiting for non-pink blooms.

You have your p back well done

Ha, ha, ha! Afraid not. _eter! I am copying and pasting my letter p. Troubleshooting, though. Here I am completely p-less ... LOL!!

Maria Elena- thanks God you are back and your family ok. Such a relief for everyone here, anxious to hear any news from you. I love your smile :)

Bob - your Adenium photos are really good. What camera are you using?

Agarrta - I got this last year as a B-Day present, and by no means am I an expert photographer. My camera is a Panasonic/Lumix Dmc-FZ300, and it's 4K capable.

I've been able to capture some pretty good macro shots.

Maria - I don't have many typical Pinks, but I did just recently pick up this NOID.

Rob

P.S. I Bookmarked your last post.

Hey Maria Elena....the mini bromeliad that you said didn't make it....well I just took this pic this morning and there 2 pups forming :)

Also, the white spidery plumeria.....well this is a pic of it after Harvey...the 2 new leaves are the only ones growing up and outward, while the rest are still so sad that Harvey came through:(

Do you have Hoyas? I have 3 different kinds that I can send you some cuttings (they root pretty easy). I realize I have too may plants to care for.

Happy Gardening, Jeannie :)

Bob - thank you. Very nice macro shots, love the photos.

Sorry Rob for calling you Bob, you can tell I need glasses, hope the contacts will help lol.

You're a doll, Jeannie. Thank you for your thoughtfulness. The mini bromeliads were unmarked, but you emailed me their names. The one that died was the lighter yellow one of the three. A second one also died, but only after pupping out, which is normal. I just let that one dry out on its own because the pup was attached. I just cut it down to just above soil level on Sunday. These are the two I have:

Hoya - I have this one, australis ssp teniupe ... amazing aroma:

Oh my gosh, such beautiful flowers and plants Jeanie and Maria.. lol if you ever have to many plants, I myself have a buying plants addiction lol so we could help each other lolol.. BTW your absolutely gorgeous Girl!! (Maria) ps id love to see some of your dolls too