Hurricane Frances September 2004
"Fat Frances" was a category 4 hurricane, with sustained winds of 140mph as she approached the island of Eleuthera, Bahamas. Tropical storm force winds extended 185 miles from the centre and hurricane force winds 85 miles from the centre. She was moving at a leisurely 9mph so we were in for a long, hard blow. By mid day Thursday we were battered with tropical storm force and driving rain which continued to worsen over the next 12 hours. The wind reached its peak at about 2-3am, straight in off the Atlantic, as the eye was approaching Palmetto point, 6 miles south of us. The noise was deafening and the walls and roof shuddered. Driving rain poured in around the shutters. The rain seemed to come straight through the wood. You can see more detailed photos here
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6 am Friday 3rd September and the eye is over us. I take the opportunity to inspect outside and wonder if our plastic sheeting will hold when the wind blows from the SW.
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At least the Atlantic side of "Skipper's Cottage" is now a bit sheltered and I can watch in amazement as the wind and rain whip past.
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Saturday morning, after 24 hours of mopping and wringing, the worst is over and we can let the daylight in.
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Roads are blocked and Governor's Harbour is flooded.
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We visit some of our neighbours houses. Most have some shingles off.
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This is Palmetto Point which seems to have been hit badly. This beach house couldn't be any closer to the beach now!
"Skipper's Cottage" survived Frances with only minimal damage, but my sailboat "Papaya" was completely destroyed. You can see more about "Papaya" on the Sailing section of the home page. Use the back button on your browser. Or click here.