Wishing any residents safety - and will be interested in updates when storm gets closer. Was planning important trip to Turks and Caicos for Feb and they seem to be in the direct path.

This could be very nasty.

Interestingly it could badly impact New Orleans again.

Cat 5s don't blow them themselves out over Florida, the land mass isn't large enough. It's track looks very similar to Katrina.

And the other worry is that there is unusually a large storm right behind it on a similar track.

Just returned from Barbados and have been exchanging comments on TripAdvisor. A resident of St. James Parish described roiling seas, flooding in Bridgetown and one drowning. I hope everyone advised to seek higher ground does so. Prayers.

Wishing everyone to be safe & everyone's loved ones to be safe.

Also hoping people will post responsibly. There is not a single scientific model for Irma that has it on a course for New Orleans, and the storm behind Irma (Jose) is presently on a course that will not make landfall anywhere.

These things could change. But to be posting pure speculation isn't uncalled for. People who need to know about these storms for reasons of life & property should be looking at credible news sources. There is plenty of good info out there.

Stay saf

Posting pure speculation is uncalled for.

We just returned from Cuba (glad we're home, even though some in our group live on the east coast of the US and could theoretically get hit).

Post your trip report, sf3707.

Seeing the online pictures of the devastation in the Caribbean is heartbreaking. I hope everyone takes necessary precautions and stays as safe as you can. We have met many wonderful people in the Caribbean during our travels and you are all in our prayers.

Thanks for starting this thread, Gail.

For those with family and friends who live there, and are affected, there are very active tripadvisor forum threads which have been a source of needed emotional support as we wait to hear from loved ones--who will be in need of much much greater support of every kind of course.

This focuses on the British Caribbean islands, but the images will sadly apply to all affected places:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...St-Martin.html

I have got good friends living at Saint Martin.
Damage seems quite huge to say the least.

Turks and Caicos Island has been devastated. We have them in our prayers.

Jamaica is also affected by the weather. They is Light to heavy rainfall for all Parishes. Obey all warnings and be safe.

For those of you on Facebook, DiveBVI has been posting a lot pictures and aerial shots of the islands. It's sad to see homes and businesses reduced to rubble and previously lush hillsides denuded by the winds.