Complete Devastation
 

Well, as you all have most likely seen Ivan has done some serious damage along its path and will do more once it touches land in the Gulf. My father in law lives on Grand Cayman. He was here visiting my wife and I and has not been able to get back to the island yet. His wife was on the island during the storm...The first time we heard from her after the brunt of the storm had passed she was histerically crying becuase everything around her was destroyed. I was and am still suprised that there has been very little to no coverage of the devastation to Grand Cayman...This island by far was the worst hit...Wind Gusts in excess of 200 on an island no more that 60 feet above sea level.

So far the reports we have heard from my mother in law were that there was two feet of water in the house still two days after the storm had passed (that is the first she could go back to her home). They both run an underwater photograghy business (becuase that is all you can do on that little island is dive). If it is not already destroyed it will be within the year from lack of tourist business.

They also owned four separate properties on the island, two of which are completely gone (just disappeared into the ocean) and the other two with substantial water and structural damage.

I don't know why I am writing all this...I guess it's just becuase I never realized how terrible a hurricane can be...Here in New York it is nothing more than interesting news on the Weather Channel...It is just amazing that still in this age of technological advancements of monitoring all these storms we still have to sit back and watch them destroy our lives.

they say another may hit the coast tuesday after ivan :(
florida property values are going to tank this year, the aftermath and fear that follows is really going to hurt a lot more than just the direct property values.

i'm sorry for her, wish it didn't happen... hopefully there's some insurance policies in place, and the companies don't tank under the strain...

I have a co-worker from the Phillipines and he said hurricanes are so commend on the islands that it prevents construction of permanent buildings because they normally can't withstand the winds. I hope your family and all the other families come out alright.

[QUOTE=That Guy]hopefully there's some insurance policies in place, and the companies don't tank under the strain...[/QUOTE]

Thanks, they have all they can get in terms of insurance but it won't help bring tourists back to the island...Without the people there is no business...

[QUOTE=NY_Skinsfan]Thanks, they have all they can get in terms of insurance but it won't help bring tourists back to the island...Without the people there is no business...[/QUOTE]

Wow, that's unfortunate.

Condolences and best wishes to your inlaws! Saw some footage and it looks just awful. Glad they're ok physically, though it must be very tough emotionally.

I cant remember a hurricane season like this one. Its just terrible. I'm kind of a weather freak, so I actually like following these things, but I'm just sikc of watching this devistation. Flordia is getting flattened and I'm sure the Gulf Coast isnt gonna be very good after ivan. I hope these things stop soon.

Yeah, at least with Florida the evactuation requires driving inland a couple hours...On Grand Cayman the only way off the island was by plane....Most people from what I understand rode that horrible storm out...There is no official death toll yet but there has been dozens of people reported missing.

I hope everything works out ok for your family, NY_Skinsfan

keep us posted