The local media just flashed an update that Gustav is again a hurricane. The tracks continue to be good for us as it is veering north. It will pass between the three Cayman Islands and on its present track will be 60-70 miles out. The two sister Islands will get hit by category one force winds while we should top out with tropical force and occasional hurricane force gusts. The shutters have a nice plastic center so we can watch the approaching storm. It is different from having plywood where you really don't know what is going on. The Brac which is the northernmost of the three Islands has a huge bluff and most of the residents are taking shelter up on the bluff. Little Cayman which will be the closest hasn't been evacuated but there are only 100-200 residents and they did fly off most of the tourists on Tuesday when the original track for Gustav had it passing north of the sister islands.
The winds have started picking up here but there hasn't been any rain and there is still activity outside our house. The government hasn't yet issued a time for when the water or electricity will be cut. The airport did close at noon but there wasn't the sound of planes constantly taking off this morning like there was just before Dean last year. We also haven't yet been given a curfew time though all the advisories ask that no one be out tonight. We ran the dishwasher and are finishing all our laundry in case we lose water and to be safe have filled up our trash can with potable water and now are just basically sitting around waiting for it.
As I finish this entry I can just hear the rain starting outside. The very far outer bands of our uninvited guest. If he stays on his current path it will be a lot of sound but not much fury.
