Hurricane Charley

Looks whats heading our way:

A hurricane warning, alerting residents to storm conditions within 24 hours, was in effect for the Cayman Islands. Jamaica was under a tropical storm warning and a hurricane watch, which warns of possible storm conditions in 36 hours.

The storm was expected to carry 3 to 6 inches of rain and dangerous waves to Jamaica and the Caymans on Wednesday. Forecasters said Charley could become a hurricane in a day or so.

The government of the Caymans Islands, a British territory and major offshore financial center, said Grand Cayman, the largest island in the group, could get 9-12 foot waves, with an even heavier surf on two sparsely populated smaller islands.

They board up our ocean front windows this afternoon and we've been told by our landlord to move all items of value to high ground. It is estimated to hit the Caymans Thursday morning at 2am. This is our first experience with a major storm. It should be interesting.

Addendum (11:55am central time): Charley has slowed down (which I'm told is a BAD sign) and is projected to hit Grand Cayman. Our office is shutting down at 1pm. I'm heading home at that time to setout a gameplan with Steph. My primary concern is that we're on the part of the island that historically is hit the worst and our complex is particularly vulnerable (our unit is no more than 75 feet from the water!). This evening and/or tomorrow, we may be staying with a friend of ours, Erik Whitlock. I'll be calling mom and dad this evening to apprise them of the latest.