Rina

[PRIMAL]

We are already booked & will be headed to Desire in late November early December. Seeing the news of the possibility that Hurricane Rina will pass thru Cancun is troubling. Anybody have any news on if Desire has posted an messages regarding this threat and how it will affect the resort and its guest? We are hoping for the best and safety to all those in the Danger Cone

[DnB]

The latest forecasts appear that Rina is weakening, also reports stated that the winds extended only 25 miles from the eye. I know the surges can still be a problem especially for a low lying property like Desire. I forget which side of the eye is worse.
We rescheduled to arrive Monday, thru the following Monday. So obviously we are hoping it passes thru and is raining on Cuba by that time
All we can do is watch and wait!

[CokeMann]

Rina has been downgraded to a Cat 1 hurricane and the current models predict landfall just north of Play del Carmen - maximum winds are expected to be in the 75mph range and about 8 to 16 in of rainfall.

The major issue for Desire will the that storm surge will raise water levels as much as 2 to 4 feet above normal tide levels all along the coast to the right of the storm track and the surge will be accompanied by large and destructive waves. This is the main reason that Desire management has chosen to evacuate the property temporarily.

[Powderfinger]

Each forecast model update seems to now show it weaker and weaker as landfall nears....this morning, they were still calling for a Cat 3 upon landfall....now it looks pushed slightly further east, and may weaken all the way down to a tropical storm....lets hope it keeps weakening......

[DoubleTrouble]

Wishing all the best as you ride out this storm....hopefully its bark is more than its bite. As much as we feel for the fellow vacationers in resort at this time......perspective comes into view and reminds us that YOU all (the staff) LIVE there.....this is YOUR LIFE........and we wish you and your families safety, and minimal damage.........god speed. Be safe!We love you all!

[2batdesire]

I am worried about the storm surge also, and if the storm is to the west, that means the lagoon will flood also. Desire is surrounded by water anyways. Lagoon on one side, ocean on the other. Hoping the water damage is not horrendous. The eye of the storm will pass just miles (not even 10) from Desire, its 2005 all over again. I think Wilma has taught the owners some lessons on property and hurricane management they will be even more brilliant in their moves this time. Right now. worried about the property and the families of the Desire staff who are so special to us.

[Sharon and David]

Our thoughts and prayers are with all the people and there loved ones at Desire!

[comfywhatsnext]

When we left this morning final preparations were being completed. The hotel certainly has done a great job of protecting the rooms by covering doors and glass areas with a Kevlar type covering. They expose anchors in the walls, screw in I bolts and hook the covering to the bolts. The ocean had already risen to the wall of the resort. All remaining guests were being moved at 5:00 today. Hopefully the storm will weaken and the damage will be minor, as someone else mentioned flooding wil be the biggest challenge. Great people, Great resort. Praying everything works out for the best.

[DesireWeek43]

Hello

Latest Data has downgraded Rina to Tropical Storm Status with winds around 70 mps.

By the time it passes Desire, the winds are predicted to between 50-60 mph.

Storm surge should only be 1 to 3 feet.

Unfortunately the models now call for the system to do a U turn once it passes Cancun and stay in the Sea for several more days. In short, lots of rain I am sure.

[CokeMann]

For a real time visual of what is happening just check the live webcams in Cancun and Playa del Carmen
http://desireresorts.19.forumer.com/viewforum.php?f=33

[tikihutguy]

Playa webcam looks like zip so far. I've seen worse at Desire with regular summer showers. Hope it keeps up this way and spares our "home" Can anyone presently attending give any info regarding the re-location: how smooth, where, any fun along the way

[CokeMann]

When Rina makes landfall around Playa about 2am Friday morning wind speeds will be 50mph or less - basically the whole storm is just falling apart - Friday looks to be just a wet and windy day on the Yucatan

[drbpcc]

We were moved to Temptation Resort on wed. at our own expense, Desire handled it pretty well and Temptation gave The Desire transplants some upgrades and basically our own Hospitality room/ Playroom. Daniela an ex Desire employee was very helpful and she should be commended for her efforts she tried to help as much as possible in a crappy situation. The storm never really hit the Cancun area with much more that heavy rain storm and a little wind that we slept through wed night. Our original flight ot on thurs the 28th was canceled and we were able to fly out on Thurs in afternoon. To all left stranded at Temptation hope all is well. The bad, if you were considering Temptation, DON'T, stick with Desire or go to Hedo, lets just say you will be deeply dissapointed with the accomodations and the overall Resort unless you want to spend your vacation with 18 year olds on Spring break or the various gawkers and unusual pervs that were there. Many of the people stranded paid over $400.00 a night to be at Desire and we are hoping that Desire will step up and offer some type of renumeration for a future stay Desire, there were alot of people that may be stuck for many days at a substandard resort.

Jerry and Sissy

[CokeMann]

drbpcc - thanks for your info - sorry you had the "experience"

FYI - reports from Cancun and Cozumel show no wind, no rain and the sun is shining. In Cancun access to the hotel zone has reopened and very minimal damage, just a few branches down which have already been cleared away.

We'll have to wait to see what the damage report from Desire is however

and as you can see in the webcam image below as of about noon (Cancun time)things seem to be back to normal
<img src="http://www.cancuncare.com/webcam.jpg">

[mfay]

Great news from Desire !
Valentina says that Desire re-opens at 5:00 PM today ! They are bringing back all the Desire refugees from Temptations then.
They are obviously very happy to be back in business and to have everyone back where they belong.
She says that damage is very light. A few ground floor rooms had some water get inside- both on the beach and the lagoon sides- and will be closed for a little while. And she says they actually have a new (temporary-lol) lagoon outside of the lobby area.
Other than that is was mostly cleanup. They had a really big crew come in first thing this morning and start cleaning. they are just about done and they have trucks hauling out all the stuff now. She even said that the beach is in pretty good shape ! It was of course covered in trash, but they did not lose too much sand.
They and the whole area really dodged a bullet this time.
WE are all so lucky !