it is rare to come in such close vicinity of a big Storm without any real effects felt.
Our Surface pressure here went down to 999mb as the Bottom max point, but the wind stayed less than we have on a simple windy winterday in late dec/jan/feb. we did not get Rain to speak of, sprinkling is on and off all day long, but not enough to be naimed real Rain. wind is going up and down but not any near any real strength.
as for Punta Cana the Game is over and Irene will be mentioned in my Books as a No Show.
the 2PM Outlook/Forecast is in our Island's Favor, Irene is running now on 19.3"N and 67.1"West as the shown Center, the last 60 minutes hard to spot on the Sat or Radar coverage, Heading WNW which is almost parallel to our Coastline.
She will be very close to Samana later today, there is still a Dangerzone, it could be close enough for strong Winds, a walk over Eastern Samana is not out of the Possibilities, but the actual Outlook soares the Peninsula and would not bring more than 30mphr winds as the Max.
the Storms Powers and also the heaviest Rainloads are all concentrated on it's Side away from Hispaniola.
a walk along our Northshores is the most likely to be Path of Irene, and very likely She will do so in a safe Distance, some minor winds and Rain in not Dangerous Amounts are what I expect for the North, but it is a close call as it was very close over here on the East, too. Turnwise we've been just a few hours away from a History Record Bumm in lil Fishing Town, but as usual we survived and We wish the same for the North.
looks all Fine,
but do not let any Guards down.
we had our stressy Night and morning here on the East, tonight and tomorrow morning will be the stressy Time for the neighbours on the North.
we will stay here and keep the updates running of course, while drying and poolishing the Gladiator to be ready for fishing on Wednesday mornig.
as for the further Path it def looks like a Mayor Hurricane in Vicinity of the SE USA and the Bahamas where Irene should stick around from Thursday til the weekend.
She is big and she is Bad, and She has all Intentions to become more Bad, She's Gal.
Mike