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October 18, 2008:
Note: The following comments are taken from numerous
emails that we received from businesses and residents living
on StMaarten/StMartin.
Hurricane Omar was a compact, fast moving storm that paid a short
visit to St Martin for only 3 hours or so during the early hours
of Thursday morning. It brought with it lots of rain, wind gusts
and some heavy wave action. But, by 7am the sun was shining from
open blue skies and the clean up operation was quickly underway.
Electricity was restored by 9am and the water supply was back
in action by 8pm.
The French side was up & running
almost right away. Everyone there had power, water, and cable
TV almost immediately...if they lost it at all! Very well prepared
utility system! Their cleanup of the roads was a bit slower than
the Dutch side. The Dutch side did a great job of cleaning up.
Crews started on that right away Thursday morning and have done
a very fast and efficient job of getting the main roads and infrastructure
clear.
<><><>
Hello Sam, we are back in the Office. Omar unexpectedly did change
the forecasted direction away from Puerto Rico, towards St-Croix
and then in the last hours still more to the east, which brought
the center a little too close for comfort coupled to the increase
in intensity from category 1 to category 3 made us feel uncomfortable.
The fact that the hurricane winds only extended to 15 miles from
the center and that the forward speed increased from 7 to 20
miles per hour, avoided worse conditions on the Island.
The damage therefore was basically limited to trees, street signs
and such. Power and water supply as a result were interrupted
in those areas that get supplied by overhead power lines. Many
areas have underground cables and can get power restored immediately.
The reason for the power interruption there has to do with the
fact that Omar approached us from the South. That is the first
time. Lenny came from the West. Most hurricanes come from the
East.
The power plant is situated on the South
side of the Island, so the high waves brought seaweed and clogged
the cooling system filters. That means the generators could not
operate. At this moment the weather is beautiful and the sea
has quieted down. Town (Philipsburg) has power already. Only
those areas with overhead power supply will be without power
for a few more days with an estimated max of a week.
The Hotel situation: I made a quick evaluation, mostly all back
up and running. Only Divi Little Bay and Royal Islander reported
some damage. Some major damage I can report in the Beacon Hill
area, where the famous Sunset Beach bar was destroyed and Bliss
had major damage. Also, the former Bamboo Bernie sustained major
damage.
Important is that our flora and fauna were left in tact. With
Hurricane Luis (1995) all the leaves were ripped off the trees.
Remember? All in all, we were very lucky. I drove through Frontstreet
and it looked like nothing happened. I hope this gives you something
you can work with. The airport is open as of to-day (Fri., Oct.
17th).
<><><>
Omar also brought a tornado with 150 mph winds which touched
down in the Simpson Bay Yacht Club area by Isle De Sol. Bavaria
Restaurant lost its roof and trees in the area fell on top of
cars, a few satellite dishes were knocked down, road signs were
shredded, several palm trees were decapitated, several vehicles
were totaled. Many of the boats sustained some damage and one
of the catamarans was flipped over with two people inside who
were rescued.
<><><>
Most of the Dutch side was without power for a period of time;
but, those with generators were okay.
<><><>
The storm/winds really started getting bad about 2:30am and friends
of ours locked themselves in the bathroom for greater safety.
After a few hours, the storm passed and they were okay.
<><><>
The Simpson Bay area around the airport and Beacon Hill (major
flooding) were hit the worst. Restaurants: Sunset Beach Bar,
Bliss, The French Touch and Bamboo Bernies have extensive damage
or virtually destroyed. There is some damage in the Caravanserai
Resort area and the parking lot around the casino is littered
with debris. The Cajun Queen Boat restaurant sank. It is located
next to Lee's Roadside Grill in Simpson Bay lagoon.
In the Philipsburg area there is minimal
damage to infrastructure, but lots of debris and downed trees.
The Port and harbour should open by Monday, waiting for seas
to calm, so they can send divers to check if there is any debris
at the bottom that can cause damage to the ships. Boardwalk has
been cleared up and should be ready by this weekend, minimal
damage to restaurants on boardwalk. Front Street no damage, all
stores are open today. The airport was closed due to debris,
sand and water on the runways. It reopened Friday.
<><><>
Teams of volunteers and clean up crews were on the roads at dawn
cleaning up the beaches, the roads, fallen trees, minor damaged
areas and sweeping away the sand and water. With the curfew for
cars on the roads, the workers were able to accomplish a lot
quickly. Thursday morning the sky was sunny and blue. Power and
electric were out sporadically in different areas of the island.
Kim Shaw Beach was knee high in sea
grass, but Buccaneer Beach Bar was open 10 am (Thursday) serving
hungry and thirsty tourists and locals. Cell phone service was
out on Friday (Oct. 17th). Internet service was also out for
a while. The Ocean Explorer dive center on Kim Shaw was wiped
out by a large wave that came over the beach and actually crossed
the road and left water marks at Tijuana Yacht Club. Felipe at
Picante, also at Kim Shaw had three inches of sand in his restaurant
and the forward pool at the Atrium was filled with sand and seaweed.
<><><>
On Friday, the American University of
the Caribbean School of Medicine was open and it was work and
learning as usual while other schools were closed for the day.
<><><>
Some villas on the beach in Pelican
Key had minor damage and minor flooding in the area. Royal Palm,
Flamingo and Pelican Resort are good because of generator support
<><><>
This was a good kick in the pants to stir a mass clean-up which
will make St. Martin-St. Maarten sparkle by the time the season
sets in. I guarantee, thousands of people are washing, and raking,
and sweeping and sawing right now. Some really good things will
come out of this effort!
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