What is the PPRN and why does it affect Club Orient? But that state largess may have undermined private initiative during this reconstruction period. I had a rum punch at one of the reopened beach bars along that stretch of sand, and I talked with several cruise ship passengers shopping in the colorful Marigot market. There was about 5,500 cars coming on the island. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Hurricane Ian: A birds eye view of SWFLs recovery one month later. The hotel has been reopened, though some rooms are still unavailable for guests as of Feb. 27. WGCU is your trusted source for news and information in Southwest Florida. Sylvie Feucher is the French states top representative in Saint-Martin. After a Caribbean Hurricane, the Battle Is Where, or Even Whether, to Rebuild, https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/07/world/americas/hurricane-irma-saint-martin.html. All Rights Reserved.301 Route 17 N, Suite 1150, Rutherford, NJ So people like Keith Isaacson could sit down and enjoy a good meal again. Property owners who live on the Towns side streets (not Estero Boulevard) can continue to place heavy storm-related debris curbside in the right of way for free pick up until further notice. Six months after Hurricane Ian walloped Southwest Florida, the recovery is slow and uneven. When the Coast Guard got to Southwest Florida, Tillo was one of the people that needed rescuing. Unfortunately, the area has been stricken by Hurricane Irma, and not much has been rebuild. But the differences have also left some on the Dutch side wondering whether in their haste to rebuild, and in their comparatively looser regulatory environment, the rebuilding did not happen with enough thought given to withstanding future storms. Fort Myers Beach was particularly hit hard by the 15-foot storm surge. hide caption. Ron DeSantis, and the effort has made its way to schools here in southwest Florida. A week before the official start of hurricane season, meteorologists began tracking a tropical disturbance in the Gulf of Mexico. Its astounding to see, Preece said. "For 20 months we have worked together to rebuild, retrain and reunite, and we're gaining momentum day by day.". Fort Myers Beach was particularly hit hard by An earlier version of this article stated that the U.S. Virgin Islands no longer requires negative covid-19 test results from vaccinated travelers. An outside view of Mercure hotel in Marigot on the Bay of Nettle on St. Martin on Sept. 6, after Hurricane Irma, and again on Feb. 28. This sailing boat ended up beached in the cemetery of Marigot near the Bay of Nettle on Sept. 9. He's owned the Driftwood for nearly 50 years and has turned over operations to his daughter, Shawna. Smith, now the former Mayor of Sanibel, loved the governors idea but didnt know how he could get it done. Two days later, they started digging that dirt, and four days later, they were able to get the power trucks over, Councilmember Smith said. April 28, Not just for grocery shopping, but to get a sub at the deli.. Some people read the letter. While Irma battered the island for just a matter of hours, Ms. Feucher predicted that it could take up to three more years for the territory to fully recover. Lufthansa gives it a try, I found the rest I needed across from a strip mall, Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection, What's hot on the Las Vegas pool scene this season, Hyatt is acquiring the Mr and Mrs Smith hotel collection, Western mountain resorts are facing a demand erosion this summer, With more ships and new homeports, MSC Cruises is attracting Americans, Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort is getting new cabins, Virgin Voyages' Scarlet Lady will have a branded poker room. The new Driftwood Inn sits 6 feet higher than the previous one and is built to withstand a Category 4 hurricane. Mother nature has a way of purifying things and, as painful as Rockport Mayor Pat Rios says serious flooding this week has prompted the city to make its ninth disaster declaration since Hurricane Harvey. A higher percentage of hotel rooms on the Dutch side, for example, are open again for business. Rockport, Texas continues to recover from Hurricane Harvey. But we found that, as of August, the government of Puerto Rico has only expended about $5.3 billion (19%) of available funding. They want to change everything: the way we live, the way we speak, the way we sex, the way we eat, said Mr. Andr, 42. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Hurricane Ian: A birds eye view of SWFLs recovery one month later. She was one of 11 people who died on the French side of the island, according to the local authorities. Theres nothing we couldve done for Michael. Sally made landfall at Gulf Shores on Sept. 16, pummeling the coast with fierce winds and as much as 30 inches (76 centimeters) of rain. Grant Brown, a spokesman for the city of Gulf Shores, said damage was a lot worse than our initial thoughts, and theres still a lot of work to be done. If you found the reporting above valuable, please consider making a donation to support it here. The sign on Souvenir City is damaged from Hurricane Sally on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020 in Gulf Shores, Ala. Sally left some people on the Gulf Coast cut off by floodwaters until they could be rescued by teams in boats and high-water vehicles. It is vital for our tourism product.". About 5 to []. And you can tell the car was under had been underwater. Cruise arrivals jumped 84.4% in Q1 over the same period last year; two new hotels will come on line later this year; and stayover arrivals are up 144% over 2018 year to date. Susan and Bruno are travel bloggers. I'm not a slow learner when it comes to storms anymore.". "You had some fire sales there in the beginning," he says. That could be a model for Fort Myers Beach. Anyone can read what you share. We have shown resilience, and we share the same goal: to rebuild and restrengthen our tourism product. Shawna Wood and her father, Tom Wood, say their hotel has been rebuilt to be able to withstand 140 mph winds. Everything was brown, the dirt, the mud everywhere. While we still dont know exactly when the store will reopen, people on the island say theyre willing to stick it out. Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria left a trail of destruction when they swept over the Caribbean last September. They pulled up their socks and got on with it, said Lorraine Talmi, board president of the Sint Maarten Hospitality & Trade Association. Ms. Feucher, the deputy prefect for Saint-Martin, is convinced that some areas of the territory are just too dangerously exposed to the power of the most severe storms to be safely inhabitable. WebSome places have recovered but there is still very noticeable areas of ruin. I saw boarded-up homes and businesses and rusted hulls of yachts along shore lines. One of his goals is to get more families back on the island. The resort's owner, Bob Boykin says as terrible and destructive as the hurricane was, it now provides the island with an opportunity to build for the future. This luxury award-winning all They say, Whats the use, Im not going to continue this process because Im not going to get help. Thats the wrong answer, said Brown. After the Causeway reopened, 5,500 people were coming onto the island every day, and now that number has risen to 8,000. The deck of Holland House in Philipsburg, St. Maarten. I could lose everything: Dallas drag performers say Texas bills could impact their jobs, Facebook users can now apply for a portion of a $725 million settlement. ", Like most buildings on Fort Myers Beach, Atterholt's home is unlivable. Officials said the damage was worse in places that from Hurricane Ivan, which landed a direct hit on the same area in 2004. The former Sonesta Great Bay Beach Resort, whose site was obliterated by Irma and later purchased by Sunwing Travel Group, will reopen as a Planet Hollywood property in 2020. Ian could make it worse, See aerial pictures that show Hurricane Ian's toll. It was in October 2018 Hurricane recovery has been no different, revealing that distinctions in culture and governance have had a significant bearing on progress during the past two years. So, would it hold up? Mostly sunny skies and lower humidity for Monday, Tornado touchdown confirmed in Charlotte County, Law stopping hate acts signed by DeSantis, Fort Myers Beach recovery efforts seven months after Hurricane Ian, Downtown Jewelry & Watch Co. in Fort Myers continues Hurricane Ian recovery, Lee County community standing strong after Hurricane Ians devastation. It was in October 2018 when Hurricane Michael made landfall near Mexico Beach with 160 mile per hour winds and a 17-and-a-half-foot storm surge. Just the beautiful Oyster Bay Resort on Dawn Beach and the close-by Princess Heights are welcoming guests. In contrast, Sint Maarten has developed a more laissez-faire culture, helping to accelerate the rebuilding process. And plenty of lobster. That's no longer the case. When hotels are wrecked by a storm, business dries up, unemployment soars and government coffers suffer. Weve already got mold growing in my house. For generations, Fort Myers Beach catered to middle-income vacationers, many of them from the Midwest. Join Travel Weekly, TravelAge West and leaders from top river cruise companies to get the latest updates on your clients Cruise North America with More Value Than Ever. The southern Volusia coastline was devastated by This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without prior written consent. Friday marks seven months since Hurricane Ian made landfall in Southwest Florida, and in that time, many people have gone the extra mile to help others in their community. When things go wrong, those in power often promise to make it right. Town officials are working on a new comprehensive plan that will determine what the new version of Fort Myers Beach will be. To say that this Publix is a cornerstone part of the community is an understatement. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Hurricane Ian: A birds eye view of SWFLs recovery one month later. How do you think Fort Myers Beach should spend its share of $1.1 billion. The town is just beginning discussions about how it can develop more workforce housing. The current rains are primarily causing flooding. No deadline has yet been set for this work to end. Yet, to this day, the grocery store chain has yet to say when theyre officially reopening. Prime Minister Leona Romeo-Marlin of Sint Maarten said her government had insufficient fiscal, legal and environmental staff to help manage those aspects of recovery after Irma. On the town's streets, huge piles of debris are still everywhere. Cdrick Andr is a community activist in Sandy Ground. Pastor Shawn Critser says with the help of a developer, the rebuilt church complex will include workforce housing. Cracking down on antisemitic acts in Florida, all the way from Isreal, after a new law protects people by hardening punishment for antisemitism. Ms. Carty had lived all her 65 years on the waterfront, and she felt it was safe to ignore the evacuation orders that preceded Irmas landfall. One of the places severely damaged by Hurricane Ian was Fort Myers Beach, and seven months later, theres still more to do, but theyve come a long way. There are many French laws, rulings and court decisions that must be followed before the damaged homes can be removed and rebuilding can commence.". Its wonderful all the things youre doing, but talk to us., The Google search saying the store will reopen on May 25 is giving some people hope. First responders are also working to rescue people who are stuck in their homes and need to get out. This church was destroyed by Hurricane Ian's 150 mph winds and a wall of water that pummeled the island in September 2022. Princess Juliana Airport on the Dutch side, which had its roof ripped off and its innards torn apart by the hurricane's wind and water, is functioning pretty well. But Saint-Martins slow, if steady, recovery shows just how difficult coming back from a hurricane can be on a small island, with challenges that go well beyond just the size of financial aid packages. Published April 24, 2023 at 11:01 AM EDT. But in May 2018 neither destination was yet ready for prime time. She couldnt have predicted what actually happened. There was about 5,500 cars coming on the island. This week, major flooding is threatening that recovery. climate change has made hurricanes more destructive. Six months after Hurricane Ian hit Southwest Florida, there are many homes that remain untouched. It would be nice if theyd let us know, Mulrooney said. Daniel Gibbs, president of the local government in Saint-Martin, has demanded that the French state give the community more time to study the issue. Three-and-a-half years later, the mountains of debris are gone and rebuilding is well under way. Mayor Cathey says there's been another change since the storm. New Aurora Anguilla serves up a luxurious stay. Friday, for perhaps the first time, we know what happened behind closed doors in the days after Hurricane Ian. He says, "Our push for that is that we can get kids into those apartments that then funnel (them) into the school system. There are two housing developments going up and a third one starting soon. He may be 80 but the U.S. Navy veteran has a masters and is quite tech-savvy. For me, its a conspiracy to take over the island, said Mr. Bash, whose family has lived in Sandy Ground for five generations. The Barrier Islands are an exemplary demonstration of that effort. Re: Has St Martin French side rebuilt from the Six months after Hurricane Ian walloped Southwest Florida, the recovery is slow and uneven. In Saint-Martin, the toughest, most uncomfortable questions are less about who will pay for rebuilding France has delivered more than a half-billion dollars of aid but where and how to rebuild, or whether to rebuild at all amid the threat of evermore powerful storms. A 15-foot storm surge knocked this house off its foundation on Fort Myers Beach. And as the water was crashing in on his home, Tillo was fighting to survive. It's a story you hear often. The hurricane caused billions of dollars in damage across the 34-square-mile island, which is split between the French territory of Saint-Martin, with a population of about 32,000, and Sint Maarten, a mostly autonomous country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, with a population of about 41,000. Learn How You Can Sell Alaska This Summer: Part 3. Thank you. Because most of the damage on Fort Myers Beach came from storm surge, only those with flood insurance received significant insurance payouts. "I pay attention. ", Doug Miller grills up free food to give to weary homeowners and workers at Beach Baptist Church on Fort Myers Beach. A collapsed home south of Toronita Avenue Beach Park in Wilbur-By-The-Sea, Fla., Friday, December 2, 2022. Hurricane Irma made clear that natural disasters not only obliterate structures and lives; they can also expose deep socioeconomic fault lines. Join TravelAge West and severalAlaskapartners for a three-part series exploring all the incredible possibilities https://www.travelweekly.com/Caribbean-Travel/Insights/A-return-to-St-Martin. Beaches: With much more unspoiled shoreline than Sint Maarten, the French sidedefinitely has the advantage for beaches, with popular Orient Bay Beach drawing crowds, and the peaceful Friars Bay and appropriately named Happy Bay providing all the white sands and blue waters youd expect on a Caribbean visit. But for some, it's a chance to get a last look at the island before it changes forever. There is still lots of construction going on. However, some are scheduled to open soon including the. He says, "We're the exact opposite of South Beach. Status: All clear. Rebuilding Details Historical Timeline Greg Allen/NPR He owns a local chain of restaurants and has heard the insurance woes. The amount of traffic on Sanibel and the Causeway, rebuilt in less than a month after Ian, its clear that the people of Sanibel can, and will, do whatever it takes for their community. A 15-foot storm surge knocked this house off its foundation on Fort Myers Beach. But those newer homes that were built more structurally sound they fared amazingly well. GULF SHORES, Ala. (AP) Alabamas beaches have reopened, but the states coast has hardly recovered fully from the effects of Hurricane Sally last month. "More restaurants are reopening each week, including the lolos [open-air food stands selling local street food] in Grand Case.". Despite winds over 150 miles per hour, homeowners here have had a harder time with their windstorm claims. Doug Miller grills up free food to give to weary homeowners and workers at Beach Baptist Church on Fort Myers Beach. My arrival was just as I remembered from previous visits. On Oct. 19, 2022, three weeks after Ian washed away two major parts of the Causeway, Desantis announced it would reopen to the public. Its up to about 8,000 a day, Marcus Preece, general manager of Cielo, said. I think theres plenty of room for compromise.. Destroyed boats in Simpson Bay Lagoon along the boundary between Sint Maarten and Saint-Martin. (Sophia Germer/The Advocate via AP), Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. We'd really like to see that school come back on the island. For the most part, the Dutch side of the island is up and running, with new attractions like the Rainforest Adventures Rockland Estate and Topper's Rhum Distillery. But there are signs the town is starting to come back. But, while going through his home. He turned to me, and he said weve got to get that bridge built, Councilmember Smith said. But real estate agent and longtime resident Kevin Crouse says there are lots of newcomers. But I also drove through some vibrant neighborhoods. hide caption. All airport repairs will be completed by 2021, according to Brian Mingo, CEO. hide caption. MUST WATCH: Aerial tour of SWFL seven months post-Hurricane Ian, Official opening day scheduled for Fort Myers Beach Publix, Fort Myers Beach, FL Publix Structural Analysis, Man arrested after throwing Bud Light can at woman & children in San Carlos Park, Clewiston man dead after car crash in Alva, Panthers oust record-setting Bruins 4-3 in OT in Game 7, Forecast: Warm, sunny and less humid weather Monday, One victim from Downtown Fort Myers shooting identified. That was construction workers, residence employees, and things like that. According to Crowder Gulf Regional Manager Barton Holmes at todays meeting, more than 1.1 million cubic yards of debris has been collected from the right of way since Hurricane Ian. Information on applications submitted prior to the March 29 deadline is available at 850-961-2002, Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Waterways debris removal contractors vetted by the Florida Division of Emergency Management have been cleaning Hurricane Ian debris from public waterways for several months. There are few places to stay on Fort Myers Beach now, but visitors, especially those with long ties to the island, have already begun to return. Jim Atterholt, vice mayor of Fort Myers Beach, stands in front of Chapel By the Sea. This is about 28,714 truck loads. It's now cleaner as of Feb. 27. ", At Beach Baptist Church on a recent morning, a line of cars snaked down the street for a giveaway of something nearly every homeowner here needs, drywall. Drivers who encounter them have gotten stuck. Now, Boykin says, some employees are commuting to the island from homes 30 or 40 miles away. Ron DeSantis is supporting legislation aimed at propping up the state's troubled insurance industry. We write about Florida beaches on every coast. Ocean or bay water advisories are issued to alert the public of real or possible elevated bacteria levels associated with urban and storm runoff at A Google search on Thursday showed the Publix with a message listed in orange saying the store would reopen on May 25. We want our little Publix on the island, Fort Myers Beach Vice Mayor Jim Atterholt said. hide caption. But the storm's impact was unpredictable. Structural analysis of the building showed it was safe, but a lot of work needed to be done., Fort Myers Beach, FL Publix Structural Analysis by Gage Goulding NBC2 on Scribd, Weve seen it gutted, new interior, new roof, obviously new parking lot, which they just started today, Mulrooney said., Now, there are big banners outside saying the Publix is reopening soon.. Can you drink tap water hide caption. PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - (UPDATE: 8:40 p.m.) Panama City Beach Police have identified the man who was struck by lightning at the City Pier on Thursday. The focus of her mission, backed by Paris, is a push for more severe restrictions on construction and land use in the areas at greatest risk of damage during major storms, like that bluff with the pulverized cottages. This year was a different story. One of the places severely damaged by Hurricane Ian was Fort Myers Beach, and seven months later, theres still more to do, but theyve come a long way. Keep public media strong anddonatenow. When Hurricane Irma crushed St. Martin two years ago, the French state vowed swift assistance. Im praying out of nowhere a car pulls up right after I was done praying right where a car pulls up out of nowhere. The elevated demand for qualified workers in a small labor pool jacks up wages. But to do that, we're going to have to provide houses for those families to live in. But with the hurricane, Critser says, for better or worse, opposition to redevelopment has melted away. But the threat of hurricanes, climate change and rising seas is not discouraging development along the coasts. hide caption. ", For residents, elected officials and developers, Hurricane Ian has given them almost a clean slate in deciding what kind of community Fort Myers Beach will be. Hurricane recovery has been no different, revealing that distinctions in culture and governance have had a significant bearing on progress during the past two years. And that will create a different flavor here because you won't see so many of the old ground level cottages." A street full of debris in Orient Bay on Sept. 7, after the passage of Hurricane Irma. The number does not include condos, villas and Airbnb properties. Two years after Hurricane Irma, many damaged buildings can still be seen on Saint Martin, the French side of the island.CreditMeghan Dhaliwal for The New York Times. With the help of a developer, he hopes his rebuilt church complex will include workforce housing. When is the reconstruction expected to begin? It would be an understatement to say they went on a mission. After all, Where shopping is a pleasure is worth waiting for. Sanibel Mayor Holly Smith says those homes will be rebuilt and the city is working to add more. There was about 5,500 cars coming on the island. hide caption, "When a storm gets in the Gulf, I perk up," he says. These images, like the ones of Grand Case we shared earlier, were captured by our good friend and SXM resident, Malaika Maxwell, just a few weeks after Hurricane During Hurricane Harvey, wind did the most significant damage in Rockport. Now is not the best time to come to the beaches of Gulf Shores, he told al.com. Cathey says the town is still negotiating with FEMA to secure about $25 - 30 million in reimbursements to rebuild its pier, fire and police station, a jetty repair project and a new civic center. On the Dutch side, much of the rebuilding has been driven by private funds, particularly those associated with tourism, which dwarfs the French-side tourism sector. It's the seventh year in a row there's been an above average hurricane season. But do they? Immediately after the storm blasted the island, President Emmanuel Macron of France promised a speedy recovery for the French side. More than a week after Hurricane Ian, the shock of what's ahead settles in for people, One Florida community built to weather hurricanes endured Ian with barely a scratch, Florida's property insurance market was already under stress. A 15-foot storm surge swept away many structures and left few undamaged. hide caption, Volunteers load free drywall into trucks and SUVs during a recent giveaway at Beach Baptist Church on Fort Myers Beach. Report inappropriate content Pirate Toronto, Canada Level Contributor 16,652 posts 82 reviews 92 helpful votes 2. In a region that has experienced the awesome forces of Category 5 storms with terrifying frequency in recent years, the story playing out on St. Martin is likely to be repeated on many other Caribbean islands and in the United States, too. Plane landings at Princess Juliana Aiport come in low over Maho Beach. To see kids whizzing down the water slides, guests dining and wining at several food and beverage outlets and chaise lounges occupied by guests testifies to the comeback of the two largest resorts on the island. It's slated to open later this year. It came ashore not far from Mexico Beach. Greg Allen/NPR ", Pastor Shawn Critser of Beach Baptist Church operates a forklift moving supplies into his damaged church. Because most of the damage on Fort Myers Beach came from storm surge, only those with flood insurance received significant insurance payouts. Florida Gov. One of Boykin's concerns is where he'll find housing for his employees. Construction here also was put on hold until the town revised its building code. Photo Credit: Gay Nagle Myers. Atterholt is living temporarily in one of those newer homes. Greg Allen/NPR They cast it aside. How much money has been distributed from the Florida Disaster Fund? We were there last week. My short summary is that everything you would need or want is there and ready to go, but expect to see some buildings scat Greg Allen/NPR As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. The boutique Read more Maho Village Close to the International Airport, the Maho area's most famous attraction is the beach at the end of the runway. "I have talked to tens of thousands of people," he says. People on Florida's Panhandle used to think they were unlikely to experience a direct hit from a major hurricane. Ms. Carty has been living in a temporary apartment ever since, and hopes to get permission to rebuild her house. Greg Allen/NPR "In a way," he says, "the hurricane has forced us tostay in your lane, worry about what you got, take care of your stuff. MARCH 1, 2023: Aerial photos show damage on Fort Myers Beach caused by Hurricane Ian, which made landfall in late September 2022. The man behind Mattress Mack: salesman, gambler introvert? Lee County was responsible for debris pick up on Estero Boulevard and that service ended on March 1. NWS confirms tornado hit Charlotte County. Perhaps more incredible than the story of the Sanibel Causeway and the status of local businesses is the stories of the people who rode out that storm on the island and had to fend for themselves and each other to survive. Nowhere else in the world are you Read more Marigot ", Doster's home was flooded and he's doing the repairs himself. Mexico Beach's marina and canal are among the town's amenities that have come back since Hurricane Michael. A huge new resort, Margaritaville, was under construction when Ian hit. The French government has set up a fund to buy out property owners living in the highest-risk flood zones, but Ms. Feucher insists that nobody will be forced to sell. A framed photo of President Emmanuel Macron of France in a government office in Saint-Martin. Mexico Beach has adopted one of the toughest building codes in Florida. Waters receded and debris was cleared around Mercure hotel after Hurricane Irma six months ago. He says, "We're going to have what I call a functional paradise once again." I have called every corporate communications number I could find on the website. CORRECTION: A previous version of this story included a photo from Martinique. The challenge of the government for reconstruction becomes even longer and more difficult..