Hurricane Irma and St. Maarten

[tumblew467]

THere is a face book page called ST MAARTEN DAILY NEWS, HOURLY UPDATES

It is a free group to join. Per this page this am: around 7:10 am it was posted the follwing.

Mo Usborne "Cruise terminal and docks fully destroyed. Airstrip at Maho badly damaged.

Air traffic control tower on French side has toppled onto landing strip. Will take weeks before it can be put into use.

Dutch military indicates: no civil air travel for now. Air bridge will be started between Cur and SXM once possible. Extra pilots must arrive from Netherlands.

Out of 10 shelters on island, 5 are still usable. First priority is to increase shelter availability in light of Hurricane Jose, passing by this weekend. No civilian travel into SXM for 2 weeks."

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Lenneke Sluijter Where did you find this news?

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Mo Usborne Lenneke Sluijter it was posted in this group - its from the Dutch military

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[tumblew467]

There are videos on that page as well, of all destruction.

I am sorry don't know how to get the videos over to here.

[tumblew467]

It is very sad how much destruction there is on the island

[tumblew467]

[tumblew467]

Here are other photos and info on the storm.

 

 

https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fsxmgovernment.com%2F2017%2F09%2F07%2Fupdate-40-new-photos-hurricane-irma-devastates-st-maarten-barbuda-and-more%2F&h=ATMETxktJkvxo46gmFiPYQSO78Nw4vHFMzbvyQJkffTg1wipft_e4_w2wjRYCy34Mf5_8bsLyu1Wn8XAft8sjpaN935q5jb_0LqlRR1Kc50zOHHmSMbn4V5KCwiCNVEoGF802eVAFHtsCt48UM6q3MV1xXtyzk1ava_x6qFMT_J8Wz4Zf2nOFFd9OwfcTlUno-mcS4vaj95Oizp-spsIkC6Ndy0pbXG51X6yPnSoOWLCw-Tlc-6toQ--tXZNIh9IlN8IaBhdYB0ccZQASv-w_v-eDtQQOSeH

[Jobe20]

Heartbreaking to see after we had such a wonderful day there 2 weeks ago. Sending love to those affected and hoping that they stay safe x

[TLCOhio]

From the London/UK Daily Mail this morning, they have many pictures and details from what has hit the Dutch colony of Saint Maarten in the Caribbean, plus St-Barts, etc. Below are three visuals from Saint Maarten.

 

Their latest story has this headline: “Staring into oblivion: Bahamas, Dominican Republic and Turks and Caicos brace for impact” with these highlights: “The category 5 storm - the strongest hurricane ever recorded in the Atlantic - howled past Puerto Rico with 185mph winds after reducing the tiny tropical islands of Barbuda and St Martin to rubble. They suffered the storm's full fury with 95 per cent of properties destroyed on both islands. Officials said at least eight people died on the French part of St Martin - a pristine resort known for its vibrant nightlife.”

 

Full story at:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4860396/Irma-hits-Puerto-Rico-damaging-Barbuda-St-Martin.html

 

Panama Canal? Completed Feb. 28-Mar. 15, 2017, Fort Lauderdale to San Francisco adventure through the Panama Canal with our first stops in Colombia, Central America and Mexico, plus added time in the great Golden Gate City. Lots of fun, interesting pictures!! Those visuals start on the second page, post #26. See more at:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2465580

 

From the Daily Mail, here are three of their visuals from Saint Maarten that give examples of the major damages there.:

(Open your screen/viewer wider to see these pictures larger!)

 

 

[cherylandtk]

Are you saying the Sunset Bar & Grill is gone :confused:

Looks like this. You can still see the roof, but it appears the storm surge swept through. No idea if anything is salvageable.

[Gatorspuck]

Looks like this. You can still see the roof, but it appears the storm surge swept through. No idea if anything is salvageable.

 

My god it's all gone !

[Karysa]

The pictures and video are just horrific to see. I think that the only bright spot thus far is that there is little loss of life from Irma. I realize that any is too many but honestly on Tuesday night we went to bed fearing that thousands could parish.

 

I haven't heard from anyone other than the one friend that I mentioned hearing from yesterday. I looked at another chat site and there were no posts from people who were on the island during the hurricane as of 09:30 this morning. I think that it may take a while to get communication up.

[dutchclogs]

Further update

14:46 uur | donderdag 7 september 2017

De schade aan de haven

Normaliter meren de Nederlandse marineschepen in Sint Maarten af aan de containerterminal Dr. AC Wathey Cruise and Cargo Facilities of aan de naastgelegen pier voor cruiseschepen. Beide zijn beschadigd, maar de vraag is hoe ernstig. Dat wordt momenteel onderzocht door bemanningsleden van Zr.Ms. Zeeland, maar we kunnen middels de ruwe beelden die eerder vandaag werden verzonden.

Voorzichtige conclusie: het had erger gekund, er zijn geen wrakken en de basiselementen van de haven zijn er nog.

Damage to port

Dutch ships normally dock by the container terminal Dr AC Watley... or by the nearby pier for cruise ships. Both are damaged. The question is how seriously. This is currently being assessed by crew members of HNLMS Zeeland. Cautious conclusion it could have been (even) worse, there are no wrecks and the basic elements of the harbour are still there.

Photos

https://marineschepen.nl/nieuws/live-blog-noodhulp-orkaan-irma.html

[cltnccruisers]

Further update

14:46 uur | donderdag 7 september 2017

De schade aan de haven

Normaliter meren de Nederlandse marineschepen in Sint Maarten af aan de containerterminal Dr. AC Wathey Cruise and Cargo Facilities of aan de naastgelegen pier voor cruiseschepen. Beide zijn beschadigd, maar de vraag is hoe ernstig. Dat wordt momenteel onderzocht door bemanningsleden van Zr.Ms. Zeeland, maar we kunnen middels de ruwe beelden die eerder vandaag werden verzonden.

Voorzichtige conclusie: het had erger gekund, er zijn geen wrakken en de basiselementen van de haven zijn er nog.

Damage to port

Dutch ships normally dock by the container terminal Dr AC Watley... or by the nearby pier for cruise ships. Both are damaged. The question is how seriously. This is currently being assessed by crew members of HNLMS Zeeland. Cautious conclusion it could have been (even) worse, there are no wrecks and the basic elements of the harbour are still there.

Photos

https://marineschepen.nl/nieuws/live-blog-noodhulp-orkaan-irma.html

 

Your countrymen are wasting no time. If the photos of the cruise pier is recent then the water level looks to be down from earlier shots so hopefully they can utilize it sooner rather than later.

[TLCOhio]

Damage to port

Dutch ships normally dock by the container terminal Dr AC Watley... or by the nearby pier for cruise ships. Both are damaged. The question is how seriously. This is currently being assessed by crew members of HNLMS Zeeland. Cautious conclusion it could have been (even) worse, there are no wrecks and the basic elements of the harbour are still there.

 

Appreciate these added details and this helpful follow-up. As I re-call from when our ship was docked here, this main cruise pier seemed to be very well engineered and super strongly constructed. Glad that this areas survived well. BUT, the damages over all are very serious and challenges. Best wishes to all there.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Enjoyed a 14-day, Jan. 20-Feb. 3, 2014, Sydney to Auckland adventure, getting a big sampling for the wonders of "down under” before and after this cruise. Go to:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1974139

for more info and many pictures of these amazing sights in this great part of the world. Now at 186,578 views for this posting.

[Karysa]

I heard that they are trying to relocate the med students to St. Kitt's and possibly other islands. The concern is for their safety more so than damage to the school itself from what I have heard. I don't know how they will get them out though?

[dutchclogs]

^and ^^. Photos piers from earlier today.

 

Text: Zoom of film image showing the nearest quay is broken. The longest quay facing the sea appears to be in better condition. The water is lapping the sides thus either the sea level is temporarily higher or the quays have sunk. Photos Dutch Ministry of Defence

 

 

Another still, now of the piers. Here the water also comes to the edge.but the piers are still there and there are no visible wrecks.

[Karysa]

The Dutch had relief supplies pre-positioned on naval ships. Not sure about the French.

 

There is an article in French with a picture of the French President speaking and it is apparently about the reconstruction plan for both St. Martin and St. Bart's.

[Karysa]

We heard that cash and carry has been looted. Major looting going on.

 

Runway is "perfect" need to get small planes out of the way and fix the communication tower. We just heard from someone who works at the radio station in Simpson Bay (by mistake lol) but he had a lot of good info. He said that the airport should be able to be used soon. I don't mean by vacationers.

[dutchclogs]

We heard that cash and carry has been looted. Major looting going on.

 

Runway is "perfect" need to get small planes out of the way and fix the communication tower. We just heard from someone who works at the radio station in Simpson Bay (by mistake lol) but he had a lot of good info. He said that the airport should be able to be used soon. I don't mean by vacationers.

 

 

Yes Dutch media reports that 100 marines and army specialists are flying in as we speak. This to facilitate aid work and, I'm afraid, to combat heavy looting. Also reports that most of the local police have lost their homes. Do you have news of your property Karysa?

[Karysa]

Yes Dutch media reports that 100 marines and army specialists are flying in as we speak. This to facilitate aid work and, I'm afraid, to combat heavy looting. Also reports that most of the local police have lost their homes. Do you have news of your property Karysa?

 

I hope that they get there soon. I have heard really bad stories about the looting.

 

Regarding the police and first responders, nurses and doctors they are always expected to leave their own families to help others. That is so difficult but necessary. Thank goodness for those that serve others even in their own time of need. I hope that the government finds places for their families to stay safe.They certainly don't need to worry about the safety of their families on top of everything else.

 

I heard that our timeshare is not too bad all considering.

[WonderMan3]

^and ^^. Photos piers from earlier today.

 

 

 

Text: Zoom of film image showing the nearest quay is broken. The longest quay facing the sea appears to be in better condition. The water is lapping the sides thus either the sea level is temporarily higher or the quays have sunk. Photos Dutch Ministry of Defence

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another still, now of the piers. Here the water also comes to the edge.but the piers are still there and there are no visible wrecks.

 

 

 

 

If you look at the front of the piers it looks totally empty like all the little shops were completely wiped off into the sea!

 

 

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[harryw]

The New York Times posted this short video. I feel so sad. So many memories of this beautiful port. My heart goes out to residents, I wish the U.S. media would have better coverage of the islands' devastation.

 

 

https://www.nytimes.com/video/world/americas/100000005411925/hurricane-irma-caribbean.html

[SouthCaribbean2017]

Important question: Does anyone know the status of the Guavaberry distillery?!

[Dragster13]

SMN news on Facebook has many photos Phillipburg took a huge hit the beach walk looks like it is destroyed there are large boats up pass the ferry dock. Front street is in bad shape not sure about the what exactly is damaged but it looks bad.

 

Cruise docks look not bad but the shopping area is gone to speak of. The container dock is badly damaged from the photos I have seen.

[dutchclogs]

HNLMS Pelican and later HNLMS Zeeland were able to moor along one of the cruise piers last night to onload emergency supplies. They are now both at sea., Pelican to return to Curacao for more supplies but both to avoid the following hurricane Jose.

[cltnccruisers]

HNLMS Pelican and later HNLMS Zeeland were able to moor along one of the cruise piers last night to onload emergency supplies. They are now both at sea., Pelican to return to Curacao for more supplies but both to avoid the following hurricane Jose.

 

God bless those ships and all who sail in them.