hide caption. Charlie Doster took the maximum available, 25 sheets saying, "I need probably five times this many. This is about 28,714 truck loads. Copyright 2023 Fort Myers Broadcasting. A husband's dread during an abortion ordeal in Oklahoma. 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. 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. "Right now we have 862 rooms available in hotels, timeshares and guesthouses, and 65% of the villa inventory has been renovated," Damaseau said. On Sept. 28, Hurricane Ian made landfall on Cayo Costa, a barrier island northwest of Cape Coral and Fort Myers, Fla., as a Category 4 storm with sustained On a recent evening, Jah Bash, a Rastafarian farmer, said that the populations patience with an overbearing French state was wearing thin. After buying Seabourn Odyssey, Japanese cruise line to put focus on U.S. River lines put more sports-related cruise options in play, Returning to St. Maarten/Martin, 20 months after Hurricane Irma, IGLTA conference is returning to an LGBTQ-friendly Puerto Rico, Challenges ahead for Caribbean tourism, CHTA survey says, Caribbean tourism outlook: Very good and getting better, Celebrity chef's visit inspires a dining series at Pineapple Beach Club Antigua, Anguilla is out to improve first impressions, Rays of 'Sunshine' brighten Puerto Rico's tourism outlook for 2023, Leaders gathering in Jamaica to take on tourism's challenges. But I also drove through some vibrant neighborhoods. Rockport Mayor Pat Rios told Texas Standard that major entrances and exits to his city are flooded, making it difficult for people to leave. Sunburned tourists waved as my flight zoomed low over the beach. It's now cleaner as of Feb. 27. While we still dont know exactly when the store will reopen, people on the island say theyre willing to stick it out. A powerful storm surge flattened structures in coastal areas, helping make it the third costliest hurricane on record after only Katrina and Harvey. 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. Just getting dropped off and walking up and down Periwinkle. We didnt know it could take months, it could take a year we didnt have a timeline, really, Councilmember Smith said. Sanibel and Fort Myers Beach, in particular, since those communities became almost unrecognizable after overwhelming flooding, damage, and devastation. Im praying out of nowhere a car pulls up right after I was done praying right where a car pulls up out of nowhere. 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. WebClub Orient after Hurricane Irma Is Club Orient ever going to re-open? Still, residents of Sandy Ground, and other neighborhoods with significant working-class populations, like Grand Case and Quartier dOrlans, are unassuaged and angry. Doug Miller grills up free food to give to weary homeowners and workers at Beach Baptist Church on Fort Myers Beach. We write about Florida beaches on every coast. Six months after Hurricane Ian walloped Southwest Florida, the recovery is slow and uneven. But do they? But for some, it's a chance to get a last look at the island before it changes forever. Slipping on that damn mud trying to clean my downstairs, Tillo said. In Rockport, which was hit hard by Hurricane Harvey nearly four years ago, even more rain is expected Friday. "That's no longer the case. This year was a different story. At Beach Baptist Church, all the buildings on the nearly four-acre property are being demolished. 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. He says, "The older homes were just completely destroyed. Greg Allen/NPR Plane landings at Princess Juliana Aiport come in low over Maho Beach. 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. 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. Published April 24, 2023 at 11:01 AM EDT. 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. There are two housing developments going up and a third one starting soon. HOLLYWOOD, FLA. (WSVN) - Golden Beach Police Sgt. 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. Ms. Feucher said she was trying to get the population to take the long view in these matters: that getting the rebuilding right, even if it takes time, could save lives in the next big storm. The right of way removal service for hurricane-related debris in Fort Myers Beach has been extended until further notice. Its wonderful all the things youre doing, but talk to us.. ", Jim Atterholt, vice mayor of Fort Myers Beach, stands in front of Chapel By the Sea. In my conversations with the Governor, we were talking about having a Ferry. 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. 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. Saturday night shooting in downtown Fort Myers under investigation. For more information on red tide status, https://www.floridahealth.gov/environmental-health/beach-water-quality/index.html, Florida Beach Conditions After Hurricanes 2022 with Red Tide Updates, Coconut Jacks Waterfront Grille in Bonita Springs, Beach Conditions Report by Mote Marine Laboratory. 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 Along the South Texas Coastal Bend, heavy rains this week have brought major flooding, and concerns about drinking water supplies to cities including Corpus Christi, Port Aransas and Rockport. After all, Where shopping is a pleasure is worth waiting for. FORT MYERS BEACH, Fla. Few communities in the U.S. have seen the level of destruction Hurricane Ian brought to Fort Myers Beach. Your gift helps pay for everything you find on texasstandard.org and KUT.org. And you can see just driving through town, our town is taller. Florida Gov. 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.. Greg Allen/NPR Noticeable in most of Saint-Martins neighbourhoods, Hurricane Irmas visit results are surprising. It was Miller says, "the working man's beach, nothing too fancy. For me, its a conspiracy to take over the island, said Mr. Bash, whose family has lived in Sandy Ground for five generations. Sometimes you head for a corner of the world where luxury resides in a surprisingly approachable way. Its about wealth., Protests against the plan could turn violent, Mr. Bash warned. Should inmates in Texas be eligible for early parole if they exhibit good behavior? NWS confirms tornado hit Charlotte County. We are a nonprofit public service, and your support is more critical than ever. One of Boykin's concerns is where he'll find housing for his employees. It should be. She was one of 11 people who died on the French side of the island, according to the local authorities. They say rebuilding in town was slow to get started but is really picking up. But to do that, we're going to have to provide houses for those families to live in. They pulled up their socks and got on with it, said Lorraine Talmi, board president of the Sint Maarten Hospitality & Trade Association. He doesnt understand why FEMA wont help. 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. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Hurricane Ian: A birds eye view of SWFLs recovery one month later. Here are some steps you must take if a client pays with a large amount of cash. By Jill AmentJuly 9, 20211:09 pmEnergy & Environment. It was a Category 5 hurricane, one of the most powerful storms ever to hit the United States. Meteorologists say some In this series, The Times investigates to see if those promises were kept. City and county residents give each other a helping hand, New security system will greet Lee students come 2023-24 classes, Tracking the impact of U.S.-China tensions on global financial institutions, 'I'll lose my family.' On Oct. 19, 2022, three weeks after Ian washed away two major parts of the Causeway, Desantis announced it would reopen to the public. Destroyed boats in Simpson Bay Lagoon along the boundary between Sint Maarten and Saint-Martin. A week before the official start of hurricane season, meteorologists began tracking a tropical disturbance in the Gulf of Mexico. 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. On the town's streets, huge piles of debris are still everywhere. The funding Puerto Rico did use was largely spent on emergency work projects, such as debris removal. They want to change who we are., They are not attacking the people who have their pocket full and can defend themselves, he added. And they said notice Im limping, and Ive got all these heavy bags. 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. I had 15 feet of water and other parts of my property. One of our dumpsters floated out from his cage across the parking lot and was about 10 feet back in the trees, Preece said. New Aurora Anguilla serves up a luxurious stay. After a wet and active week, Monday begins a much more calm and dry stretch for this work week. Building materials need to be brought in by ship or plane, increasing costs. Thank you for continuing to reach out and help keep your viewers informed throughout the coming weeks., The same applies for their other store at the corner of Summerlin Road and San Carlos Boulevard. Rising waters have also hidden potholes and sinkholes from the view of drivers, making the roadways in deep water areas treacherous. The Barrier Islands are an exemplary demonstration of that effort. Our team is working diligently to get the store prepped and ready for reopening. It's the first major business to reopen here since the storm. 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. hide caption. Downtown Philipsburg, the capital of Sint Maarten. And then shortly after that, the gas station. Employees with Uber and Lyft said theyre not getting paid enough, taking high gas prices and inflation into account. One case in point: Mexico Beach, a town on the Florida Panhandle almost totally destroyed by a hurricane three years ago, is coming back. Despite winds over 150 miles per hour, homeowners here have had a harder time with their windstorm claims. 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. "Individual houses (are) coming back tenfold," Wood says. Aerial photos show the recovery of Fort Myers Beach after Hurricane Ian, which made landfall in late September 2022, on Wednesday, March 1, 2023. Year hurricane damage sustained: 2018. May-Ling Chun, director of tourism for St. Maarten, referred to the Sonesta re-openings earlier this year as "just one of many stories of inspiring recovery on this island. Storm victims like Terry Boffman have waited in line at FEMA intake centers to ask why their claims have already been denied. "And what wasn't gone, was so damaged by water. We are grateful for our customers and look forward to reopening the Fort Myers location. Weve already got mold growing in my house. In the last two weeks, a Publix spokesperson said theyre working on reopening. "You had some fire sales there in the beginning," he says. 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. Nowhere else in the world are you Read more Marigot Changing mentalities is always difficult, she said. U.S. Virgin Islands. After the cleanup, and less than two months after the storm hit, Cielo became the first restaurant to open on Sanibel. On the French side of the island, Hurricane Irma damaged about 95 percent of the buildings, including the home of Bernadette Carty. After Hurricane Ian, many people wondered how Sanibel and its Causeway would come back and how long would it take? Departing passengers are now processed inside the terminal, (early on the venue was a large tent outside). Lee County was responsible for debris pick up on Estero Boulevard and that service ended on March 1. Atterholt is living temporarily in one of those newer homes. Pinel Island in St. Martin is a popular day trip for visitors. A police sergeant with the Golden Beach Police Department is recovering after being shot overnight Saturday during a pursuit of two suspects in a stolen vehicle, authorities said. ADVISORIES. A lot of Mom and Pop type businesses." Photo Credit: Gay Nagle Myers. This scene of utter destruction in the aftermath of a Category 5 hurricane was not in the Abaco Islands or on Grand Bahama, devastated by Dorian last month. hide caption. The wounds from the 2017 hurricane season were still too fresh. But, while going through his home. The man behind Mattress Mack: salesman, gambler introvert? During Hurricane Harvey, wind did the most significant damage in Rockport. 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. The hurricane really exposed those weak areas that we have as a government, she said. Daytona Beach December 30, 2022. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity.What are forum guidelines? "I need probably five times this many." But we found that, as of August, the government of Puerto Rico has only expended about $5.3 billion (19%) of available funding. As with two competitive siblings close in age, just about everything that happens on one side demands comparison with the other. Joseph Bautista is on the road to recovery after being shot twice in the arm during a chase in connection to a car theft in Hollywood. Sylvie Feucher is the French states top representative in Saint-Martin. A street full of debris in Orient Bay on Sept. 7, after the passage of Hurricane Irma. Waters receded and debris was cleared around Mercure hotel after Hurricane Irma six months ago. Toppers Rhum Distillery on St. Maarten offers tours and tastings of many different flavored rhums. A framed photo of President Emmanuel Macron of France in a government office in Saint-Martin. Copyright 2023 Waterman Broadcasting of Florida, LLC. hide caption. The FDEM is no longer accepting applications from private and commercial property owners to remove eligible debris, vehicles, vessels, and other title property. Its been two years since the Florida Panhandle town of Mexico Beach was leveled by Category 5 Hurricane Michael. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Hurricane Ian: A birds eye view of SWFLs recovery one month later. He turned to me, and he said weve got to get that bridge built, Councilmember Smith said. MARCH 1, 2023: Aerial photos show damage on Fort Myers Beach caused by Hurricane Ian, which made landfall in late September 2022. The half-sunken hulls of storm-scuttled ships. Boffman told WPMI-TV he has no insurance and his mobile home may not be habitable due to damage. In Saint-Martin, a long simmering discontent loaded with racial and class tension is on the verge of boiling over. Next month, the new Driftwood Inn will be welcoming guests. 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. "I don't think you'll see the skyrises. The storm devastated the islands main airport, blocked its ports and effectively shut down the islands essential tourism industry for months. April 28, 2023 FORT MYERS