Fort Myers Beach was particularly hit hard by the 15-foot storm surge. Cleanup and rebuilding continues are public access points, however. 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. (Sophia Germer/The Advocate via AP), Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. Now, by Ian it's just magnified to such a degree that we have tomake sure people who want to work and live here can afford to. One of our dumpsters floated out from his cage across the parking lot and was about 10 feet back in the trees, Preece said. There were million-dollar homes, but it was a community of cottages, not Miami Beach-style condos. "You had some fire sales there in the beginning," he says. Joseph Bautista is on the road to recovery after being shot twice in the arm during a chase in connection to a The venue for Smart was the two-resort Sonesta complex, a five-minute ride from the airport. It's slated to open later this year. 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. WebSome places have recovered but there is still very noticeable areas of ruin. Grenada is a small island that packs a big punch, in part thanks to knock-out places to stay such as the Spice Island Beach Resort. 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. How much money has been distributed from the Florida Disaster Fund? And seven months later, Sanibel is beginning to look familiar. Marie Abner in her partially destroyed home in the neighborhood of Sandy Ground in Saint-Martin. What groups have received Hurricane Ian donations from Florida Disaster Fund? But in May 2018 neither destination was yet ready for prime time. "And we upped [the building code] to 140 mile-an-hour wind," Cathey says. Two days later, they started digging that dirt, and four days later, they were able to get the power trucks over, Councilmember Smith said. Immediately after the storm blasted the island, President Emmanuel Macron of France promised a speedy recovery for the French side. Greg Allen/NPR They cast it aside. Buildings will now have to be elevated to protect them from flooding in future storm events. Three-and-a-half years after Hurricane Michael, real estate prices in Mexico Beach are as high as they've ever been. Three-and-a-half years later, the mountains of debris are gone and rebuilding is well under way. 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. 07070 USA Telephone: (201) 902-2000. 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. It was crazy.. Mexico Beach has adopted one of the toughest building codes in Florida. But the campaign has become a flash point in an increasingly contentious relationship between the French government and a local population bristling against French bureaucracy and overseas control. ", Photo caption correction: Planes come in over Maho Beach, not Great Bay Beach as the caption previously noted., Copyright 2023 Northstar Travel Media, LLC. 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. The town hall was destroyed. A 15-foot storm surge knocked this house off its foundation on Fort Myers Beach. So, Friday night, theyre demanding action in the cell phone lot at Southwest Florida International Airport. April 28, 2023 FORT MYERS Yet, to this day, the grocery store chain has yet to say when theyre officially reopening. Learn How You Can Sell Alaska This Summer: Part 3. A week before the official start of hurricane season, meteorologists began tracking a tropical disturbance in the Gulf of Mexico. Jim Atterholt, vice mayor of Fort Myers Beach, stands in front of Chapel By the Sea. The storm devastated the islands main airport, blocked its ports and effectively shut down the islands essential tourism industry for months. Grant Brown, the Gulf Shores spokesman, said the city has hauled away 80,000 cubic yards of debris since the storm, but still has another 450,000 cubic yards to move. Condo with new seawall in Daytona Beach Shores, Tiger dams on Daytona Beach Shores help build up sand, Flagler Beach walkway lost steps from hurricanes, Currently, there are very few hotels available on the beach. The rights-of-way along the roads are covered with construction debris and stuff and its just not the same experience. In my conversations with the Governor, we were talking about having a Ferry. The French side of the island was a different scene. On the eve of Hurricane Ian, Shanna Matyas and her family removed every watch and piece of jewelry from her Downtown Jewelry & Watch Co. store in Fort Myers. "I don't think you'll see the skyrises. I knew I needed to get to the off the island for medical attention, Tillo said. On Oct. 19, 2022, three weeks after Ian washed away two major parts of the Causeway, Desantis announced it would reopen to the public. hide caption. PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - Panama City Beach Police have reported an update on the person hit by lightning. Sylvie Feucher is the French states top representative in Saint-Martin. But, while going through his home. He considers a moment and then says, "I don't know. Here are some steps you must take if a client pays with a large amount of cash. The foundation, in the foreground, of the home owned by Bernadette Carty that was devastated in the hurricane. While we still dont know exactly when the store will reopen, people on the island say theyre willing to stick it out. With the help of a developer, he hopes his rebuilt church complex will include workforce housing. Sunburned tourists waved as my flight zoomed low over the beach. There was about 5,500 cars coming on the island. Troops Say Theyre Running Out Of Time As They Await Visas, How Austins Multibillion-Dollar Transit Expansion Hinges On Federal Racial Equity Standards, Sin Vergenza: Mexican Soccer Wanted Women To Pay The Penalty The Mens Team Earned, Allen West Ramps Up The Drama In Final Days As Texas GOP Chair, Texas Republicans push to end countywide voting. 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. And as the water was crashing in on his home, Tillo was fighting to survive. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity.What are forum guidelines? In the last two weeks, a Publix spokesperson said theyre working on reopening. Officials here say slow and inadequate insurance payouts are hurting recovery and forcing many long-time residents to sell and leave the island. By next year, Atterholt vows things will be different. I had 15 feet of water and other parts of my property. In Rockport, which was hit hard by Hurricane Harvey nearly four years ago, even more rain is expected Friday. After the Causeway reopened, 5,500 people were coming onto the island every day, and now that number has risen to 8,000. 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. Report inappropriate content Pirate Toronto, Canada Level Contributor 16,652 posts 82 reviews 92 helpful votes 2. 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. Public educators all over the state of Florida are being asked to hand over their emails and explain their teaching plans. The remarkable grit and resolve of the people on Sanibel are evident after seeing how the island came back. A higher percentage of hotel rooms on the Dutch side, for example, are open again for business. Six months after Hurricane Ian stormed across Southwest Florida, people in many areas are still struggling to rebuild. But there are signs the town is starting to come back. An earlier version of this article stated that the U.S. Virgin Islands no longer requires negative covid-19 test results from vaccinated travelers. "Right now we have 862 rooms available in hotels, timeshares and guesthouses, and 65% of the villa inventory has been renovated," Damaseau said. Aid has flowed in, but a fight has followed about recovery plans, exposing racial and class tension. Nearly two years after hurricane Irma hit Saint Martin, Orient Beach is bouncing back quite nicely. Rios says hes watching how flood waters impact the ongoing rebuilding of the Key Allegro Bridge, which is the only access to an island containing 800 homes. 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. 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. It was in October 2018 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 And that will create a different flavor here because you won't see so many of the old ground level cottages." The wastewater treatment plant has been affected some, but thats still working, he said. But there would be a lot of damage.". We will do it quickly, we will do it well, and we will do it better.. On Oct. 19, 2022, three weeks after Ian washed away two major parts of the Causeway, Desantis announced it would reopen to the public. She was one of 11 people who died on the French side of the island, according to the local authorities. Downtown Philipsburg, the capital of Sint Maarten. He said that the U.S. preclearance facility, long talked about for St. Maarten, "will be operational by 2022. With the help of a developer, he hopes his rebuilt church complex will include workforce housing. "Everything on the beachside was gone," he says. Shawna Wood and her father, Tom Wood, say their hotel has been rebuilt to be able to withstand 140 mph winds. Several of the flood-prone coastal neighborhoods of greatest concern to Ms. Feucher have large low-income populations, and many residents suspect the French government is waging a veiled campaign to drive poor, black residents off their land through condemnation so it can be sold to developers. Throughout Southwest Florida, six months after Hurricane Ian, rebuilding is going slowly. Here, all of the constructions got damaged. Uber and Lyft drivers demanding change to make ends meet, Former employee accused of breaking into, stealing money from Naples store, Future of education uncertain as DeSantis targets DEI, Sanibels recovery efforts seven months after Hurricane Ian. But many working-class residents fear they could be forced to abandon property that has been in their family for generations. Photo Credit: Gay Nagle Myers. He turned to me, and he said weve got to get that bridge built, Councilmember Smith said. "I have talked to tens of thousands of people," he says. A disaster often brings people together, and so it has here with the public and private sectors sharing information, budgets, updates, policies and training programs. Storm victims like Terry Boffman have waited in line at FEMA intake centers to ask why their claims have already been denied. Greg Allen/NPR 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. Its about wealth., Protests against the plan could turn violent, Mr. Bash warned. We had to do things like put hurricane-proof windows in, had to put pilings down. Six months after Hurricane Ian walloped Southwest Florida, the recovery is slow and uneven. ADVISORIES. Thanks for your reply. There are so many forum posts about COVID, that I am not sure where to look. Can you point me the way? Inor New HBO Max series Love & Death anchors a Texas true crime story in the human condition. Well have divers in the water next week, just to check the integrity of that bridge.. And you can tell the car was under had been underwater. They are so small that almost every human being on the island is directly impacted, said Tahseen Sayed, the World Bank country director for the Caribbean. It allocated more than $500 million in aid and subsidies in the first six months after the storm to the recovery and reconstruction of Saint-Martin and the smaller, nearby French island of Saint-Barthlemy, according to Sylvie Feucher, the French states top representative based in the two territories. Six months after Hurricane Ian hit Southwest Florida, there are many homes that remain untouched. Many here see it as the end of an era. Stuart Johnson, minister of tourism for St. Maarten, said it well: "We are two nations but one destination. Contractors with FDEM will continue to collect this debris. Meteorologists say some parts of the Coastal Bend may have seen up to a foot of rain since Wednesday. I think theres plenty of room for compromise.. hide caption. Ian could make it worse, See aerial pictures that show Hurricane Ian's toll. Thats the strength and weakness of France, Ms. Feucher said. Six months after the passing of hurricanes Irma and Maria, St. Martin is slowly rebuilding, but the scars of the most powerful hurricane ever known in the West Indies remain clearly visible. We'd really like to see that school come back on the island. According to Miami-Dade Urban Search and Rescue records, 5,126 structures on Sanibel were considered damaged., Red tide, blue-green algae, and other water bacteria issues are monitored by, The State of Florida. The right of way removal service for hurricane-related debris in Fort Myers Beach has been extended until further notice. On nearby Sanibel Island, a non-profit corporation supported by the city provides nearly 90 workforce homes, some of which were destroyed in the storm. 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. Considering the dire shape Saint-Martin was in right after the storm, with its infrastructure flattened, the fact that much of the territory is back on its feet confirms the aid has made a difference. Al Cathey, the longtime mayor, says that decision was controversial. WEST PALM BEACH, Florida (WPBF) West Palm Beach native John McKendrick says he missed all the warning signs. He's staying nearby but estimates it will be at least six months until he's back in his house. The FDEM is no longer accepting applications from private and commercial property owners to remove eligible debris, vehicles, vessels, and other title property. "And what wasn't gone, was so damaged by water. If you found the reporting above valuable, please consider making a donation to support it here. for more business re-openings. hide caption. 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. Remember to call the business directly for up-to-date information. Just getting dropped off and walking up and down Periwinkle. But do they? What happens, come what may.". Like the story of Trace Tillo, who had one leg and had to get out of his house surrounded by water and debris before signaling for help. 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. Status: All clear. "This is a chance todo probably 40 years of (development)in what will probably look like four or five years.". Shawna Wood and her father, Tom Wood, say their hotel has been rebuilt to be able to withstand 140 mph winds. 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. The damaged bathrooms have been removed. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Hurricane Ian: A birds eye view of SWFLs recovery one month later. 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. FEMA has obligated about $28 billion to help the island recover from this damage. Mayor Cathey says there's been another change since the storm. Valerie Damaseau, St. Martin's minister of tourism, youth, sports and district culture, told me that "the recovery is a slow process. When Irma had finally moved on, the family emerged from their hideaway to discover that the storm surge and wind had gouged holes in two sides of the house and had swept away Ms. Cartys sister from her home next door. The half-sunken hulls of storm-scuttled ships. "In a way," he says, "the hurricane has forced us tostay in your lane, worry about what you got, take care of your stuff. Right now. But it was probably two years in.". A jet landing in Sint Maarten, where the tourism sector is much larger than that of the French side. This week, major flooding is threatening that recovery. 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. 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. Toppers Rhum Distillery on St. Maarten offers tours and tastings of many different flavored rhums. "No," he says. Waters receded and debris was cleared around Mercure hotel after Hurricane Irma six months ago. That rules out high-rise condo buildings and other developments that might begin to erode Mexico Beach's small-town character. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Hurricane Ian: A birds eye view of SWFLs recovery one month later. Six months after Hurricane Ian hit Southwest Florida, there are many homes that remain untouched. It will change because everybody's going to have to build up because FEMA requires that now. The News-Press visual journalist Ricardo Rolon recently piloted a drone between 50- to 200-feet above southern Sanibel with views of the damaged lighthouse, Lighthouse Beach and the Gulf and river sides of the island. This church was destroyed by Hurricane Ian's 150 mph winds and a wall of water that pummeled the island in September 2022. I think by next week, well be much further along, he said. After Hurricane Ian, many people wondered how Sanibel and its Causeway would come back and how long would it take? 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. 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. Departing passengers are now processed inside the terminal, (early on the venue was a large tent outside). Cdrick Andr, a community activist in Sandy Ground, one of the high-risk neighborhoods, views the matter as nothing less than an existential struggle for Saint-Martins working-class population. We eat lunch every day at Publix, said Mike Mulrooney, who works at Snook Bight Marina on the island.. But to qualify for $100 million in federal grants, he says Mexico Beach had to take steps to harden the city and require new construction to be able to withstand hurricane-force winds. As Irma rumbled ashore, Ms. Carty, her daughter and two grandchildren dove for cover under a mattress and rode out the storm as it mauled her island. The hurricane, and the high cost of rebuilding, drove many older residents out. 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. FORT MYERS BEACH, Fla. Few communities in the U.S. have seen the level of destruction Hurricane Ian brought to Fort Myers Beach. The town's mayor says FEMA has so far reimbursed about half of what's needed for rebuilding. All rights reserved. He owns a local chain of restaurants and has heard the insurance woes. She did so out of security concerns with the potential for looting amid widespread power outages. "I need probably five times this many." In a town that had some 6,000 year-round residents, people here estimate that only a third or less have been able to return since the storm. The town's vice mayor, Jim Atterholt, compares it to the destruction some European cities saw in World War II. ", Big changes are underway on Fort Myers Beach. The island that Saint-Martin and Sint Maarten occupy was divided between the French and the Dutch in the 17th century. Im hungering for Publix. "I don't think it's so forgotten anymore.". Why hasnt any work been done? A woman is accused of breaking into a retail store in Naples on Monday, April 3, hiding her identity by holding an umbrella while taking money from the business. We have shown resilience, and we share the same goal: to rebuild and restrengthen our tourism product. This luxury award-winning all 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. 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. Although the new code requires buildings to be more resilient, the town retained its height and density limits. The right of way removal service for hurricane-related debris in Fort Myers Beach has been extended until further notice. 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. Thank you. ", 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. Charlie Doster took the maximum available, 25 sheets saying, "I need probably five times this many. Plane landings at Princess Juliana Aiport come in low over Maho Beach. He's owned the Driftwood for nearly 50 years and has turned over operations to his daughter, Shawna. 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. Greg Allen/NPR Part of HuffPost World News. However, Publix has yet to confirm that this is true.. Theres nothing we couldve done for Michael. Greg Allen/NPR Well in this small world, people want to know when Publix will be open.. I have been doing that almost since the hurricaneand you cant get any information. 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