The Caribbean Hurricane Page

Updates from the Islands

- - St.Maarten/St.Martin - -

• From: Martin Rosol <corksrosol AT compuserve.com>
• Date: Sat, 27 Nov 1999 15:45:37 -0500

I called Flamingo Beach Resort , where I own a week 2 studio (Jan 8),
and was advised that everything would be fine for then, and even sooner.
I also called Pelican Resort, where I own 4 weeks starting Jan 8, and
was advised that there was considerable damage that is being assessed by
the Insurance Co and that more information on which units were damaged
and/or will be available for occupancy will be forthcoming, possibly
this Monday. They are, however, expecting cancellations and plan to be
able to accommodate patrons in alternate units.

• From: Four Seasons Villas <4seasons AT shore.net>
• Date: Fri, 26 Nov 1999 18:35:29 -0500

We have received good news from Simpson Beach  Condos (Dutch side).  This
part of the beach now has much more than its normal share of sand.  This
sturdy 3 floor building has weathered Lenny very well with only minor
damage to the pool deck  which lost its railing. All condos are in good
condition and ready for guests now.
 
The power, water and telephones are fuly restored.  Jean Christian who
manages rental units here,  reports that work is proceeding on the pool and
deck and that the pool should be usable in a few days. Apparently Lenny
left a lot of sand and stuff on the deck and the pool.

We are very grateful to Jean and the condo association for their efforts.
Enzo and his crew are super.  We will be coming to the island soon  and
look forward to seeing them and enjoying this great island.

Linda and Max Freedman

• From: Gert van Dijken <gert AT vandijken.com>
• Date: Sun, 28 Nov 1999 14:48:30 -0500 (EST)

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Fri, 26 Nov 1999 16:36:23 -0400
From: Robert Gluck <tendalrealestate AT megatropic.com>

Second group of photos

• From: Gert van Dijken <gert AT vandijken.com>
• Date: Sun, 28 Nov 1999 14:47:59 -0500 (EST)

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Fri, 26 Nov 1999 16:35:54 -0400
From: Robert Gluck <tendalrealestate AT megatropic.com>

I am sending two emails containing photos of Frontstreet. There still seems
to be some confusion of the status of Frontsrteet. It is fine and open. Of
course we had a hurricane and there was damage, but Frontstreet faired
extremely well as you will see.

Bob

• From: Kevin & Judy <kjc122 AT clarityconnect.com>
• Date: Fri, 26 Nov 1999 15:35:44 -0500

Gert,
I spoke to a female at the resort, when I called yesterday morning (
Thur., Thanksgiving Day.)  I was able to ascertain that they suffered
some damage, but not to what extent.  Some rooms suffered damage, but
she said they were already in the midst of cleanup and repair.  She
insisted, several times, that I call the corp. hdqtr.s in Chapel Hill,
NC for official statements and commitments, however she did mention the
date of 12/22 as a target for completing repairs and being reopened.
Kevin Ferguson
Ithaca, NY

• From: PatGrib AT aol.com
• Date: Fri, 26 Nov 1999 14:45:20 EST

Dear Gert,

I just spoke to one of the timeshare salespeople at Royal Palm.  They took a 
hit are involved in intensive cleanup.  They are accepting owners in today, 
although the RCI Travel Advisory will still say they are closed.  The pool is 
in good shape, but the snack bar is gone, as is all of the new landscaping.  
They are encouraging owners to come.  According to the person I spoke with, 
support systems like car rental agencies, many restaurants and shops are open.

Pat Gribben

• From: "Barbara Cannegieter" <barcann AT megatropic.com>
• Date: Fri, 26 Nov 1999 15:01:20 -0400

• From: "larosasm" <larosasm AT telem2.sintmaarten.net>
• Date: Fri, 26 Nov 1999 07:44:36 -0400

• From: "LIPSTICK" <LIPSTICK AT wanadoo.fr>
• Date: Thu, 25 Nov 1999 16:37:48 -0400

• From: Gert van Dijken <gert AT vandijken.com>
• Date: Thu, 25 Nov 1999 14:25:30 -0500 (EST)

>From: "Emil Lee" <emillee AT megatropic.com>
>Date: Thu, 25 Nov 1999 13:28:01 -0400
>
>Princess Heights has survived Hurricane Lenny with minimal damages.  We
>already have telephone, water and electricity service restored.  Other than
>some minimal damage to our landscaping we are have emerged unscathed.  The
>French side of the island has received less damage than the Dutch side
>probably due to stricter building codes.  Marigot and much of the French
>side appears to be operational already.  Many of the shops and restaurant in
>Marigot are open and serving customers.  The roads have survived well.
>
>The Dutch side of St. Maarten has suffered more damages.  Some of the major
>hotels like Caravanserai, Great Bay and Maho have sustained some damages
>which will force them to close for  a couple of weeks.  Several small
>properties on the Simpson bay beach have suffered from wind damage as well
>as erosion problems due to their proximity to the ocean.  Sections of
>Philipsburg are underwater due to the flooding of the salt pond.  Hopefully,
>if the sun continues to shine, the water will begin to recede back to normal
>levels within a week.   The roads have  taken quite a beating.  Power and
>water are being restored in sections.  Many parts of the island already have
>both.
>
>
>Sincerely,
>
>Emil Lee
>www.pheights.com
>emillee AT megatropic.com

• From: Gert van Dijken <gert AT vandijken.com>
• Date: Thu, 25 Nov 1999 14:22:52 -0500 (EST)

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Thu, 25 Nov 1999 15:15:54 -0400
From: Robert Gluck <tendalrealestate AT megatropic.com>

In one of the reports it mentioned Frontstreet was flooded. that is
incorrect. Some surf came up the alleys leaving some sand, however, to my
knowledge none of the shops were flooded. I drove down Fronstreet on
Saturday and  it was dry. As mentioned earlier all the shops are open for
business and eagerly awaiting cruise ships.

Bob

• From: Gert van Dijken <gert AT vandijken.com>
• Date: Thu, 25 Nov 1999 14:05:18 -0500 (EST)

News from one of my correspondents on the island.

*
**
*** Gert van Dijken ( gert AT vandijken.com )
**** The Caribbean Hurricane Page - http://www2.gobeach.com/hurr.htm
 

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Thu, 25 Nov 1999 09:25:01 -0400
From: Matthew Oosterwijk <hoosterwijk AT megatropic.com>
Subject: LENNY & St. Maarten.

Please note that the letter between t and v is not working, sorry.

Gert,

Regarding the island, please note the following:

1.  Hotels. Here we see that all major hotels have sstained medim to
severe damages, inclding a nmber of hotels on the French side. The
estimate is that 30% of the room can n ot be given to visitors de to
damages sstained. THIS WILL SEVERELY EFFECT THE ECONOMY AND COMING
SEASON!!

2.  Port area. The newly bilt cargo pier is completely destroyed as well
as the old roll on roll off pier. Per today emergency repairs shold be
finsished and cargo vessels can come alongside the pier. In respect of
passenger vessels we expect the first vessel to come in on Monday coming.

3.  Philipsbrg. The town was completely flooded by the sea as well as the
salt pond. Slowly the water is b eing pmped away and now Frontstreet,
Backstreet and Cannegieterstreet are passable for vehicle traffic. Clean p
is in fll force. The main road from town to the airport is not damaged.

4. Airport. Despite some damages to the arrival bilding and immigration
section, the airport is flly operational and all normally flying airlines
have resmed their reglar schedled flights in and ot of the island.


The torist season will start shortly and I thinkl we will be ready as good
as possible, bt there will be negative effects to be felt for a
considerable period of time still to come.

Regards,

Matthew      

• From: "Robert Gluck" <tendalrealestate AT megatropic.com>
• Date: Thu, 25 Nov 1999 10:54:59 -0400

• From: MCM1049 AT aol.com
• Date: Wed, 24 Nov 1999 23:49:11 EST

Dear Gert:

I've heard from the Esmeralda Resort via email today, who write that the 
hotel, restaurants, and beach are open, so we are looking forward to our 
December 1 arrival on the island.  Earlier in the day, we also contacted the 
hotel's rep to hear that Esmeralda suffered little damage, some uprooted 
trees, and a little mud in some of the pools, which were being cleaned up 
very quickly.  I thought that you might want to share this with the readers 
of your bulletin board.  

Thanks for keeping us all up-to-date on the post-hurricane state of affairs 
in St. Martin/St. Maarten.  

Mark Montgomery

• From: Jmn143 AT aol.com
• Date: Wed, 24 Nov 1999 23:38:14 EST

i spoke with them today and they are closed until 12/17 damage to he grounds

• From: "Oswald Mikitz" <hmikitz AT chello.at>
• Date: Wed, 24 Nov 1999 18:13:14 +0100

This morning at 10 am I received a telephone call from my daughter Karin of
the Alabama Restaurant in Grand Case.
She told me that water and electricity power are back in Grand Case and
that the following retaurants will be opened tomorrow or Friday:

L`Alabama
Auberge Gourmande
Cottage
Bistro Caraibe
Escapade
Nettuno

Only Fishpot and Chez Martine are damaged and will be opened later.

The owner of the restaurants are ready for the season and they are looking
forward to welcome the visitors at St. Martin!!!


At last I want to thank Gert and John for the load of information during
Lenny. I live in Austria and here you hardly ever get any information. As
you can imagine - I was worrying about Karin a lot - and it helped me a lot
to visit your site.

Sincerely

Else Mikitz

Reply to: hmikitz AT chello.at

• From: Tildak AT aol.com
• Date: Wed, 24 Nov 1999 16:23:43 EST

Gert:

Delta Airlines just instituted new service direct non-stop from Atlanta, 
Georgia to 
St. Martin.  This service was supposed to have begun on December 1, 1999.  I 
just received a call from the airlines telling me that they have canceled all 
flights into St. Martin until December 16, 1999.  

Although I'm sure Delta has or will be trying to contact everyone who has 
reservations between December 1 - December 15, your website reaches a lot of 
folks and I thought you would want to know.

Thanks for providing up-to-date information on what's happening on this 
wonder island.

Tilda Kaplan

• From: Dominique &/or LeRoy French <divesm AT megatropic.com>
• Date: Wed, 24 Nov 1999 17:08:11 -0500

The  20 year old dive Center on Simpson bay beach took a severe beating from the
wind and wave action. Much more than for Luis, but that is because of the
direction of the wind and surge.
The roof went completely and the front wall, facing the ocean, collapsed inward.
The boat is OK .
We should be back and  ready to dive in 3 to 4 weeks, possibly in a different
nearby location..
Our house in Pelican key lost half of the roof, so the bedrooms got a lot water
inside.
But generally speaking in Pelican, there was not much damage to speak of, except
maybe for the beachfront villas.
We got water, electricity and phone  back within a few days or the storm.
Waiting for the insurance companies to do their job.....

    [:)-)   Dominique and/or LeRoy French     [:]-} 
Just another day in Paradise...   http://www.stmaartendiving.com
Ocean Explorers Dive Center, Simpson Bay Beach, St Maarten, N.A.
PADI and NAUI International Resort.
Ph/fax : (5995) 45252 and if urgent (5995) 44357

• From: Gert van Dijken <gert AT vandijken.com>
• Date: Wed, 24 Nov 1999 16:20:05 -0500 (EST)

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Wed, 24 Nov 1999 16:55:08 -0500
From: Elisa Cohen <bikinibeach AT wanadoo.fr>

Gert,

We got the OK for planes and ships to come into St. Martin as of Monday !!!
Lots of reservations piling in at the hotel too!
Having a big Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow with a live all girl Cuban group
playing.
Luis couldn't kick our butt, so why should Lenny.

Kisses from Orient Bay!

Elisa

• From: "Jerry R. Harke" <HARKE AT email.msn.com>
• Date: Wed, 24 Nov 1999 12:14:05 -0800

Gert:
I just spoke with Janice D'Allesandro, the manager of the Towers a few
minutes ago (12 noon
Nov 24). She says all is well with the Towers, that some restaurants have
opened and some stores have opened. She is aware of other resorts that did
not fare so well. You can call 1-800-724-9955 to listen to the RCI Travel
Advisory. According to that advisory, Pelican is open, operating on
generators, not advising visitors right now, but will accomodate them in the
units that are not damaged.   If anyone can get through to RCI, please
advise them that Resort 1864 (Towers) is in full operation and welcoming
guests.  As of now, their advisory says they haven't heard anything from the
Towers.  That is not for a lack of trying.  It's because, for some reason,
their telephone lines coming into the Towers are fine, but outbound calling
can't be accomplished. 

Jerry R. Harke

• From: Evan Schwartz <info AT thesummitresort.com>
• Date: Wed, 24 Nov 1999 11:28:16 -0500

Thanks so much for your site - the information and updates have been
extraordinarily helpful.

The Summit Resort Hotel is structurally fine, but there was some water
damage from leaks, vegetation was knocked down and torn up, some boards
lifted up on the pool deck, a couple of the buildings had roof damage,
and there were two blown-in glass doors. The Grand View Cafe poolside is
in good condition. The Summit had water restored yesterday, and they
were expecting power today or tomorrow. At least one phone is working
(53703). They're busy cleaning up, and expect to be ready to re-open
around Dec. 6 or shortly thereafter.

Evan Schwartz
Summit Resort, US office
info AT thesummitresort.com

• From: Gert van Dijken <gert AT vandijken.com>
• Date: Wed, 24 Nov 1999 11:22:24 -0500 (EST)

Just spoke with Jennifer from Leslie's Vacation Villas.

She was shocked with how St.Maarten/St.Martin was portrayed on this and
other websites.

She mentioned nothing but good things:

- Banks, schools, gasstations are all open.  The movie theatre will open
tomorrow.
- Water and Electricity has been restored to 90% of the island.
- Tourists are flying in again.
- Orient is beautiful.  Bikini Bar was open one day after the storm.
Pappagallo is open, etc.  Orient is a nice sandy beach
- Oyster Pond:  Busby's Beach Bar on Dawn Beach is open.  The beach is
beautiful.  The hotel is fine, the marina looks great.
- Indiana Beach Bar on Simpson Bay is open and serving food to tourists
- Don Carlos, Simpson Bay is having a great thanksgiving party
- Marigot is back to normal.  You can get your fresh baquette
every morning.
- etc., etc.

So it looks like the island is rebouncing quickly!


*
**
*** Gert van Dijken ( gert AT vandijken.com )
**** The Caribbean Hurricane Page - http://www2.gobeach.com/hurr.htm