No deadline has yet been set for this work to end. This week, major flooding is threatening that recovery. 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. And I said, Yes, thatd be great, Tillo said. They pulled up their socks and got on with it, said Lorraine Talmi, board president of the Sint Maarten Hospitality & Trade Association. But that state largess may have undermined private initiative during this reconstruction period. 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. People go for a swim in Mexico Beach. When the Coast Guard got to Southwest Florida, Tillo was one of the people that needed rescuing. COVID didn't help the rebuilding effort. 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. Aerial photos show the recovery of Fort Myers Beach after Hurricane Ian, which made landfall in late September 2022, on Wednesday, March 1, 2023. That's especially a concern for people who live in the Southeast and along the Gulf coast. We love our Publix. I'm not a slow learner when it comes to storms anymore.". That rules out high-rise condo buildings and other developments that might begin to erode Mexico Beach's small-town character. Although the new code requires buildings to be more resilient, the town retained its height and density limits. recovery It would be an understatement to say they went on a mission. It would be nice if theyd let us know, Mulrooney said. Jim Atterholt, vice mayor of Fort Myers Beach, stands in front of Chapel By the Sea. "Right now we have 862 rooms available in hotels, timeshares and guesthouses, and 65% of the villa inventory has been renovated," Damaseau said. When is soon? Buildings without roofs. 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. Now, Boykin says, some employees are commuting to the island from homes 30 or 40 miles away. 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 Rising waters have also hidden potholes and sinkholes from the view of drivers, making the roadways in deep water areas treacherous. Hundreds of hotel rooms and condominium units were rented in Gulf Shores and neighboring Orange Beach for this weekend, officials said, and visitors can get to the beach from private areas. Greg Allen/NPR Orient Beach Update - Nearly Two Years After Irma: Kontiki Beach 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. The all-inclusive Sonesta Maho Beach Resort, Casino & Spa and the Sonesta Ocean Point Resort were completely rebuilt, strengthened and reinforced from their steel skeletons outward. Six months after Hurricane Ian hit Southwest Florida, there are many homes that remain untouched. 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. We didnt know it could take months, it could take a year we didnt have a timeline, really, Councilmember Smith said. A lot of Mom and Pop type businesses." 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 Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria left a trail of destruction when they swept over the Caribbean last September. Boffman told WPMI-TV he has no insurance and his mobile home may not be habitable due to damage. for more business re-openings. After all, Where shopping is a pleasure is worth waiting for. Hurricanes Ian and Nicole aftermath in the Daytona Beach Abraham Lincoln said, Let the people know the facts and this country will be saved, Atterholt said. Three-and-a-half years later, the mountains of debris are gone and rebuilding is well under way. The rebuilt Driftwood Inn is the first major business to reopen in Mexico Beach since Hurricane Michael. And that will create a different flavor here because you won't see so many of the old ground level cottages." He says, "We're the exact opposite of South Beach. He says, "We're going to have what I call a functional paradise once again." Florida Gov. We give a lot of attention to the population, and it can prevent people from developing a sense of responsibility in terms of taking care of themselves.. hide caption. But we found that, as of August, the government of Puerto Rico has only expended about $5.3 billion (19%) of available funding. All airport repairs will be completed by 2021, according to Brian Mingo, CEO. A powerful storm surge flattened structures in coastal areas, helping make it the third costliest hurricane on record after only Katrina and Harvey. Greg Allen/NPR Friday, for perhaps the first time, we know what happened behind closed doors in the days after Hurricane Ian. The town's vice mayor, Jim Atterholt, compares it to the destruction some European cities saw in World War II. 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. The wastewater treatment plant has been affected some, but thats still working, he said. ", 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. Hurricane And thats particularly true in Caribbean islands like St. Martin because of a unique combination of factors. Our first responders out there are trying to pull people out, but were asking people to stay home, because theres no point in endangering themselves or first responders that are out there trying to help them, Rios said. "And what wasn't gone, was so damaged by water. 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. Since the Causeway is open, places like Cielo have sprung new life. Theres nothing we couldve done for Michael. 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. But it was probably two years in.". "I need probably five times this many." Cleanup and rebuilding continues are public access points, however. Should inmates in Texas be eligible for early parole if they exhibit good behavior? Still, residents of Sandy Ground, and other neighborhoods with significant working-class populations, like Grand Case and Quartier dOrlans, are unassuaged and angry. It was a lot like Charlie, it turned last minute. What groups have received Hurricane Ian donations from Florida Disaster Fund? Beach He says, "The older homes were just completely destroyed. If you found the reporting above valuable, please consider making a donation to support it here. Ron DeSantis is supporting legislation aimed at propping up the state's troubled insurance industry. recovery Beach The Dunlawton beach access in Daytona Beach Shores is now open for beach driving. Home News Local Lee County When will the Publix on Fort Myers Beach reopen? Seriously, whenever you say that, it still gives me chills, Councilmember Holly Smith said. The country will burn easily.. Lee County was responsible for debris pick up on Estero Boulevard and that service ended on March 1. hide caption. When hotels are wrecked by a storm, business dries up, unemployment soars and government coffers suffer. But in May 2018 neither destination was yet ready for prime time. Officials said the damage was worse in places that from Hurricane Ivan, which landed a direct hit on the same area in 2004. Next month, the new Driftwood Inn will be welcoming guests. The funding Puerto Rico did use was largely spent on emergency work projects, such as debris removal. It's a story you hear often. Sadly, this hidden paradise now look like a ghost paradise. He laughs when asked if his insurance helped. It's an on going rebuild. We have norms and rules and regulations on the French side, said Angle Dormoy, the president of Saint-Martins Chamber of Commerce. Learn How You Can Sell Alaska This Summer: Part 3. On a recent evening, Jah Bash, a Rastafarian farmer, said that the populations patience with an overbearing French state was wearing thin. Its up to about 8,000 a day, Marcus Preece, general manager of Cielo, said. Town officials are working on a new comprehensive plan that will determine what the new version of Fort Myers Beach will be. Remember to call the business directly for up-to-date information. For generations, Fort Myers Beach catered to middle-income vacationers, many of them from the Midwest. In contrast, Sint Maarten has developed a more laissez-faire culture, helping to accelerate the rebuilding process. He expects hotels and condos will be open and the town will be ready for Spring Break in 2024. Beach 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. The island that Saint-Martin and Sint Maarten occupy was divided between the French and the Dutch in the 17th century. He turned to me, and he said weve got to get that bridge built, Councilmember Smith said. Beach A husband's dread during an abortion ordeal in Oklahoma. "This is a chance todo probably 40 years of (development)in what will probably look like four or five years.". Weve shut off the bedroom where the mold is, and my wife and I are now living in our living room, said Boffman. Crouse says the risk of living on the coast in an area that was recently leveled by a hurricane hasn't hurt home values. 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. Recovery has been slow in places like Puerto Businesses still shuttered. WGCU is your trusted source for news and information in Southwest Florida. But, while going through his home. Not just for grocery shopping, but to get a sub at the deli.. Oyster Pond This has made the debate less an economic one and more about politics, class, culture and race, often pitting the local majority-black population against the French state. "You know, it used to be called the Forgotten Coast," he says. People on Florida's Panhandle used to think they were unlikely to experience a direct hit from a major hurricane. Here are some steps you must take if a client pays with a large amount of cash. And as the water was crashing in on his home, Tillo was fighting to survive. Waters receded and debris was cleared around Mercure hotel after Hurricane Irma six months ago. Building materials need to be brought in by ship or plane, increasing costs. 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. New Aurora Anguilla serves up a luxurious stay. MEXICO BEACH, Fla. Forecasters with NOAA say the Atlantic Hurricane season which begins today will be busier than usual. Rockport, Texas continues to recover from Hurricane Harvey. Local governments often lack the resources to manage the task of hurricane recovery alone. Year hurricane damage sustained: 2018. We had to do things like put hurricane-proof windows in, had to put pilings down. The man behind Mattress Mack: salesman, gambler introvert? A service of the Moody College of Communication at the University of Texas at Austin | Contact us, A service of the Moody College of Communication at the University of Texas at Austin, Sensing Blood In The Water, Multiple Opponents Are Circling Ken Paxton, Afghans Who Helped U.S. 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. Noticeable in most of Saint-Martins neighbourhoods, Hurricane Irmas visit results are surprising. Shawna Wood and her father, Tom Wood, say their hotel has been rebuilt to be able to withstand 140 mph winds. Thanks for donating today. He said that the U.S. preclearance facility, long talked about for St. Maarten, "will be operational by 2022. ", Like most buildings on Fort Myers Beach, Atterholt's home is unlivable. FEMA has obligated about $28 billion to help the island recover from this damage. Hurricane We heard November 1st, December 1st, January 1st, Mulrooney said. What is the PPRN and why does it affect Club Orient? Report inappropriate content Pirate Toronto, Canada Level Contributor 16,652 posts 82 reviews 92 helpful votes 2. But many working-class residents fear they could be forced to abandon property that has been in their family for generations. Here's how Fort Myers Beach, Southwest Florida are recovering 6 months after Hurricane Ian Kim Luciani USA TODAY NETWORK FLORIDA 0:00 2:11 On Sept. Wood is asked: What would happen if there's another Hurricane Michael, a Category 5 storm? Pinel Island in St. Martin is a popular day trip for visitors. Buildings will now have to be elevated to protect them from flooding in future storm events. Stuart Johnson, minister of tourism for St. Maarten, said it well: "We are two nations but one destination. climate change has made hurricanes more destructive. Destroyed boats in Simpson Bay Lagoon along the boundary between Sint Maarten and Saint-Martin. Airlines' NDC plans fragment distribution, Dondra Ritzenthaler on her retirement from Celebrity Cruises and what's next, No lava, no problem at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, How All-Inclusives Redefine Luxury Vacations, Tourism booms in Jamaica, overwhelming Sangster Airport, Park Hyatt St. Kitts creates a Destination Dining experience. Beach recovery This week, major flooding is threatening that recovery. Beach The French governments promise to deliver substantial help was not an empty one. 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 Re: Has St Martin French side rebuilt from the The beaches are OK, but if you look at the south side of the dunes and the loss of sand, its pretty amazing.. When is the reconstruction expected to begin? Because most of the damage on Fort Myers Beach came from storm surge, only those with flood insurance received significant insurance payouts. A 15-foot storm surge knocked this house off its foundation on Fort Myers Beach. This location was torn down and built back, brick by brick.. Employees with Uber and Lyft said theyre not getting paid enough, taking high gas prices and inflation into account. A 15-foot storm surge swept away many structures and left few undamaged. When things go wrong, those in power often promise to make it right. Why hasnt any work been done? But real estate agent and longtime resident Kevin Crouse says there are lots of newcomers. Ron DeSantis, and the effort has made its way to schools here in southwest Florida. A few hotels have begun welcoming guests. 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. NBC2 asked when the store will reopen, but we havent heard back. Visitors still have limited options for getting to the sand because so many boardwalks and beach entry points were damaged, and residents in hard-hit Baldwin County are After all, at least seven generations of her family had survived numerous hurricanes on this same patch of land, and she figured this time would be no different. That could be a model for Fort Myers Beach. 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 It's slated to open later this year. Beach 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. On Oct. 19, 2022, three weeks after Ian washed away two major parts of the Causeway, Desantis announced it would reopen to the public. 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. With the help of a developer, he hopes his rebuilt church complex will include workforce housing. Im praying out of nowhere a car pulls up right after I was done praying right where a car pulls up out of nowhere. Fort Myers Beach was particularly hit hard by the 15-foot storm surge. Atterholt is living temporarily in one of those newer homes. "Thanks for coming," he said. HOLLYWOOD, FLA. (WSVN) - Golden Beach Police Sgt. Shawna Wood and her father, Tom Wood, say their hotel has been rebuilt to be able to withstand 140 mph winds. He fractured his foot while picking up the pieces of his life. Golden Beach Police officer recovering after being shot during 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. 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. HOLLYWOOD, FLA. (WSVN) - Golden Beach Police Sgt. There is still lots of construction going on. But for some, it's a chance to get a last look at the island before it changes forever. Tourists on Great Bay Beach in Sint Maarten. Joseph Bautista is on the road to recovery after being shot twice in the arm during a chase in connection to a The damaged bathrooms have been removed. I have called every corporate communications number I could find on the website. What I saw was an island destination that has come a long, long way since Sept. 6, 2017. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Rebuilding Details Historical Timeline "Individual houses (are) coming back tenfold," Wood says. And you can see just driving through town, our town is taller. That was construction workers, residence employees, and things like that. "I pay attention. At 11:52 a.m. on Thursday, a 33-year-old male was hit at the City Pier. These GIFs show what the island looked like right after the hurricane and how it looks now. We are a nonprofit public service, and your support is more critical than ever. 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. Beach 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. These Stunning GIFs Show St. Martin's Miraculous Recovery "I don't think you'll see the skyrises. As with two competitive siblings close in age, just about everything that happens on one side demands comparison with the other. He considers a moment and then says, "I don't know. This sailing boat ended up beached in the cemetery of Marigot near the Bay of Nettle on Sept. 9. But Irma was among the most powerful storms ever to hit the island, and a prime example of how climate change has made hurricanes more destructive. We are going through our standard processes before we open any store to ensure we are prepared to provide all our customers with the best possible experience. Greg Allen/NPR Still, St. Martin is making headway. Jah Bash, a farmer, says the governments recovery effort is a conspiracy to take over the island.. hide caption. How do you think Fort Myers Beach should spend its share of $1.1 billion. WINK News asked the City of Sanibel what the estimated population on the island is, but because of the number of people that live there part-time, its difficult to gauge an accurate number. A pool surrounded by wrecked bungalows in Marigot on Sept. 10 and the same pool filled with sand on Feb. 28. Fort Myers Beach was particularly hit hard by That's no longer the case. "In a way," he says, "the hurricane has forced us tostay in your lane, worry about what you got, take care of your stuff. He may be 80 but the U.S. Navy veteran has a masters and is quite tech-savvy. The right of way removal service for hurricane-related debris in Fort Myers Beach has been extended until further notice. Volunteers load free drywall into trucks and SUVs during a recent giveaway at Beach Baptist Church on Fort Myers Beach. Six months after Hurricane Ian walloped Southwest Florida, the recovery is slow and uneven. SAINT-MARTIN, French West Indies In the debris that had once been furniture and a roof were the vestiges of a holiday home: a cluster of flip-flops, a romance novel, a childs ball floating in a plunge pools fetid waters. But to do that, we're going to have to provide houses for those families to live in. They post testing results online at, . A higher percentage of hotel rooms on the Dutch side, for example, are open again for business. 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. "You can see how the front of the sanctuary was just devastated." Mexico Beach has adopted one of the toughest building codes in Florida. Some places have recovered but there is still very noticeable areas of ruin. It's an on going rebuild. Plane landings at Princess Juliana Aiport come in low over Maho Beach. And seven months later, Sanibel is beginning to look familiar. Beach Well, thats the million-dollar question. For questions about pickups, contact Waste Management at 239-334-1224. It was a Category 5 hurricane, one of the most powerful storms ever to hit the United States. My arrival was just as I remembered from previous visits. We are grateful for our customers and look forward to reopening the Fort Myers location. We were told that it was going to go to Tampa for every day, Tillo said. It should be. I had 15 feet of water and other parts of my property. Keep public media strong anddonatenow. Right now. Despite winds over 150 miles per hour, homeowners here have had a harder time with their windstorm claims. Sunburned tourists waved as my flight zoomed low over the beach. Now is not the best time to come to the beaches of Gulf Shores, he told al.com. 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 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..