I was getting my first look at the dual-nation island of Dutch St. Maarten and French St. Martin since it was slammed by Hurricane Irma 20 months ago. A huge new resort, Margaritaville, was under construction when Ian hit. Six months after Hurricane Ian hit Southwest Florida, there are many homes that remain untouched. A few hotels have begun welcoming guests. 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. Copyright 2023 Waterman Broadcasting of Florida, LLC. But, while going through his home. Hurricane ", Big changes are underway on Fort Myers Beach. What happens, come what may.". There are many French laws, rulings and court decisions that must be followed before the damaged homes can be removed and rebuilding can commence.". 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. And you can tell the car was under had been underwater. Despite winds over 150 miles per hour, homeowners here have had a harder time with their windstorm claims. A pool surrounded by wrecked bungalows in Marigot on Sept. 10 and the same pool filled with sand on Feb. 28. "I don't think you'll see the skyrises. 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. It was a lot like Charlie, it turned last minute. I watched out my window ground-level homes go totally underwater, Tillo said. 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. 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. Valerie Damaseau, St. Martin's minister of tourism, youth, sports and district culture, told me that "the recovery is a slow process. Sunburned tourists waved as my flight zoomed low over the beach. In the last two weeks, a Publix spokesperson said theyre working on reopening. 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. Just getting dropped off and walking up and down Periwinkle. Then we come back.. Rebuilding Details Historical Timeline 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. Were hoping that this influx of the water into the bay doesnt damage the structure of that bridge, Rios said. It's led to complaints from locals about "disaster tourism" and snarled traffic already slowed by debris removal and construction equipment. Ron DeSantis is supporting legislation aimed at propping up the state's troubled insurance industry. Greg Allen/NPR "And I've talked to two that have had a positive outcome. Published April 24, 2023 at 11:01 AM EDT. Its wonderful all the things youre doing, but talk to us.. The man behind Mattress Mack: salesman, gambler introvert? We are grateful for our customers and look forward to reopening the Fort Myers location. There was about 5,500 cars coming on the island. "This is a chance todo probably 40 years of (development)in what will probably look like four or five years.". The authorities turned a blind eye to the settlement, allowing it to grow, and now thousands of people live along the neighborhoods narrow streets and unpaved lanes. "For 20 months we have worked together to rebuild, retrain and reunite, and we're gaining momentum day by day.". Meteorologists say some On this anniversary, weve taken to the sky again, this time to A husband's dread during an abortion ordeal in Oklahoma. The business community has really dug in and gotten things going quickly, Isaacson said. Orient Beach Update - Nearly Two Years After Irma: Kontiki Beach Boffman told WPMI-TV he has no insurance and his mobile home may not be habitable due to damage. 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. Mostly sunny skies and lower humidity for Monday, Tornado touchdown confirmed in Charlotte County, Law stopping hate acts signed by DeSantis, Fort Myers Beach recovery efforts seven months after Hurricane Ian, Downtown Jewelry & Watch Co. in Fort Myers continues Hurricane Ian recovery, Lee County community standing strong after Hurricane Ians devastation. However, there might be a clue to their plan. We have no idea when exactly theyre opening, said Vice Mayor Atterholt. ", Photo caption correction: Planes come in over Maho Beach, not Great Bay Beach as the caption previously noted., Copyright 2023 Northstar Travel Media, LLC. On Oct. 19, 2022, three weeks after Ian washed away two major parts of the Causeway, Desantis announced it would reopen to the public. "Right now we have 862 rooms available in hotels, timeshares and guesthouses, and 65% of the villa inventory has been renovated," Damaseau said. Mother nature has a way of purifying things and, as painful as 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. FEMA has obligated about $28 billion to help the island recover from this damage. ", At Beach Baptist Church, Doug Miller has been serving a free breakfast and lunch for residents since the day after the hurricane. They pulled up their socks and got on with it, said Lorraine Talmi, board president of the Sint Maarten Hospitality & Trade Association. 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. New Aurora Anguilla serves up a luxurious stay. Its astounding to see, Preece said. The wastewater treatment plant has been affected some, but thats still working, he said. Drivers who encounter them have gotten stuck. It's the seventh year in a row there's been an above average hurricane season. I have been doing that almost since the hurricaneand you cant get any information.