Post-Irma news

Travel discussion for St. John
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Pickle
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Joined: Tue Aug 08, 2006 12:00 am

Re: Post-Irma news

Post by Pickle »

Anthony, according to Skinny's official FB page:

"There's a lot of mis information floating around on FB - we just got word that Skinny's is still there!! From an eye witness! We have work to do for sure - but we'll be back!!"

I hope this is true... These are uncertain times, understandably. I haven't heard anything about Shipwreck...
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lpowmacback
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Re: Post-Irma news

Post by lpowmacback »

I have not seen one photo out of Coral Bay as of yet- anyone???
Peace,

Lisa
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lpowmacback
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Re: Post-Irma news

Post by lpowmacback »

Here is a link to the only photos I've seen of Coral Bay so far...

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1251859 ... nref=story
Peace,

Lisa
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Coconuts
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Re: Post-Irma news

Post by Coconuts »

Here are some aerial videos of St. John, starting at Gifft Hill (but not showing our villas); the overall impression is really encouraging; destroyed homes appear to be a distinct minority.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydw92CtNB-I
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gh0SlGQJfA8

The following aerial videos are of St. Thomas, but there too, the devastation is far less than expected:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxqaze7n-1A
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMoE6oY9FQA

This is all really great news!

All the best,

Kevin
Puddlejumper
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Joined: Sat Mar 31, 2007 11:17 am
Location: Southport, NC was STJ

Re: Post-Irma news

Post by Puddlejumper »

Take the time to read this lengthy information about relief efforts. https://www.facebook.com/StJohnCommunit ... 7238946749. They are doing a great job along with St John Rescue from what I read and know. They need cash donations.
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liamsaunt
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Re: Post-Irma news

Post by liamsaunt »

The photos from Coral Bay are devastating. The hillsides are stripped. Many homes destroyed. It looks like a tornado went through. Today is the first day that I read about fatalities. I am so sad.

I can tell the forum that our friends Ruth and Ron, Leslie and Steve, and Pia and Les are all safe. Leslie and Steve lost their home. I don't know Pia's home's status. Ruth and Ron's home held up from what I understand. There's no power, no internet and very spotty cell service on the island right now.

I hope our beloved island gets the assistance it desperately needs from the government. In the meantime, consider a donation to St. John Rescue.
It's like looking in your soup and finding a whole different alphabet.
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Ed S
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Re: Post-Irma news

Post by Ed S »

A few additional videos in addition to what Kevin posted earlier today....
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCE0wHA ... Di7uZbEqxQ
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hoosierdaddy
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Re: Post-Irma news

Post by hoosierdaddy »

Just watched the videos and it is depressing. I know that the people of St. John love their island and will rebound but just sad to see that they have to go through the pain and destruction.
Agent99
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Re: Post-Irma news

Post by Agent99 »

This is so difficult to wrap my mind around. I cannot believe what I am seeing and feel like I am in shock and grieving just sitting here in the safe comfort of my home. That there are people on island dealing with the reality of the personal losses first hand is beyond comprehension. I found this photo on line of Shipwreck. I'm sure Pat is not reading but sending her and her crew much love and prayers

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... =3&theater
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shoemak38
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Re: Post-Irma news

Post by shoemak38 »

Coconuts wrote:Here are some aerial videos of St. John, starting at Gifft Hill (but not showing our villas); the overall impression is really encouraging; destroyed homes appear to be a distinct minority.

This is all really great news!

All the best,

Kevin
Kevin try looking for your homes on this one
https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A ... X9YEVx6w2o
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awardb
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Re: Post-Irma news

Post by awardb »

Nope, doesn't show Kevin's homes. I'm sure he wishes it did. Doesn't really show Gifft Hill near the top. Good video, though. Also, for all the complaints, well-deserved, about lack of news coverage about the damage and situation on STJ, Lawrence O'Donnell on MSNBC tonight at least mentioned and showed some footage re: US Virgin Islands need help, have suffered catastrophic damage, and are being overlooked by many Americans. Every little bit helps.
AwardB
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Coconuts
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Re: Post-Irma news

Post by Coconuts »

Rachel Maddow did an extended (16 minute) piece last night on the impact of Irma on the Caribbean. Starting at 4:40 into the segment, Rachael devotes eleven minutes to the USVI, and the havoc that Irma wrought there, including an interview with Governor Mapp. Link here:
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watc ... 4456515526
Be careful, though; extensive use is made of Caribbean Buzz Helicopters video, which is an extremely helpful service, but some of the video is of the BVI, including Virgin Gorda, where the devastation was in places near total.

The first helicopter video link in my post on that topic (above) starts off at the Gifft Hill School, and six seconds in shows in the lower left a small apartment building that is just across the street from Coconuts. Two presumably wood frame structures just past the apartment are destroyed, but as in most of the videos, a substantial majority of homes are intact. The keys to a home surviving appear to be masonry construction, effective shuttering, and well-anchored roofs with sturdy beams, not that we didn't know that before Irma.

Between very limited cell phone service and batteries, and a number of our usual crew being off island, reports on our villas are difficult to come by, low audible quality, and in need of English translation. We do know that the porch at Plumeria and its laundry room roof were ripped away, but think that all of our major roofs held. We are hoping to learn more over the days to come. We have a lot to do informing and trying to accommodate a solid docket of upcoming guests, including honeymooners who still want to come a week from now! Real recovery will take a long time; restoring power alone could take a month or more.

Edit: I just spotted this video of Cruz Bay, which has a lot of cleaning up to do:
http://viconsortium.com/featured/watch- ... icane-irma

All the best,

Kevin
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lisa mcg
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Re: Post-Irma news

Post by lisa mcg »

Thinking of you Kevin, and the good health of your homes:) And thank you for the Rachel Maddow link- wonderful to see, and to hear.
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awardb
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Re: Post-Irma news

Post by awardb »

Yep, right after I posted the note about Lawrence O'Donnell, I saw the Maddow segment. Finally, the word is starting to get out.
AwardB
Begin at the beginning and go on till you come to the end; then stop. - Lewis Carroll
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RickG
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Location: Coral Bay, St. John

Re: Post-Irma news

Post by RickG »

Anthony wrote:Regarding sail boats, as a former USVI resident (and someone who married into a family of avid sailors) there really wasn't much more people could do. If your boat was anywhere, the water was safer than land. Hardcore sailors used to sail south out of the hurricane zone but not everyone can do that obviously.
Kelly Quinn and husband of Singing Dog Sailing sailed their big cat south of St. Croix to avoid Irma. Turned out to be a good decision. I know of one friends' boats that survived in Water Creek inside Hurricane Hole. Multiple high-end charter boats were sunk along with many liveaboards.

Here's a link to Jim Kujawa's photo that shows his boat intact - Image

Our 40' sailboat De Life that was on land in hurricane storage at Independent Boat Yard on St. Thomas was blown of her jack-stands, dismasted and holed. We filed our insurance claim early and have a surveyor assigned. Luckily for me, my co-owners Capt. Jay and Deb are on St. Thomas and can take photos of the damage for the claim, when they are not under curfew. It will be weeks or months before they can get a crane and put the boats back up on stands. Then the repair work will begin for a LOT of boats.

Electricity is starting to come on at St. Thomas and some business can resume.

Looks like some of the second/third/++ hand reports coming out of STJ and STT of widespread looting, crime, robberies, shootings... were inaccurate.

Cheers, RickG
S/V Echoes - Coral Bay - St. John, VI
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