Hurricane Gonzalo wreaks havoc in St. Maarten
10/15/2014 - By St Martin Reservation Center
Hurricane Gonzalo barrelled through St. Maarten on Monday evening October 13 with a wave of destruction in its wake. This storm caught the island off guard as it ws initially forcast as a Tropical Storm and and not changed to Category 1 hurricane status until the last minute leaving little time for preparation.
Winds of more than 100 MPH caused damage to much of the flora and tropical gardens on the island. Orient Beach was hit with nearly all of the restaurants and beach bars except Coco Beach having to close temporarily due to damage. The beach is in good shape.
Coco Beach and Wakiki Beach restaurants are open as of oct 16 and Bikini Beach and Kakao will re open on Sunday Oct 19, 2014. Kontiki will reopen in mid November prior to the Thanksgiving Holiday.
Most restaurants in Orient Village are already reopened with all expected to be open by October 24, 2014. A brand new roof was installed on building B at Caribbean Princess prior to the storm and it was demolished by hurricane Gonzales...the roofing materials have been reordered but must arrive by ship and they are hoping for completion before the holiday season.
The Light House Condo had a portion of its glass roof blown off causing a temporary safty hazard and it has been termorarily closed due while the roof is repaired and the glass is removed. There was some damage and flooding to the Sonesta Great Bay in Phillipsburg which we understand is temporarily closed.
The cleanup has already begun with the Government of both sides of the island having already resstored power and clearing main ans secondary roads where there is damage.
Vacation Villa & condo owners have not reported any signicant damage except to grounds and gardens which are being restored and for those who have booked a vacation in St Martin starting in the next few weeks you should not be affected.
If you have a question about a specific property you have reserved with St Martin Reservation Center give us a call at 800 480 8555. We will do our best to get you prompt feed back.
Boats were not spared the wrath of Hurricane Gonzalo which barrelled through St. Maarten on Monday evening, sinking or completely destroying 37 boats.
The number of boats destroyed excludes damaged dinghies and vessels that suffered minor damages. A total of 22 of the completely destroyed or sunk boats were in the Simpson Bay Lagoon; nine in Oyster Pond; three at Bobby's Marina and three in Great Bay, Acting Head of the Coast Guard and Head of Operation Wendell Thode told The Daily Herald on Tuesday.
MARIGOT--Many yachts were seen tossed onto the beaches of Sandy Ground and break waters of Marigot Bay on Tuesday morning in the aftermath of Hurricane Gonzalo in scenes reminiscent of the much more powerful Hurricane Luis aftermath of 1995.
No doubt having a boat at anchor at sea if no safe harbour could be found in time was the worst possible scenario during a storm surge at times cresting to 6 metres in height. Many persons, on land and sea, were simply taken by surprise by the intensity and severity of the storm.
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