Hurricane Irma was the biggest, heaviest, worst hurricane recorded in human history. St Barths was right into the center of this monster, for long hours. Needless to say, the houses, hotels, infrastructure have been hit. Yet, if you have been to St Barths, you know that the locals are one of a kind: Self-reliant, hard-working and united. In less than a week, without outside help, they had reopened the airport, the commercial port, the power plant and the water plant. Incredibly, a lot of villa rental agencies, restaurants, bars, and shops say that they will be ready by October 30.
How? Let’s see how St Barths locals are rebuilding the island.
The first days: Reopening the infrastrucures, to enable relief efforts
On my SaintBarth.com Instagram account, I tried to document this incredible demonstration of self-reliance. With only 9,000 inhabitants, the island of Saint Barthélemy has always been a tight-knit community.
Nowadays, there are 4 big groups that make the island: The descendants of French emigrants who arrived 400 years ago (“les Saint Barths”), the recent French emigrants (“les Métros”), the Portuguese who came during the construction boom and the seasonal workers.
When the hurricane hit, it was off season. Despite the differences, everyone became “St Barth”: Cutting trees, cleaning up the island, calmly preparing bags of food at the supermarket, opening their houses to others …. quite incredible ..
The St Barths have not been able to rely much on mainland France over the centuries. True, there is a strong link, but let’s not forget that the French sold the island and its inhabitants to Sweden for 80 years. The island is also fiscally autonomous and President Magras was clear that he would not be begging for money to the Mainland, as he felt that St Barths had to own the consequence of its tax status.
In a matter of days, locals took over construction machines and chased sand and water from the airport strip, reopened the commercial port and restarted the power and the water plants. Cell phone network came back in Gustavia. Most of the island was not covered, far, far from it, yet but Gustavia was up and running and could serve as a relief center for the rest of the island.
The airport was turned into a Disaster Center, coordinating efforts to evacuate families with babies, welcoming power generators, and even welcoming French President Emmanuel Macron.
No major looting in St Barths, even if the doors to 2 supermarkets had been forced in the first hours of after the hurricane.
Second phase: Being #StBarthStrong, new hurricanes, self-reliance and unity
Pretty soon, 2 hurricanes came to threaten St Barths again: José and then Maria. José finally never hit the shores and people celebrated. A brass band even played spontaneously in the streets, between Le Select and Le Bar de l’Oubli which had just reopened.
Hurricane Maria was more dangerous: A lot of wind and rain, but also the danger of broken stuff flying around the island and hitting people. Yet again, locals had to be confined to their homes for more 30 hours. Yet another tiring time for them.
Once this had been passed, people focused once more on helping each other: One teacher held class in his own home while the school was being cleaned by parents, groups of friends joined to cut trees, collect and burn litter.
The effort right now is on cleaning up the island: Tiles, glass, litter, all kinds of things have flown around the island. They can be dangerous now and in the future. Before nature grows back, it is important to gather and burn them.
ime=”2017-09-11T18:23:34+00:00″>11 Sept. 2017 Ã 11h23 PDT
What does the season look like in St Barths after hurricane Irma?
Now that the airport has been reopened to commercial flights, the local authorities are focusing on reopening the island for October 30. Why?
- Traditionally, St Barths is off-season until October 15, so this is only 2 weeks later then usual
- The first cruise ship has confirmed that it will be stopping by the island on October 30
- October 30 is also the day that the St Martin (SXM) should be reopening to commercial flights
The basic infrastructures are up and running, in most but not all of the island, as I am writing this:
- Electricity is back in 85% of the homes, shops and villas (in less than 4 weeks!)
- Potable water is about the same
- Internet / wifi is here on about 25% of the island
- Most supermarkets are open, no food shortage (some badly hit places like Marché U Lorient will have to wait)
- Boulangeries are making bread
Villa rental agencies are also gearing up to welcome guests by October 30, as confirmed by Ici & La Eden Rock Villa Rentals, Sibarth and St Barth Properties. Not every villa will be ready, but quite a few will.
Hotels have been hit and the Eden Rock, Cheval Blanc and others will not reopen before Summer 2018. Places like the Nikki Beach bar have been ravaged by the water. Yet my infamous Pointe Milou neighbor, restaurant cum cabaret Le Ti St Barth has only minor damage, from what I have seen.
Le Select, Le Bar de l’Oubli and many other favorites have already reopened. Personal favorite restaurant Le Tamarin is working hard to reopen for the season.
Same for my own villas, BelAmour and Domingue.
Will it be perfect for Christmas 2017? No? Will be amazing, with locals and visitors have to see each other, falling into each other’s arms and simply enjoying the island more than ever? You bet!
