Past couple of months a monstrous hurricane struck the island of St Maarten/Saint Martin. This event took place early morning the 7th of September 2017 at around 4am. This is my story.........
St Maarten always has been a special island apart from other Caribbean islands. Its very Friendly and there are so many awesome things to do on such a little rock in the middle of the ocean. I used to lived there for 3 years as a bartender meeting new people every day...and some seasons are ridiculously busy.
Cruise ships docked at Philipsburg which was connected to the Boardwalk for a convenient flow of tourists.
Personally my most favorite attraction of them all: Maho beach and Sunset Bar and Restaurant. I could stand here all day enjoying my beer and watch them touchdown and taking off.
The month September is so called the dead season due to its lack of visiting tourists. Its literally a ghost town is some places and its also...... HURRICANE SEASON......
Weeks before the storm SXM (St Maarten) was already on hurricane watch. People knew it was going to be pretty bad but still we haven't experienced anything like this in 22 years. Back in 1995 with Hurricane Louise. So most of us still having hope for it to evade SXM to the north. It was a dream worth dreaming. We secured our house and stuff the night of 6th September... now to wait it out. Irma is coming.
It was around 12 o'clock and I was kinda enjoying it lol. I forgot the fact that winds where accelerating by the minute the closer we got to the eye of the storm. It was around 2 am when the show started and Irma was showing off its true potential. Doors and windows where being sucked inwards and outwards due to pressure difference in and outside. We prepared ourselves to make our way to the bathroom when my beautiful balcony door gave up and snapped in two.
Can you imagine what a vortex of seawater and air rushing through your living room at a speed of 350km per hour sucking all your personal stuff out the windows looks like? I could witness that for a minute or two because I was already dead anyways when my friend pulled me to the bathroom. Thanks buddy.
We didn't had seconds thoughts to drag the washing machine in front of the bathroom door, sit on it and fight with Irma's power. I could never forget the sound and the pressure in my ears. It was like someone with a jackhammer trying to get into your house through the walls. After 2 hours everything went quiet. We thought that the storm was over. No my friend keep dreaming, we are in the Eye Of The Storm....
Moments later neighbours had to seek shelter and my place was pretty secure except for my living room.
We held hand the remaining 2 hours when it finally passed. We had to communicate with each other to find food and water. The whole island was looting everything. So did we......
after getting food and water we found 21 bottles of vodka and 6 whisky bottles on the way. what else to do with no electricity, fresh water and internet for the next month.
Rough seas made it impossible to swim. Even the beach was gone.
Maho hotel and Princess Juliana Airport. It was like Maho was made of cardboard.
We managed to gather enough recourses for a couple of weeks.
What was once green is now gone.
Thanks to the Dutch Marines, The US army and the French Legions for their support to the island.
After clearing the streets.
Miss Wendy still a bit shocked but we supported each other to keep on breathing.
An unlucky car just as many other.
A sight of the lagoon which was always a horizon full of masts and sails.
I personally went on the lagoon to find ships. There where dozens underwater.
After some proper cleaning the island is slowly starting to regain its beauty.