Report From St. Kitts Lesroy W. Williams Observer Reporter
“(St. Kitts) – Hurricane Omar, a Category 3 hurricane, did not hit St. Kitts and Nevis directly in the early morning of Oct. 16, but heavy rains and winds from the system did some damage. On St. Kitts, there was significant infrastructural damage in the area of Old Road; coastal erosion was visible from Old Road Bay to Pump Bay in Sandy Point. Sections of the road network in St. Kitts and Nevis were blocked by debris and became impassable to vehicular traffic. Extensive damage was sustained in the Old Road Bay area in particular. Downed power lines brought about interruptions in electricity both on St. Kitts and Nevis, but power has been fully restored to Nevis. No damage was sustained at the Needsmust Power Plant in St. Kitts. Monday Online Code for Issue # 729 is WHH There were no interruptions in the water supply. The water sources were secured. Telephone services, cable and internet services remained intact. No report of damages to schools. All government schools and colleges re-open Friday, Oct.17. All government offices will be open on Oct. 17 to serve the general public. The Robert Llewellyn Bradshaw Airport and the Vance Amory Airport remained operational with adjustments in flight schedules. Limitations at sea ports due to high seas resulted in cancellation of ferry services and the cancellation of MV Marco Polo Cruise ship scheduled to visit Porte Zante tomorrow. Cruise infrastructure remained intact with no damages. Two inter-island ferries ran aground. Several fishermen’s vessels suffered damages. No reports of significant damages at any of the other hotels and they have re-opened. “I wish to thank all those who worked untiringly throughout the night and early hours of the morning in order to assist in protecting life and property,” Prime Minister Douglas said.” – Report From Nevis By John Denny Observer Reporter
(Nevis) ” On the morning after Omar, the Eastern side of the island was calm and there was very little evidence of the storm that ripped up the western beaches, destroying Chevy’s Calypso Bar, trashing the Four Seasons and breaking loose from anchors the MV Sea Hustler and the Sea Bridge auto ferry. The Sea Hustler beached in front of Sunshine’s Restaurant and as the waters receded was left almost completely out of the water. Brightly painted picnic table parts were strewn all down the road leading to Pinney’s Beach and throngs of Nevisians were wading through the mud-puddled road to get a look at the destruction. All that remained recognizable of Chevy’s was the roof lying on the ground without any walls to hold it up. An industrious rescue operation was underway with volunteers working feverishly to save any surviving booze that might still be trapped under the collapsed structure. Warm bottles of Carib and whole bottles of hard liquor were rescued one after the other” and then consumed with gusto. Everyone was having fun until someone tried to walk away with a brand new bottle of Tanqueray. Mob rules stated that all the drink had to be consumed there. The gin came back and once again, everyone was happy. Word was that Chevy had given his blessing for this quasi-looting incident. Beach huts and broken picnic tables had washed against the front of Sunshine’s new restaurant, but the structure didn’t appear too damaged. “Do you see that flag?” said Sunshine pointing to a tattered oversized Federation flag flying over his establishment. “As long as you see that flag flying, everything’s good. We have some cleaning up to do, but we should be open in a week or less.” Farther north on Pinney’s Beach laid probably the most expensive damage of the storm: Four Seasons. Security would not permit anyone to get very close, but from the sea weed covered beach, curious onlookers could see water had flooded the ball room. Sea weed was about 18 inches deep over what had been highly manicured beachfront the day before. Next to the main building, a golf cart sat half submerged in sea water. Oualie Beach Resort was up and running bright and early for breakfast. The only thing that was very much different was the Sea Bridge car ferry parked in front of the restaurant on the beach. “I guess we’re not going to see that green flash tonight,” said one of the resort patrons. Karen Yearwood, one of the owners of the resort, said she has ‘the best employees.” “Everyone showed up for work first thing this morning ready to go,” she said. “We served breakfast and they are getting lunch together. It’s business as usual” My house keeper even showed up at our house this morning bright and early. I told her we didn’t have electricity or water and she said she would do what she could. Our help really rose to the occasion.” Nevis Premier Joseph Parry was making the rounds yesterday morning assessing the damage. “Charlestown is almost cleaned up and we have gone to work on all the other areas that need attention,” he said. “We know we need to get the sea weed cleared out before it starts to decay. Crews are at work on it. Our infrastructure of power and water was hardly affected at all. This will not take long, but it is going to take some time to clean up. This is not the first time this has happened and it certainly not the worst. We have done this before and we will probably do it again. We will get through this.” – The Office of the Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Patrick Martin, issued the following press release: In the aftermath of the storm, the Ministry of Health asks members of the general public to remain vigilant about their personal safety and that of family and friends, particularly children and the elderly. To reduce the risk of electrocution, avoid downed electrical lines and poles.” Pools of water may have hidden hazards, do not allow children to play or walk through them.” Continue to consume water that is safe.” It is best to boil tap water. There has been extensive rainfall over the past days and weeks increasing the chances for mosquitoes to breed.” Be reminded that the Aedes Egypti mosquito carries Dengue Fever viruses.” This mosquito breeds in water collecting in pots, pans, tyres, coconut shells and other receptacles in and around the house.” Seek out mosquito breeding sites and destory them. Pay attention to information from local authorities.
