sb2313
TUG Member
Wow. They will not be reopening anytime soon.
Inside story on the Marriott evacuation of 620 guests on St Thomas USVI.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/micahs...s-stranded-by-irma-on-st-thomas/#1f3f52e1654a
Just received a call from Martiott surfwatch, HH . Trying to set up a presentation. They said they are having done check/ins this Friday, and the other HH properties are reopening this Saturday.
Marriott Frenchman's Cove/Reef/Morningstar on recent flyover...
You can see a sailboat crashed on the Cove beach.
Just FYI now that opening dates have been announced for Grande Ocean, Surfwatch, and Heritage Club...for anyone planning to drive to Hilton Head over the next few days, you should keep track of traffic on whatever traffic/maps app you use and plan your drive accordingly. Right now all of the traffic heading back to Florida has southbound I-95 showing as "orange" or "red" on Google Maps from I-26 all the way to the Georgia line (86 miles). Traffic also appears stop and go on I-26 between I-77 and I-95 (about 50 miles or so). Hopefully by Saturday things will thin out some as people get back to their homes in Florida. It was equally bad yesterday afternoon when I checked, although this morning at around 9 or 10 am it was only slow in a few spots. Not sure how much gasoline is being depleted along I-95, but planning your fuel stops to avoid the busiest areas could be important.
I think that is just the perspective from a satellite shot. If it were, you would see some destruction to the ocean side building that is perpendicular to the gulf. There is no damage there.Based on the picture, it appears that the beachfront building at Marco Island is falling over. Am I seeing this correctly? This would be a major catastrophe since those villas are the prime units on the property. This building is much older and was formerly a Radisson Hotel, so perhaps the construction standards weren't strong enough to withstand hurricanes. This is a real shame and I feel sorry for owners and employees. This is a very well run property and was looking forward to their significant expansion and upgrade. I hope the leaning building is just an 'illusion'.
Based on the picture, it appears that the beachfront building at Marco Island is falling over. Am I seeing this correctly? This would be a major catastrophe since those villas are the prime units on the property. This building is much older and was formerly a Radisson Hotel, so perhaps the construction standards weren't strong enough to withstand hurricanes. This is a real shame and I feel sorry for owners and employees. This is a very well run property and was looking forward to their significant expansion and upgrade. I hope the leaning building is just an 'illusion'.
It's so hard to tell from the picture, but other than the boat on the beach, The Cove appears to have weathered the storm fairly well. Anyone have any better information? I've been scouring the interwebs for pictures, but I'm just not seeing anything posted.
I haven't seen as many photos from St Thomas, but St Thomas is pretty much stripped of vegetation. There are no green leaves on anything. The color of the water is more probably just dirt and foliage that has been blown in. It will all have to be cleaned and will probably take weeks. The trees will be replaced or will grow back over time, but the island won't look the same for several years.Errr... Hmm.. Take a closer look at the tree's and landscape. All of the vegetation has been stripped of foliage and leaves.
Also look at the color of the water in what used to be the swimming pools. Would you swim in a green algae pool at a luxury resort? I don't think so. Maybe the buildings held up. But there is most definitely damage.
I had read about that on Saint Martin/Sint Maarten. Not sure that the USVI has had as big of an issue, though thefts and looting had been reported on St John. The problem is that no one was looking. The local police force was not prepared and overwhelmed. Unfortunately people in desperate situations can do the unspeakable, especially in places like Saint Martin where there was a total loss of government infrastructure, no food, no water and no electricity. It left people with no hope. I don't condone any of these actions, but I also I don't ever want to be in their shoes in the same fight for survival.This may have been mentioned already. I am watching and hearing on the cable news that there are many reports of looting, gangs with machete's, hold ups. Very disappointed in the actions of the local citizens of these islands. Is this what they are really made of? Is this how they behave when nobody is looking. Not sure I will be patronizing these places due to their hidden agenda.
This may have been mentioned already. I am watching and hearing on the cable news that there are many reports of looting, gangs with machete's, hold ups. Very disappointed in the actions of the local citizens of these islands. Is this what they are really made of? Is this how they behave when nobody is looking. Not sure I will be patronizing these places due to their hidden agenda.
Agreed dioxide45...in a much less severe situation here in usually calm and civil Connecticut a few years back when a major snowstorm caused major extended power outages across the state for a week or more in some areas, when a few gas stations here and there had their power restored and the long lines started where people were waiting hours to get gas for their home generators, etc....fights broke out, knifings, etc, etc. all over getting gas. Portable home generators were being stolen right from peoples yards while in operation. And that was just from being out of power for a week. No major damage to homes and no lack of food like these folks are experiencing.Unfortunately people in desperate situations can do the unspeakable, especially in places like Saint Martin where there was a total loss of government infrastructure, no food, no water and no electricity. It left people with no hope. I don't condone any of these actions, but I also I don't ever want to be in their shoes in the same fight for survival.
There is a very thin line between control and chaos in situations like this, and there is little difference in how some people react whether on an island in the Caribbean or in little old Connecticut, USA.