September 25, 1998:
The island of Saba, which is part of the Netherland Antilles, sustained a direct hit from Hurricane Georges this past week. I know the people of Saba are already rebuilding. They are still open for business, and are hoping to re-open to tourists by October 1st. I do wish them all the best in their efforts to restore their island.
The damage to Saba was severe but, thankfully, there is no loss of life on Saba. I have read reports coming from other islands hit hardest and where there have, unfortunately, been some deaths
(Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Antiqua, St. Eustatius, Nevis,
and others). They each have a story to tell about a terrible devastating hurricane that hit them with little warning of what damage they could expect.
I read one report from a Saba native in SC, who has been in contact with family members still living on Saba. You could hear her pain, as well as her pride, she said:
Wouldn't it be nice if the tv, weather channels, etc. finally acknowledged that we, SABA, are on the map...right between St. Maarten and the Islands of St. Eustatius (Statia), St. Kitts, Nevis, etc. Right in the direct path of this horrible hurricane Georges and they still DID NOT SEE US!!!!
You see Saba is a small island, about 5 square miles, 28 miles south of St. Maarten. There is one main road across the island
which many people walk (it is a lovely way to see the island). From Windwardside (where our family rented a house) to the Bottom (which is the capital) much of the road is built on the side of a mountain. If that road is blocked by mudslides or other debris,
or undermined, there are no detours to take. So far, I have not heard about the condition of the road, and assume it might be open.
Winds on the island as the hurricane hit were measured at 175 mph
before the equipment broke (estimates are that 200 mph winds were possible). None of the villages on Saba were spared: the Bottom, St. Johns, Upper and Lower Hell's Gate, Windwardside, and BoobyHill all sustained damage. The power plant has been damaged and reports are that it may be a month or more before power is restored, although they are working on it and will get it fixed as soon as humanly possible. Generators hum all over the island to give residents some electricity for necessities.
The damage estimates include the fact that 3/4 of all the houses have lost roofs or sustained roof or other damage. (Saba is well known for the lovely red roofed buildings all over the island).
The two schools have been damaged severely, and school supplies were lost. (The school in St. John's was rebuilt after being destroyed by Hurricane Hugo). Two local churches were reported damaged. The police station lost its roof. At the local hospital (a small facility), they first had a fire in their generator, then the roof blew off. Patients were taken to a senior citizen's center, but had to be moved again when that building lost its roof. While the locals are trying to be positive and cooperative, many are in a state of shock and may need help (to say the least!). What a lot to go through. A 72-year old native said that he never saw anything like it!
Several reports talk about cars and trucks that were tossed about or into ravines like they were toys. There were reports of two houses being blown apart, vegetation stripped, mudslides, leaves blown off the remaining trees, as well as trees down.
As I understand it, the building at Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport, lost its roof. The building was scheduled to be rebuilt, so this was already planned. Winair is flying help into the area, and is ready to resume daily air flights. Anyone who had plans to go to Saba ought to consider their plans on hold until they can get a call into the tourist bureau or place where they were to stay. I am sure the Sabans will be glad to work with you to reschedule your vacation, if needed.
There are presently over 200 US Students living on Saba, and attending the Medical University. They are well, and the I am sure the Sabans (population: 1200) are taking good care of them (and hopefully they are able to be a help in the clean-up effort. I was able to get an email from a student in college in Florida, who says he is in contact with his family and they are fine. And Saba will soon be back and offering a bit that island paradise to all visitors. I hope to return again soon, perhaps you will, too. See you there!
Other pictures of Saba (from our family vacation Dec87/Jan88):
For more information on Hurricane Georges on the Islands, go to this web site: The Caribbean Hurricane Page.
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© 1998-2001 WA3Z, John