Natural Disaster Update: How You Can Help

Antigua

Our friends at Curtain Bluff and Jumby Bay are relieved to report that their properties and the rest of Antigua weathered Hurricane Irma better than expected. Curtain Bluff and Jumby Bay have reopened and they want to emphasize that "the best support for the Caribbean is for people to visit."

Unfortunately, Antigua's sister island, Barbuda, did not fare as well and over 95% of the island's buildings were destroyed. Curtain Bluff's non-profit (click here to donate) is funneling money and supplies to Barbuda, and Jumby Bay Resort offers several ways to aid the communities there (click here to donate). They relayed to us, "Barbuda's residents have a strong sense of belonging, and are committed to rebuilding the island. During the days following Hurricane Irma, Jumby Bay sent the first planes with relief supplies and used our guest ferries to assist in the evacuation from Barbuda. It was an amazing effort." 

British Virgin Islands

The BVIs were hit by Hurricane Maria but were spared from severe damage. Necker Island, however, suffered rather extensive destruction in Hurricane Irma, and is currently in the process of cleaning up and rebuilding.

Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic was not hit with the worst of Hurricanes Irma and Maria, and had relatively minor damage. Amanera has reopened, and Eden Roc at Cap Cana, Casa de Campo and Tortuga Bay are open as well.

Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico has been severely impacted by Hurricane Maria, the most damaging storm to hit the island in over 100 years. There was a widespread electrical outage, and currently only 30% of electricity has been restored, "with officials saying it may be several months before [all] Puerto Ricans get electricity back." The team at Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve has reported: "Our staff is fine and safe. Let’s keep on praying #PRSTRONG." The property is currently closed and has not released a re-opening date.

Saint Martin

The island of Saint Martin has been severely damaged. At the time of the storms, La Samanna was closed, so luckily no guests were on property. The hotel is now working on cleaning up and rebuilding and will reopen in April 2018.

St. Barth's

The devastation of St. Barth's was widely covered in the media but our hotel partners there have reported that water and electricity have been fully restored all around the island. Hotels including Le Guanahani and Le Toiny were damaged, but Guanahani plans to reopen summer 2018 and Le Toiny in spring 2018. The staff at Eden Rock is in the process of cleaning up the area surrounding the resort and has postponed its reopening until summer 2018. Similarly, Isle De France plans to reopen summer 2018 as well.

Turks & Caicos

Our partners in the Turks & Caicos are happy to report that water and electricity have been nearly restored to many of the islands, and the cleanup process is going well. Amanyara Resort was fortunate to have experienced minimal damage and reopened on October 20. Parrot Cay was minimally affected and will reopen December 15.  Grace Bay Club has re-opened, though some of the resort's employees' homes were badly affected by the storm. The resort has started a fund for the rebuilding of employees' houses (click here to donate). Grace Bay is providing temporary housing for those affected. They reported, "We are #TCIStrong, and our entire community continues to work tirelessly to restore and rebuild the Turks & Caicos to be better than ever."

Mexico City

Hit by a series of earthquakes, Mexico City suffered the collapse of dozens of buildings and extensive damage to roads. Many citizens have lost their homes and the death toll continues to rise.

The neighborhoods of Roma and Condesa are devastated, and it will take significant time for these areas to rebuild. Fortunately, some hotels, including the Four Seasons, were spared and are currently open.

Mexico City–based Indagare member Courtney Fenimore reports: "I have called Mexico City home for over two years now. I love this city and the way it makes you turn corners and have your breath taken away by its natural beauty. Those streets that have left me in awe are unrecognizable right now from the tragedy we suffered. Words can't describe the terror you feel, and how your life flashes before your eyes. Despite the heartbreak this earthquake caused, it is incredible to see how this community has acted so fast to help. Volunteers, human chains, rescue squads, and neighborhoods have come together to turn this city back into the place we all know and love. I have all of the hope in the world seeing this and I know here in CDMX I will forever be taken care of."

NOTE: As we continue to receive word from those areas affected, we will update this article.