How I Survived Hurricane Irma Sint Maarten

It was early Monday morning on the 4th of September when we received the news of an expectant Hurricane Irma coming towards our country Sint Maarten. The government did not yet call a state of emergency and I still had plans of going to class that said day. After contemplating about the weather, I was wondering if I should go to class for that day or just stay home and prepare for the hurricane ahead. Lucky enough I received an email from the school board saying all classes will be canceled and we all should be preparing for the hurricane.

A curfew was also in place for the following day on Tuesday. Everyone was given time to prepare for the natural disaster ahead. Hearing the news, I quickly updated my WhatsApp 24hr status and notified my friends.

Makeup collection

Preparing for Hurricane Irma

In preparation for Hurricane Irma, I went to the grocery store to pick up a few snacks, tin food etc., I returned home to complete my laundry just to ensure that I have all clean clothes and towels. After filling the water tanks and recharging all electronic devices I placed all important documents in a ziplock double seal bags and store them in a dry place. Then I removed all my makeup from my vanity and placed them in my caboodle, airtight containers and huge garbage bags. I also placed my blogging materials in huge garbage bags and store them away in a closet.

At this moment, I began to get frustrated. This was my very first Hurricane experience. I started to think I was overreacting but as they say, prevention is better than cure.

During my preparation of Hurricane Irma I had 2 things in mind:

1. Always prepare for the worse
2. Hurricane Irma will not pass through and leave me naked (without my belongings). Even though these things are replaceable I rather know that I had tried saving them rather than not doing anything at all.

Waiting on Hurricane Irma

Approximately 9 pm on Tuesday night on the 5th of September videos started to circulate throughout Facebook and WhatsApp showing the sea level rising. It was making its way past the Boardwalk unto the main road (keep in mind that the hurricane did not cover our island yet).

There was an estimated time of Hurricane Irma passing and the curfew was still in place. The environment was feeling warm and inside the house became extremely hot. While waiting up I became drowsy and fell asleep.

Waking up to the Natural Disaster

Damage to Cost-U-Less roof due to passing of Hurricane Irma

Watching Out Our Windows

During the passing of Hurricane Irma I could hear the loud sound of the wind moving objects at 185 mph. At this present moment, I was walking from door to door checking to see that everything is still intact. At one point, I thought the door was gonna blow in and the house might flood. Hurricane Irma passed during the early morning so I could see clearly what was happening outside. A lot of trees was down, the entire place was a mess and I was terrified. I prayed for it to stop!

What was left of Texaco Gas Station after Hurricane Irma

The After Effect of Hurricane Irma

Hurricane Irma passed through our beloved country of St. Maarten and left numerous of people homeless. Many with roof and windows destroyed, cars damaged, gas station pumps torn down to pieces, supermarkets and other places destroyed, debris blocked the drainage and streets. My home and my makeup withstand Hurricane Irma. Although I had a bit of mopping to do from water that came in. I felt relief as the storm had stop and my makeup was securely stored in a dry area

Car flipped to the side and pinned to the wall due to Hurricane Irma

 

With this natural disaster, we did not experience any flooding in the area that I live. It was pure heavy wind with light-medium showers of rain. The wind was strong! Strong enough to move a 40 ft. container, flip cars to the side and move boats away from the sea.

In Conclusion

I am blessed to be alive and I am happy that I live to experience this moment in my adulthood. Even though it is dangerous and considered to be natural; there was nothing that we could have done to prevent Hurricane Irma. I pray for the families that have been affected and that our country Sint Maarten will rebuild better and stronger than it was before.

How was your experience with Hurricane Irma? How do you prepare for a hurricane?