Anguilla was one of the Leeward Islands in the northeastern
Caribbean that took a direct hit from Hurricane Irma, and many resorts
were damaged as well 90% of the electricity infrastructure, according to the
Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency.
Relief supplies and manpower are arriving from the U.K. (Anguilla
is a British overseas territory) to aid in the recovery efforts. For the first
few days, Anguillans had nothing -- no power, water, food, shelter and few
means of communication with the outside world.
Regional carriers now can land at the small Clayton Lloyd
Airport, which is open from sunrise to sunset for emergency and charter
flights. Anguilla Air Services is currently transporting people to the island.
Many resorts are still assessing damage. Here is the current
update:
• Carimar Beach Club.
Cleanup has started and the resort will advise of a future reopening date.
• CeBlue Villas &
Beach Resort. There were no guests when Irma hit. Cleanup and damage repair
have begun.
• Fountain Anguilla.
Building and grounds are intact although some of the units had damage from
debris hitting the windows. The property hopes to reopen for the busy season.
• CuisinArt Golf
Resort & Spa and The Reef by CuisinArt. "It is with great sadness that
we advise our guests and friends that CuisinArt and The Reef were significantly
affected by Hurricane Irma. We are presently assessing the full extent of
damage," said Stephane Zaharia, vice president and general manager. "We are committed to restoring, rebuilding and
reopening. We cannot determine when we will reopen until engineers have
assessed the damage and restoration is underway." The storm coincided with the annual closure period, so there
were no guests on either property.
• Malliouhana, an
Auberge Resort. No major structural damage and it plans to reopen after cleanup.
• Quintessence. This
is a new luxury boutique resort that has now delayed its original Nov. 1
opening date due to damage from Irma.
• Zemi Beach House.
The property had closed to guests in advance of the storm. "The property
held strong during the hurricane, but the timing of reopening is uncertain as
we are still assessing the situation," said Frank Pierce, director of
sales and marketing.
• Neveah (Heaven
spelled backwards) Villa. Management described the villas as being "built
like a fortress and suffered only cosmetic damage. Cleanup of the grounds is
underway."
• Sunset Home
Properties. Spyglass Hill will be ready for reopening on Nov. 1. Little
Butterfly survived intact.
• Bird of Paradise was
designed to withstand 200 mph winds. There was cosmetic damage as well as
damage to two gates and landscaping.
• Sandcastle
Villa, which sustained minor cosmetic damage, will open to guests on Nov.
15. All bookings through www.villasandcastle.com
will include full breakfast, and 10% of the room rate will go to the Red Cross
of Anguilla.
• The Four Season Resort Anguilla is currently not accepting reservations as part of its annual closure through Oct. 19. The reopening date is subject to change as management continues to assess the impact from the storm.
Anguilla's restaurants sustained some heavy wind and rain
damage.
• Blanchards had
moderate damage and Blanchards Beach Shack needs cleanup and some repairs. The
owners expect to reopen as soon as the major resorts reopen.
• daVida Restaurant
& Bayside. The main restaurant is intact, but the canopy on the second
floor was lost. The bar at Bayside is intact, but the dining area has to be
rebuilt.
• Sunshine Shack was
destroyed, but owner Garvey said he will rebuild. Pumphouse and Mango's were
destroyed, Dune Preserve, Elvis' Beach Bar, Dolce Vita and Ripples had severe
damage.
• Jacala, Geraud's
Patisserie and Grands Vins de France survived. John's, Dads and Picante are
standing but require repairs.
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This report was updated Thursday morning.