Hurricane Omar

Nevis’ Coastal Areas Hit Hard By Hurricane Omar

Chevy's Calpso Bar Razed By Hurricane Omar

The Beached Sea Hustler Sits On Chevy’s Bar

Charlestown, Nevis
October 17, 2008

Nevisians returned to work today after having breathed a sigh of relief yesterday, as the island received just a brush from Hurricane Omar. Premier of Nevis Hon. Joseph Parry who also has responsibility for security, announced on October 16, that despite minimal damage, the island’s tourism industry was open for business.

He reported that the Four Seasons Resort had been temporarily closed but all hotels remained intact and their guests were safe.  The Double Deuce Beach and Sand Dollar Beach Restaurants suffered heavy structural damage and Chevy’s Beach Bar on Pinneys was completely demolished.  In addition, the Nevis Air and Seaport Security hut, also at Pinneys, was removed from its foundation by the swells.

Parts of Charlestown suffered damage by heavy swells, wind and overnight rain but the rural areas such as Newcastle, Cotton Ground, Liburd Hill and Gingerland recorded heavy overnight rain but suffered no damage.

There was, however, heavy coastal damage along Gallows Bay, Pinneys Beach and Cades Bay, as well as the main seaport Charlestown Pier.  Some residents of Low Street were evacuated by emergency crews to safety.

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St. Kitts’ Port Zante Withstands Omar’s Wrath

Damaged Pier At Port Zante - St. Kitts

Damaged Pier At Port Zante – St. Kitts – Nevis
Photo By Erasmus Williams

Basseterre, St. Kitts – Nevis
October 17, 2008 (CUOPM)

The recent redesigning of the berthing facility at Port Zante and the revetment of the bulkhead by the Government were factors in securing the tourism infrastructure.

The cruise ship facility at Port Zante was not damaged as a result of the powerful waves that pounded the coastline during the passage of Hurricane Omar on Thursday morning.

The St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas was happy there was no damage to the cruise ship pier.

“There is no doubt the redesigning of the berthing facility and the revetment of the bulkhead, by Government secured this very important infrastructure,” said Dr. Douglas, who is also Minister of Tourism.

He said that continuing high seas have “regrettably” caused the cancellation of the “MV Marco Polo” Cruise Ship which was scheduled to visit Port Zante on Friday.

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St. Kitts – Nevis Recovering After Hurricane Omar

Hurricane Omar Damage In St. Kitts

Hurricane Omar Damage In St. Kitts
Photo By Erasmus Williams

Basseterre, St. Kitts – Nevis
October 17, 2008 (CUOPM)

St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas said initial damage assessment indicates that there has been no loss of life although some of citizens in the Halfway Tree, Verchilds and Old Road communities in St. Kitts had severe damage, some permanently, to their homes and lost their household items.

“Hurricane Omar which passed northwest of St. Kitts and Nevis as a category 3 hurricane, with wind speed in excess of 120 miles per hour in the early hours of Thursday 16 October impacted the western coast line of St. Kitts and Nevis with dangerous sea swells, severe storm surge, large battering waves and torrential rains,” Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas said in a broadcast Thursday night.

Dr. Douglas, who has responsibility for the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), said Hurricane Omar precipitated the evacuation of residents, especially from the coastal areas of Old Road, Verchilds and Halfway Tree in St. Kitts, as well as in the Low Street area of Charlestown in Nevis.

“There has been some flooding and beach damage in the Frigate Bay and South East Peninsula areas, but we are assured that “˜The Strip’, the famous night spot in Frigate Bay is already returning to normal business,” said Prime Minister Douglas.

He said that although a more comprehensive analysis will be done subsequently, the initial damage assessment indicates that there has been no loss of life although some of our citizens in the Halfway Tree Verchilds and Old Road communities in St. Kitts had severe damage, some permanently, to their homes and lost their household items.

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