One year after Hurricane Irma, St Martin struggles to recover

Subscribe to France 24 now:
f24.my/youtubeEN
FRANCE 24 live news stream: all the latest news 24/7
f24.my/YTliveEN
On September 5, 2017, Hurricane Irma - the most powerful the Caribbean has ever seen - hit Saint-Martin, the small island France shares with the Netherlands. At least 11 people lost their lives on the French side, 95% of which was damaged. Thousands fled in the coming days and months; many are yet to return. FRANCE 24’s Chris Moore and Julie Dungelhoeff covered the aftermath of Irma and witnessed locals struggling to come to terms with the scale of the destruction. A year on, they returned.
On the seafront in Phillipsburg - the capital of the island’s Dutch side - life is slowly returning to normal, one year after Hurricane Irma. Cruise liners deliver a stream of tourists seeking beachside entertainment and tax-free shopping.
But on the less wealthy French side, where Irma hit hardest, houses remain in ruins and debris litters the landscape.
►► Video: Hurricane Irma sweeps through Saint Martin
“Irma just exposed the reality of what we were already living,” says Jérémy. He’s a youth worker in the impoverished neighbourhood of Sandy Ground, where the hurricane laid bare the island’s social divides. Most people here were uninsured when Irma hit, leaving them reliant on charity and their own resources to rebuild homes and lives. The French state says it wants to see an end to construction in high-risk areas like this, just metres from the sea, and people are anxious for the future.
►► The Debate: "Picking up the pieces, What lessons from Hurricane Irma?"
“It’s the most beautiful spot in the world,” according to Jean-François, as work gets underway on rebuilding his luxury hotel in once-idyllic Grand Case. This isolated island - divided between France and the Netherlands since the 17th century - is almost entirely dependent on tourism. People here know that their livelihoods hinge on getting infrastructure up and running as soon as possible - and they’re angry at the authorities over the slow pace of reconstruction.
“I did receive 50 million for public services, 15 million to repair schools and 6 million for housing... Is it enough? No it's not! But that's what we got,” says Daniel Gibbs. He’s president of the Overseas Collectivity of St Martin, the title the island’s French side has borne since 2007 after voting for more autonomy.
Paris has paid for repairs to roads, schools and telecommunications but says the local government must play its part in other areas. As the officials wrangle, ordinary people are left wondering when life will return to normal.
►► Reporters: "Barbuda, an island paradise wiped out by Hurricane Irma"
www.france24.co...
Visit our website:
www.france24.com
Subscribe to our KZbin channel:
f24.my/youtubeEN
Like us on Facebook:
/ france24.english
Follow us on Twitter:
/ france24_en

[@halderlabarrere5081]

I spent my honeymoon on the french side of SXM. Loved the way the locals treated us, much alike we brazilians treat tourists. Hope you guys rebuild soon. My heart is with you guys on that island. Can't wait to come back! Love from Brazil. =]

[@mipmip5759]

there are riots now :(

[@kashifsalim1]

is it the same place where there is famous airport near the beach?

[@paulybarr]

Yes

[@kristofsdc8955]

Same island, not the same country. The famous airport is on the Dutch side.

[@ameeraallouzi9488]

I was there July 2017..beautiful island, friendly people. Love saint Martin 🌷🌷🌷

[@tanishkashroff1235]

I live over here and it is 2020 about 12 more houses r still being rebuild!!!

[@PatienceMelissa]

I loved going to St. Maarten... I was introduced to it in 2001 and went back several times. So sad to see the destruction caused by Hurricane Irma. Wondering what it is like now - in 2023? Anyone know if the Flamingo was ever rebuilt? ...and how Topper's made out? Would love to hear good news...

[@shereep6332]

The French side is my favorite side with its unique style and beauty. How can I help?

[@jerry85g7]

Best way to help is come for vacation and have a great time.

[@theevilkafka7663]

Merci

[@bradspicks]

Funny funny Sheree P. }}} French side twas in rough shape

[@cheriethomas912]

I was in St martin, in the summer I was on the Dutch side. The French side was hit bad but alot of people left that's what I really noticed the most. Tourism is much lower. I live in Dominica, where Maria hit & they are much slower in getting the island moving, mainly because it is a slower less built up island. Over 20 thousand people left when there's no work force it makes the island much harder to progress.

[@loycjoe9491]

I agree we not at 100 but we are not in ruins, one year later we are still rebuilding stronger better.

[@Cobra3111]

That is great to hear. I live in the British Virgin Islands and we also got hit by hurricane Irma but we are rebuilding and getting better. I hope your country continue to improve

[@magnus466]

Too bad that French Billionaires don’t care as much about helping their fellow Frenchmen on this island recover as they do about rebuilding Notre Dame...

[@th3blackghost214]

It's been 10 years since I left Saint Martin I never knew it was this bad

[@emteiks]

I am not specialist here, but wouldn't it be more wise to create construction buildings that could be prepared/braced for such hurricane events? Perhaps lower, max 1 floor high, with cellars and more sturdy roof builds? Is it even possible?

[@hurstma59]

I’m here in SMX right now...on Dutch side. I haven’t driven over to the French side yet. Have heard there has been some recent “trouble” over there because the people are still angry. Burned out cars on side of road, etc.

[@idek2764]

They really made it worse than it was I sware on everything I lived there

[@lisadaughtry4503]

I'm visiting in June

[@MS-37]

Lisa Daughtry How was it?

[@ron777ish]

Very very sad what hit my island... I say my island as i have stayed on the island more times then i can count now. And added time together would be well over a year... My home away from home.. Many many friends.. I visited in June and was shocked... The Dutch side. on the rebuild...... lots of construction and destruction.. Building toward the future.. The French side looked like it was hit a month earlier.. Very little going on and even very little clean up... If they had started to pick up a stick or two every day since Irma they would have it all cleaned up by now... It's sad because i love the French side, it makes the island unique. I'll be back in the next week or so and look forward to see all that's gone on.....

[@kattail1429]

You have no idea of all the clean up that's been going on by volunteers since 1 year...And no idea of the living conditions of most of us here so please don't judge too quick !

[@ron777ish]

No disrespect at all.. My comment was that the Dutch side has cleaned up and rebuilt much quicker then the French side of the island.. If you must, take a drive around as I did when I was there... I've stayed on the French side and did say that I loved it.. But it is plain to see that the Dutch side are back stronger and quicker.. I'm not judging at all. Just stating facts..

[@Cobra3111]

I remember going to the French side on a French trip for college for an exam from my country. I hope things get better soon

[@romainamelie5960]

Any updates?

[@vanessafoulon6367]

I was there during the storm and I was born there

[@robertevans1486]

She looks like a crackhead

[@tremelllafrance4597]

I was born there to

[@jerry85g7]

LOVE MY SXM🇸🇽🇸🇽🇸🇽

[@sammywhite5504]

We went to Aruba instead for our Honeymoon. From the looks of this video, were still 5 yrs away from possible visiting

[@Aomrms]

The Dutch side is doing better. Come back, that is how the island rebuild.

[@sambenzema1183]

Nah man. I visited August 2018 dutch side was doing okay, and just came back today 8/19/2019 and I can tell you both sides are up and running ESPECIALLY the dutch side. French side still a bit behind but way more advanced 2018. The island is coming back, don't hesitate to go.

[@lrob4444]

The French government dropped the ball for sure. Without the US Air Force and Red Cross the residents would have suffered even longer.

[@cyndeewi]

Forget about France...do what you can do.

[@Steve_in_NJ]

The French are treating St. Martin like us in the United States treating Puerto Rico. The Dutch side of Sint Maarten is doing much better though. Hey France! Don't be like America (I am an American) and ignore your Caribbean territories (US Virgin Islands are not doing much better either). :-(

[@dutchman7623]

The Dutch government does not give the local government loads of money. They try to monitor the projects to prevent money ending up in corruption. The PM of St. Maarten was advised to step down, and he did, to get help for his country. It is a small community, and family links are important.

[@LOWLOWS18]

Is the Dutch side worst ?

[@100-c2d]

No

[@malikhadad32]

The Dutch side is way ahead, still not where we should be.

[@jaydesouza6703]

The Dutch side is more on track still not perfect but no we are not

[@btte854]

Already 20 per cent have moved out of the island and more will leave, and the poorer left on their own in a massive pal of scrap junk`s island called St Martin.

[@ronaldderooij1774]

Are you talking about the French side or the whole Island? It would be sad if the whole Island got a bad reputation. Bad for tourism. As I understand, the Dutch side is recovering nicely. But also that was delayed by political disagreements between The Hague and Phillipsburg where the Dutch wanted watertight guarantees that the money would be spent on recovering, not on corruption.

[@btte854]

French side.

[@ron777ish]

@@ronaldderooij1774 I've been back twice since Irma,.In June for 10 days and again in Sept for two weeks. The Dutch side of the island is back.... Missing the Sonesta's Both Maho close to ready and Great Bay a complete rebuild and the Royal Palms in Simpson Bay.. Reconstruction and new construction everywhere.. The French side is another story... I am sad to say..

[@MPCFlights]

@@ron777ish Maho beach is closed?

[@ron777ish]

@@MPCFlights Not a chance.. Open for business and busy.. lol

[@RajeevKumar-wl6ei]

Wow... This is why we all love colonialism.... their ideology is this: Whambam thank you ma'am!