11/07/2024
On 1st July, 2024, Hurricane Beryl was the first Category 4 hurricane to ever hit Bequia. And so early - the second named storm of the 2024 season!
It was very scary to those experiencing its winds.😱
The SVG Government and the media provided much advance warning and advice to prepare, but it nevertheless left much damage to properties on our island: destroying some homes, removing many roofs, felling many trees and telegraph poles that held the cables needed for electricity and Internet, wrecking boats and walkways across the sea. Thankfully, A Shade of Blues house and roof was not damaged - a big mahogany tree did break damaging fencing, decking and balustrades on the dancing deck - easily repaired. And yes, for future safety that mahogany tree will - sadly - have to go 😢.
Bequia is a strong community and residents make great efforts to help each other.... Already the electricity has been restored in many areas (yes, at Princess Margaret) and our hospitality businesses are up and running again, albeit some without their roofs and decks 🙃.
Donations of help are being received and distributed to local organisations who already have experience managing the needs of the people who are displaced and suffering from a natural disaster - remember La Soufriere volcano erupted recently, also making many in the country homeless?
Some local Pages that keep folk well informed:
Lite FM: https://www.facebook.com/litefmbequia/
Radio Grenadines: https://www.facebook.com/radiogrenadines
OneNewsSVG: https://www.facebook.com/Onenewssvg
Bequia What's On: https://www.facebook.com/groups/122198531593669
If you love Bequia and are in a position to help the people of these islands that have lost so much, these are two organisations where you can be assured your monies will go directly to those with a need - no salaries, all volunteer based:
Grenadines Initiative: https://grenadinesinitiative.ca/
Action Bequia: https://www.actionbequia.org/
If you are in the UK, Kestral is providing low cost shipping for aid items:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/277315040228829/user/100063817562738/?locale=en_GB
https://fb.watch/tgExY5Ae3g/
The SVG Government are providing import concessions on many essential goods - see the list on the US Consulate poster. Duty concessions for barrels has been extended until December 31:
https://www.stvincenttimes.com/svg-government-duty-free-barrels-hurricane-beryl/
Bequia will recover!
So come visit. The amazing people who live there will appreciate your business to help buy that next material needed to repair and restore their properties. (Insurance is so expensive that very few has any.)
