Eight Villagers have been rescued from Hurricane Irma’s devastating strike on Sint Maarten.
The Villagers had previously traveled as a group to a resort on the Dutch side of the Caribbean Island. The four couples were at the resort when Irma struck the island with fury this past week.
A tattered American flag was recovered by the Villagers from debris near the Bel Air Beach Hotel/Resort at Little Bay, Sint Maarten, after the Category 5 hurricane. The Villagers were huddled together with the flag and 34 other Americans as the resort endured average wind speeds of 185 mph with gusts well over 200 mph from the most powerful Atlantic storm in recorded history.
The rescued Villagers are Mel and Ruby Clark of the Village of Liberty Park; Everett and Arlene Lowery of the Village of Duval; Ken and Carolyn Smith of the Village of Duval; and Rob and Linda Garverick of the Village of St. James.
Reports indicated that 70 percent of the infrastructure on the Dutch part of the island had been destroyed. At least two deaths were reported.
The Americans were evacuated from the island to safety in San Juan, Puerto Rico by a joint military operation that included the 103rd New York Air National Guard, Air Force para-rescue, troops from the Navy, Army, Marines and Homeland Security.
According to the Puerto Rico Air National Guard, 1,028 American citizens were evacuated on 11 flights Saturday.
“The people of Puerto Rico welcomed us with open arms and extra supplies,” said Rob Garverick. “The people have been wonderful.”
The group also had high praise for the Red Cross.
“They were a significant presence upon arrival in San Juan and provided us food and toiletries,” he said.
As of Sunday morning, the Villagers were comfortably resting at “a very nice hotel” in Puerto Rico.
“We are paying for it but they are giving us a huge discount,” Gaverick said.
They hope to make their way back to Orlando International Airport when the weather clears.
For the moment, they are full of gratitude.
“May God Bless the U.S.A. for coming to our rescue,” Gaverick said.
