We arrived at Port Clifton on Union Island three weeks after the catastrophic experience of the landfall of Hurricane Beryl. This island suffered the greatest destruction – more than 98% of housing was destroyed. We were here 9 years ago and it was very sad to see familiar places in such a terrible state. It was Saturday, and many residents were resting after a busy week of cleaning the city, but many were on “strike” – it turned out that the payments they were promised for cleaning the town were not fulfilled. I was pleased with the presence of the World Central Kitchen, which provided free lunch to locals, and the materials needed for restoration arrived by ferry, primarily tarps for covering the roofs (it should be noticed that it is now the rainy season and downpours occur every day). We also met volunteer sailors, primarily the family crew of the SV Flying Fish, who have been here for two weeks helping with water delivery and working in the World Central Kitchen. Kudos to them!
