HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — West Virginia native and author Homer Hickam said the devastation to his home on St. John in the Virgin Islands is as bad as you would expect after a category five hurricane.
“I guess God though I needed something to do for the rest of my life,” said Hickam during a Monday appearance on MetroNews Talkline. “I was trying to write a book, but I’m going to have to do that and rebuild down there.”
Hickam spoke to MetroNews from his home in Alabama after returning from a week in St. John where he managed to at least get what’s left of his home back into some shape. He was able to make a few repairs and get water service back on. He also spent time clearing out debris from the driveway and just making the home accessible.
“Almost every leaf was blown off every tree and on our end of the island every tree and telephone pole and everything else was knocked down,” he explained. “We had to spend a day just clearing debris from the driveway to get up to our house.”
He lived with some friends during his week on the island and noted the spirit on St. John is strong. Neighbors are helping neighbors and the slow return to normal is underway.
“I know there have been a lot of complaints out of Puerto Rico that nobody is helping,” said Hickam. “But in St. John, people are helping each other. That’s what you have to do rather than complain and depend on the government to come in and save you.”
Hickam’s home lost the roof and the third story was severely damaged in the midst of Hurricane Irma. The exposed home then took major rain from Hurricane Maria only days afterward and since that time, other storms have only added to the misery. Hickam said in fact the rain continues to fall today and hamper the recovery efforts.
Hickam was fortunate to have some insurance and said although it won’t replace the damage, it will be a start. He said he’s luckier than some and plans to allow somebody to come in and live in his home which is what most people on the island are doing with few other options for housing.
“It’s to my advantage to get somebody in there to open and close the doors because mildew and mold are starting to attack everything.” he said.
The recovery is going to be slow, but Hickam is confident the island he loves so much will eventually make a complete recovery.