Bonaire E-News Special Feature results from Lenny

Bonaire E-News - December 8, 1999 Issue
Before, during and after the Big Waves


To best show the impact of Lenny here some views of the beach pavilion at our house before the waves. (These photos were taken in October of 1998) It measured approximately 20x20 feet. There was a nice concrete pathway from the stairs and a fresh water shower between the palm tree and the pavilion. Above the iron shore, a bit of sand covered the area with little bits of coral rubble. The pavilion is located just south of the Small Wall dive site, 4 houses south of the Black Durgon Inn in Hato.

Flooding began at approximately 10am on Tuesday, November 16, 1999. We had noticed very loud waves and they kept growing larger and louder. The concrete walkway was picked up by a wave and broken in half against the trunk of the adjacent palm tree, crushing the shower under it. After an hour and a half of pounding, the sand finally washed out from under the pavillion floor and the sea pushed up the floor, breaking it apart. Miraculously the roof never wavered although all bets were off at that point. The worst of the wave action was supposed to end between 12 noon and 2 pm. By nightfall the waves although still high and strong were now leaving behind coral rubble in ever increasing amounts. By the next day, 2 to 3 feet of rubble had accumulated from the sloped sea wall to past the original shore line. Over the next several days, a small sand beach slowly formed near the water's edge. We joked we had the only sand beach in Hato..

Now for more pictures during the waves and some of the damage afterwards
plus some views as things return to normal.