Peter,
I live on Bonaire and can concur with the rest of the posts. Some damage was done, but nothing devistating. Please see the official and accurate release below:
Status Report (2) on Reefs from the Bonaire National Marine Park, October 22, 2008:
About 3:00 AM on October 14, 2008, the effects of TS Omar began to reach Bonaire and lasted approximately 48 hours. Wind speeds averaged 18 to 20 knots from the southwest; the minimum distance between the center of the storm (to Bonaires northwest) and Bonaire was 200 kilometers (125 miles) and the maximum wind speed at the closest point was approximately 32 to 33 knots.
On the afternoon of Thursday, 16 October, 2008, Bonaire National Marine Park staff, interns, and volunteers began underwater surveys to ascertain the status of the reefs surrounding Bonaire; these surveys continued throughout Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. In all, a total of 31 sites were surveyed. On Bonaires leeward (west) coast, 24 sites from Karpata in the north to Vista Blue in the south were included, and seven sites around Klein Bonaire were also surveyed.
The methodology used for these surveys was the quick survey method which is based on visual estimations of 1) the percentage of silt coverage, 2) the percentage of capsized coral heads, and 3) the counting of capsized coral heads in three different classes of size. The method employed a ten-minute swim at each depth of 30 meters (98 feet), 20 meters (65 feet), 10 meters (33 feet), and shallower than 10 meters (33 feet). Results were recorded on a specially-designed underwater spreadsheet.
Most observations indicate that in all sites surveyed, 75% of areas deeper than 15 to 20 meters (50 to 65 feet) were covered with silt. However, surveyors report little to no mechanical damage in these deeper areas of the reef.
In the shallows, approximately 0 to 15 meters (0 to 50 feet), most of the observations report less than 25% siltation on corals or sponges, and many reports indicating no silt covering of the reef in the shallows. Furthermore, surveyors report less than 50% of the coral damage in the shallow waters, with many observations in the 0% to 25% range. The size classification most affected are corals between 30 and 100 cm (12 to 40 inches) with a significant number larger than 100 cm (40 inches) capsized in the central and northern part of the island.
Between the rocky shoreline and the drop-off, sand has been completely removed by the waves in areas which were traditionally sandy, thus exposing a mesh of coral rubble that has cemented together over time. This rubble, although visually disturbing, is not a consequence of TS Omar. A large number of coral recruits (juvenile corals) began growing on this substrate after previous storms Lenny and Ivan. A high percentage of these juvenile corals have survived and are still attached to the substrate.
As previously reported, restoration efforts continue with BNMP staff, volunteers, and dive facility staff righting any capsized coral heads. These corals are still alive and can recover. The next step will be to remove debris from the reef, as this can pose a high risk of further damage should the island experience another wind reversal before the debris is removed.
All in all, when taking into consideration the wind speed and orientation along with the duration of the storm, the damage produced by TS Omar was far less than first predicted. However, the reefs surrounding Bonaire have suffered significant damage while already in a stressed situation, as a significant part of the adult coral population, especially in shallow waters, were lost.
Caribbean reefs have been exposed to tropical weather systems for millions of years, and the storms are an important force in coral reef evolution. All scientific evidence shows that these meteorological events, combined with bleaching events, will become more frequent and strong with global climate change. Due to this, the most important actions that can be done to ensure long-term sustainability of Bonaires reefs are to manage water quality and minimize damage by herbivores.
