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Episode Show Notes
Jason Stemple fulfilled his lifelong dream of owning property in the Bahamas on Green Turtle Cay off Abaco, only to experience Hurricane Dorian's catastrophic destruction firsthand. In this raw conversation, Jason describes the surreal devastation—50% of homes on the island simply gone, concrete walls knocked flat, and a piece of plywood driven into the ground so hard it can't be removed. But this isn't just a disaster story. Jason reveals how his property miraculously survived while massive concrete structures 20 feet away were obliterated, what he discovered in the aftermath, and why he's committed to rebuilding the community he loves.
What happened to Green Turtle Cay during Hurricane Dorian?
Hurricane Dorian devastated Green Turtle Cay off Abaco, destroying at least 50% of the homes on the island. Jason Stemple witnessed concrete homes completely destroyed with walls knocked straight over and roofs gone, while a piece of plywood was driven into the ground so hard it became impossible to remove. The storm's power was so extreme that a piece of concrete wall the size of a cinder block was found in his yard.
Who is Jason Stemple?
Jason Stemple is a property owner on Green Turtle Cay in the Bahamas who fulfilled his lifelong dream of owning a place in the islands. He experienced Hurricane Dorian's devastation firsthand and has been actively working to help rebuild the community on Green Turtle Cay following the storm.
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Shop Star brite →Living the Dream in the Bahamas
For Jason Stemple, owning property in the Bahamas wasn't just a retirement fantasy—it was a lifelong dream that he actually made happen on Green Turtle Cay off Abaco. In this conversation, Jason opens up about what drew him to this specific island, how he made the leap from dreaming to owning, and what life was actually like in this Caribbean paradise before everything changed. The path to island ownership isn't what most people imagine, and Jason's story reveals both the romance and the reality of making a place like Green Turtle Cay your second home. Jason's journey to owning property in Green Turtle Cay begins early in the episode.
The Storm That Changed Everything
Hurricane Dorian wasn't just another tropical storm—it was a catastrophic event that fundamentally altered Green Turtle Cay. Jason describes the aftermath with vivid, haunting detail: at least 50% of the homes on the island simply gone, concrete structures obliterated in ways that defy logic, and bizarre evidence of the storm's power scattered everywhere. The image of a piece of plywood driven so deep into the ground that it became permanent—what Jason calls "the sword in the stone"—captures the surreal nature of Dorian's destruction. But here's what makes this story remarkable: Jason's property survived when massive concrete homes just 20 feet away were completely destroyed. The full account of what Jason found after Dorian unfolds in the middle of the conversation.
Hear Jason describe the surreal devastation he witnessed on Green Turtle Cay
Why One House Survived While Others Were Destroyed
The most haunting question after any natural disaster is: why did some structures survive while others didn't? Jason witnessed this mystery firsthand—his property made it through Dorian relatively intact, while a concrete home just 20 feet away was completely demolished, its walls knocked flat and scattered. Tom and Jason explore the factors that might explain this: construction methods, building materials, elevation, positioning relative to wind direction, and pure chance. Jason found a piece of that neighbor's concrete wall in his own yard, the size of a cinder block, proof of the storm's incredible force. The conversation raises uncomfortable questions about what actually protects a structure in a Category 5 hurricane. Jason's analysis of why some buildings survived begins mid-episode.
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SubscribeRebuilding a Community After Catastrophic Loss
After the wind stopped and the water receded, the real work began. Jason didn't just assess his own property damage and leave—he stayed involved in the massive effort to rebuild Green Turtle Cay. This conversation reveals what it actually takes to resurrect a community after 50% of it has been erased. The challenges go far beyond construction: coordinating relief efforts, supporting displaced residents, making decisions about what to rebuild and what to abandon, and maintaining hope when the scope of destruction feels overwhelming. Jason's commitment to the island and its people adds a deeply human dimension to what could have been just another disaster story. The rebuilding efforts and Jason's ongoing involvement are detailed throughout the conversation.
Don't miss this powerful conversation about resilience and community.
A firsthand account of surviving and rebuilding after Hurricane Dorian
Key Takeaways
- Jason Stemple achieved his lifelong dream of owning property in the Bahamas on Green Turtle Cay, only to witness Hurricane Dorian destroy at least 50% of the island's homes
- The storm's destructive power was so extreme that concrete walls were knocked flat and a piece of plywood was driven into the ground so hard it became immovable—Jason calls it "the sword in the stone"
- Jason's property survived relatively intact while a concrete home just 20 feet away was completely demolished, raising profound questions about what actually protects structures in Category 5 hurricanes
- A piece of the neighbor's concrete wall, the size of a cinder block, ended up in Jason's yard—physical evidence of the storm's incredible force
- Jason didn't abandon Green Turtle Cay after Dorian; he remained committed to the community's rebuilding efforts and continues working to restore the island
- This conversation provides a raw, firsthand account of what it's like to experience catastrophic loss in a place you love and choose to rebuild anyway
- The story of Green Turtle Cay after Dorian is about more than physical destruction—it's about the resilience of people who refuse to let their community disappear
Final Thoughts from Tom
When Jason starts describing what he saw after Dorian—the concrete walls knocked flat, that piece of plywood driven into the ground like a sword in stone—you get a sense of just how powerful and terrifying that storm must have been. This isn't a guy exaggerating for effect. He's giving you the raw truth about what a Category 5 hurricane can do to an island community.
What really strikes me about Jason's story is his decision to stay involved with Green Turtle Cay after Dorian. A lot of people would have walked away. He didn't. That commitment to place and community is something I deeply respect. When you love a place—really love it—you don't abandon it when things get hard.
This conversation is worth your time if you care about the Bahamas, if you've ever wondered what it's really like to survive a major hurricane, or if you appreciate stories about people who rebuild when it would be easier to quit. Jason lived through something most of us will never experience, and he's telling the story honestly. Listen to the whole thing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Green Turtle Cay?
Green Turtle Cay is an island in the Bahamas located off Abaco. It's a small Caribbean community that was devastated by Hurricane Dorian, losing at least 50% of its homes in the storm.
How bad was Hurricane Dorian in the Bahamas?
Hurricane Dorian caused catastrophic destruction in the Bahamas, particularly on islands like Green Turtle Cay off Abaco. The storm destroyed at least 50% of homes on some islands, knocked down concrete structures, and created damage so severe that pieces of plywood were driven permanently into the ground from the wind force.
Why did some houses survive Hurricane Dorian while others didn't?
The survival of structures during Hurricane Dorian appeared unpredictable—some properties survived relatively intact while concrete homes just 20 feet away were completely destroyed. Factors may have included construction methods, building materials, positioning, and elevation, though the randomness of the destruction raised difficult questions about what truly protects buildings in Category 5 hurricanes.
What happened to Green Turtle Cay after Hurricane Dorian?
After Hurricane Dorian devastated Green Turtle Cay, the community began a massive rebuilding effort. Property owners like Jason Stemple remained committed to restoring the island, working to support displaced residents and coordinate reconstruction despite the overwhelming scope of destruction.
Who is Jason Stemple?
Jason Stemple is a property owner on Green Turtle Cay in the Bahamas who fulfilled his lifelong dream of owning a place in the islands. He experienced Hurricane Dorian's destruction firsthand and has been actively involved in the community's rebuilding efforts.
Related Episodes
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Stories of resilience and recovery from people who chose to rebuild rather than walk away
What makes the Abaco region of the Bahamas one of the most special fishing destinations in the Caribbean
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Jason Stemple – Property owner on Green Turtle Cay
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About this Guest
Jason Stemple
Jason Stemple is a property owner on Green Turtle Cay in the Bahamas who achieved his lifelong dream of owning a place in the islands. He experienced Hurricane Dorian's catastrophic destruction firsthand when the storm devastated the island, destroying at least 50% of homes and obliterating structures throughout the community. Jason's property survived the storm relatively intact while concrete homes nearby were completely destroyed. Following Hurricane Dorian, Jason remained committed to Green Turtle Cay and has been actively involved in the community's rebuilding efforts, working to restore the island he loves.
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