Coral reefs protect Orient Bay. The island environmental organizations note the devastation of coral by Irma, but not specifically at Orient Bay. Any report? ...Jim
The reefs will still be there. The topmost growth will have been affected, but that's now what protects the shore, it's the rocky remains of the long dead organisms underneath. The bay will still be protected.
Sadly it takes years for coral colonies to grow, so it will be a long time before the reefs are really lively again.