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Irma's destruction: island by island Irma's destruction: island by island
(about 3 hours later)
Antigua and BarbudaAntigua and Barbuda
Barbuda, the first island to feel the force of Hurricane Irma was devastated by its high winds, with Gaston Browne, prime minister of Antigua and Barbuda, saying 90% of buildings had been destroyed and 50% of the population of around 1,000 people left homeless.Barbuda, the first island to feel the force of Hurricane Irma was devastated by its high winds, with Gaston Browne, prime minister of Antigua and Barbuda, saying 90% of buildings had been destroyed and 50% of the population of around 1,000 people left homeless.
One person – a two-year-old child – is confirmed to have died in the storm. Michael Joseph, president of the Red Cross in Antigua and Barbuda said: One person – a two-year-old child – is confirmed to have died in the storm. Michael Joseph, president of the Red Cross in Antigua and Barbuda, said:
The devastation is not like we’ve ever seen before – we’re talking about the whole country … of Barbuda being significantly destroyed.The devastation is not like we’ve ever seen before – we’re talking about the whole country … of Barbuda being significantly destroyed.
Critical facilities including roads and communications systems were ravaged, with the recovery effort set to take months or years. Some residents are expected to be evacuated to the larger sister island of Antigua – where damage was less severe – as part of relief efforts and ahead of the prospective arrival of Hurricane Jose this weekend. Critical facilities including roads and communications systems were ravaged, with the recovery effort set to take months or years.
Browne said he would order the evacuation of Barbuda if forecasters predict that Jose will hit the island in the coming days. Authorities have now ordered a mandatory evacuation to the larger island of Antigua as Hurricane Jose, now a category four storm, approaches.
AnguillaAnguilla
One person died in the British overseas territory, said Ronald Jackson, executive director of the Caribbean Disaster and Emergency Management Agency, who added that “police stations, hospitals, school facilities, three or four emergency shelters, a home for the infirm and the aged, as well as the fire station”, along with many homes, had been damaged or destroyed.One person died in the British overseas territory, said Ronald Jackson, executive director of the Caribbean Disaster and Emergency Management Agency, who added that “police stations, hospitals, school facilities, three or four emergency shelters, a home for the infirm and the aged, as well as the fire station”, along with many homes, had been damaged or destroyed.
UK foreign office minister Alan Duncan said: “The initial assessment is that the damage has been severe and in places critical.” The UK foreign office minister, Alan Duncan, said: “The initial assessment is that the damage has been severe and in places critical.”
The tourist board said major resorts on the island had withstood the onslaught. The airport and two ports remain closed.The tourist board said major resorts on the island had withstood the onslaught. The airport and two ports remain closed.
The British government has been accused of a failure to respond speedily to the devastation. On Thursday, it announced an extra £32m in aid and will send hundreds of marines and royal engineers, as well as HMS Ocean, currently deployed in the Mediterranean, which will take 10 to 14 days to reach the area.The British government has been accused of a failure to respond speedily to the devastation. On Thursday, it announced an extra £32m in aid and will send hundreds of marines and royal engineers, as well as HMS Ocean, currently deployed in the Mediterranean, which will take 10 to 14 days to reach the area.
St Kitts & NevisSt Kitts & Nevis
Prime minister Timothy Harris said St Kitts was “spared the full brunt” of Irma, but warned of “significant damage” to property and infrastructure, as well as power failures. The airport reopened on Thursday. A hurricane warning and flash-flooding watch have been discontinued, and residents and visitors given the all-clear. The prime minister, Timothy Harris, said St Kitts was “spared the full brunt” of Irma, but warned of “significant damage” to property and infrastructure, as well as power failures. The airport reopened on Thursday. A hurricane warning and flash-flooding watch have been discontinued, and residents and visitors given the all-clear.
St Martin and St BartsSt Martin and St Barts
Nine people have been killed, seven are missing, and 112 are injured in Saint Martin and Saint Barthélemy. Eleven people have been killed, and more than 100 are injured in the French overseas collectivities of St Martin and St Barthélemy (St Barts).
The French part of St Martin (the southern side, St Maarten, is administered by the Netherlands) was “95% destroyed”, according to Daniel Gibb, a local official, who called it “an enormous catastrophe”:The French part of St Martin (the southern side, St Maarten, is administered by the Netherlands) was “95% destroyed”, according to Daniel Gibb, a local official, who called it “an enormous catastrophe”:
I have sick people to evacuate, I have a population to evacuate because I don’t know where I can shelter them.I have sick people to evacuate, I have a population to evacuate because I don’t know where I can shelter them.
One person has been confirmed dead on Dutch side of the island Sint Maarten. Netherlands prime minister Mark Rutte says there has been “enormous material damage” to the territory, and has sent marines and two aid flights. One person has been confirmed dead on the Dutch side of the island. The Netherlands prime minister, Mark Rutte, said there has been “enormous material damage” to the territory, and has sent marines and two aid flights.
The French president, Emmanuel Macron, earlier said he expected Irma-related damage to St Martin and St Barts would be “considerable”. France’s overseas minister, Annick Girardin, travelled to the Caribbean with emergency teams and supplies. France’s overseas minister, Annick Girardin, travelled to the Caribbean with emergency teams and supplies.
Virgin IslandsVirgin Islands
Four people have been killed in the British Virgin Islands and the National Emergency Operations Centre was destroyed. The Islands Governor Gus Jaspert declared a state of emergency and said he was “heartbroken” by reports of deaths of the islands. Many roads have been blocked and communication is limited, Jaspert said. Four people were reported to have been killed in the British Virgin Islands and the National Emergency Operations Centre was destroyed. The governor, Gus Jaspert, declared a state of emergency and said he was heartbroken by reports of the deaths. Many roads have been blocked and communication is limited, Jaspert said.
Officials have flagged security issues on the islands, warning that instances of looting and robbery had been reported.Officials have flagged security issues on the islands, warning that instances of looting and robbery had been reported.
The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency added that the airport is still operational but the control tower “has been compromised”. The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency added that the airport was still operational but the control tower “has been compromised”.
UK foreign minister Alan Duncan said: “The British Virgin Islands were also not spared the hurricane’s full force. Our initial assessment is of severe damage and we expect that the islands will need extensive humanitarian assistance which we will of course provide.” Alan Duncan said: “The British Virgin Islands were not spared the hurricane’s full force. Our initial assessment is of severe damage and we expect that the islands will need extensive humanitarian assistance, which we will of course provide.”
Sam Branson, son of Virgin businessman Richard Branson – who saw out the storm in a bunker on his private island of Necker – said “a lot of buildings” had been destroyed. Sam Branson, son of Virgin businessman Richard Branson – who saw out the storm in a bunker on his private island of Necker in the BVI – said a lot of buildings had been destroyed.
Four people are confirmed to have died in the US Virgin Islands, with a government spokesman predicting the toll would rise. US president Donald Trump has declared a state of emergency and a major disaster. There were reports of extensive damage to buildings, and of land entirely stripped of vegetation. Four people are confirmed to have died in the US Virgin Islands, with a government spokesman predicting the toll would rise. Donald Trump has declared a state of emergency and a major disaster. There were reports of extensive damage to buildings, and of land entirely stripped of vegetation.
Many roads are inaccessible in the USVI, and schools are reported to be destroyed.Many roads are inaccessible in the USVI, and schools are reported to be destroyed.
Puerto RicoPuerto Rico
Lashing winds and rains have left more than a million people without power and tens of thousands without water. Images from the island showed flash flooding, and hospitals were forced to rely on generators.Lashing winds and rains have left more than a million people without power and tens of thousands without water. Images from the island showed flash flooding, and hospitals were forced to rely on generators.
Three people – two women and a man – have been confirmed dead, and rescuers are searching for the missing. Waves of up to 30 feet (9 metres) were reported. Several thousand people remain in emergency shelters.Three people – two women and a man – have been confirmed dead, and rescuers are searching for the missing. Waves of up to 30 feet (9 metres) were reported. Several thousand people remain in emergency shelters.
Governor Ricardo Rosselló has also declared a disaster in the tiny islands of Culebra and Vieques, to Puerto Rico’s east, which were hard-hit by the storm. So far there has been little information from the islands.Governor Ricardo Rosselló has also declared a disaster in the tiny islands of Culebra and Vieques, to Puerto Rico’s east, which were hard-hit by the storm. So far there has been little information from the islands.
Irma is the worst hurricane to hit the island since 1928, when Hurricane San Felipe killed more than 2,700 people across Puerto Rico, Guadeloupe and Florida.
Dominican RepublicDominican Republic
Pictures from the Dominican Republic – where Irma passed to the north – show widespread damage: flattened buildings, downed trees and power lines. The coastal resorts of Cabarete and Sosua were reported to have seen storm surges, and more than 5,000 people were evacuated across the country.Pictures from the Dominican Republic – where Irma passed to the north – show widespread damage: flattened buildings, downed trees and power lines. The coastal resorts of Cabarete and Sosua were reported to have seen storm surges, and more than 5,000 people were evacuated across the country.
On Thursday, Juan Manuel Mendez, director of the centre of emergency operations, said people there should “not let down their guard … the worst isn’t over”.On Thursday, Juan Manuel Mendez, director of the centre of emergency operations, said people there should “not let down their guard … the worst isn’t over”.
HaitiHaiti
Irma continued its path across the north of Hispaniola – the island shared by the Dominican Republic and Haiti – taking down a key bridge between the two. Heavy rains thrashed the north coast and several areas lost power.Irma continued its path across the north of Hispaniola – the island shared by the Dominican Republic and Haiti – taking down a key bridge between the two. Heavy rains thrashed the north coast and several areas lost power.
Two people were reportedly injured in the northern port town of Cap-Haïtien when a tree crashed into their home.Two people were reportedly injured in the northern port town of Cap-Haïtien when a tree crashed into their home.
Officials had admitted they were not prepared for the onslaught and no mandatory evacuation orders were in place ahead of Irma’s approach. But reports from Cap-Haïtien so far suggest Haiti has been spared the worst effects of the category 5.Officials had admitted they were not prepared for the onslaught and no mandatory evacuation orders were in place ahead of Irma’s approach. But reports from Cap-Haïtien so far suggest Haiti has been spared the worst effects of the category 5.
Turks and CaicosTurks and Caicos
Irma was “pummelling” the British overseas territory on Thursday evening, the US National Hurricane Center said, with winds of 175mph (280kmh).Irma was “pummelling” the British overseas territory on Thursday evening, the US National Hurricane Center said, with winds of 175mph (280kmh).
Governor John Freeman said some people had been moved to shelters ahead of the hurricane’s arrival, but warned others to:Governor John Freeman said some people had been moved to shelters ahead of the hurricane’s arrival, but warned others to:
Hunker down, stay where you are … Nobody can get to you either – people are, for a little while, on their own.Hunker down, stay where you are … Nobody can get to you either – people are, for a little while, on their own.
Electricity supplies had failed on Grand Turk, which meant water production was also out, Freeman said.Electricity supplies had failed on Grand Turk, which meant water production was also out, Freeman said.
Director of tourism in the Turks and Caicos, Ramon Andrews, is reported as saying there has been no loss of life on the territory. He added that all visitors are safe and accounted for. Bahamas The director of tourism in the Turks and Caicos, Ramon Andrews, is reported as saying there has been no loss of life on the territory. He added that all visitors are safe and accounted for.
Bahamas
Overnight on Thursday, the eye of the storm moved on to the southern Bahamas, passing just north of Great Inagua island. The US National Hurricane Center warned that storm surges could lift water levels in south-eastern and central Bahamas by 15-20ft (4.5-6m) above normal levels.Overnight on Thursday, the eye of the storm moved on to the southern Bahamas, passing just north of Great Inagua island. The US National Hurricane Center warned that storm surges could lift water levels in south-eastern and central Bahamas by 15-20ft (4.5-6m) above normal levels.
The Bahamas prime minister, Hubert Minnis, said his government had evacuated people from six islands in the south to the capital, Nassau, in the largest storm evacuation in the country’s history. Airports have been closed.The Bahamas prime minister, Hubert Minnis, said his government had evacuated people from six islands in the south to the capital, Nassau, in the largest storm evacuation in the country’s history. Airports have been closed.
As the capital ,Nassau is in south of the archipelago, officials have warned that there could be delays in disaster relief while some government agencies are cut off from communications. Officials have warned that there could be delays in disaster relief, while some government agencies are cut off from communications.
Where next? Cuba
A hurricane warning is in place in Cuba, where tourists are being evacuated and residents of coastal towns told to move inland.A hurricane warning is in place in Cuba, where tourists are being evacuated and residents of coastal towns told to move inland.
As the storm hit the warmer waters off Cuba, wind speeds increased to 155mph, according to a 2pm advisory by the US National Weather Service.As the storm hit the warmer waters off Cuba, wind speeds increased to 155mph, according to a 2pm advisory by the US National Weather Service.
On Friday afternoon, as the island prepared for the onslaught, life ground to a halt with schools and businesses shuttered up. All travel and transport on the island is currently grounded. On Friday afternoon, as the island prepared for the onslaught, life ground to a halt with schools and businesses shuttered. All travel and transport on the island is suspended.
Irma is forecast to hit Florida at some point this weekend and mandatory evacuation orders have already been issued for Florida Keys and swaths of southern and coastal Florida. All hospitals in the Florida Keys archipelago will close at 7am Friday, and coast guard and rescue services have left. Florida
Residents fleeing the storm were caught in huge tailbacks on northbound highways out of the state. Irma is forecast to hit Florida on Saturday or Sunday, and mandatory evacuation orders have been issued for Florida Keys and swaths of southern and coastal Florida. All hospitals in the Florida Keys archipelago closed at 7am Friday, and coast guard and rescue services have left.
There were reports of drivers waiting for hours at petrol stations ahead of the exodus. Residents fleeing the storm were caught in huge tailbacks on northbound highways out of the state. There were reports of drivers waiting for hours at petrol stations.
The storm could create one of the largest mass evacuations in US history as three of the counties being evacuated in the state have a combined population of about 6 million people.The storm could create one of the largest mass evacuations in US history as three of the counties being evacuated in the state have a combined population of about 6 million people.
Residents have been told to flee north as Hurricane Irma is bigger than the entire state, meaning even those on the Gulf Coast will not be spared.Residents have been told to flee north as Hurricane Irma is bigger than the entire state, meaning even those on the Gulf Coast will not be spared.
Additional reporting by Ruth McKee