Mixed emotions as Caribbean islands encounter Hurricane Irma

Last updated: September 6, 2017 at 22:38 pm

Caribbean islands are battling the effects of Hurricane Irma as the most powerful Atlantic hurricane EVER hurtles through the region.

The eye of the storm first swept through Barbuda just before 2am local time this morning, also sending strong winds to sister island Antigua.

Prime Minister Gaston Browne, described how lucky the nation was in a statement this morning.

“We in Antigua have weathered the most powerful hurricane ever to storm its way through the Caribbean,” he said.

“And we have done so with stunning results. The forecast was that Antigua would be devastated, our infrastructure demolished, people killed and our economy destroyed.

“In the light of day, the picture is very different. In Antigua, no life has been lost – all the people survived.”

Communication to Barbuda was lost soon after winds of 155mph (250mph) hit – this was the last recording before equipment failed.

Although the picture isn’t entirely clear, Browne said “preliminary reports indicate damage to rooves [sic] and to some buildings, but I have had no report of any fatalities.”

The prime minister will visit the island soon.

‘Major damage’ to French islands

Antigua and Barbuda, along with St Kitts, Nevis and Montserrat, no longer have hurricane warnings in effect.

Soon after passing over Barbuda, Hurricane Irma headed towards Martin and St Barthelemy (St Barts).

The storm has wreaked havoc on the French-speaking islands, causing flooding in low-lying areas and even the “most solid” buildings were destroyed.

“[Even] more rustic structures have probably been completely or partially destroyed,” said French interior minister Gerard Collomb.

St Barts was experiencing winds of up to 151mph (244kmph) when Hurricane Irma approached but that monitoring equipment has now been destroyed.

Both islands are currently without electricity.

Hurricane Irma is currently around 65 miles (110km) east-southeast of St Thomas, one of the US Virgin Islands. The disturbance is travelling west-northwest at a speed of 16mph (26kmph).

In Anguilla, the roof of a hospital has collapsed.

[caption id="attachment_5374" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Hospital in Anguilla.[/caption]

Federation ‘escaped the worst’

St Kitts and Nevis was another nation expecting to be devastated by Hurricane Irma but reports from the dual-island state indicate it has escaped the worst.

Despite the hurricane warning being removed, a flash flood watch remains. The National Emergency Management Agency told WIC News that a ‘rapid assessment team’ was deployed at 11am local time to inspect the road network.

“The all clear is not given at this time for the general public,” NEMA said.

St Kitts’ Robert L Bradshaw International Airport remains closed, as are the island’s cruise ports.

Dominica, which had its tropical storm warning lifted yesterday, appears to unscathed.

WIC News reporter Emmerson Anthony, speaking to our UK office from just outside the capital Roseau, said “there’s absolutely nothing that looks off” in Dominica.

But showers throughout the day could mean flash flooding and landslides, he added.

All schools in Dominica are currently closed, as is Douglas-Charles airport – although that is scheduled to reopen at 1pm local time.

Another storm following Hurricane Irma

President Donald Trump yesterday declared states of emergencies in Florida, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Island.

In their latest advisory, the Miami-based National Hurricane Center (NHC) confirmed that hurricane warnings are still in effect for:

• Anguilla
• Saba, St Eustatius and Sint Maarten
• St Martin and St Barthelemy
• British Virgin Islands
• US Virgin Islands
• Puerto Rico, Vieques and Culebra
• Dominican Republic )from Cabo Engano to the northern border with Haiti)
• Haiti (from the northern border with the Dominican Republic to Le Mole St Nicholas)
• Southeastern Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands

Extremely dangerous core of Hurricane #Irma closing in on the Virgin Islands. https://t.co/JX426wReY7 pic.twitter.com/Rsa0cF5oxq

— NHC Atlantic Ops (@NHC_Atlantic) September 6, 2017

“The extremely dangerous core of Irma will move over portions of the Virgin Islands very soon, pass near or just north of Puerto Rico this afternoon or tonight, pass near or just north of the coast of the Dominican Republic Thursday, and be near the Turks and Caicos and southeastern Bahamas late Thursday,” the NHC said in a statement.

There appears to be no respite from the extreme weather.

Tropical Storm Jose, 1,135 miles (1,825) east of the Lesser Antilles, is close to hurricane strength.

It could be upgraded later today, the NHC cautioned.

And in the southeastern Gulf of Mexico, Tropical Storm Katia is moving a little. It is expected to reach hurricane status before the end of the week.