Irma's victims in Caribbean brace for another hurricane
Category 5 Hurricane Jose follows path of Hurricane Irma
Associated Press
Hurricane Hirma damaged homes in Virgin Gorda's Leverick Bay in the British Virgin Islands. Photo by Caribbean Buzz Helicopters via AP
ST. JOHN'S, Antigua – Thousands of Irma victims across the Caribbean fought desperately to find shelter or escape their storm-blasted islands altogether Friday as another hurricane following close behind threatened to add to their misery.
Irma regained Category 5 status late Friday, and with its 160 mph (260 kph) winds battering Cuba and taking aim at the Miami metropolitan area of 6 million people, the death toll in the storm’s wake across the Caribbean climbed to 22.
Recommended Videos
Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and the eastern part of Cuba reported no major casualties or damage by mid-afternoon after Irma rolled north of the Caribbean’s biggest islands.
But many residents and tourists farther east were left reeling after the storm ravaged some of the world’s most exclusive tropical playgrounds, known for their turquoise waters and lush green vegetation. Among them: St. Martin, St. Barts, St. Thomas, Barbuda and Anguilla.
1 / 9
A roof is taken off a house in Barbuda by Hurricane Irma.The destruction is obvious in Barbuda.More destruction on Barbuda, as the storm heads towards Florida.A crowd gathers at Hurricane Irma damage in Barbuda.A house is destroyed in Barbuda.Damage to a home in Barbuda is seen from above.The destruction of Barbuda is seen from the air.A house is seen destroyed in Barbuda after Hurricane Irma passed through.Hurricane Irma destroyed many buildings in Barbuda.
A roof is taken off a house in Barbuda by Hurricane Irma.
Irma smashed homes, shops, roads and schools; knocked out power, water and telephone service; trapped thousands of tourists; and stripped trees of their leaves, leaving an eerie, blasted-looking landscape littered with sheet metal and splintered lumber.
1 / 44
APAPHurricane Irma destroyed a large building in the fishing town of Caibarien, Cuba. Photo by Hatzel Vela/Local 10 NewsHurricane Irma pushed a sailboat inland in the fishing town of Caibarien, Cuba. Photo by Hatzel Vela/Local 10 NewsCubans work to clear roads after Hurricane Irma made an impact on the island Saturday. Photo by Hatzel Vela/Local 10 NewsA caravan of vehicles heads to Remedios to help with the rescue effort after Hurricane Irma hit Cuba Saturday. Photo by Hatzel Vela/Local 10 NewsLocal 10 News Hatzel Vela takes a picture of downed trees in Varadero, Cuba after Hurricane Irma hit Saturda.Hurricane Irma damaged the airport in Jardines del Rey, Cuba. Photo by Periodico Granma/APHurricane Irma damaged the signs of some hotels in Varadero, Cuba. Photo by Hatzel Vela/Local 10 NewsHurricane Irma damaged some roofs in the Cuban town of Remedios in the Villa Clara province. Photo by Hatzel Vela/Local 10 NewsA home lost its roof during Hurricane Irma in the Cuban countryside. Photo by Local 10 News Hatzel VelaNo description foundNo description foundNo description foundA hotel sign damaged in Varadero during Hurricane Irma Saturday. Photo by Local 10 News Hatzel VelaA worker jokes around as crews remove fallen trees and debris after the passage of Hurricane Irma in Havana Cuba, Monday. Photo by Demond Boylan/APBoys play on a fallen tree after the passing of Hurricane Irma in Havana, Cuba, Monday. Photo bby Desmond Boylan/APA ma steps on rubble at his collapsed apartment building where two people died during the passing of Hurricane Irma in Havana Monday. Photo by Desmond Boylan/APCaibarien residents walk out of their homes to downed poles and damage Saturday in Cuba's province of Villa Clara, after Hurricane Irma.Local 10 News Hatzel Vela reports from Cuba's Remedios, a city in the province of Villa Clara, where Hurricane Irma destroyed homes and left downed trees, after making landfall as a Category 5 storm.Local 10 News Hatzel Vela reports from Cuba's Remedios, a city in the province of Villa Clara, where Hurricane Irma destroyed homes and left downed trees, after making landfall as a Category 5 storm.Local 10 News Hatzel Vela reports from Cuba's Remedios, a city in the province of Villa Clara, where Hurricane Irma destroyed homes and left downed trees, after making landfall as a Category 5 storm.Local 10 News Hatzel Vela reports from Cuba's Remedios, a city in the province of Villa Clara, where Hurricane Irma destroyed homes and left downed trees, after making landfall as a Category 5 storm.Local 10 News Hatzel Vela reports from Cuba's Remedios, a city in the province of Villa Clara, where Hurricane Irma destroyed homes and left downed trees, after making landfall as a Category 5 storm.Local 10 News Hatzel Vela reports from Cuba's Remedios, a city in the province of Villa Clara, where Hurricane Irma destroyed homes and left downed trees, after making landfall as a Category 5 storm.Local 10 News Hatzel Vela reports from Cuba's Remedios, a city in the province of Villa Clara, where Hurricane Irma destroyed homes and left downed trees, after making landfall as a Category 5 storm.Local 10 News Hatzel Vela reports from Cuba's Remedios, a city in the province of Villa Clara, where Hurricane Irma destroyed homes and left downed trees, after making landfall as a Category 5 storm.Cubans in the coastal fishing town of Caibarien prepare for the effects of Hurricane Irma Friday.Cubans in the coastal fishing town of Caibarien prepare for the effects of Hurricane Irma Friday.Cubans in the coastal fishing town of Caibarien prepare for the effects of Hurricane Irma Friday.Cubans in the coastal fishing town of Caibarien prepare for the effects of Hurricane Irma Friday.Cubans in the town of Remedios prepare for Hurricane Irma Thursday.Remedios residents board up their colonial-style windows, as Hurricane Irma approaches Thursday.Cubans prepare for Hurricane Irma. Areas of Santa Clara, Sancti Spiritus, Ciego de Avila and Santa Clara are in the cone of the powerful Category 5 storm.Cubans prepare for Hurricane Irma. Areas of Santa Clara, Sancti Spiritus, Ciego de Avila and Santa Clara are in the cone of the powerful Category 5 storm.Cubans prepare for Hurricane Irma. Areas of Santa Clara, Sancti Spiritus, Ciego de Avila and Santa Clara are in the cone of the powerful Category 5 storm.Cubans prepare for Hurricane Irma. Areas of Santa Clara, Sancti Spiritus, Ciego de Avila and Santa Clara are in the cone of the powerful Category 5 storm.Cubans prepare for Hurricane Irma. Areas of Santa Clara, Sancti Spiritus, Ciego de Avila and Santa Clara are in the cone of the powerful Category 5 storm.Cubans prepare for Hurricane Irma. Areas of Santa Clara, Sancti Spiritus, Ciego de Avila and Santa Clara are in the cone of the powerful Category 5 storm.Cubans prepare for Hurricane Irma. Areas of Santa Clara, Sancti Spiritus, Ciego de Avila and Santa Clara are in the cone of the powerful Category 5 storm.Cubans prepare for Hurricane Irma. Areas of Santa Clara, Sancti Spiritus, Ciego de Avila and Santa Clara are in the cone of the powerful Category 5 storm.Cubans prepare for Hurricane Irma. Areas of Santa Clara, Sancti Spiritus, Ciego de Avila and Santa Clara are in the cone of the powerful Category 5 storm.Cubans prepare for Hurricane Irma. Areas of Santa Clara, Sancti Spiritus, Ciego de Avila and Santa Clara are in the cone of the powerful Category 5 storm.Cubans prepare for Hurricane Irma. Areas of Santa Clara, Sancti Spiritus, Ciego de Avila and Santa Clara are in the cone of the powerful Category 5 storm.
AP
On Friday, looting and gunshots were reported on St. Martin, and a curfew was imposed in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Many of Irma’s victims fled their islands on ferries and fishing boats for fear of Hurricane Jose, a Category 4 storm with 150 mph winds that could punish some places all over again this weekend.
1 / 4
Debris surrounds a home in Nagua, Dominican Republic, Thursday. Photo by Tatiana Fernandez/APHurricane Irma approaches Samana, Dominican Republic, Thursday. Photo by Tatiana Fernandez/APA man removed a tree that fell in Sanchez, Dominican Republic, Thursday, in preparation for Hurricane Irma's impact.Hurricane Irma approached Samana, in Dominican Republic Thursday. Tatiana Fernandez/AP
Debris surrounds a home in Nagua, Dominican Republic, Thursday. Photo by Tatiana Fernandez/AP
“I don’t think it takes a rocket scientist to know that further damage is imminent,” said Inspector Frankie Thomas of the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda.
On Barbuda, a coral island rising a mere 125 feet (38 meters) above sea level, authorities ordered an evacuation of all 1,400 people to neighboring Antigua, where Stevet Jeremiah was reunited with one son and made plans to bury another.
Jeremiah, who sells lobster and crab to tourists, was huddled in her wooden home on Barbuda early Wednesday with her partner and their 2- and 4-year-old boys as Irma ripped open their metal roof and sent the ocean surging into the house.
Her younger son, Carl Junior Francis, was swept away. Neighbors found his body after sunrise.
“Two years old. He just turned 2, the 17th, last month. Just turned 2,” she repeated. Her first task, she said, would be to organize his funeral. “That’s all I can do. There is nothing else I can do.”
The dead included 11 on St. Martin and St. Barts, four in the U.S. Virgin Islands, four in the British Virgin Islands and one each on Anguilla and Barbuda.
Also, a 16-year-old junior professional surfer drowned Tuesday in Barbados while surfing large swells generated by an approaching Irma.
1 / 17
Hurricane Irma left a trail of destruction Wednesday in St. Martin. Jonathan Falwell/APA ships mast rests on the dock on September 11, 2017 in Philipsburg, St. Maarten. The Caribbean island sustained extensive damage from Hurricane Irma. (Photo by Jose Jimenez/Getty Images)No description foundA man walks past a fallen tree on September 11, 2017 in Philipsburg, St. Maarten. The Caribbean island sustained extensive damage from Hurricane Irma. (Photo by Jose Jimenez/Getty Images)A woman cleans in front of her property on September 11, 2017 in Philipsburg, St. Maarten. The Caribbean island sustained extensive damage from Hurricane Irma. (Photo by Jose Jimenez/Getty Images)Residents observe the damage left by Hurricane Irma on September 11, 2017 in Philipsburg, St. Maarten. The Caribbean island sustained extensive damage from the powerful storm. (Photo by Jose Jimenez/Getty Images)The remains of a destroyed boat float in Simpson Bay on September 11, 2017 in St. Maarten. The Caribbean island sustained extensive damage from Hurricane Irma. (Photo by Jose Jimenez/Getty Images)A view of destrucition in a neighborhood seven days after Hurricane Irma on September 11, 2017 in St. Maarten. The Caribbean island sustained extensive damage from Hurricane Irma. (Photo by Jose Jimenez/Getty Images)Emmanuel Macron, President of France, greets 12-year-old Tyson Labardu during his visit after the passing of Hurricane Irma Tuesday, in Grand Case, Saint Martin. The Caribbean island sustained extensive damage.(Photo by Jose Jimenez/Getty Images)The Dutch Defense Ministry released photos of the aftermath of Hurridane Irma Wednesday.The Dutch Defense Ministry released photos of the damage in St. Marteen Wednesday.Emmanuel Macron, President of France, during his visit after the passing of Hurricane Irma on September 12, 2017 in Grand Case, Saint Martin. The Caribbean island sustained extensive damage. Photo by Jose Jimenez/Getty ImagesHurricane Irma left a trail of destruction Wednesday in St. Martin. Jonathan Falwell/APThe Dutch Defense Ministry released photos of the aftermath of Hurridane Irma Wednesday.Hurricane Irma left a trail of devastation in St. Martin Wednesday. Jonathan Falwell/APA man walks among the destruction left by Hurricane Irma at the Phillipsburg Town Beach on September 11, 2017 in Philipsburg, St. Maarten. The Caribbean island sustained extensive damage from powerful storm. (Photo by Jose Jimenez/Getty Images)The remains of a destroyed boat float in Simpson Bay on September 11, 2017 in St. Maarten. The Caribbean island sustained extensive damage from Hurricane Irma. (Photo by Jose Jimenez/Getty Images)
Hurricane Irma left a trail of destruction Wednesday in St. Martin. Jonathan Falwell/AP
Many victims picked through the rubble of what had once been Caribbean dream getaway homes.
On St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands, power lines and towers were toppled, a water and sewage treatment plant was heavily damaged, and the harbor was in ruins, along with hundreds of homes and dozens of businesses.
1 / 17
U.S. Embassy personel and media prepare to board a National Guard C-130 plane enroute to Saint Martin September 11, 2017 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Photo by Jose Jimenez/Getty ImagesThe U.S. Air Force released this photo of San Juan, Puerto Rico, Wednesday. Photo by Staff Sgt. Douglas EllisA rescue team from the local emergency management agency inspects flooded areas after the passing of Hurricane Irma on September 6, 2017 in Fajardo, Puerto Rico. (Photo by Jose Jimenez/Getty Images)A rescue team from the local emergency management agency inspects flooded areas after the passing of Hurricane Irma on September 6, 2017 in Fajardo, Puerto Rico. (Photo by Jose Jimenez/Getty Images)A rescue team from the local emergency management agency inspects flooded areas after the passing of Hurricane Irma on September 6, 2017 in Fajardo, Puerto Rico. (Photo by Jose Jimenez/Getty Images)A rescue team from the local emergency management agency inspects flooded areas after the passing of Hurricane Irma on September 6, 2017 in Fajardo, Puerto Rico. (Photo by Jose Jimenez/Getty Images)No description foundA local resident rides his bike after the passing of Hurricane Irma on September 6, 2017 in Fajardo, Puerto Rico. (Photo by Jose Jimenez/Getty Images)In this NOAA handout image, NOAA's GOES satellite shows Hurricane Irma as it makes its way across the Atlantic Ocean in to the Caribbean Wednesday.Debris is seen during a storm surge near the Puerto Chico Harbor during the passing of Hurricane Irma on September 6, 2017 in Fajardo, Puerto Rico.(Photo by Jose Jimenez/Getty Images)Debris is seen during a storm surge near the Puerto Chico Harbor during the passing of Hurricane Irma on September 6, 2017 in Fajardo, Puerto Rico.(Photo by Jose Jimenez/Getty Images)Debris is seen during a storm surge near the Puerto Chico Harbor during the passing of Hurricane Irma on September 6, 2017 in Fajardo, Puerto Rico.(Photo by Jose Jimenez/Getty Images)High winds and rain sweep through the streets of the Matelnillo community during the passage of Hurricane Irma in Fajardo, Puerto Rico. Photo by Carlos Giusti/APA lone police car on patrol during the passing of Hurricane Irma on September 6, 2017 in Fajardo, Puerto Rico. (Photo by Jose Jimenez/Getty Images)Alexis Ramos looks out to sea at Luquillo Beach prior to the passing of Hurricane Irma on September 6, 2017 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. (Photo by Jose Jimenez/Getty Images)Alexis Ramos stands in the ocean at Luquillo Beach prior to the passing of Hurricane Irma on September 6, 2017 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.(Photo by Jose Jimenez/Getty Images)In this NOAA handout image, NOAA's GOES satellite shows Hurricane Irma captured this geocolor image of Hurricane Irma Tuesday morning.
U.S. Embassy personel and media prepare to board a National Guard C-130 plane enroute to Saint Martin September 11, 2017 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Photo by Jose Jimenez/Getty Images
Opera singer Laura Strickling and her husband, Taylor, moved to St. Thomas three years ago from Washington so he could take a job as a lawyer. They rented a top-floor apartment with a stunning view of the turquoise water of Megan’s Bay, which is surrounded by low hills covered by trees.
Strickling huddled with her husband and their year-old daughter in a basement apartment along with another family as the storm raged for 12 hours.
“The noise was just deafening. It was so loud we thought the roof was gone. The windows were boarded up, so it was hot and we had no AC, no power,” she said. She said she and the three other adults “were terrified but keeping it together for the babies.”
1 / 11
In this NOAA handout image, NOAA's GOES satellite shows Hurricane Irma captured this geocolor image of Hurricane Irma Tuesday morning.No description foundNASA/NOAAIn this NOAA-NASA GOES Project handout image, GOES satellite shows Hurricane Irma as it moves over Cuba and towards the Florida coast as a category 4 storm in the Caribbean Sea taken at 14:15 UTC on September 09, 2017.No description foundNo description foundNo description foundNo description foundNo description foundNo description foundNo description found
In this NOAA handout image, NOAA's GOES satellite shows Hurricane Irma captured this geocolor image of Hurricane Irma Tuesday morning.
Strickling, who used to visit her husband in Afghanistan when he worked there, added: “I’ve had to sit through a Taliban gunfight, and this was scarier.”
When they emerged, they found their apartment was unscathed and the trees had no leaves.
“We’re obviously worried by the thought of having to do it all again with Hurricane Jose. It’s a little, a little, well, it’s not good,” she said, her voice trailing off.
Irma threatened to push its way northward from one end of Florida to the other beginning Sunday morning in what many fear could be the long-dreaded, catastrophic Big One. Across Florida and Georgia, more than 6 million people were warned to leave their homes, clogging interstates as far away as Atlanta.
At the same time, more than 1,000 miles (1,600 kilometers) to the east, authorities commandeered a ferry from Montserrat with room for 350 and began moving people from Barbuda to the larger island of Antigua. The owners of several fishing boats also volunteered to help.
Thomas, the royal police inspector, said few structures were left standing in Barbuda, and even those that were not destroyed had some damage.
On St. Martin, which is divided between Dutch and French control, cafes and shops were swamped, and the storm left gnarled black branches denuded of leaves. Battered cars, corrugated metal, plywood, wrought iron and other debris covered street after street. Roofs were torn off numerous houses.
There was little left of St. Martin’s Hotel Mercure but its sign, painted on a still-standing wall.
The cleanup was already underway for some. One man chopped at the branches of a bare tree. Another heaved what appeared to be furniture stuffing onto a pile. People sat in chairs outside a hospital, waiting to be seen.
William Marlin, prime minister of the Dutch side of St. Martin, said recovery was expected to take months even before Jose threatened to make things worse.
“We’ve lost many, many homes. Schools have been destroyed,” he said. “We foresee a loss of the tourist season because of the damage that was done to hotel properties, the negative publicity that one would have that it’s better to go somewhere else because it’s destroyed. So that will have a serious impact on our economy.”
On St. Thomas, Jodi Jabas and Matt Biwer were combing through the wreckage of the home they had been busy remodeling before the storm. They huddled in a studio apartment on the ground floor as Irma roared overhead.
The storm took off the roof and a good section of the house with it.
“We found it funny that the only thing left standing was this stupid closet that we hated,” said Matt Biwer, a 36-year-old originally from North Dakota.
Jalon Shortte said riding out Irma in his top-floor apartment on Tortola, in the British Virgin Islands, was the scariest thing he has ever been through.
The air pressure hurt his ears, trees fell on his roof, windows blew out and a door came off, he wrote on Facebook. The storm even took paint off the walls, he said.
His Facebook page was filled with images he took from around Tortola of sunken yachts, crushed vehicles and mounds of debris. He said looting was rampant.
Amid the devastation, Shortte worked to bring a water desalination plant online.
“We have to stick together and rebuild,” he said.
Copyright 2017 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved.