Belize's Brush With Hurricane Irma

Hurricane Irma, the most powerful Atlantic hurricane in recorded history, wreaked havoc in the Caribbean and the southeastern United States in September 2017. While Belize was not directly in the path of the hurricane, it was impacted by the storm's aftermath. The Belize Red Cross opened disaster fund accounts to provide assistance to those affected by the devastating hurricane.

Belize Red Cross opens disaster fund accounts to support those affected by Hurricane Irma

Hurricane Irma, the most powerful Atlantic hurricane in recorded history, wreaked havoc in the Caribbean, affecting millions of people. The Belize Red Cross has opened disaster fund accounts to support those impacted by this devastating storm.

The Category 5 hurricane left a trail of destruction in several Caribbean nations and overseas territories. In Barbuda, the damage was particularly severe, with nearly every building damaged or destroyed, leaving approximately 1,800 people without shelter. The British Virgin Islands, Anguilla, Saint Martin, St Barts, St Kitts and Nevis, and Cuba also experienced severe destruction.

The Belize Red Cross stands in solidarity with those affected by Hurricane Irma. While they are currently unable to assist with the collection and distribution of in-kind donations, they have opened disaster fund accounts at several banks in Belize to receive monetary donations. The funds collected will be transmitted to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to assist with disaster relief efforts in the affected areas.

Walter Cotte, the Regional Director for the Americas for the IFRC, stated that the Red Cross will be delivering extensive support to thousands of people in the coming weeks and months. The IFRC has already released funds from the Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF) to support the response in the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Antigua and Barbuda, and St Kitts and Nevis. Additionally, an appeal for 1,128,171 Swiss Francs has been launched to support families affected by the disaster in Antigua and Barbuda and St Kitts and Nevis.

The Belize Red Cross is committed to helping those impacted by Hurricane Irma and ensuring that their basic needs are met during this difficult time. The funds donated to the disaster fund accounts will be used to provide essential relief and support to those who have lost their homes, loved ones, and livelihoods due to this catastrophic storm.

Hurricane Irma's impact on the Caribbean

Hurricane Irma was the most powerful Atlantic hurricane in recorded history when it hit the Caribbean in September 2017. The category 5 storm left a trail of destruction in its wake, causing billions of dollars worth of damage and killing at least 37 people.

The hurricane first struck the dual-island nation of Antigua and Barbuda. A two-year-old child was killed in Barbuda, and Prime Minister Gaston Browne reported that 95% of the island's buildings had been damaged, with half of the population of around 1,400 left homeless. Antigua, with a population of 80,000, was largely spared, with no reported deaths or major damage.

St Martin, a French-Dutch island, was also badly affected by the hurricane. The French interior minister reported that 95% of the buildings on the French side of the island had been damaged, with four confirmed deaths. The Dutch side of the island, Sint Maarten, also suffered extensive damage, with the Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte reporting "enormous devastation".

The British overseas territory of Anguilla also sustained heavy damage, with one death reported and widespread destruction. The British Virgin Islands and US Virgin Islands were also hit, with five and four reported deaths, respectively.

Puerto Rico avoided a direct hit but still suffered damage, with three reported deaths and more than a million people left without power. The hurricane then passed over the Dominican Republic and Haiti, causing flooding and power outages.

The impact of Hurricane Irma in the Caribbean was both far-reaching and devastating, with widespread destruction and loss of life. The region was left reeling from the storm's catastrophic effects, and the death toll and damage estimates continued to rise in the storm's aftermath.

Hurricane Irma's path of destruction

Hurricane Irma, the most powerful Atlantic hurricane in recorded history, wreaked havoc on the Caribbean, flattening islands and causing widespread destruction in its wake. Here is a detailed account of Irma's path of destruction:

Barbuda:

Barbuda, the first island to be hit by Hurricane Irma, suffered extensive damage. High winds ravaged the island, leaving it in ruins. Prime Minister Gaston Browne of Antigua and Barbuda reported that 90-95% of the buildings were destroyed, rendering approximately half of Barbuda's population of 1,400 homeless. The storm also claimed the life of a two-year-old child. The clean-up and recovery efforts were expected to be lengthy and costly, with the island also facing the threat of disease due to dead animals in the water.

Antigua:

Antigua, the sister island to Barbuda, was also impacted by Hurricane Irma. However, Prime Minister Gaston Browne reported no loss of life and only minor damage to the island.

Saint Martin and Sint Maarten:

The island of Saint Martin, shared by France and the Netherlands, experienced severe destruction. The storm wrecked homes, uprooted trees, and caused widespread flooding. The French side of the island reported at least eight deaths, with the president of the territorial council describing the impact as "enormous catastrophe." The Dutch side, Sint Maarten, also suffered "enormous devastation," with the prime minister of the Netherlands reporting significant infrastructure damage.

Anguilla:

Anguilla, a British territory, endured one death and widespread damage. Critical infrastructure, including police stations, hospitals, schools, and emergency shelters, was damaged or destroyed. The British government faced criticism for its initial response to the disaster.

Saint Kitts and Nevis:

While Saint Kitts and Nevis were spared the full force of the hurricane, Prime Minister Timothy Harris reported significant damage to properties and infrastructure, as well as power failures.

British and U.S. Virgin Islands:

The British and U.S. Virgin Islands were also in the path of Hurricane Irma. The storm caused extensive damage, with reports of destroyed buildings, roads blocked by debris, and vegetation stripped from the land. There were fatalities reported in both territories, and the National Emergency Operations Centre in the British Virgin Islands was destroyed.

Puerto Rico:

Puerto Rico experienced significant impacts from Hurricane Irma. While the island was spared a direct hit, strong winds and rains left over a million people without power and tens of thousands without drinking water. There were also reports of road injuries, flight cancellations, and damage to hospitals.

Dominican Republic and Haiti:

Hurricane Irma grazed the north part of the Dominican Republic, causing minor damage to beachfront properties and hotels. In Haiti, heavy rains and power outages affected the north coast, but the country appeared to have been spared the worst effects of the storm.

Turks and Caicos:

The Turks and Caicos Islands were impacted by the hurricane, with reports of power outages and damage to infrastructure. However, there were no reports of casualties or major infrastructure damage.

Cuba:

Cuba experienced significant damage from Hurricane Irma, with coastal towns and tourist resorts evacuated. The storm caused power outages and enormous waves that lashed the Malecon seafront in Havana.

Florida:

Hurricane Irma made landfall in Florida, leading to mandatory evacuation orders for millions of people. The storm caused power outages, flooding, and extensive damage.

Hurricane Irma's effect on the British Virgin Islands

Hurricane Irma struck the British Virgin Islands as a Category 5 hurricane on 6 September 2017, causing widespread destruction and killing four people. The hurricane caused extensive damage to property and infrastructure, and led to a statistically significant level of depopulation.

The eye of the hurricane passed over the three major islands in the group: Virgin Gorda, Tortola, and Jost Van Dyke. The Governor, Gus Jaspert, declared a state of emergency—the first time this had ever happened. As radio facilities were significantly damaged and inoperable, the state of emergency had to be announced by distributing flyers around the capital, Road Town.

The hurricane caused widespread destruction, flattening homes and critical facilities, and causing power and communication failures. The most significant damage was on Tortola, where approximately 85% of housing stock—over 4,000 homes—were damaged or destroyed. The UK's Foreign Secretary, Boris Johnson, visited Tortola and said he was reminded of photos of Hiroshima after it had been hit by the atom bomb.

The hurricane also had a significant impact on the prison on Tortola, with 90% of the buildings damaged, most having lost their roofs, and the perimeter fence breached in several places. Prisoners eventually forced their way out, although many returned the same day, and all except two were recaptured in the following days.

Availability of food, potable water, fuel, and medicine were highly limited after the hurricane. Residents had to queue, sometimes for hours, in the sun to obtain necessities. Banks did not function for several days, and the territory became a cash economy for several weeks.

The British Virgin Islands were also impacted by subsequent weather events. Four days after Irma, Hurricane Jose, a Category 4 hurricane, narrowly missed the islands. Eight days after Irma, the territory experienced torrential downpours of rain, resulting in extensive flooding of low-lying areas, including the capital, due to the hills having been stripped of vegetation. Then, fourteen days after Irma, the territory was struck again by Hurricane Maria, a Category 5 hurricane.

Hurricane Irma's effect on the Bahamas

Hurricane Irma wreaked havoc on the Caribbean, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. While Belize was not directly affected by the hurricane, the Bahamas, a small island nation in the Caribbean, suffered significant damage from the storm.

The Bahamas, comprising over 700 islands and cays, is a popular tourist destination known for its pristine beaches and crystal-clear waters. However, Irma's powerful winds and storm surges transformed this tropical paradise into a disaster zone.

As Irma passed over the Bahamas, it caused extensive damage to infrastructure and left thousands of residents homeless. The exact extent of the destruction varies across the islands, with some areas bearing the brunt of the storm's fury. The northern islands, including Grand Bahama and the Abacos, experienced catastrophic damage, with reports of entire neighbourhoods left underwater. On the island of Great Abaco, the airport and residential areas were flooded, and homes were reduced to rubble.

The Bahamian government and local communities faced a daunting recovery process. Crews worked tirelessly to clear the wreckage and account for the missing and deceased. Evacuees from the hardest-hit areas sought shelter in schools and other designated safe havens. The Red Cross played a crucial role in providing aid and temporary housing for those displaced by the hurricane.

The road to rebuilding was long and challenging. The financial cost of the damage was estimated to be in the billions, and the loss of life was devastating. The death toll continued to rise as rescue teams accessed the most affected areas.

Despite the immense challenges, the resilience of the Bahamian people shone through. They banded together to help one another, clearing roads, assisting with repairs, and donating supplies to those in need. The international community also stepped up to offer support, with countries like the United States sending aid and evacuating those in danger.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Irma, the Bahamas struggled to recover from the extensive damage. The tourism industry, a vital sector for the nation's economy, took a significant hit. Many popular tourist destinations, such as the Abacos and Grand Bahama, were left devastated, and the number of visitors declined sharply. To combat this, the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism launched a campaign to promote the unaffected islands, reassuring potential visitors that most of the country remained open for business and was still a beautiful place to visit.

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