Hurricane Irma continues to churn its way through the Caribbean, leaving in its wake a trail of death and destruction that only started to become clear late yesterday.
At least 10 people have been reported dead.
The Category 5 hurricane which was carrying maximum sustained winds near 185 miles per hour has devastated Barbuda – which Prime Minister Gaston Browne described as barely habitable – and St Martin, and reports of additional damage in other countries are also coming in.
A state of emergency was yesterday declared in Antigua’s sister isle, Barbuda, where Browne reported almost total devastation, with about 95 percent buildings damaged and 60 per cent of the island’s residents now homeless. A two-year-old child was Hurricane Irma’s first victim when it made a direct hit on the island.
Sorry to read of this devastation and deaths which Hurricane Irma caused. It is presently sad and inconvenienced to all who are affected. Take heart, in time you will recover from it.
We also remember TS Erika and its victims; over 30 deaths; some were never found.
We also remember Haiti.
Sooner or later each country will feel the brunt of hurricanes and storms. There is nothing that can be done to prevent them but to take precaution and pray to Our Almighty God and Father for protection.
Those who are presently affected must keep the faith, hope and trust in God and pray. A simple prayer where you are, will help: “Lord have mercy! Lord, help me/us!” God will give you the strength to cope.
God bless especially the people of the countries who experienced their country’s devastation with loss of life. May those departed souls rest in peace.
As for the baby who died, he/she is already in the loving arms of Our Lord Jesus Christ with the Heavenly Hosts.
My wife and I extend our deepest sympathies to all those affected in one way or another by Hurricane Irma.
When the news broke that the storm had been upgraded to a cat 5, and that our North Caribbean neighbours were directly in its path, I knew that the consequences would be severe.
Nevertheless, the images and news reports that are now emerging to confirm this is heartbreaking.
May God give you all the strength and resilience to fight on to restore your communities.