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BARBUDA AND ANTIGUA DAMAGED BY HURRICANE IRMA

Posted by Caribbean World Magazine on 16 September 2017 | 0 Comments

This year's hurricane season has proven to be one of the worst in modern times. For the first time ever, two hurricanes with wind velocity of over 150 miles per hour have formed at the same time. Barbuda and Antigua's Prime Minister, Gaston Browne, declared Barbuda "uninhabitable," and told Caribbean World that it could take years for the island to recover. 

"You just cannot imagine the destruction that this hurricane brought with it," he said. "So many hotels and homes were completely destroyed. It will devastate tourism in the region for many years to come, not months." 

A two year-old little boy drowned and the telecom tower was destroyed, which will cost $150 million alone!  

"In all my years I have never seen devastation like this. Two cell towers were snapped in two. Barbuda is literally one big pile of rubble. 60% of the island's 1800 inhabitants re now homeless," he said. 

But Browne has already had some famous faces reach out to him to help. Most notably, film actor Robert De Niro, promised to spend millions as his Paradise Found Nobu Resort was leveled as well.  

De Niro said that he was "saddened beyond belief to learn of the devastation caused by Hurricane Irma's 185 miles per hour winds. We will work with the Paradise Found Nobu Resort team, the Barbuda Council, GOAB, and the entire Barbuda community to successfully rebuild what nature has taken away from us."  

Antigua was originally thought to be the island that would feel the worst of the storm but then it shifted and literally passed right over Barbuda. The island's airpport is also destroyed which means Antigua's airport will now be used as a hub to bring in aid and other necessary materials.  

And just when you think the worst is over, there is another equally as fierce system heading towards the islands -- Hurricane Jose. Hopefully, it will head out to sea. At press time, no one knew for sure and everyone was hanging by frazzled nerves to know if they will be punished a second time. 

Browne said that "the entire housing stock is completely destroyed on Barbuda. Antigua unbelievably is pretty intact." 

Actress Jennifer Lawrence, and singers ‪Lady Gaga and ‪Rihanna, have already donated millions to help Barbuda and other islands in the Caribbean that were destroyed by the largest hurricane ever to emerge from the Atlantic Ocean. 

"No matter what movie I'm promoting, it's hard not to be effected by these hurricanes and Mother Nature's wrath. It's mind boggling," she said. 

‪Rihanna was in New York releasing her new Fine Beauty line when she told Caribbean World that she "sends her hope and prayers to all the Caribbean people to be safe from harm." 

‪Lady Gaga donated $5 millionUSD and said that she thinks this is the most dangerous hurricane season ever. "If you know a hurricane is coming, evacuate. Don't risk it. Leave when you have the chance." 

Even Queen Elizabeth, the British Monarch, who is the sovereign of several Commonwealth member nations in the Caribbean (including Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados and St. Lucia), said in a statement, "Prince Philip and I have been shocked and saddened by the reports of the devastation caused by Hurricane Irma. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those whose homes and livelihoods have been destroyed or adversely affected by this terrible storm." 

She continued, "Please convey my gratitude and good wishes to members of the emergency services and to those who are working on the rescue effort at this very difficult time for you all." 

Other islands were bludgeoned including Sir Richard Branson's Necker Island. "We took refuge in our wine cellar which is all solid concrete. A lot of damage was done and a lot of very expensive wine was drunk during the hurricane madness," he said, trying to keep a sense of humor during a very terrible time. 

Johnny Depp's island was pummeled as were homes by Rolling Stone guitarist, ‪Keith Richards, actor Bruce Willis and designer Donna Karan on Turks & Caicos. 

Ray Carmen, the Publisher of the celebrated Caribbean World Magazine and his Team pray that Antigua and Barbuda and all the islands and its wonderful people in the Caribbean make a full recovery and remain safe.

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