Residents fearful about upcoming hurricane season
The hurricanes of September 2017 destroyed the roofs of many homes and businesses throughout that territory causing some persons to find alternative accommodation until their roofs have been fixed.
Residents fearful
Speaking to our newsroom, one resident stated that she has been living with her friend since Hurricane Irma because her apartment roof was totally destroyed.
“I have been living with my friend since the hurricane and up to now my landlord has not fixed the roof and honestly I might just go back home, adding that she is from Jamaica and does not wish to impose on her friend anymore,” said the expatriate resident.
She continued, “At times I think to myself, why should I be homeless in someone else’s country and I have my own house in Jamaica. I’m only here on Tortola because I am trying to send my two children to school.”
Waiting on insurance money
Wilson C. O’Neal told our newsroom that after the storm he was living in one of the shelters on Tortola but is now staying with a family member because his house sustained damages to the roof, windows and doors.
“Honestly I am afraid for the next hurricane season that will start in about five months and I have not started any work because I am waiting on my insurance money. Also when you look around the territory, other persons have not yet fixed their houses and even their businesses,” expressed Mr O’Neal.
“If a next hurricane comes, it going to go with what left because Irma done loosen everything already and some buildings are the same since hurricane passed,” said another resident.
Speaking with Kim-Marie C. Johnson, a native of St. Kitts, she said she will be going back home when the hurricane season starts because she cannot handle another hurricane Irma.
“I cannot handle another Hurricane Irma. It was a very frightening experience and I would not want to relive it again,” she said.
In response to our reporter’s comment that a hurricane such as Irma can also impact St Kitts, she said, “I would just have to hope it doesn’t come my way or, better yet, it doesn’t come as hard as hurricane Irma did.”
Meanwhile, in a goverment press release on Wednesday, February 14, 2018, it stated that the Government of the Virgin Islands has initiated a plan to prepare for what may be another active season, according to the preliminary predictions released in December 2017.
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19 Responses to “Residents fearful about upcoming hurricane season”
there is little to no rebuilding activity compared to what one would expect - probably because the people willing to work can't get a permit
we don't have skilled trades here in numbers. We need that to do the work but also teach the trades here and hey - get the youth involved in having a skill and a purpose.
patching up what were badly built buildings is also unlikely to be a good solution
It can be zoned. For example, Tortola can meet in Tortola. Virgin Gorda can meet in Virgin Gorda, Anegada in Anegada and Jost Van Dyke in Jost Van Dyke.
The main topic would be based on praying for God to have mercy on us and not allow any hurricane to come our way. Ask Him to cast away our fear and make us strong.
Ask Him also to protect all islands that are in the path or exposed to storms in the atlantic.
Let us just humble before God and cry to Him. He will come through for us.