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Hurricane Irma ‘challenged our faith to keep trusting in God’- Premier Fahie

- on 3rd anniversary of devastating hurricane
Today, Sunday, September 6, 2020, marks three years since the Virgin Islands was devastated by the catastrophic Category 5 Hurricane, Irma. Photo: VINO/File
A satellite view of the monster Huricane Irma over the Virgin Islands on September 6, 2017. Photo: Wikimedia
A satellite view of the monster Huricane Irma over the Virgin Islands on September 6, 2017. Photo: Wikimedia
The Elmore Stoutt High School L–shaped building and other school buildings destroyed by the hurricanes of 2017 were finally repaired when the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Government took office in February 2019. Photo: VINO/File
The Elmore Stoutt High School L–shaped building and other school buildings destroyed by the hurricanes of 2017 were finally repaired when the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Government took office in February 2019. Photo: VINO/File
According to Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1), in a statement on the anniversary of Hurricane Irma, the three consecutive catastrophic events—one flood and two hurricanes—remind of three important attributes that remain prevalent three years later: ‘One (1), God is with us! Two (2), we are stronger together! And, three (3) the future belongs to the prepared.’ Photo: Facebook/File
According to Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1), in a statement on the anniversary of Hurricane Irma, the three consecutive catastrophic events—one flood and two hurricanes—remind of three important attributes that remain prevalent three years later: ‘One (1), God is with us! Two (2), we are stronger together! And, three (3) the future belongs to the prepared.’ Photo: Facebook/File
A house destroyed by Hurricane Irma in the Virgin Islands. Photo: PA
A house destroyed by Hurricane Irma in the Virgin Islands. Photo: PA
Police Headquarters were not spared the wrath of Hurricane Irma. Photo: VINO/File
Police Headquarters were not spared the wrath of Hurricane Irma. Photo: VINO/File
Even the dead were not spared the wrath of Hurricane Irma. Photo: VINO/File
Even the dead were not spared the wrath of Hurricane Irma. Photo: VINO/File
Vehicles destroyed by Hurricane Irma. Photo: VINO/File
Vehicles destroyed by Hurricane Irma. Photo: VINO/File
Hurricane Irma devastation on the island of Jost van Dyke in the Virgin Islands. Photograph: Photo: Capt George Eatwell/AFP/Getty Images
Hurricane Irma devastation on the island of Jost van Dyke in the Virgin Islands. Photograph: Photo: Capt George Eatwell/AFP/Getty Images
The then Scotiabank, now Republic Bank, destroyed by Hurricane Irma. Photo: VINO/File
The then Scotiabank, now Republic Bank, destroyed by Hurricane Irma. Photo: VINO/File
Bolo's Variety Store damaged by Hurricane Irma in September 2017. Photo: VINO/File
Bolo's Variety Store damaged by Hurricane Irma in September 2017. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Today, Sunday, September 6, 2020, marks three years since the Virgin Islands was devastated by the catastrophic Category 5 Hurricane, Irma.

Five persons were killed and the monster hurricane left a trail of destruction in its path like never seen before in the British Overseas Territory.

The Category 5 Hurricane came in a matter of weeks after major flooding caused damage in parts of the Territory. Two weeks after Hurricne Irma, another catastrophic Category 5 Hurricane, Maria, affected the VI.

The resilience of the people of the Virgin Islands came to the forefront; however, and the Territory, despite no significant financial help from the United Kingdom, began to rebuild.

‘God is with us’

According to Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1), in a statement on the anniversary of Hurricane Irma, the three consecutive catastrophic events—one flood and two hurricanes—remind of three important attributes that remain prevalent three years later: “One (1), God is with us! Two (2), we are stronger together! And, three (3) the future belongs to the prepared.

“When we say that God is with us, we remember that immediately after Hurricane Irma, after we saw with our naked eyes the devastation and despair. This reality challenged our Faith to keep trusting in God that better days were ahead.”

Hon Fahie said the economy was clearly devastated, with losses that were estimated by some to be as high as $3 billion and many homes, jobs, personal possessions, and hope were gone in the blink of an eye with the wind.

“We all would vividly remember that these events were very traumatising for us as a people. Even to date some of these fears remain. Also etched in our mind forever, the many long hot days and nights after spent in the ‘pitch dark’ that tested our Faith and our resolve to dream of a better day.

‘Stronger together’

“But in contrast, during this difficult moment in time, the same events that shook our Faith strengthened our resolve.”

Fast-forward to three years later, Premier Fahie said many in the Territory are still struggling to get back to where they were before those 2017 catastrophic events. “Sometimes the burden can be so overpowering that it is difficult to see and appreciate the positives.”

He said when the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Government took office in February 2019, it made critical decisions in the best interest of the people of the Virgin Islands, and the picture was beginning to look much better.

The Elmore Stoutt High School L–shaped building and other school buildings, he said, were finally repaired, thereby allowing teachers, children, and support staff to return to school to learn in proper educational facilities.

“Construction was back on track. Tourism began to make great strides. An increasing number of cruise ships were returning to our shores, and new cruise lines called to our port. Innovation and entrepreneurial initiatives were beginning to take root. Regional relationships were re-established. Our infrastructure was taking shape. Our economy was on the rebound. Our Caribbean brothers and sisters, among others, who made the BVI their home for many, many years were finally regularised, and investors’ confidence in the Territory was moving forward.”

In early 2020; however, the Territory was faced with yet another setback, which was and still is COVID-19.

“Like the rest of the world, we were forced to readjust our course. But, just as we have pulled together to overcome Irma, so too with patience, effort and unity, we will conquer COVID-19 as well as this current 2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season.”

According to the Premier, every challenge that the Territory has been through, and is going through, is really God’s test to prepare it for what it is going to.

“What are we going to you may ask? We are going to prosperity-- to the new BVI, in ‘The New Regular’.”

Be prepared

Hon Fahie said it is important to note; however, that the future belongs to the prepared. So, we must remain a prepared people. We must increase our Faith in God. We must hold each other accountable. We must believe in each other. We must not let the efforts of our forefathers go in vain.”

And in this 2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season, three years after Irma, Premier Fahie has encouraged everyone to continue to remain in a state of readiness.

“In the same vein for COVID-19, let us continue to be responsible by adhering to the health and safety protocols to keep you safe and to keep us all safe.”

19 Responses to “Hurricane Irma ‘challenged our faith to keep trusting in God’- Premier Fahie”

  • ------------------ (06/09/2020, 10:28) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    i have nightmares thinking of the hurricanes of 2017
  • Nice speech (06/09/2020, 10:55) Like (11) Dislike (19) Reply
    Being able to make a speech is good. We’ve heard the same speech 2 to 3 times now. Time for action premier. Not speech
  • jonah (06/09/2020, 11:34) Like (9) Dislike (6) Reply
    There is a Jonah amongst us - since Sept 2017 we have had two major hurricanes, serious floods, decimation of our financial services industry, and now Covid 19. Storms now lining up across the Atlantic. Who is the Jonah, and how much longer is he in the Territory? When can normal life resume.
    • @Jonah (06/09/2020, 14:20) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      Sad to say but, it is going to be a long and winding road before anyone can resume a normal like. If everyone does their part we will be able to resume a normal life
    • the rock (06/09/2020, 14:32) Like (42) Dislike (11) Reply
      Normal life will resume when our territory repents, its that simple,,to much evil this place!
    • @Jonah (06/09/2020, 18:48) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      We all might be a Jonah and need to examine ourselves. Yes some do more evil than others but we all have to account to God.
  • Eagle Eye (06/09/2020, 11:47) Like (28) Dislike (39) Reply
    I fed up of blogging now, these politicians don't learn.election where are you so long.
  • Expat (06/09/2020, 13:16) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    Irma brings togetherness in family and in the community everyone was torking to get BVI going again expats and locals worked together. Aid that came was not distributed rightfully but that did not caused any problems in the community. What happen today is that everything is being blamed on Covid. Covid should not be the cause of separation of families if they are still alive and well. Open the borders that parents can be reunited with their children instead of putting all those unnecessary implementations in place that companies must register first. What if the company is a tourism one and is not functioning right now then the parents will have to stay away from their children until the borders are fully open?? Irma did damages but bring togetherness so please do not blame Covid for the cause separation. Man could not control Irma but they can with Covid so please make the right decisions.
    • @Expat (06/09/2020, 20:42) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
      Every one want the Government to do what is best for them buta country cannot be run like that. Covid 19 is diffrrent to a hurricane. It is bad enough with the borders close just imagine what will happen if borders were open. By opening the border is not the way to control Covid and will not be the right decision. I feel your pain but we all have to make sacrifices now.

      • @@expat (06/09/2020, 22:26) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        I think the writer was pleading for them to open the borders for parents if i read correctly. I would not want parents to be separated from their kids if this is the case. If this is so I too am pleading with the government to allowed locked out parents to come back in and be united with their families.
  • LMagdalene (06/09/2020, 14:18) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    Please ....The scooters are right now racing in your neighborhood and causing mental distress and anguish of your neighbors.
    It is evident that your promises to them,their votes and your desire for reelection precedes
    enforcement of rules and reg put in place by you and your Gov.
    However you, apparently have a direct line to Almighty so please ask him /her to intercede as this ongoing matter is detrimental to the physical and mental health of many residents as you must know. Amen.
  • Ghost (06/09/2020, 14:28) Like (47) Dislike (4) Reply
    Excellent speech Hon. Premier .. just as God was with us during those storms, He is with us now during this storm of the unseen enemy.. I feel that Sept. 6th should be made A National holiday annually Hon. Premier..“A day of Remembrance” of God’s Love and Mercy towards us..
  • Change you say (06/09/2020, 14:44) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
    Change who??? You guys aint change for good but for worst.
  • sheep (06/09/2020, 15:55) Like (3) Dislike (11) Reply
    what an evil god to inflict such a devastating hurricane on people
  • jeeper (06/09/2020, 19:22) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    If God send the hurricane with such great force to destroyed what is God telling us, too much corruption, pollution and unjust is going on and yet they keep calling on God. Well as the bible say they are those who will call upon the lord and the lord will say i know you not.
  • GG (06/09/2020, 19:51) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Oh wow Nightmares, oh wait God Fearing since when. You consider yourselves God Fearing , but yet you'll minds still poisonous and filled with hate. God sent irma as a wake up call and still you fight down and treat other people from other islands indifferent. I think a next wake up call is need and this time
    the Caribbean islands need let the indigenous bvislanders or born here fix back your own country. Bunch of using hippocratic group of people. Reading the ignorant comments is both disrespectful and shameful. And to think we live amongst you ingrates day after day. When You doing evil keep God far from your crap.
  • Ungrateful (07/09/2020, 01:06) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    Despite no significant financial help from the UK??? The only reason why I felt at peace was because of the presence of the UK military, and that's more than money can buy. I approached them, I spoke to them, they were friendly and compassionate. They would have been ready to land anywhere to distribute food and water but they needed authorisation to do so. They were here helping to remove the debris and were very respectful as they only acted upon orders issued by the premier....ungratefulness is ugliness and no amount of money can fix that!!! Now turn off these stupid 5G antennas so I can get some sleep with you all ish!!! And GOD SAVE THE QUEEN!
  • Sick (07/09/2020, 01:13) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    And if I was one of those service men that risked my life because I cared for another I would be sick to read this. Not one mention of the UK military who helped restore law and order by capturing every last one of the escaped prisoners when your own officers were running from them and in some cases allegedly letting them go free. Leaders are heads and the church folk say when the head sick, the whole damn body sick. That f$*&%#@ explains!
  • Rubber Duck (07/09/2020, 12:56) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    I am going to trust in forecasting and ring beams and shelters, not in some mythical sky pixie.


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