The most powerful hurricane ever recorded in the Atlantic Ocean made landfall as it battered the Caribbean Islands moving west as a Category 5 storm of wind and rain. Winds exceeding 151 mph were recorded as the eye passed over Barbuda and Antiqua before the instrument stopped working. It has been reported the nations, although heavily damaged, have survived their brush with Hurricane Irma.
According to Wednesday’s Metro News, the eye of Hurricane Irma passed over Barbuda early in the morning, and local residents have reported phone lines are down thus limiting communication. Debris flying around Antiqua had hopefully kept people hunkered down in their homes or in shelters. As the storm closed in and officials urged all citizens to seek protection, the words “May God protect us all” ended the announcement.
All electricity has been knocked out, and France has requisitioned planes to send in emergency food and water rations.
Photos of some of the destruction showing up on local Barbuda news media and social media, show the roof ripped off of the police station forcing officers to flee to the fire station. From Barbuda, Hurricane Irma slammed into Saint Barthelemy (St Barts) and Saint Martin with the coastlines suffering major damage. The fire station in St. Barts is under three feet of water, and rescue vehicles are unable to move. On Monday, more than 11,000 people living in low lying areas on both of the islands were evacuated.
In Guadeloupe, only parts of the island lost electricity, however Annick Giradin, the French minister of overseas territories, “preparing for the worst” expressed her concern that some people didn’t heed the warnings and did not go to secure shelters.
Tragically, the hurricane is nowhere near finishing her reign of weather terror. Other islands she is heading for include the US and British Virgin Islands and Anguilla. The eye of the storm is expected to pass about 50 miles from Puerto Rico later on Wednesday and is expected to dump up to 18 inches of rain in some areas when it hits land.
There have not been any storm related deaths as of Tuesday evening, however a 75-year-old man died in Puerto Rico when he fell from his ladder preparing for the hurricane. The storm is expected to move westward by the Dominican Republic, Haiti and Cuba; possibly causing mud slides, storm surges and heavy rains.
Florida Governor Rick Scott activated the Florida National Guard to be deployed across the state, and 7,000 National Guard members were to report for duty on Friday when the storm could be approaching the area. On Monday, Mr Scott declared a state of emergency in all of Florida’s 67 counties. Officials in the Florida Keys geared up to get tourists and residents out of Irma’s path. Everyone in Florida is cautioned to pay attention to all of the alerts.
There have been no reports about pets – stranded dogs and cats or farm animals as of this time. Where are they and who will be the first to help save the ones who cannot speak for themselves? Pet Rescue Report will be following the news about stranded pets as soon as it is made available.
(Photos via screenshots from Metro News and Twitter (Carole Graux, Meteo Express)
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Dog had to tread water for 3 days to stay alive in flood waters – read the story here!
Dog was going to drown in raging flood water until these good Samaritans saved the day – dramatic video!
Couldn’t imagine going through this.
Yes this is concerning about the animals it is unheard of not to see any…
Praying for all in the path of this horrendous hurricane.
Pray that people,pets, farm animals are safe and secure. Hope this hurricane leaves quickly with minimal damage too all.
I live in Florida and have visited just about all of the Caribbean islands, it is rare to find an islander who would actually open their home to a street animal. You see sick and starving strays, sometimes dead ones on the roads or sidewalks, injured dogs and cats, nobody notices. It was a real downer on those vacations and unfortunately I doubt the storm brought out anything different. The friends I have made here in the USA that are transplants from the Caribbean make me think it’s a cultural thing, they all think I am crazy for having dogs in my house. My friend’s islander boyfriend won’t live with her because he won’t live in the same apartment as cats.
Dogs and cats are treated like rats in some countries . In Arabia people don’t have dogs.
Most warm climate countries live along side out door city dog’s and they dleep on the doir step .Culturally Muslims believe a dog’s saliva is an abomination. Its a real shock to Americans.
Its also a shock when people like your friend is besides himself with sharing space with some animals.
I’m glad the cats won.
This is America. Its cat and dog friendly
Our family has a house in Ft.Lauderdale that is on the ocean and as much as I’m worried about the house my thoughts are first and foremost for all the homeless dogs and cats! Humans can save themselves but the dogs and cats have NOBODY to shelter them from harm! PRAYING FOR ALL IN IRMA’S PATH????????
Hoping all and animals are safe.
Holy shit, this is real
Get out .
Forget about the house you can build a better one.
every body grab a pet and a giant bag of pet food. Get as far north as you can.
You have 2 full days . Its not enough time but its time to pack what’s important and get out of dodge.
By the 3rd day .
Florida may never be the same.all of florida.
Florida, the world standard for hurricane buildings and high wind glass engineering codes,
now Florida structures are going to be put to the first and worst test.
Keep your head together. Don’t leave anyone behind.
Holy Mary mother of god protect our family’s on the eve of their trials.
Holy Mary mother of god pray for the family’s in harm’s way.
Holy Mary mother of god pray for us all.
Pray for the first responders
Pray for the strugglers
Pray for the wake of the flood.
It’s coming