As Hurricane Irma continues to pummel its way through the Caribbean, the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) is reporting some significant infrastructure damage in both St. Barts and St. Martin.
Meanwhile, St. Kitts and Nevis is reporting no significant damage and the prime minister of Antigua and Barbuda said Antigua has weathered the storm with “stunning results.”
In St. Barts, the fire station is under three feet of water and fire engines are out of service with firefighters taking refuge of the first floor, according to the CTO. Several homes have been damaged and roofs blown off. There is also a total electricity blackout.
In St. Martin, government offices have been partly destroyed, according to the CTO. The fire station has also been damaged and the island has been without electricity since 6 a.m. this morning. Police have also reported several roofs have blown off in the storm, according to the CTO.
Meanwhile, Gaston Browne, the prime minister of Antigua and Barbuda, issued a statement declaring that the destination has gotten through the storm so far better than expected.
“There is no doubt that the Good Lord is on our side,” said Browne. “We in Antigua have weathered the most powerful hurricane ever to storm its way through the Caribbean. And we have done so with stunning results.”
While still experiencing wind and rains, initial reports appear to indicate that St. Kitts and Nevis also has escaped the worst.
St. Kitts’ Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport (SKB) remains closed until further notice. The island’s cruise ports are also closed until further notice and visitors who have not evacuated are being sheltered, according to the CTO.
Keep visiting www.travelagentcentral.com for more Hurricane Irma updates and be sure to follow Travel Agent’s Joe Pike on Twitter @TravelPike and Instagram @pike5260.
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