Mayday Tweet from Barbuda: We are one .. Barbuda and Antigua

barbudaAntigua
barbudaAntigua
Avatar of Juergen T Steinmetz

Tourism is the main industry in Antigua and Barbuda. After today’s hit by Hurricane Irma this industry changed in minutes. While Antigua was spared the Island of Barbuda is barely habitable.

Barbuda was absolutely devastated by Hurricane Irma.9 0% of its structures are destroyed and 60% of the island’s population is homeless.

Desperate tweets for help say: We are one .. Barbuda and Antigua – help!

Barbuda is totally destroyed. These were the words by Prime Minister Gaston Browne when he was seen inspecting damages on Barbuda from a helicopter. Gaston Browne is the prime minister of the two-island nation of Antigua and Barbuda. Tourism may be destroyed for some time and so is the primary source of income and area of employment

Tourism may be destroyed for some time and so is the primary source of income and area of employment

On Antigua there was no loss of life. The local population and all visitors to the island are safe. Most residential, business and hotel properties in Antigua remain largely unscathed and already the main roads have been cleared of the debris of fallen trees.

On Barbuda, the situation is less promising and authorities are working tirelessly tonight to rescue and evaluate.

barb2 | eTurboNews | eTN

Hurricane Irma, which has been classified as the most powerful hurricane ever to hit Atlantic, has wreaked massive damage in the Caribbean island of Barbuda.

The prime minister described it as “absolutely heart-wrenching”.

“It’s an enormous catastrophe. Ninety-five percent of the island is destroyed. I’m in shock. It’s frightening,” said Daniel Gibbs, a former French lawmaker, speaking on Radio Caribbean International yesterday, AFP reported.

The US state of Florida which falls in the path of the deadly storm has started preparing for its landfall.

Florida Governor Rick Scott has declared a state of emergency for all 67 counties.

About the author

Avatar of Juergen T Steinmetz

Juergen T Steinmetz

Juergen Thomas Steinmetz has continuously worked in the travel and tourism industry since he was a teenager in Germany (1977).
He founded eTurboNews in 1999 as the first online newsletter for the global travel tourism industry.

1 Comment
Newest
Oldest
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Share to...