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Hurricane Irma Churns Over Dominican Republic and Heads Toward Turks and Caicos Hurricane Irma, Churning Over Dominican Republic, Heads Toward Turks and Caicos
(about 1 hour later)
• Hurricane Irma, one of the strongest ever recorded in the Atlantic, made direct hits on Barbuda, St. Barthélemy, St. Martin, Anguilla and the British Virgin Islands, and raked the United States Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. Hurricane Irma, a Category 5 storm with winds of over 180 miles an hour, continued to tear through the Caribbean on Thursday, leaving devastation in its wake and prompting evacuation orders across the region.
• The death toll from the storm stood at 11 on Thursday morning, but the authorities warned that it would rise as communications improved. The death toll was at least seven on Thursday morning, and the authorities warned that the number could rise as communications improved. Prime Minister Édouard Philippe of France said that four people were confirmed dead on the Caribbean island of St Martin, lowering a previous toll of eight deaths given by local rescue officials.
• Nearly 70 percent of households in Puerto Rico were without power after hurricane-force winds and torrential rain. Almost 50,000 people were without water, according to the territory’s emergency management agency. A St. Martin official said on Wednesday night that “95 percent of the island is destroyed.”
• The Category 5 hurricane, which by 5 a.m. Thursday had slowed to 180 miles per hour from 185, left Barbuda in shambles, damaging 95 percent of its buildings and leaving the island “barely habitable.” More than 70 percent of Puerto Rico households were without power on Thursday, though the territory appeared to be largely unscathed, the governor said. It was the latest blow for a territory mired in bankruptcy and debt that have left public works like power plants and retaining walls in poor shape.
• Two other storms were brewing in the region: Hurricane Jose and Hurricane Katia, both Category 1. Jose was trailing Irma, and Katia was expected to hit the coast of Mexico on Thursday night or early Friday, the center said. Irma, one of most powerful Atlantic storms ever recorded, was about 110 miles north of Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic on Thursday morning. A hurricane watch was issued for South Florida, the Florida Keys, Lake Okeechobee and Florida Bay, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Gov. Rick Scott of Florida urged residents to heed the advice of local officials in preparing for a powerful storm that could quickly change its course. “Every Florida family must prepare to evacuate regardless of the coast you live on,” he said at a news conference.
• Sign up for the Morning Briefing for hurricane news and a daily look at what you need to know to begin your day.• Sign up for the Morning Briefing for hurricane news and a daily look at what you need to know to begin your day.
In Puerto Rico, nearly 70 percent of households were without power in the wake of Hurricane Irma, which otherwise left the island largely unscathed, Gov. Ricardo Rosselló said on Thursday. The Haitian government called for all institutions, public and private, including banks and stores, to be shut down from noon on Thursday until further notice.
Roughly 40 percent of the island’s hospitals were functioning, he said, and about 40 patients from the United States Virgin Islands were being transferred to hospitals in Puerto Rico, he added. President Jovenel Moïse said in a televised speech that his cabinet had spent a week preparing for the hurricane, but he also outlined the challenges ahead, noting that 77 percent of the country was mountainous, much of it inaccessible by road.
About 17 percent of the island has no water as a result of the lack of electrical power, he said. He urged people to heed the hurricane warnings and get to a safe place. “The hurricane is not a game,” he said.
“We would like to start out thanking the Almighty,” Mr. Rosselló said after the island saw relatively little damage. “Our prayers were answered.” All schools in the country were closed on Wednesday and Thursday, and the more than 800 temporary shelters set up across the country have started providing food to people affected by the storm.
On the main island, fallen trees and electrical poles made up the bulk of the damage. The Department of Public Works logged 198 incidents of roads blocked by trees or utility poles. The police are working with local officials to evacuate people from the most vulnerable areas along the northern coast, “by force if necessary,” Interior Minister Max Rudolph Saint-Albin said at a news conference on Thursday.
The governor said total rainfall on the island ranged from two to eight inches, but that southern regions were still at risk of flooding because the rain there had not stopped. The concern is not just about possible drownings and injuries from the storm, but also that a surge of cholera could follow, as happened last year after Hurricane Matthew devastated the country’s southwest.
Concern had been greatest for the small island of Culebra. The governor said that communication with the island remained difficult Thursday morning but that the authorities had managed to speak with the mayor and the police lieutenant there. The Minister of Public Health, speaking on national television and radio, urged people to add bleach to their drinking and bathing water and to put together first-aid kits at home.
“The information we have, again, thank God — because Culebra did see wind gusts above 100 m.p.h. — is positive,” he said. To date this year, government reports show that 104 people have died from the waterborne disease that broke out in Haiti starting in 2010.
— CATHERINE PORTER
In Puerto Rico, nearly 70 percent of households were without power in the wake of the storm, which otherwise left the island largely unscathed, Gov. Ricardo Rosselló said on Thursday.
Roughly 40 percent of the territory’s hospitals were functioning, he said, and were accepting transfers of about 40 patients from the United States Virgin Islands.
Power outages have left about 17 percent of the territory without running water, he said.
“We would like to start out thanking the Almighty,” Mr. Rosselló said of the relatively small impact the storm had on Puerto Rico, with fallen trees and electrical poles making up the bulk of the damage on the main island. “Our prayers were answered.”
Total rainfall on the island ranged from two to eight inches, the governor said, but southern regions are still at risk of flooding because the rain there had not stopped.
Concern had been greatest for the small island of Culebra. Communication with the island remained difficult, but Mr. Rosselló said that the authorities had managed to speak with the mayor and the police lieutenant there.
“The information we have — again, thank God, because Culebra did see wind gusts above 100 m.p.h. — is positive,” he said.
— FRANCES ROBLES— FRANCES ROBLES
Irma had wind speeds of 185 m.p.h. for more than 24 hours, the longest period ever recorded. The French weather service described it as the most enduring superstorm on record. Irma’s 185 m.p.h. wind speeds persisted for more than 24 hours, the longest period ever recorded. The French weather service described it as the most enduring superstorm on record.
Gaston Browne, prime minister of Antigua and Barbuda, said 50 percent of Barbuda was left homeless from the storm. Officials declared a state of emergency there on Thursday. Prime Minister Gaston Browne of Antigua and Barbuda said that half of Barbuda had been left homeless from the storm. Officials declared a state of emergency there on Thursday.
Around 11 a.m., the storm’s eye was off the northern coast of Hispaniola, which is shared by Haiti and the Dominican Republic, the National Hurricane Center said, and it is expected to remain a Category 4 or 5 storm through Thursday. Around 11 a.m., the storm’s eye was off the northern coast of Hispaniola, which is shared by Haiti and the Dominican Republic, the National Hurricane Center said. It is expected to remain a Category 4 or 5 storm throughout the day.
It is likely to then move near the Turks and Caicos Islands and the southeastern Bahamas on Thursday night, before coming close to Cuba on Friday or Saturday. The storm is expected to move near the Turks and Caicos Islands and the southeastern Bahamas on Thursday night, before coming close to Cuba on Friday or Saturday.
All schools in Haiti — public and private — were closed on Wednesday and Thursday in preparation for the hurricane. In the Dominican Republic, officials evacuated some areas near the beachfront town of Cabarete on the north coast, though some residents chose to stay boarded up their homes and ride it out.
President Jovenel Moïse said in a televised speech that his cabinet had spent a week preparing for the hurricane, establishing shelters and sending drinkable water to northern areas expected to be hit. He said public safety workers had begun to move people away from the water and into shelters. President Danilo Medina canceled work for public and private companies, and schools were closed until Monday as emergency workers spread out to manage the storm’s expected fallout.
But Mr. Moïse also outlined the challenges ahead, noting that 77 percent of Haiti is mountainous terrain, much of it inaccessible by road. Seventeen provinces, mostly along the nation’s northern, eastern and southern coastlines, had been under a red alert since Wednesday. But the center of the storm was passing in the north, with winds and rains lashing areas like Puerto Plata.
He implored the population to take heed of the hurricane warnings and to get to a safe place. Evacuations took place in Samana, a popular resort area, where heavy winds and rain struck the beaches and roads. Residents in Cabarete said that so far the effects of the storm were relatively mild.
“The hurricane is not a game,” he said. “It’s really not that bad,” said Lindsay Sauvage, who lives with her family in Cabarete and said the electricity had shut off around 3 a.m. “We expected much worse.”
The Dominican Republic braced for the storm on Thursday, as officials evacuated some areas near the beachfront town of Cabarate on the north coast. But some residents chose to stay boarded up their homes and ride it out. — CARL JOSEPH and AZAM AHMED
The president canceled work for public and private companies, and closed schools until Monday as emergency workers across spread out to manage the storm’s expected fallout. As the Turks and Caicos Islands, a British territory, prepared for Hurricane Irma, London came under criticism for not doing enough for territories hit by the storm, like the British Virgin Islands and Anguilla, where one person died.
Seventeen 17 provinces had been under a red alert since Wednesday, areas largely arrayed along the nation’s northern, eastern and southern coastlines. But the eye of the storm was passing in the north, with winds and rains lashing areas like Puerto Plata. Some argued that the British response was tepid compared with France’s. Josephine Gumbs-Connor, a lawyer from Anguilla, told the BBC that the British government should have done more.
Evacuations took place in Samana, a popular resort area, where heavy winds and rain struck the beaches and roads. Residents reached in the town of Cabarete said that so far the effects of the storm were relatively mild. “The French made sure they had military on the ground so the response given is timely, which makes it effective, which makes it helpful to our people,” she said, adding that the hurricane had caused havoc on the island.
“It’s really not that bad,” said Lindsay Sauvage, who lives with her family in Cabarete and said the electricity cut off around 3 a.m. “We expected much worse.” Boris Johnson, the foreign secretary, defended the government’s record, saying that Britain had responded quickly. And Priti Patel, the international development secretary, said a naval ship had been deployed to the region with 40 Marines, Army engineers, vehicles, tents and equipment to help deal with the devastation. Britain has also sent three experts in humanitarian interventions, she said.
— CARL JOSEPH, CATHERINE PORTER and AZAM AHMED A statement from 10 Downing Street said that Prime Minister Theresa May had discussed the response to the storm with President Emmanuel Macron of France, and that they had agreed “to cooperate closely, including with the Dutch, to understand the extent of the damage and to coordinate our relief efforts.”
The Turks and Caicos Islands, a British overseas territory, were preparing for Hurricane Irma on Thursday, even as the British government came under criticism for not doing enough for territories hit by the storm, like the British Virgin Islands and Anguilla, where one person died.
Boris Johnson, the foreign secretary, defended the government’s record, however, saying that Britain had responded quickly to the storm. Priti Patel, the international development secretary, said a naval ship had been deployed to the region with 40 marines, army engineers, vehicles, tents and equipment to help deal with the devastation. Britain has also sent three experts in humanitarian interventions, she said.
Nevertheless, some critics said the British response had been tepid compared with France’s. Josephine Gumbs-Connor, a lawyer from Anguilla, told the BBC that the British government should have done more. “The French made sure they had military on the ground so the response given is timely, which makes it effective, which makes it helpful to our people,” she said.
She added that the hurricane had wreaked havoc on the island.
A statement from 10 Downing Street said Prime Minister Theresa May of Britain and President Emmanuel Macron had discussed the response to the storm, agreeing “to cooperate closely, including with the Dutch, to understand the extent of the damage and to coordinate our relief efforts.”
In Turks and Caicos, people took to social media to express their fears and frustrations.In Turks and Caicos, people took to social media to express their fears and frustrations.
— DAN BILEFSKY AND ILIANA MAGRA — DAN BILEFSKY and ILIANA MAGRA
The possibility of a major impact on the state has increased, the National Hurricane Center said Thursday.The possibility of a major impact on the state has increased, the National Hurricane Center said Thursday.
The center said the storm was likely to become a Category 4 hurricane when it makes landfall in Florida early Saturday. Tropical-force winds were expected to batter the Keys, the Florida chain of islands under a mandatory evacuation order.The center said the storm was likely to become a Category 4 hurricane when it makes landfall in Florida early Saturday. Tropical-force winds were expected to batter the Keys, the Florida chain of islands under a mandatory evacuation order.
President Trump has declared a state of emergency in Florida, Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands.President Trump has declared a state of emergency in Florida, Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands.
Gov. Rick Scott said he planned to activate 7,000 National Guard soldiers by Friday to help with the storm. He warned on NBC’s “Today” show on Thursday that the hurricane was “way bigger than Hurricane Andrew,” which hit the state hard in 1992, and that it could strike either coast.Gov. Rick Scott said he planned to activate 7,000 National Guard soldiers by Friday to help with the storm. He warned on NBC’s “Today” show on Thursday that the hurricane was “way bigger than Hurricane Andrew,” which hit the state hard in 1992, and that it could strike either coast.
“Everybody needs to listen to local officials about evacuation orders,” he said. “Make sure you have a plan.”“Everybody needs to listen to local officials about evacuation orders,” he said. “Make sure you have a plan.”
Appearing on CBS’s “This Morning” minutes later, he said that fuel was a particular concern, one that he addressed while speaking to the White House and to Energy Secretary Rick Perry on Wednesday, and that highways were already starting to get crowded as people left their homes.Appearing on CBS’s “This Morning” minutes later, he said that fuel was a particular concern, one that he addressed while speaking to the White House and to Energy Secretary Rick Perry on Wednesday, and that highways were already starting to get crowded as people left their homes.
“We’re doing everything we can to get gas into these stations so that people can evacuate,” he said.“We’re doing everything we can to get gas into these stations so that people can evacuate,” he said.
The governor reiterated his concerns about the storm surge, which he said could cover homes and would be unlike anything Floridians had seen before. “This storm surge can kill you,” he said.The governor reiterated his concerns about the storm surge, which he said could cover homes and would be unlike anything Floridians had seen before. “This storm surge can kill you,” he said.
Monroe County, which includes the Florida Keys, issued a mandatory evacuation order on Wednesday. Broward County, which includes Fort Lauderdale, advised people to evacuate some areas. In South Florida, traffic and fuel shortages were becoming problems as people tried to get out of the storm’s path.Monroe County, which includes the Florida Keys, issued a mandatory evacuation order on Wednesday. Broward County, which includes Fort Lauderdale, advised people to evacuate some areas. In South Florida, traffic and fuel shortages were becoming problems as people tried to get out of the storm’s path.
Buses in Key West will begin evacuating residents at noon Thursday, and residents have been asked to go to their nearest bus stop, according to a government website. Pickups will continue through Thursday afternoon and will resume at 6 a.m. on Friday.Buses in Key West will begin evacuating residents at noon Thursday, and residents have been asked to go to their nearest bus stop, according to a government website. Pickups will continue through Thursday afternoon and will resume at 6 a.m. on Friday.
— JONAH ENGEL BROMWICH, FRANCES ROBLES and RICHARD PÉREZ-PEÑA— JONAH ENGEL BROMWICH, FRANCES ROBLES and RICHARD PÉREZ-PEÑA
French officials said Thursday morning that at least eight people had been killed in the French Caribbean and that rescue workers were just beginning to assess the damage Hurricane Irma had inflicted on the islands of St. Martin and St. Barthélemy. French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe later on Thursday that four people were confirmed dead on the Caribbean island of St Martin, lowering a previous toll of eight deaths given by local rescue officials.
Philippe said around 50 people were injured, including two seriously, while 60 percent of homes on the island had been damaged so badly that they were uninhabitable.Rescue workers were just beginning to assess the damage Hurricane Irma had inflicted on the islands of St. Martin and St. Barthélemy.
At least three deaths were reported elsewhere.At least three deaths were reported elsewhere.
Interior Minister Gérard Collomb said that the figure of 23 wounded that had been provided by the French authorities might have included patients who had been hospitalized before the storm.Interior Minister Gérard Collomb said that the figure of 23 wounded that had been provided by the French authorities might have included patients who had been hospitalized before the storm.
“The destruction is massive,” Mr. Collomb said, noting that schools had almost all been destroyed.“The destruction is massive,” Mr. Collomb said, noting that schools had almost all been destroyed.
“By chance, the airport in the north, the French airport, has not been hit too much, so we are going to be able to land helicopters and then planes,” he said. The southern airport, in the Dutch part of the island, was more severely hit, he added.“By chance, the airport in the north, the French airport, has not been hit too much, so we are going to be able to land helicopters and then planes,” he said. The southern airport, in the Dutch part of the island, was more severely hit, he added.
Mr. Collomb said that the French authorities were sending barges filled with water and 100,000 French Army rations to the two islands, enough to sustain the populations there for four days.Mr. Collomb said that the French authorities were sending barges filled with water and 100,000 French Army rations to the two islands, enough to sustain the populations there for four days.
He said that one of the main priorities was to restore electricity, to bring back the desalination plant that provides the island with drinkable water, and to get phone networks back online.He said that one of the main priorities was to restore electricity, to bring back the desalination plant that provides the island with drinkable water, and to get phone networks back online.
Daniel Gibbs, the president of the French territorial council on St. Martin, told Radio Caraïbes International on Wednesday night that “95 percent of the island is destroyed.”Daniel Gibbs, the president of the French territorial council on St. Martin, told Radio Caraïbes International on Wednesday night that “95 percent of the island is destroyed.”
“There are shipwrecks everywhere, destroyed houses everywhere, torn off roofs everywhere,” Mr. Gibbs said. “It’s just unbelievable, it’s indescribable.”“There are shipwrecks everywhere, destroyed houses everywhere, torn off roofs everywhere,” Mr. Gibbs said. “It’s just unbelievable, it’s indescribable.”
Asked what the island needed, Mr. Gibbs said “everything” and noted that another storm, Hurricane Jose, was expected soon after Irma.Asked what the island needed, Mr. Gibbs said “everything” and noted that another storm, Hurricane Jose, was expected soon after Irma.
French authorities have expressed particular worry about the roughly 7,000 people who refused to evacuate and take shelter inland.French authorities have expressed particular worry about the roughly 7,000 people who refused to evacuate and take shelter inland.
Mr. Collomb, the interior minister, said that rescue workers were still trying to reach remote parts of the islands, but that so far the death toll was lower than the authorities had feared.Mr. Collomb, the interior minister, said that rescue workers were still trying to reach remote parts of the islands, but that so far the death toll was lower than the authorities had feared.
— AURELIEN BREEDEN and ELIAN PELTIER— AURELIEN BREEDEN and ELIAN PELTIER