Hurricane Irma resulted in widespread catastrophic damage across the entire Virgin Islands. The impacts were felt and continue to be felt by everyone and across all sectors.
Governance
Hurricane Irma resulted in extensive damage to Government’s Central Administration Complex from where the bulk of Government services are delivered. The building suffered damage to approximately 95% of offices. Only a single ministry, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour suffered no physical damages.
The building that houses the Department of Disaster Management and thus the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) was severely damaged forcing the NEOC to relocate to Peebles Hospital during the eye of the hurricane.
The Human Toll
The human toll from Irma has been significant. Four people died from injuries sustained during Irma and another 125 were hospitalized as a result of their injuries. In addition, on average 100 persons per day presented for treatment at the Road Town clinic between 6th and 7th September, 2017. Beyond these direct impacts, there have been 41 deaths since Irma, representing a doubling in the death rate compared to the historic average for the same period (September to October). Stress and a reduced capacity health care system as a result of Hurricane Irma are likely contributing factors.
The Economy
The economy suffered a major blow. The tourism sector in particular, one of the two pillars of the economy was heavily impacted. The impact of course includes direct damage to tourism accommodation properties on land and widespread damage to the yachting fleet. Immediately following Irma most hotels and villas were either damaged beyond the ability to operate or could not operate given the general circumstances. For instance, the Tourist Board has initially estimated that Irma either destroyed or severely damaged 95-98% of small coastal tourism properties on the northern and western section of Tortola.
The yachting industry, the highest earning tourism subsector, has provisionally estimated that close to 1,000 vessels may need salvaging; this represents a significant share of the fleet. One operator reported damage to about 85% of its operational fleet and damages to 90% of boats in the boatyard for repairs. Marinas, a critical part of the industry’s infrastructure, were also heavily damaged.
In addition to this immediate loss, the tourism sector will suffer from a major loss of revenue during the 2017-2018 tourism sector as the industry and Territory still tries to recover.
Business operations in other sectors were also heavily impacted with some industries, such as car dealerships, standing out in particular. Losses to business included physical damage to structures, loss of inventory during Irma and following Irma due to looting, and loss of business.
Delivery of critical services
The Virgin Islands instantly became a cash only economy for several days after Hurricane Irma. Banking services, including automatic teller machines, were not available for the first 6-7 days and still remain limited.
The education system was entirely shaken up by Hurricane Irma. Of the 16 public schools, 5 were assessed as unusable due to the extent of physical damage to the buildings. This includes the main secondary school on Tortola with a population of 1,600 students; most buildings of the school compound were lost. School for most students did not resume until early November and schools are operating under very constrained circumstances right up to the tertiary level.
Heath service capacity was greatly diminished, in particular of primary health care. Irma resulted in level 3 (major damage) to 5 out of 12 public health centres in the Territory.
Housing
The housing stock took a particularly hard blow. As at end of September, 2017 approximately 4,240 residential buildings (of the roughly 12,000) had been assessed, mainly on Tortola. Of these 592 (14%) were completely destroyed, 731 (17%) had major damage such as a roof entirely blown off, 1,314 (31%) had minor damage and 1,603 (38%) had no significant damage.
Irma left many homeless and in shelters or with relatives and friends. As of end of September, there were still a total of 224 persons living at official shelters.
Infrastructure
There was severe impact to power generation and distribution. Following Irma there was absolutely no power generation or distribution in the entire Territory. The Power Station was in complete blackout from 6th to 11th September, 2017 as Irma even damaged the Station’s black start unit. Irma destroyed 95%-98% of the electrical distribution network.
The first power distribution came roughly 1 to 1.5 weeks after Irma and was limited to the Central Business District in the capital, Road Town, and the Hospital. At the end of September power had been resorted to some parts of Road Town, The BVI Electricity Corporation Substation on Virgin Gorda and parts of Anegada. On Tortola, the first community outside of the Road Town area received power over a month after impact on 13th October. By November 5, electricity had been restored to an estimated 40% on Tortola, 55% on Virgin Gorda and 85% on Anegada. There is still no electricity on Jost Van Dyke.
Potable water production (provided 100% through desalination) was significantly interrupted due to the power failure. Distribution was also severely hampered due to low reservoir storage capacity and broken water lines throughout the Territory, especially in coastal communities.
Directly following Irma most roads, including main roads, were heavily blocked by debris. It took 2 weeks for all major roadways to be fully passable. Still, as the surface of many roads was washed out they are riddled with deep potholes and are treacherous.
Communication systems were not spared. Landlines remain entirely down since Irma and cellular phone service was heavily impacted. Internet access has also been greatly impacted and reduced to mobile Wifi units. Immediately following Irma, cellular signal was only available in very limited areas of Tortola, mainly in the Town area. The three cellular phone companies have estimated a 6 month period to fully recover their systems. Communication with the sister islands of Virgin Gorda, Anegada and Jost Van Dyke was particularly difficult as cellular service was not functional at least until end of September. These islands depended strictly on a few satellite phones as well as High Frequency and Very Small Aperture Terminals (VSAT) for communication. The communication challenges on Tortola and between islands added significantly to the inherent difficulties of coordinating emergency response and recovery efforts.
All local radio stations were forced off air in the days immediately following Irma.
Besides the condition of the roads, transportation was greatly challenged by the extent of damage to the vehicle fleet. By rough estimate, more than 75% of vehicles received some type of major damage such as smashed out windshields or windows, ripped off bumpers or hoods, major denting, or flooding. Again, limited vehicles, including at the disposal of government and international assistance teams frustrated relief efforts. Inter-island transportation was equally challenged as ferry services were limited in the days and weeks immediately following Irma.
Solid waste and sewage waste management systems were seriously compromised in the aftermath of Irma. Sewage collection and treatment systems failed due to lack of power supply. The incinerator at Pockwood Pond, Tortola, responsible for the bulk of solid waste management, was damaged.
The Environment
The environment took a beating. Satellite imagery from 5th and 6th September shows green islands turned brown overnight as every tree was stripped of all its leaves and some of their barks. This has resulted in a loss of habitat and food for biodiversity. Mangroves suffered the same fate but for the most part remained rooted. Most other coastal vegetation not only lost its foliage but was completely uprooted. Coral reefs and seagrass beds were heavily battered by the strength of the storm surge. A full environmental assessment is necessary to quantify the extent of damage.
The environment has been littered with debris, in particular galvanize across hillsides and in natural drainage systems where it will be difficult to retrieve.
History and Culture
The Virgin Islands lost a large share of its historical and cultural artefacts and structures at the hands of Irma. For instance, of the 5 museums on Tortola, 1 was totally destroyed and the other 4 severely damaged. Several historic buildings that stood for over 100 years fell in Irma.
Sources
· Department of Disaster Management Situation Analysis Reports
· National Damage & Needs Assessment (DANA) Team Report 001
· Ministry of Health and Social Development
Governance
Hurricane Irma resulted in extensive damage to Government’s Central Administration Complex from where the bulk of Government services are delivered. The building suffered damage to approximately 95% of offices. Only a single ministry, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour suffered no physical damages.
The building that houses the Department of Disaster Management and thus the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) was severely damaged forcing the NEOC to relocate to Peebles Hospital during the eye of the hurricane.
The Human Toll
The human toll from Irma has been significant. Four people died from injuries sustained during Irma and another 125 were hospitalized as a result of their injuries. In addition, on average 100 persons per day presented for treatment at the Road Town clinic between 6th and 7th September, 2017. Beyond these direct impacts, there have been 41 deaths since Irma, representing a doubling in the death rate compared to the historic average for the same period (September to October). Stress and a reduced capacity health care system as a result of Hurricane Irma are likely contributing factors.
The Economy
The economy suffered a major blow. The tourism sector in particular, one of the two pillars of the economy was heavily impacted. The impact of course includes direct damage to tourism accommodation properties on land and widespread damage to the yachting fleet. Immediately following Irma most hotels and villas were either damaged beyond the ability to operate or could not operate given the general circumstances. For instance, the Tourist Board has initially estimated that Irma either destroyed or severely damaged 95-98% of small coastal tourism properties on the northern and western section of Tortola.
The yachting industry, the highest earning tourism subsector, has provisionally estimated that close to 1,000 vessels may need salvaging; this represents a significant share of the fleet. One operator reported damage to about 85% of its operational fleet and damages to 90% of boats in the boatyard for repairs. Marinas, a critical part of the industry’s infrastructure, were also heavily damaged.
In addition to this immediate loss, the tourism sector will suffer from a major loss of revenue during the 2017-2018 tourism sector as the industry and Territory still tries to recover.
Business operations in other sectors were also heavily impacted with some industries, such as car dealerships, standing out in particular. Losses to business included physical damage to structures, loss of inventory during Irma and following Irma due to looting, and loss of business.
Delivery of critical services
The Virgin Islands instantly became a cash only economy for several days after Hurricane Irma. Banking services, including automatic teller machines, were not available for the first 6-7 days and still remain limited.
The education system was entirely shaken up by Hurricane Irma. Of the 16 public schools, 5 were assessed as unusable due to the extent of physical damage to the buildings. This includes the main secondary school on Tortola with a population of 1,600 students; most buildings of the school compound were lost. School for most students did not resume until early November and schools are operating under very constrained circumstances right up to the tertiary level.
Heath service capacity was greatly diminished, in particular of primary health care. Irma resulted in level 3 (major damage) to 5 out of 12 public health centres in the Territory.
Housing
The housing stock took a particularly hard blow. As at end of September, 2017 approximately 4,240 residential buildings (of the roughly 12,000) had been assessed, mainly on Tortola. Of these 592 (14%) were completely destroyed, 731 (17%) had major damage such as a roof entirely blown off, 1,314 (31%) had minor damage and 1,603 (38%) had no significant damage.
Irma left many homeless and in shelters or with relatives and friends. As of end of September, there were still a total of 224 persons living at official shelters.
Infrastructure
There was severe impact to power generation and distribution. Following Irma there was absolutely no power generation or distribution in the entire Territory. The Power Station was in complete blackout from 6th to 11th September, 2017 as Irma even damaged the Station’s black start unit. Irma destroyed 95%-98% of the electrical distribution network.
The first power distribution came roughly 1 to 1.5 weeks after Irma and was limited to the Central Business District in the capital, Road Town, and the Hospital. At the end of September power had been resorted to some parts of Road Town, The BVI Electricity Corporation Substation on Virgin Gorda and parts of Anegada. On Tortola, the first community outside of the Road Town area received power over a month after impact on 13th October. By November 5, electricity had been restored to an estimated 40% on Tortola, 55% on Virgin Gorda and 85% on Anegada. There is still no electricity on Jost Van Dyke.
Potable water production (provided 100% through desalination) was significantly interrupted due to the power failure. Distribution was also severely hampered due to low reservoir storage capacity and broken water lines throughout the Territory, especially in coastal communities.
Directly following Irma most roads, including main roads, were heavily blocked by debris. It took 2 weeks for all major roadways to be fully passable. Still, as the surface of many roads was washed out they are riddled with deep potholes and are treacherous.
Communication systems were not spared. Landlines remain entirely down since Irma and cellular phone service was heavily impacted. Internet access has also been greatly impacted and reduced to mobile Wifi units. Immediately following Irma, cellular signal was only available in very limited areas of Tortola, mainly in the Town area. The three cellular phone companies have estimated a 6 month period to fully recover their systems. Communication with the sister islands of Virgin Gorda, Anegada and Jost Van Dyke was particularly difficult as cellular service was not functional at least until end of September. These islands depended strictly on a few satellite phones as well as High Frequency and Very Small Aperture Terminals (VSAT) for communication. The communication challenges on Tortola and between islands added significantly to the inherent difficulties of coordinating emergency response and recovery efforts.
All local radio stations were forced off air in the days immediately following Irma.
Besides the condition of the roads, transportation was greatly challenged by the extent of damage to the vehicle fleet. By rough estimate, more than 75% of vehicles received some type of major damage such as smashed out windshields or windows, ripped off bumpers or hoods, major denting, or flooding. Again, limited vehicles, including at the disposal of government and international assistance teams frustrated relief efforts. Inter-island transportation was equally challenged as ferry services were limited in the days and weeks immediately following Irma.
Solid waste and sewage waste management systems were seriously compromised in the aftermath of Irma. Sewage collection and treatment systems failed due to lack of power supply. The incinerator at Pockwood Pond, Tortola, responsible for the bulk of solid waste management, was damaged.
The Environment
The environment took a beating. Satellite imagery from 5th and 6th September shows green islands turned brown overnight as every tree was stripped of all its leaves and some of their barks. This has resulted in a loss of habitat and food for biodiversity. Mangroves suffered the same fate but for the most part remained rooted. Most other coastal vegetation not only lost its foliage but was completely uprooted. Coral reefs and seagrass beds were heavily battered by the strength of the storm surge. A full environmental assessment is necessary to quantify the extent of damage.
The environment has been littered with debris, in particular galvanize across hillsides and in natural drainage systems where it will be difficult to retrieve.
History and Culture
The Virgin Islands lost a large share of its historical and cultural artefacts and structures at the hands of Irma. For instance, of the 5 museums on Tortola, 1 was totally destroyed and the other 4 severely damaged. Several historic buildings that stood for over 100 years fell in Irma.
Sources
· Department of Disaster Management Situation Analysis Reports
· National Damage & Needs Assessment (DANA) Team Report 001
· Ministry of Health and Social Development