'For first time in 300 years, theres not a single living person on the island of Barbuda'

[n2doc]

Barbuda has been left completely devastated by Hurricane Irma. An estimated 95% of Barbuda’s structures are damaged, and the entire island of around 1,800 people has been evacuated.

“The damage is complete,” says Ambassador Ronald Sanders, who has served as Antigua and Barbuda’s ambassador to the U.S. since 2015. “For the first time in 300 years, there’s not a single living person on the island of Barbuda — a civilization that has existed on that island for over 300 years has now been extinguished.”

According to Sanders, Irma was “the most ferocious, cruel and merciless storm” in the island’s history. The hurricane was 378 miles wide when it descended on Barbuda, which is just 62 square miles.

“This was a huge monster,” he says. “The island and the people on the island had absolutely no chance.”

more

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2017/09/14/barbuda-hurricane-irama-devastation/665950001/

[janterry]

1. How much have we given?

I haven't heard Trump say a word about Barbuda

[FarPoint]

2. The island is of the British control....

I sense they can take care of their own.

[janterry]

3. You're probably right

though the article asked for a world-wide response. I guess even if we gave a token amount - or offered some support I'd feel better. I know FL and TX are both in need right now, of course - and that will be overwhelming. But in the past, Obama (or any other president, ime) would have offered some level of support.

[FarPoint]

4. Oh...of course we would at least acknowledged the damages.

Offered support in the past when such events happen...I think we are still in triage mode here in the US....

[malaise]

5. That is incorrect

Antigua and Barbuda were British colonies but were granted independence since 1981.
Its current PM is Gaston Browne. Browne got the people off the island the day after the hurricane.
add

[GetRidOfThem]

7. That is not correct.

Antigua and Barbuda is an independent small developing island state. Is is a member of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), a group that as core members includes the other English-speaking states of St. Kitts & Nevis, Dominica, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, and Grenada. The organization has its own central bank, the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank, that issues it's own currency, the Caribbean dollar (pegged at 1 us $ = 2.70 Caribbean dollars.) The islands are economically struggling, and the group is a client of the World Bank.

Barbuda is non-volcanic, so it does not rise far above sea level, and consists primarily of limestone. The main town of Barbuda is Codrington, which has taken a severe hit. The island also featured a beautiful wildlife reserve (birds), which is now wiped out.

I work extensively in the region. I have good friends in Antigua. This has been a blow.

[GetRidOfThem]

8. On a soucier note...

...because Barbuda is made of limestone, there are many, many caves, and it was a favorite den of the real pirates of the Caribbean...

[malaise]

10. Barbuda also has magnificent birds

[GetRidOfThem]

11. Correct...

I took this one there in 2014.

[malaise]

13. That is magnificent

Thanks

[Throck]

9. IIRC USAF had a radar station there.

US may have closed it?

[Not Ruth]

6. Nature always wins

[HAB911]

12. and the physical island breathes a sigh of relief

but not for long