Territory failed to adequately prepare for Irma’s magnitude
Opposition Leader Julian Fraser said he believes the BVI failed to adequately prepare for the magnitude of Hurricane Irma back in 2017.
The Third District Representative expressed this belief in a reflection posted on the government’s Facebook page in observance of the fifth anniversary of the hurricane’s passage.
An architect by profession, Fraser said the level of damage done following Irma’s strike was a misrepresentation of the true capabilities of the territory’s building construction standards.
“Essentially, we lost roofs because windows were either blown out by wind, or by flying objects. And those windows were lost because they simply weren’t protected. There should never be a next time,” Fraser stated.
The veteran legislator further noted that those who have experienced the wrath of Hurricane Irma, have been horrified to the point where it remains without question the most memorable moment of their lives.
Fraser said even though, for the time being, physical scars still remain on the territory’s landscape, there is no doubt that they will all go away, at some point.
According to Fraser, however, the emotional and psychological damage will forever be a part of the people of the BVI.
Meanwhile, Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley chose to look back on the indomitable spirit and resilience of the people of the BVI in the aftermath of the hurricane.
“With our limited resources, some help from neighbours and friends, and our strength that comes from our faith in our God, we cleaned up the debris, restored vital infrastructure, and started rebuilding our homes and our lives,” the Premier said.
He added: “The greatest lesson we can take from this experience is that with trust in God, the support of our partners, and belief in ourselves, we, the people of the Virgin Islands, can triumph over anything — and we emerge stronger from every challenge that confronts us.”
Hurricane Irma – a category five storm with sustained winds of 180 mph – left four persons dead in its wake and caused widespread destruction in the territory.
According to a preliminary impact report by the government, the aftermath of the hurricane saw an estimated $3.6 billion in infrastructure damage to the territory and its environs.
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No amount of preparation could have stopped the damage from Irma. Yes, it could have been worse if we didn’t prepare but that hurricane was unstoppable.
The Territory has failed to deal with the post Irma repairs adequately too; because it wouldn’t accept the supervision and scrutiny that was a condition of the UK loan guarantee financing.
So here we are with no functioning high school after 5 years. It’s a disgrace.
Where were you with words of wisdom prior to and following the storm? Where were you all this time? Who are you trying to bring down this time. You just trying to be relevant. Sorry, didn’t need you my friend.
You’re just a Fraser hater
I witnessed hon Fraser standing in the water in the Valarie Thomas Center sharing out food to those who were ravished by the said hurricane.
I saw Fraser the morning after Irma said hello to him he never answered he looked like he was in a trance.
Stop from telling lies on deh man.
4REAL , WHEN MOTHER NATURE TAKE ONMVER , NOBODY CAN DO ANYTHAYING ABOUT IT / SO WHY HE GORNE BACK THERE , THE LORD WAS MERCIFUL TO US AND WE MUST BE THANKFUL THAT IT WASN’T WORSE/ SO MUCH HAS HAPPENED SINCE TO STALL THE COUNTRY FROM ADVANCING IN THE RECOVERY ,WHY DON’T HE WAKE UP AND ADRESS THE THE REAL ISSUES THAT URGENTLY NEEDS TO BE DEALTH WITH / LIKE NOW
Nice siesta for the last five years. Only now you notice? I’d say trusting in the almighty for the next time will result in the same.
There are a lot more Fra$er haters too. Mr. traffic lights on the roundabout with crosswalks, bi-water, traffic suppression device at airport, sea cow’s bay project, million dollar retaining walls, ferries from STT for election, and that’s just a start, he has a long long long record of mischief.
Who could have adequately prepared for Irma? Even some of the most well prepared people got blasted by Irma. Irma was a one of a kind hurricane, one of the worst in the Caribbean. Pray to God that we never experience another one like that and if we do that the protection and mercy of God remain with us because that is all that saved us during Irma.