149-623: Tortola ( / t ɔːr ˈ t oʊ l ə / ) is the largest and most populated island of the British Virgin Islands , a group of islands that form part of the archipelago of the Virgin Islands . It has a surface area of 55.7 square kilometres (21.5 square miles) with a total population of 23,908, with 9,400 residents in Road Town . Mount Sage is its highest point at 530 metres (1,740 feet) above sea level . Although
298-676: A Cayo Guillermo resort were evacuated by helicopter. The NHC issued several watches and warnings for the Southeastern United States . The first watches and warnings were issued at 15:00 UTC on September 7, which was a hurricane watch from the Jupiter Inlet to Bonita Beach , including the Florida Keys and Lake Okeechobee . The watches and warnings were extended into Georgia and South Carolina on September 9. At 21:00 UTC on that day,
447-443: A tropical rainforest climate , moderated by trade winds . Temperatures vary little throughout the year. In the capital, Road Town , typical daily maxima are around 32 °C (89.6 °F) in the summer and 29 °C (84.2 °F) in the winter. Typical daily minima are around 26 °C (78.8 °F) in the summer and 23 °C (73.4 °F) in the winter. Rainfall averages about 1,150 mm (45.3 in) per year, higher in
596-537: A tropical wave near the Cape Verde Islands on August 30. Favorable conditions allowed Irma to rapidly intensify into a Category 3 hurricane on the Saffir–Simpson wind scale by late on August 31. The storm's intensity fluctuated between Categories 2 and 3 for the next several days, due to a series of eyewall replacement cycles . On September 4, Irma resumed intensifying, becoming
745-773: A Category 4 hurricane at 06:00 UTC on September 10, as deep convection improved and the eye became better defined. The cyclone made landfall in Cudjoe Key, Florida , at 13:00 UTC on September 10, at Category 4 intensity, with winds of 130 mph (210 km/h). Increasing wind shear and land interaction caused the satellite appearance of the storm to become ragged later that day, and Irma weakened to Category 3 intensity before making its seventh and final landfall at 19:30 UTC, in Marco Island, Florida , with sustained winds of 115 mph (185 km/h). Once Irma had moved inland, it began to accelerate to
894-673: A Category 4 hurricane, but the storm re-attained Category 5 status before making landfall in Cuba . Although Irma briefly weakened to a Category 2 storm while making landfall on Cuba, the system re-intensified to Category 4 status as it crossed the warm waters of the Straits of Florida , before making landfall on Cudjoe Key on September 10. Irma then weakened to Category 3 status, prior to another landfall in Florida on Marco Island later that day. The system degraded into
1043-433: A Category 5 hurricane by early on the next day. Early on September 6, Irma peaked with 1-minute sustained winds of 180 mph (290 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 914 hPa (27.0 inHg). Irma was the second-most intense tropical cyclone worldwide in 2017 in terms of barometric pressure, and the strongest worldwide in 2017 in terms of wind speed. Another eyewall replacement cycle caused Irma to weaken back to
1192-401: A Recovery & Development Authority led by highly skilled infrastructure personnel, many of whom were ex-military with decades of infrastructure rebuilding expertise from war zones and natural disaster sites. Many wealthy residents also proposed a large rebuilding plan, starting with key infrastructure, such as the high school. Nearly five years later, there was no sign of any such rebuilding of
1341-619: A combined €1.2 billion (US$ 1.43 billion) in insured losses across the French territories of Saint-Martin and Saint Barts. This total covered private property such as homes, vehicles and businesses (including lost revenue); the extent of the damage to infrastructural and public facilities remains undetermined. Nonetheless, this made Irma one of the costliest natural disasters to hit the French Republic in 50 years. On January 30, 2018, roughly five months after Irma, an analysis
1490-765: A copy of the Letter of Entrustment which was sent to the Government of the British Virgin Islands, to the Government of the United States of America "via diplomatic note of 28 May 2014". The Letter of Entrustment dated 14 July 2010 was originally provided to the Government of the British Virgin Islands and authorised the Government of the BVI "to negotiate and conclude Agreements relating to taxation that provide for exchange of information on tax matters to
1639-516: A direct hit, more than half of the residents on Barbuda took shelter, and relief supplies were preemptively mobilized. The National Emergency Management Organization on Saint Lucia urged small craft operators and swimmers to be mindful of forecasts for high surf. Small Craft Warnings and High Surf Advisories were hoisted for Dominica , where residents were urged to remain vigilant of the potential for high waves, landslides, and flooding. In Guadeloupe, low-lying and cliff-edge homes were evacuated at
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#17327800717401788-409: A few hours on September 9. It was the first time that the shoulder-use plan, which was introduced at the start of the 2017 hurricane season, was implemented by the state for hurricane evacuations. The shoulder-use plan was implemented in place of labor- and resource-intensive contraflow lane reversal , in which both sides of an interstate highway are used for one direction of traffic. Officials from
1937-446: A gas station. Satellite images revealed many of the island's residential zones had been left in ruins. The hurricane passed over Necker Island , also causing severe damage and destroying the mansion of Richard Branson . Most homes and businesses were destroyed on the island of Jost Van Dyke , the smallest of the B.V.I.'s four main islands. The Governor , Gus Jaspert , who had only been sworn into office 13 days previously, declared
2086-465: A memorandum requiring that the postage stamps in the territory should say "British Virgin Islands" (whereas previously they had simply stated "Virgin Islands"), a practice which is still followed today. This was likely to prevent confusion following on from the adoption of US currency in the territory in 1959, and the references to US currency on the stamps of the territory. It is generally thought that
2235-402: A number of houses. In The Valley , the island's capital, the hurricane blew out the windows of government buildings. Rough seas inflicted heavy damage upon several bays and harbors, and a seaside restaurant was completely eradicated. About 90% of roads were left impassable. The island's air traffic control tower was damaged, exacerbating the already poor communication with the island. One death
2384-403: A park on Tortola is named after Noel Lloyd and features a statue in his honour. On 6 September 2017, Tortola was extensively damaged by Hurricane Irma . A report by Sky News summarized the aftermath of the storm as: "The scale of the damage on the island of Tortola is truly shocking. You have to see it to appreciate just how massive this storm really was. The East End area of Tortola looks like
2533-485: A peak sustained wind speed of 55 mph (89 km/h) at a weather station along San Juan Bay , while the same site observed a peak wind gust of 74 mph (119 km/h). However, on the island of Culebra , a wind gust of 111 mph (179 km/h) was reported. Mainly due to strong winds, approximately 1.1 million out of 1.5 million of Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority 's customers lost electricity. Portions of Puerto Rico received heavy rainfall, with
2682-503: A peak total of 13.04 in (331 mm) in Bayamón , causing seven rivers to reach flood stage, widespread flash flooding, and at least six landslides. The most severely affected areas included the offshore islands of Culebra and Vieques , as well as the northeastern, northern, and mountainous portions of the main island. On Culebra, the island suffered an almost complete loss of electrical and water services. At least 30 homes on
2831-458: A profit in the sugar industry based on paying and managing free labour. At this time, Cuba and some South American countries still had slave labour in the sugar industry. In addition, there were changes in the sugar industry, with sugar beet cultivated in England and the United States offering a competing product. During the downturn as sugar agriculture became less profitable, a large proportion of
2980-572: A remnant low over Alabama and ultimately dissipated on September 13 over Missouri . The storm caused catastrophic damage in Barbuda , Saint Barthélemy , Saint Martin , Anguilla , and the Virgin Islands as a Category 5 hurricane. The hurricane caused at least 134 deaths: one in Anguilla ; one in Barbados ; three in Barbuda ; four in the British Virgin Islands ; 10 in Cuba ; 11 in
3129-604: A single facility, His Majesty's Prison in East End, Tortola. The British and US Virgin Islands sit at the axis of a major drugs transshipment point between Latin America and the continental United States. The American Drug Enforcement Administration regards the adjacent US territories of Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands as a "High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area". As a British Overseas territory, defence of
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#17327800717403278-491: A state of emergency - the first time this has ever happened in the Territory. After the storm, restoration of electricity took approximately 5 months. Irma's effects in the U.S. Virgin Islands were most profound on Saint Thomas , where at least 12 inches (300 mm) of rain fell, and on Saint John . Saint Thomas island suffered widespread structural damage, including to its police station and airport. Patients from
3427-404: A state of emergency initially for all six coastal counties on September 6, but eventually expanded the declaration to 94 counties south of Atlanta metropolitan area , and then the entire state on September 10. Atlanta was placed under its first-ever tropical storm warning. Governor Deal ordered mandatory evacuations for all areas east of Interstate 95 on September 7, before extending
3576-468: A state of emergency on September 6, with South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster following suit the same day. Governor of Virginia Terry McAuliffe declared a state of emergency on September 8 in order to protect Virginia residents and to mobilize resources in support of neighboring states. Officials in New Orleans stated that there would not be much time for preparations if Irma failed to make
3725-465: A state of emergency. Visiting Tortola on 13 September 2017, UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said that he was reminded of photos of Hiroshima after it had been hit by the atom bomb. By 8 September, the UK government sent troops with medical supplies and other aid. More troops were expected to arrive a day or two later, but HMS Ocean , carrying more extensive assistance, was not expected to reach
3874-560: A variety of publications and public records dating from between 21 February 1857 and 12 September 1919 where the territory is referred to as the British Virgin Islands. British Virgin Islands government publications continue to begin with the name "The territory of the Virgin Islands", and the territory's passports simply refer to the "Virgin Islands", and all laws begin with the words "Virgin Islands". Moreover,
4023-544: A very popular way to visit less accessible islands. Established in 1972, the BVI hosts the BVI Spring Regatta and Sailing Festival. A substantial number of the tourists who visit the BVI are cruise ship passengers, and although they produce far lower revenue per head than charter boat tourists and hotel based tourists, they are nonetheless important to the substantial - and politically important - taxi driving community. Financial services account for over half of
4172-520: A war zone; no building is untouched, the debris of entire houses destroyed, yachts, cars and enormous cargo containers is scattered in all directions and this is just one area." By 8 September, the UK had sent the Royal Engineers and Commandos to reinstate law and order and to set up satellite communications with the world. More troops were expected to arrive a day or two later, but the ship HMS Ocean , carrying more extensive assistance,
4321-405: A water supply network on that island lost power during the storm, leaving several communes in the dark without running water. Overall damage was limited to external parts of houses and trees that were blown onto roads and three unmanned ships wrecked by rough seas. Saint Kitts and Nevis endured similar conditions to other islands. Blustery rainstorms triggered scattered power outages and disabled
4470-540: Is Daniel Pruce (since 29 January 2024). The current Premier is Natalio Wheatley (since 5 May 2022), who is leader of the Virgin Islands Party . On 8 June 2022, subordinate UK legislation was made allowing for direct rule for the islands. However, the British Government decided on that date not to implement direct rule. The British Virgin Islands is a unitary territory. The territory
4619-679: Is John Rankin , who is the Head of Cabinet in the BVI. The House of Assembly is run by the Speaker of the House. The Deputy Governor is David Archer, the Premier is Andrew Fahie . The National Democratic Party (NDP) served two straight terms in office until it was defeated by the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) in the 2019 general election . The party that rules over the house is determined by if that party has seven or more seats. The population of Tortola
Tortola - Misplaced Pages Continue
4768-527: Is Mount Sage at 530 metres (1,740 feet). Tortola lies near an earthquake fault, and minor earthquakes are common. The House of Assembly in the BVI consists of fourteen house representatives (the governor, four at-large, and one representative for each of the nine districts, eight of which are wholly or partially on Tortola). Whilst still under the British rule, the King appoints a Governor. The current Governor
4917-415: Is 23,908. The principal settlement is Road Town , the capital of the British Virgin Islands, with a population of 9,400. Provision of financial services is a major part of the economy. The International Business Companies Act , passed in the early 1980s, encouraged such businesses and has generated significant growth in professional jobs and related revenues. BVI residents are amongst the most affluent in
5066-437: Is common to hear criticism in the British Virgin Islands' press about income inequality , no serious attempt has been made by economists to calculate a Gini coefficient or similar measure of income equality for the territory. A report from 2000 suggested that, despite the popular perception, income inequality was actually lower in the British Virgin Islands than in any other OECS state , although in global terms income equality
5215-516: Is divided into nine electoral districts, and each voter is registered in one of those districts. Eight of the nine districts are partly or wholly on Tortola, and encompass nearby neighbouring islands. Only the ninth district (Virgin Gorda and Anegada) does not include any part of Tortola. At elections, in addition to voting their local representative, voters also cast votes for four candidates who are elected upon an at-large territory-wide basis. Crime in
5364-512: Is geologically distinct from the rest of the group, being a flat island composed of limestone and coral. The British Virgin Islands contain the Leeward Islands moist forests and Leeward Islands xeric scrub terrestrial ecoregions. In the British Virgin Islands forest cover is around 24% of the total land area, equivalent to 3,620 hectares (ha) of forest in 2020, down from 3,710 hectares (ha) in 1990. The British Virgin Islands have
5513-506: Is higher in the Caribbean than in many other regions. Tourism accounts for approximately 45% of national income. The islands are a popular destination for US citizens. Tourists frequent the numerous white sand beaches, visit The Baths on Virgin Gorda , snorkel the coral reefs near Anegada, or experience the well-known bars of Jost Van Dyke. The BVI are known as one of the world's greatest sailing destinations, and charter sailboats are
5662-639: Is no record of any native Amerindian population in the British Virgin Islands during this period; it is thought that they either fled to safer islands or were killed. The Dutch established a permanent settlement on the island of Tortola by 1648, frequently clashing with the Spanish who were based on nearby Puerto Rico. In 1672, the English captured Tortola from the Dutch, and the English annexation of Anegada and Virgin Gorda followed in 1680. Meanwhile, over
5811-683: The 2013 G8 summit putting their governance and regulatory regimes far ahead of many "onshore" jurisdictions. On 10 September 2013, British Prime Minister David Cameron said "I do not think it is fair any longer to refer to any of the Overseas Territories or Crown Dependencies as tax havens. They have taken action to make sure that they have fair and open tax systems. It is very important that our focus should now shift to those territories and countries that really are tax havens." Yet journalist and author for The Economist, Nicholas Shaxson, writes in his 2016 Treasure Islands, tax havens and
5960-673: The Alcorn State Braves was moved up a day and relocated to Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama . The Georgia Southern Eagles game against the New Hampshire Wildcats on September 9 was also moved to Legion Field for that day. As of September 5, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funding was running dangerously low, due to its response to Hurricane Harvey in Texas the previous week, prompting
6109-523: The British Virgin Islands . Irma maintained Category 5 strength for several days as it passed north of the Greater Antilles . After beginning an eyewall replacement cycle , Irma weakened to a Category 4 hurricane as it passed south of the Turks and Caicos Islands early on September 8, subsequently ending the 60-hour contiguous period of Irma maintaining Category 5 intensity,
Tortola - Misplaced Pages Continue
6258-684: The Dajabón River connecting the two countries was broken. In the Dominican Republic, the fishing community of Nagua sustained damage from waves that destroyed homes. 55,000 soldiers were deployed to affected areas to help with the cleanup efforts. By the evening of September 7, the government had counted 2,721 damaged homes. In Haiti, flooding one meter deep sat in residential neighborhoods in places like Cap-Haïtien , Ouanaminthe , and Gonaives . Mudslides, destroyed homes, flooded crops, and infrastructure damage were reported in
6407-755: The Danish Virgin Islands for US$ 25 million, renaming them the United States Virgin Islands . Economic linkages with the US islands prompted the British Virgin Islands to adopt the US dollar as its currency in 1959. The British Virgin Islands were administered variously as part of the British Leeward Islands or with St. Kitts and Nevis , with an administrator representing the British Government on
6556-562: The English , who had successfully settled the area contesting claims by the Dutch , established a permanent plantation colony on Tortola and the surrounding islands. Settlers developed the islands for the sugarcane industry, with large plantations dependent on the slave labour of Africans bought from local chiefs and transported across the Atlantic. The majority of early settlers came in
6705-525: The Environmental Protection Agency , which had been criticized for its response to Hurricane Harvey , took special measures to inspect and secure hazardous materials, especially at Superfund sites. Direct Relief , a disaster relief organization, coordinated with local health centers and provided resources to help facilities on the front lines of Floridian and Puerto Rican communities. Georgia Governor Nathan Deal declared
6854-482: The Florida Keys are located, was placed under a mandatory evacuation. Residents in communities near the southern half of Lake Okeechobee were also ordered to leave. Additionally, voluntary evacuation notices were issued for all or parts of Alachua , Baker , Bay , Bradford , Charlotte , Columbia , Desoto , Hardee , Highlands , Hillsborough , Lake , Manatee , Okeechobee , Osceola , and Polk counties. A record 6.5 million Floridians evacuated, making it
7003-488: The Florida Keys . It was also the most intense hurricane to strike the continental United States since Katrina in 2005 , the first major hurricane to make landfall in Florida since Wilma in the same year, and the first Category 4 hurricane to strike the state since Charley in 2004 . The word Irmageddon was coined soon after the hurricane to describe the damage caused by the hurricane. Irma developed from
7152-608: The French West Indies ; one in Haiti ; three in Puerto Rico ; four on the Dutch side of Sint Maarten ; 92 in the contiguous United States , and four in the U.S. Virgin Islands . Hurricane Irma was the top Google searched term in the U.S. and globally in 2017. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) began monitoring a tropical wave over western Africa on August 26. Developing into a tropical depression just west of
7301-540: The Trump administration to request an immediate $ 8 billion in additional funding as Irma approached Florida. Given the rate that current funds are being consumed and the catastrophic damage, the United States Senate almost doubled the requested amount to $ 15.3 billion, with the understanding that this would only be about 10% of what will be required for responding to Harvey. Hurricane Irma's path
7450-482: The Turks and Caicos , evacuation orders were issued for low-lying areas starting September 5. Schools were closed, government buildings were boarded up, and shelters were opened. Officials spread warnings to residents in English, Creole, and Spanish via social media, radio, SMS text, and WhatsApp . In The Bahamas , the government began preparations the week prior to the hurricane's arrival, including securing national sports facilities to use as shelters. By September 7,
7599-669: The UCF Knights - Memphis Tigers game scheduled for September 9 was moved to September 30, replacing UCF's game against Maine and Memphis game against Georgia State . UCF also canceled their game against Georgia Tech on September 16, as UCF's stadium hosted the National Guard. The USF Bulls - Connecticut Huskies football game was also canceled. The Miami Hurricanes – Arkansas State Redwolves game scheduled for September 9 at Centennial Bank Stadium in Arkansas
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#17327800717407748-589: The US Virgin Islands , and about 95 km (59 mi) from the Puerto Rican mainland. About 150 km (93 mi) east south-east lies Anguilla . The North Atlantic Ocean lies to the east of the islands, and the Caribbean Sea lies to the west. Most of the islands are volcanic in origin and have a hilly, rugged terrain. The highest point is Mount Sage on Tortola at 521m. Anegada
7897-701: The Virgin Islands , are a British Overseas Territory in the Caribbean , to the east of Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands and north-west of Anguilla . The islands are geographically part of the Virgin Islands archipelago and are located in the Leeward Islands of the Lesser Antilles and part of the West Indies . The British Virgin Islands consist of the main islands of Tortola , Virgin Gorda , Anegada and Jost Van Dyke , along with more than 50 other smaller islands and cays . About 16 of
8046-633: The April 2016 Panama Papers leak, while all of the wrongdoing by Mossack Fonseca personnel occurred in Panama and the US, the British Virgin Islands was by far the most commonly-used jurisdiction by clients of Mossack Fonseca . In 2022, the verified nature of beneficial ownership registers of the British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies were a crucial tool in giving effect to sanctions against Russia and Belarus , enabling
8195-731: The BVI Commercial Court routinely hears highly sophisticated matters at the cutting edge of cross-border litigation and enforcement, where billions of dollars are at issue. Citco , also known as the Citco Group of Companies and the Curaçao International Trust Co., is a privately owned global hedge fund administrator headquartered in the British Virgin Islands, founded in 1948. It is the world's largest hedge fund administrator, managing over $ 1 trillion in assets under administration. In May 2022,
8344-466: The British Virgin Islands (BVI) are under the British flag, it uses the U.S. dollar as its official currency due to its proximity to and frequent trade with the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico . The island is home to many offshore companies that do business worldwide. Financial services are a major part of the country's economy. On 6 September 2017, the British Virgin Islands were extensively damaged by Hurricane Irma . The most severe destruction
8493-422: The British Virgin Islands in a position where it would be at a severe disadvantage because other International Finance Centres do not have this in place, and in the case of the US and the UK, there is very little near-term prospect of the same. In late 2022, both of the US and EU appeared to have endorsed the British Overseas Territories' beneficial ownership register regimes. In a judgment dated 22 November 2022,
8642-496: The British Virgin Islands is comparatively low by Caribbean standards. Whilst statistics and hard data are relatively rare, and are not regularly published by governmental sources in the British Virgin Islands, the Premier did announce that in 2013 there has been a 14% decline in recorded crime as against 2012. Homicides are rare, with just one incident recorded in 2013. The Virgin Islands Prison Service operates
8791-647: The Cape Verde Islands early on August 31, becoming Tropical Storm Irma shortly afterwards. Under favorable conditions, Irma underwent rapid intensification , becoming a major hurricane on September 1. Within a 48-hour period, the hurricane's intensity had increased by 65 mph (105 km/h). Fluctuations occurred over the next few days due to internal processes, as The first aircraft reconnaissance mission discovered an eye 29 mi (47 km) in diameter and surface winds of 115 mph (185 km/h) on September 3. As Irma continued approaching
8940-530: The Caribbean for a hurricane relief fund and promised that the UK government would match donations from the public to the British Red Cross appeal. Specifics were not provided to the news media as to the amount that would be allocated to the Virgin Islands. Boris Johnson's visit to Tortola on 13 September 2017 during his Caribbean tour was intended to confirm the UK's commitment to helping restore British islands but he provided no additional comments on
9089-504: The Caribbean's prime basketball destinations, hosting three of the last four Caribbean Basketball Championships . Horse racing is also a popular sport in the Virgin Islands, and Tortola's Ellis Thomas Downs is one of the three race tracks in the region. [REDACTED] Media related to Tortola at Wikimedia Commons British Virgin Islands The British Virgin Islands ( BVI ), officially
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#17327800717409238-519: The Center for Disaster Management and Risk Reduction Technology (CEDIM), a Germany-based risk management agency, estimate that economic losses for Antigua and Barbuda will exceed $ 120 million. On the morning of September 6, Irma's center crossed the island of Saint Martin while the storm was at peak intensity, sweeping away entire structures, submerging roads and cars, and triggering an island-wide blackout. Irma's extreme winds ripped trees out of
9387-511: The Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, as well as the more recent BVI Arbitration Centre. Caribbean KCs and British KCs preside over the majority of important cases and the laws of the Virgin Islands are based on English laws, meaning the jurisdiction provides clarity and consistency should parties require commercial disputes to be resolved. Owing to the international nature of BVI companies' operations and asset holdings,
9536-603: The Eastern Caribbean. Numerous residents from other Caribbean islands also work here. Citco is a privately owned global hedge fund administrator headquartered in Tortola, founded in 1948. It is the world's largest hedge fund administrator, managing over $ 1 trillion in assets under administration. Although the British Virgin Islands (BVI) are under the British flag, Tortola uses the U.S. dollar as its official currency due to its proximity to and frequent trade with
9685-841: The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has at last decided that open public access to the beneficial owner registers of EU member state companies is no longer valid, as it is in contravention of articles 7 and 8 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union (the Charter). The US appears to have come to a similar conclusion regarding balancing confidentiality and legitimate privacy with the Anti-Money Laundering advantages of having verified beneficial ownerships registers. The resultant goal appears to be to bring
9834-536: The French island of Saint Barthélemy , southeast of Saint Martin. Describing the extent of the destruction, one local compared it to "a bomb that burned all vegetation," while another said that it were as if the hurricane had effectively "erased the island from the map". Violent seas swept away entire coastal establishments, with one hotel being stripped of all but its foundation. Streets in the capital of Gustavia were turned into rushing rivers, which carried away vehicles and pieces of furniture. The island's fire station
9983-501: The Leeward Islands, the hurricane underwent a second and more robust period of rapid intensification, becoming a Category 5 hurricane early on September 5. The extremely powerful hurricane continued to intensify, with maximum sustained winds peaking at 180 mph (290 km/h) shortly afterwards. Irma acquired annular characteristics around this time, with the storm exhibiting a large, symmetric CDO and an impressive satellite appearance. Irma continued to intensify while approaching
10132-441: The OECD standard" (Paragraph 2 of the FATCA Agreement). Via an "Entrustment Letter" dated 24 March 2014, The Government of the United Kingdom, authorised the Government of the BVI to sign an agreement on information exchange to facilitate the Implementation of the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act. On 27 March 2017, the US Treasury site disclosed that the Model 1 agreement and related agreement were "In Force" on 13 July 2015. Under
10281-413: The Spanish Crown to the Caribbean or West Indies, Christopher Columbus spotted what are now called the British and U.S. Virgin Islands. He named the archipelago after the 11,000 virgins of the 5th-century Christian martyr St. Ursula . The Spanish made a few attempts to settle the islands, but pirates such as Blackbeard and Captain Kidd were the first permanent residents. In the late 16th century,
10430-431: The U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency had deployed response teams in Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands . Supplies, including food rations, medical supplies, and blankets, were pre-staged in strategic locations on the islands for distribution. On September 5, the Dominican Republic activated the International Charter on Space and Major Disasters , thus providing for humanitarian satellite coverage;
10579-469: The U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico . The island is home to many offshore companies that do business worldwide. The extensive damage (devastation) caused by Hurricane Irma in September 2017 affected the economy. Residents were looking to the UK to provide significant financial aid. Premier Orlando Smith called for a comprehensive aid package to rebuild the British Virgin Islands. The UK pledged £32 million of aid for Caribbean islands that were affected by
10728-720: The UK Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2018, beneficial ownership of companies in British overseas territories such as the British Virgin Islands must be publicly registered for disclosure by 31 December 2020. The Government of the British Virgin Islands has not yet formally challenged this law, yet has criticised it, noting that it violates the Constitutional sovereignty granted to the islands, and would in practice be relatively ineffective in anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing, while raising serious privacy and human rights issues. Further, this would put
10877-538: The US in line with the current Cayman and BVI regimes. The UK's Crown Dependencies have already stated that they will not implement public registers without beforehand having received fresh legal advice on the matter and it is thought that the Overseas Territories would logically take a similar position. The UK is yet to come out in support of the BOTs and CDs and their current gold standard regulatory positions. Hurricane Irma Effects Other wikis Hurricane Irma
11026-685: The United Kingdom. The most recent constitution was adopted in 2007 (the Virgin Islands Constitution Order, 2007) and came into force when the Legislative Council was dissolved for the 2007 general election . The head of government under the constitution is the Premier (before the new constitution the office was referred to as Chief Minister ), who is elected in a general election along with
11175-422: The United States and Haiti followed suit two days later. According to officials, 11,200 people were evacuated from vulnerable areas prior to the storm's arrival. Approximately 7,400 tourists were moved to Santo Domingo , away from beach resorts. In Haiti , government officials and aid organizations struggled with early preparation and evacuation efforts. While some officials blamed reluctance and indifference on
11324-514: The Virgin Islands were first settled by the Arawak from South America around 100 BC to AD 200, though there is some evidence of Amerindian presence on the islands as far back as 1500 BC. The Arawaks inhabited the islands until the 15th century when they were displaced by the Kalinago (Island Caribs), a tribe from the Lesser Antilles islands. The first European sighting of the Virgin Islands
11473-593: The advisories reached their maximum extent, with a hurricane warning covering the entire east coast of the state, the west coast from Indian Pass southward, and the Florida Keys; a hurricane watch was in place from the Florida–;Georgia state line to Edisto Beach, South Carolina ; and there were two tropical storm warnings, one in Florida from Indian Pass to the Okaloosa – Walton county line and
11622-440: The aid package. He did confirm that HMS Ocean had departed for the BVI carrying items like timber, buckets, bottled water, food, baby milk, bedding and clothing, as well as ten pickup trucks, building materials and hardware. The UK offered to underwrite rebuilding loans up to US$ 400m as long as there was accountability as to how the monies were spent. Successive NDP and VIP governments declined, despite there having been created
11771-445: The approximately 24,000 restoration personnel who had been activated. Governor Scott suspended tolls on all toll roads in Florida, including the turnpike . All state offices in Florida were closed from September 8 to September 11, while public schools, state colleges, and state universities in all 67 counties were closed during the same period. The Florida Department of Education coordinated with school districts as
11920-503: The banking sector of the British Virgin Islands comprised only seven commercial banks and one restricted bank, 12 authorised custodians, two licensed money services businesses and one licensed financing service provider. The British Virgin Islands is frequently referred to as a " tax haven " by campaigners and NGOs, including Oxfam. Successive governments in the British Virgin Islands have implemented tax exchange agreements and verified beneficial ownership information of companies following
12069-585: The building [strewn] across the runway and a jet bridge snapped in half." It demolished or severely damaged about 70% of Sint Maarten's houses, forcing thousands of residents into public shelters. There were 4 deaths and 23 injuries, 11 of which were serious, in the Dutch territory. Irma is considered the worst natural disaster to hit Sint Maarten; the extent of its damage far exceeded that of any previous hurricane. Total damages were estimated at €2.5 billion (US$ 2.98 billion). Irma left widespread destruction and disastrous flooding along its path over
12218-422: The core of the hurricane was expected to remain north of the island, a yellow alert was issued for Martinique due to the likelihood of rough seas. The island dispatched relief supplies and military reinforcements to its neighboring islands of Guadeloupe, Saint Martin. and Saint Barthélemy, which faced a greater risk of a direct impact. On September 4, Puerto Rico declared a state of emergency. By September 6,
12367-446: The efficient identification and seizure of yachts, real estate and businesses. On 30 June 2014, The British Virgin Islands was deemed to have an Inter- Governmental Agreement (IGA) with the United States of America with respect to the "Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act" of the United States of America. The Model 1 Agreement (14 Pages) recognizes that: The Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland provided
12516-431: The fourth and third floors of Charlotte Amalie 's hospital had to be relocated to lower floors due to flooding from roof leaks. Three deaths were attributed to Irma on the island. On nearby Saint Croix , there were communication issues and some damage to the infrastructure. Saint John lost access to ferry and cargo services, along with access to the local airport. Due to its normal reliance on electricity from Saint Thomas,
12665-531: The government had evacuated 1,609 people by air from the southern islands, including 365 from Bimini . Controlled cutting of the power supply to southern and central Bahamian islands was conducted in advance of the storm. Shelters were made available, though usage was low due to most evacuees staying with family on other islands. Of the 2,679 foreign tourists still in The Bahamas on September 7, about 1,200 were being housed at Atlantis Paradise Island , one of
12814-521: The ground and sent vehicles and debris from damaged structures scattered across the territory. On the French side of Saint-Martin , entire marinas around Marigot were left in ruins, littered with the stranded remnants of boats that had smashed into each other. A hotel caught on fire, but dangerous conditions and impassable roads prevented firefighters from putting out the blaze. Another hotel lost nearly all of its ground floor. Media images depicted devastated room interiors with furniture hurled around after
12963-473: The high school or certain other key infrastructure. The territory operates as a parliamentary democracy . Ultimate executive authority in the British Virgin Islands is vested in the King , and is exercised on his behalf by the Governor of the British Virgin Islands . The governor is appointed by the King on the advice of the British Government . Defence and most foreign affairs remain the responsibility of
13112-547: The hills and lower on the coast. Rainfall can be quite variable, but the wettest months on average are September to November and the driest months on average are February and March. Hurricanes occasionally hit the islands, with the Atlantic hurricane season running from June to November. On 6 September 2017, Hurricane Irma struck the islands, causing extensive damage, especially on Tortola, and killing four people. The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency declared
13261-958: The historic sites and hike in parks. The island is visited regularly by large cruise ships. Tortola can be reached both by sea and by air. The island has taxi services. Flights to Tortola arrive at the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport . The airport is located on Beef Island , just to the east of Tortola, and is connected by the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge . Seaborne Airlines , Cape Air and Air Sunshine provide scheduled service from San Juan . Island Birds Air Charter connects to San Juan, Saint Thomas , Antigua and St Marten. InterCaribbean Airways, Ltd. and Sky High Aviation Services offers non-stop flights between Dominican Republic and Beef Island . American Airlines flies jet service from Miami to Lettsome, via Saint Thomas. Many ferry companies provide travelers with
13410-430: The hurricane also defoliated trees and injured a few people. CEDIM's analysts expect economic losses of $ 20–65 million for the two islands. Damage in the British Virgin Islands was extensive. Numerous buildings and roads were destroyed on the island of Tortola , which bore the brunt of the hurricane's core. Four people were confirmed dead. Along Cane Garden Bay, the storm surge submerged several seaside bars and
13559-404: The hurricane but did not provide specifics as to the amount that would be allocated to the BVI. The northern coast has the best beaches on the island, including Smuggler's Cove, Long Bay, Cane Garden Bay, Brewer's Bay, Josiah's Bay, and Lambert Beach. In addition to beaches, marine activities such as sailing, surfing, scuba diving, kite boarding , and windsurfing are available. Many tourists visit
13708-474: The hurricane moved over Barbuda near its record peak intensity early on September 6; a weather station observed a wind gust of 160 mph (260 km/h). The same station also recorded a minimum barometric pressure of 916.1 mbar (27.05 inHg). The exact state of the island remained unclear for hours after Irma's passage, as downed phone lines ceased all communication with nearby islands. Later that afternoon, Prime Minister Gaston Browne surveyed
13857-467: The hurricane then made landfall in Cayo Romano, Cuba , at 03:00 UTC on September 9, with winds of 165 mph (266 km/h). This made Irma only the second Category 5 hurricane to strike Cuba in recorded history, after the 1924 Cuba hurricane . As the eye of Irma moved along the northern coast of Cuba, gradual weakening ensued due to land interaction, with the eye becoming cloud-filled and
14006-448: The income of the territory. The majority of this revenue is generated by the licensing of offshore companies and related services. The British Virgin Islands is a significant global player in the offshore financial services industry . Since 2001, financial services in the British Virgin Islands have been regulated by the independent Financial Services Commission . The BVI is relied upon for its sophisticated Commercial Court division of
14155-467: The intensity falling to a high-end Category 2 storm later on September 9. After slowing down late on September 9, the hurricane turned northwestward towards Florida around the southwestern edge of the subtropical high to its northeast and a low-pressure system that was located over the continental United States . Moving over the warm waters of the Straits of Florida, Irma quickly restrengthened to
14304-564: The international slave trade, the Royal Navy patrolled the Caribbean to intercept illegal slave ships. The colony settled liberated Africans from these ships on Tortola, in the then-unsettled Kingstown area. St. Phillip's Church was built in the early 19th century in this community as one of the earliest free black churches in the Americas. After the abolition of slavery in the British colonies in 1834, planters found it difficult to make
14453-403: The island was left without power. Total damage from the three islands was at least $ 1.1 billion. The hurricane passed north of Puerto Rico , but still caused significant damage to the United States territory. Along the coast, a tide gauge observed waves up to 1.5 ft (0.46 m) mean higher high water . Much of the main island experienced sustained tropical storm force winds, with
14602-881: The island were destroyed, while about 30 other experienced substantial damage. High winds also toppled a number of trees. The only telecommunications tower on Culebra sustained damage, cutting off outside communications for several hours. In rural Loíza , 79 homes were destroyed. Throughout Puerto Rico, 781 out of 1,600 telecommunications towers went out of commission, primarily due to power outages. At least 362,000 customers lost water services. Debris, mostly fallen trees, blocked at least 72 roads. Approximately 25% to 30% of banana, coffee, papaya, and plantain crops were damaged by strong winds, with losses to farmers estimated at $ 30.6 million. Approximately 1,530 homes experienced at least moderate damage, with 1,448 homes moderately damaged, 32 extensively damaged, and 50 completely destroyed. Hurricane Irma
14751-553: The island's water system, but per the International Red Cross , the islands were spared the level of destruction seen elsewhere. Still, Prime Minister Timothy Harris stated that property and infrastructure had sustained "significant damage." The Dutch territories of Saba and Sint Eustatius were also struck by the hurricane's winds, resulting in infrastructural damage, water shortages and telecommunication outages. Several houses were left uninhabitable. On Saba,
14900-399: The island. In addition to the catastrophic impact on Barbuda's human residents, concern turned to the storm's effects on the island's wildlife. The island's only endemic bird, the near-threatened Barbuda warbler , numbered less than 2,000 individuals prior to the hurricane. For some time it was unknown if the warbler survived the hurricane or its aftermath; however within a few months it
15049-412: The islands , causing four deaths and immense damage. The British Virgin Islands comprise around 60 tropical Caribbean islands, ranging in size from the largest, Tortola, being 20 km (12 mi) long and 5 km (3 mi) wide, to tiny uninhabited islets , altogether about 150 square kilometres (58 square miles) in extent. They are located in the Virgin Islands archipelago , a few miles east of
15198-595: The islands are inhabited. The capital, Road Town , is on Tortola, the largest island, which is about 20 km (12 mi) long and 5 km (3 mi) wide. The islands had a population of 28,054 at the 2010 Census, of whom 23,491 lived on Tortola; current estimates put the population at 35,802 (July 2018). British Virgin Islanders are British Overseas Territories citizens and since 2002, are also British citizens . The islands were named "Santa Úrsula y las Once Mil Vírgenes" by Christopher Columbus in 1493 after
15347-418: The islands for another two weeks. Entrepreneur Richard Branson , a resident of Necker Island , called on the UK government to develop a massive disaster recovery plan to include "both through short-term aid and long-term infrastructure spending". Premier Orlando Smith also called for a comprehensive aid package to rebuild the territory. On 10 September UK Prime Minister Theresa May pledged £32 million to
15496-515: The islands is the responsibility of the United Kingdom. The twin pillars of the economy are financial services (60%) and tourism (roughly 40-45% of GDP). Economically however, financial services associated with the territory's status as an offshore financial centre are by far the more important. 51.8% of the Government's revenue comes directly from licence fees for offshore companies, and considerable further sums are raised directly or indirectly from payroll taxes relating to salaries paid within
15645-470: The islands. The islands gained separate colony status in 1960 and became autonomous in 1967 under the new post of Chief Minister. Since the 1960s, the islands have diversified away from their traditionally agriculture-based economy towards tourism and financial services, becoming one of the wealthiest areas in the Caribbean. The constitution of the islands was amended in 1977, 2004 and 2007, giving them greater local autonomy. In 2017 Hurricane Irma struck
15794-452: The largest evacuation in the state's history. Evacuees caused significant traffic congestion on northbound Interstate 95 , Interstate 75 , and Florida's Turnpike, exacerbated by the fact that the entire Florida peninsula was within the cone of uncertainty in the NHC's forecast path in the days before the storm, so evacuees from both coasts headed north, as evacuees would not be safer by fleeing to
15943-609: The late 18th century: Loyalists from the Thirteen Colonies after the American Revolutionary War were given land grants here by the Crown to encourage development. They brought their slaves with them, who outnumbered the British colonists. The sugar industry dominated Tortola economic history for more than a century until the abolishment of slavery. In the early 19th century, after Britain abolished
16092-474: The legend of Saint Ursula and the 11,000 virgins. The name was later shortened to "the Virgin Islands". The official name of the territory is still simply the "Virgin Islands", but the prefix "British" is often used. This is commonly believed to distinguish it from the neighbouring American territory which changed its name from the " Danish West Indies " to " Virgin Islands of the United States " in 1917. However, local historians have disputed this, pointing to
16241-568: The men who stole the world : "...Britain sits, spider-like, at the centre of a vast international web of tax havens, which hoover up trillions of dollars' worth of business and capital from around the globe and funnel it up to the City of London. The British Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories - ...the British Virgin Islands... are some of the biggest players in the offshore world."(pp. vii-viii) Shaxson points out that despite BVI having fewer than 25000 inhabitants, hosts over 800,000 companies. In
16390-542: The most hurricane-ready structures in the country. In Cuba , meteorologists did not initially predict a direct hit. Fuel conservation was enacted in Camagüey Province to ensure that enough would be available during post-storm power outages. The Civil Defense evacuated nearly one million people from low-lying areas, including thousands of Canadian and European tourists in the Jardines del Rey . Dolphins at
16539-552: The need for transportation by school buses and opening shelters arose. By September 9, more than 150 state parks were closed. Throughout the state, almost 700 emergency shelters were opened. The shelters collectively housed about 191,764 people, with more than 40% of them staying in a shelter in South Florida. Additionally, more than 60 special needs shelters were opened, which housed more than 5,000 people by September 9. Many airports across
16688-520: The news media as to the amount that would be allocated to each island. British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson visited Tortola on 13 September 2017 to confirm the United Kingdom's commitment to helping restore British islands. He said he was reminded of photos of Hiroshima after it had been hit by the atom bomb . Tortola is a mountainous island 19 km (12 mi) long and 5 km (3.1 mi) wide, with an area of 55.7 km (21.5 sq mi). Formed by volcanic activity , its highest peak
16837-492: The north-northwest, while rapid weakening began to occur due to the increasing wind shear, land interaction, and dry air, with the storm falling below Category 3 intensity hours after landfall. Irma finally weakened to a tropical storm on September 11 as it entered southern Georgia , while transitioning into an extratropical cyclone, degenerating into a remnant low early on September 12. The remnants dissipated over Missouri on September 13. Given that Irma's forecast track
16986-602: The northern Leeward Islands . At 05:45 UTC on September 6, Irma made landfall along the northern coast of Barbuda at peak intensity, with the storm's central minimum pressure having bottomed out at 914 mbar (27.0 inHg) – this was the lowest in the Atlantic since Dean in 2007; the storm also made landfall with maximum sustained winds of 180 mph (290 km/h). Irma continued to maintain its peak intensity until 12:00 UTC on September 6 and made additional successive landfalls on that same day, at 11:15 UTC on Sint Maarten , and at 16:30 UTC on Virgin Gorda , in
17135-755: The opportunity to arrive by sea. The ferries run between Charlotte Amalie in the center of St. Thomas, and Red Hook in the East End of St. Thomas and St. John, and either Road Town or the West End of Tortola. The British Virgin Islands operates several government schools. The following pre-primary schools serve Tortola residents: The following elementary schools serve Tortola residents: The following High schools serve Tortola Residents: Eslyn Henley Richiez Learning Centre serves as Tortola's special-needs school. The H. Lavity Stoutt Community College provides Tortola's tertiary education Tortola has been one of
17284-643: The opposite coast. Fuel was in short supply throughout peninsular Florida during the week before Irma's arrival, especially along evacuation routes, leading to hours-long lines at fuel stations and even escorts of fuel trucks by the Florida Highway Patrol . Use of the left shoulder as a lane for moving traffic was allowed on northbound Interstate 75 from Wildwood to the Georgia state line beginning September 8 and on eastbound Interstate 4 from Tampa to State Road 429 near Celebration for
17433-597: The order to the entirety of Chatham County and low-lying areas west of I-95 on the following day. In total, 540,000 people on the Georgia coast were ordered to leave. Contraflow lane reversal for Interstate 16 took effect on the morning of September 9 from Savannah to Dublin, Georgia . All Georgia state parks were open for free to evacuees, as was the 800-acre camping area at Atlanta Motor Speedway . Reversible HOT lanes on Interstate 75 in Georgia through south metro Atlanta were open 24 hours northbound with no tolls. North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper declared
17582-932: The other from the Florida–Georgia state line to the South Santee River in South Carolina. Watches and warnings were gradually discontinued as Irma moved inland and weakened, with all of them canceled by early on September 12. On September 4, Florida Governor Rick Scott declared a state of emergency. Governor Scott placed 100 members of the Florida National Guard on duty to assist in preparations. All 7,000 troops were ordered to be on duty by September 8. Officials advised residents to stock their hurricane kits. The state coordinated with electrical companies in order for power outages to be restored as quickly as possible, extending resources such as equipment, fuel, and lodging for
17731-654: The other members of the ruling government as well as the members of the opposition. Elections are held roughly every four years. A cabinet is nominated by the Premier and appointed and chaired by the Governor. The Legislature consists of the King (represented by the Governor) and a unicameral House of Assembly made up of 13 elected members plus the Speaker and the Attorney General . The current Governor
17880-454: The part of the population, others "admitted they were not prepared for the onslaught and no mandatory evacuation orders were in place ahead of Irma's approach." Local officials contended that they had not received promised funds, supplies, or equipment from the national government. The United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti prepared its 1,000 peacekeepers and engineers to assist. In
18029-512: The period 1672–1733, the Danish gained control of the nearby islands of Saint Thomas , Saint John and Saint Croix (i.e. the modern US Virgin Islands). The British islands were considered principally a strategic possession. The British introduced sugar cane which was to become the main crop and source of foreign trade, and large numbers of slaves were forcibly brought from Africa to work on
18178-461: The projected northward turn, but that South Texas or Florida would not be a good evacuation destination. On September 10, Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam issued an executive order allowing medical professionals in other states to practice in Tennessee to aid Hurricane Irma evacuees. This order also allowed pharmacies to give out 14-day supplies of medicine, and gave women and children from outside
18327-585: The same lightning strike, but survived. Two other people died during the hurricane: a woman died while being evacuated from her house in a wheelchair and fell, hitting her head; another person died in a car accident in Canóvanas . Governor Ricardo Rosselló declared the islands of Culebra and Vieques to be disaster areas. Although spared a direct hit, both the Dominican Republic and Haiti were affected by high winds and heavy rains. A bridge over
18476-423: The second-longest any Atlantic storm had maintained winds above 156 mph (251 km/h) – behind only the 1932 Cuba hurricane . The hurricane then began tracking more to the west due to the intensification of a subtropical ridge to its north. Once the eyewall replacement cycle was complete, Irma began to re-intensify, and it re-attained Category 5 intensity at 18:00 UTC that day east of Cuba , before
18625-591: The state the ability to participate in the Tennessee Department of Health programs. Bristol Motor Speedway , Talladega Superspeedway , and Charlotte Motor Speedway all opened their campgrounds to evacuees free of charge. In professional sports, the Miami Dolphins – Tampa Bay Buccaneers game scheduled for September 10 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami was postponed to November 19 due to
18774-778: The state, particularly in Central and South Florida , were closed. Nearly 9,000 flights intending to arrive in or depart from Florida were canceled. Along Florida's coasts, most seaports were closed or opened with restricted access. For the fifth time in its 45-year history, the Walt Disney World Resort was completely closed due to the storm. Its theme parks, water parks, and Disney Springs were all closed by 9:00 p.m. on September 9 and remained closed until September 12. Other Orlando -area theme parks, including Universal Orlando Resort and SeaWorld Orlando , were also closed. The Kennedy Space Center
18923-693: The storm's threat. The Dolphins left early for their road game against the Los Angeles Chargers . The Tampa Bay Rays and New York Yankees moved their September 11–13 series from Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg to Citi Field in Queens . Minor League Baseball 's Florida State League , Carolina League , and Southern League called off their championship finals and as a result, named their division series winners league co-champions. The Miami FC versus San Francisco Deltas match on September 10
19072-537: The sugar cane plantations. The islands prospered economically until the middle of the nineteenth century, when a combination of the abolition of slavery in the British Empire in 1834, a series of disastrous hurricanes, and the growth in the sugar beet crop in Europe and the United States significantly reduced sugar cane production and led to a period of economic decline. In 1917, the United States purchased
19221-582: The territory by helicopter, revealing an effectively uninhabitable island. Irma damaged or destroyed 95% of the structures on Barbuda, including its hospital, schools, and both of its hotels; it completely flattened some residential blocks while submerging others. The destruction rendered the island's sole airport and much of its infrastructure inoperative—including water and telecommunication services—which further hampered relief efforts. Property damage on Barbuda ranged from $ 150 million to $ 300 million. A total of three storm-related deaths were reported on
19370-425: The territory's Constitutional Commission has expressed the view that "every effort should be made" to encourage the use of the name "Virgin Islands". But various public and quasi-public bodies continue to use the name "British Virgin Islands" or "BVI", including BVI Finance, BVI Electricity Corporation, BVI Tourist Board, BVI Athletic Association, BVI Bar Association and others. In 1968 the British Government issued
19519-444: The threat of flooding and erosion. Schools and public businesses closed on September 5 and 6. Hospitals stocked up on three days' worth of supplies and checked the functionality of their generators. Of the island's 32 communes , 22 activated their emergency plans; 1,500 people were urged to take shelter. The island sustained relatively minor damage and became the base for relief efforts on Saint Martin and Saint Barthélemy . Though
19668-511: The trust industry sector (which tend to be higher on average than those paid in the tourism sector). The official currency of the British Virgin Islands has been the United States dollar (US$ ) since 1959, the currency also used by the United States Virgin Islands . The British Virgin Islands enjoys one of the more prosperous economies of the Caribbean region, with a per capita average income of around $ 47,000 (2022 est.) Although it
19817-400: The white landowning population left the British Virgin Islands. In 1867, an earthquake and tsunami hit the island. In the late 1970s, the British businessman Ken Bates attempted to lease a large part of the neighbouring island of Anegada on a 199-year lease, but this action was blocked. Noel Lloyd, a local activist, led a protest movement forcing the local government to drop the plan. Today,
19966-747: The winds had shattered their windows. Irma killed four people on the French side of the island and injured 50 others, one of whom was in critical condition. As many as 95% of the buildings there were damaged to some degree; 60% of those were totally uninhabitable. Estimates from CEDIM indicate a minimum of $ 950 million worth of economic losses. Total losses exceeded €3.5 billion (US$ 4.17 billion). A similar situation unfolded in Sint Maarten , Saint Martin's Dutch half, as intense winds ripped through buildings and lifted vehicles aloft "as if they were matches". The hurricane wreaked havoc on Princess Juliana International Airport , with "huge chunks of
20115-418: Was along much of the Caribbean island chain, hurricane warnings were issued for the northern Leeward Islands, Puerto Rico, and parts of Hispaniola on September 5. In Antigua and Barbuda , residents safeguarded their homes and cleaned up their properties in anticipation of strong winds. Emergency crews were put on standby at public shelters and hospitals by September 5 to assist with any evacuations. Expecting
20264-424: Was also the third-strongest Atlantic hurricane at landfall ever recorded, just behind the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane and Dorian. The ninth named storm , fourth hurricane , second major hurricane , and first Category 5 hurricane of the extremely active 2017 Atlantic hurricane season , Irma caused widespread and catastrophic damage throughout its long lifetime, particularly in the northeastern Caribbean and
20413-403: Was an extremely powerful and devastating tropical cyclone that was the first Category 5 hurricane to strike the Leeward Islands on record, followed by Maria two weeks later. At the time, it was considered the most powerful hurricane on record in the open Atlantic region, outside of the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico , until it was surpassed by Hurricane Dorian two years later. It
20562-594: Was attributed to around $ 1 billion in damage, and the NHC attributed three fatalities to Irma in Puerto Rico, though four deaths were related to the storm. Two people died due to rainstorms ahead of the hurricane: one man died in Orocovis after falling off his ladder while repairing his roof; another man on the coast in Capitanejo died after being struck by lightning. Three nearby fishermen were burned by
20711-415: Was by the Spanish expedition of Christopher Columbus in 1493 on his second voyage to the Americas, who gave the islands their modern name. The Spanish Empire claimed the islands by discovery in the early 16th century, but never settled them, and subsequent years saw the English, Dutch, French, Spanish, and Danish all jostling for control of the region, which became a notorious haunt for pirates . There
20860-750: Was canceled due to travel concerns for the University of Miami. The Florida Gators - Northern Colorado Bears match in Gainesville scheduled for September 9 was canceled. The Florida State Seminoles contest against the Louisiana–Monroe Warhawks was canceled on September 8. The Seminoles' rivalry game with the Hurricanes in Tallahassee, originally scheduled for September 16, was postponed tp October 7. The FIU Panthers game against
21009-576: Was canceled so the players and staff could prepare for the storm with their families. The Orlando Pride of the National Women's Soccer League rescheduled their September 9 match to September 7. Orlando City SC of Major League Soccer did not have any scheduled home games in September, but was unable to return to training facilities in Orlando due to Hurricane Irma. In college football,
21158-604: Was closed from September 8 to September 15. An estimated 6.5 million Floridians were ordered to evacuate, mostly those living on barrier islands or in coastal areas; in mobile or sub-standard homes; and in low-lying or flood prone areas. Mandatory evacuations were ordered for portions of Brevard , Broward , Citrus , Collier , Dixie , Duval , Flagler , Glades , Hendry , Hernando , Indian River , Lee , Martin , Miami-Dade , Orange , Palm Beach , Pasco , Pinellas , Sarasota , Seminole , St. Lucie , Sumter , and Volusia counties. All of Monroe County , where
21307-625: Was confirmed that not only did the species survive, but most of the birds survived the storm. Barbuda's Codrington Lagoon , home to the largest colony of magnificent frigatebirds in the Caribbean, with an estimated 2,500 nesting pairs, was also inundated by the storm surge. Remaining just outside of Irma's strongest windfield, Antigua sustained less severe damage, in the form of leveled roofs and fences, downed power poles and lines, and uprooted trees. Some street flooding also took place in low-lying areas. Three people were treated for minor storm-related injuries. Forensic disaster analysts from
21456-422: Was inundated with up to 6.4 ft (2.0 m) of flood waters. With scores of homes and much of the infrastructure destroyed, the majority of the island's population was left stranded and without water, electricity or phone service. The associated economic losses could exceed $ 480 million according to CEDIM's analysts. Preliminary assessments from the French government indicate that Hurricane Irma caused
21605-451: Was not expected to reach the Virgin Islands for another two weeks. The Premier of the Virgin Islands, Orlando Smith, called for a comprehensive aid package to rebuild the British Virgin Islands (BVI). On 10 September, the UK's prime minister Theresa May pledged £32 million to the Caribbean for a hurricane relief fund; the UK government would also match donations made by the public via the British Red Cross appeal. Specifics were not provided to
21754-512: Was on Tortola. News reports over the next day or two described the situation as "devastation". Local tradition recounts that Christopher Columbus named the island Tórtola , meaning " turtle dove " in Spanish. In fact, Columbus named the island Santa Ana . Dutch colonists called it Ter Tholen, after Tholen , a coastal island that is part of the Netherlands . When the British took over, the name evolved to Tortola. On his second voyage for
21903-456: Was published indicating that an anemometer on the island recorded an unofficial gust to 199 mph (320 km/h) before failing. The British Overseas Territory of Anguilla saw the eyewall of the storm pass over it on September 6. Many homes and schools were destroyed, and the island's only hospital was badly damaged. The devastation was particularly severe in East End , where the winds uprooted scores of trees and power poles and demolished
22052-679: Was reported on the island. Estimates of losses on the island total at least $ 190 million. Large swells ahead of Irma washed ashore debris and sea life in Castries , Saint Lucia, blocking some roads. Seaside roads were inundated with water. One surfer was killed amid rough surf in Barbados after hitting a reef and breaking his neck. Trees were also destroyed. The hurricane's effects, such as violent seas and rattling trees, were intense enough to be detected by seismographs in Guadeloupe . Several houses were damaged. Around 8,000 households and
22201-539: Was such that its impact was both far-reaching and devastating, with landfalls in Antigua and Barbuda , Saint Martin , the Bahamas , Cuba , and the United States, all at major hurricane intensity. Furthermore, the size of the storm system meant that destruction was prevalent even in territories well removed from landfall occurrences. Irma is the second-costliest Caribbean hurricane on record, after Maria. The eyewall of
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