These Pictures Prove Hurricane Irma Utterly Destroyed Barbuda

The island of Barbuda has been devastated after Hurricane Irma ripped through the country destroying anywhere from 60-90 percent of homes and buildings.

Barbuda, which is one half of the state of Antigua and Barbuda, was the first to face the wrath of the category 5 storm. No contact was made with its sister island, Antigua, throughout Wednesday, having the world bracing for the worst.

The country’s prime minister, Gaston Browne, flew to the island via helicopter on Wednesday evening and reported that there was only one confirmed fatality, an infant.

However, the island is now “practicably uninhabitable.”

ABS TV reporters flew over the island with Browne and captured several images of the destruction.

The First Images

Browne told ABS that the island now has no water, electricity, food or communication systems. About 60 percent of residents are now homeless.

He is urging residents to evacuate to Antigua. He also stressed that if Hurricane Jose follows Irma, they will have virtually have “no choice” but to leave the island.

The Prime Minister also said he intends to house the displaced Barbuda residents in private buildings and airports until the island can be rebuilt. He also urged Antigua residents with relatives on Barbuda to take them into their homes.

Unanticipated Destruction

Browne added they weren’t anticipating this amount of damage to the island, but they also had several plans ready to execute in the event the island was struck.

Antigua has said they will be airlifting and shipping in supplies into the country on Thursday morning.

He said the residents are taking shelter together in common areas and damaged homes in the meantime, but many are unsure what will happen next.

The Residents’ Resiliency

Browne also went on to note that the people of Barbuda did an excellent job of preparing for the disaster, which kept fatalities to a minimum.

Many residents that spoke shared amazing stories of survival as they took refuge in bathrooms and closets as their homes were being torn apart by high-speed winds.

They also compared the experience to Hurricane Luis in 1995, saying Irma was much worse and caused “maximum damage.”

Follow along with the live updates concerning Hurricane Irma here.