Devastation as Hurricane Irma slams Caribbean islands; at least 7 killed
7 Sept 2017 12:59 PM IST7 Sept 2017 12:59 PM IST
French President Emmanuel Macron earlier warned the final toll would be 'harsh and cruel'.
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said on Friday when asked about reports of looting on the island (Representational Image)- More than half of Puerto Rico's population of three million is without power, with rivers breaking their banks in the center and north of the island.
- The French part of St Martin -- a pristine resort known for its vibrant nightlife -- suffered the storm's full fury: at least six people died and 95 percent of dwellings were decimated.
- Irma was packing maximum sustained winds of up to 185 mph (295 kph) as it followed a projected path that would see it hit the northern edges of the Dominican Republic and Haiti on Thursday.
- As of 0000 GMT, the eye of the storm was just north of Puerto Rico and the hurricane was moving west-northwest at 16 miles per hour (26 kilometers per hour).
- To the southeast, Barbuda, part of the twin island nation of Antigua and Barbuda, suffered absolute devastation with 95 percent of properties damaged.
- One of the most powerful Atlantic storms on record, the dangerous Category Five hurricane was churning off the north coast of Puerto Rico on Wednesday night.
Hurricane Irma sowed a trail of deadly devastation through the Caribbean on Wednesday, reducing to rubble the tropical islands of Barbuda and St Martin and claiming at least seven lives.
French President Emmanuel Macron earlier warned the final toll would be 'harsh and cruel'.
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