Hurricane Irma, Tortola, British Virgin Islands

[@traciapetersen311]

I am a BVI Lander and I am soo grateful to you for showing this video of my island home. We were so caught up with survival i'm glad someone took the time to document the ordeal. We are healing and we are BVI STRONG.

[@captnrickealy4029]

It's with tears.... that I thank you for your dedication to this paradise that I've been blessed to visit for many, many years. It tears me apart.. to see the destruction... but I'm thankful just the same, that I can observe the pain and share in it. The way you filmed this... and the the Music you chose... raised my heartbeat... and my sorrow. Thank God I've seen the paradise of Tortola, and the friendship of the wonderful people there. I've sailed for over 15 years in the BVI.. based from St.Thomas, now retired living in Mississippi, USA. My prayers to my many acquaintances of these beautiful islands. God Bless you all. Capt'n Rick Ealy.

[@kobyaylor8039]

Karlis, thank you for your strength and for posting this... I'm heartbroken to see all the damage and loss, yet I know by the wonderful people I met over the week I was there before the hurricane arrived (Elmor Stoutt, Murlise Stoutt, Joanne and Sarah Penney, Cooper (who built KeVillas in Carrot Bay), all the staff at Sebastian's and more) that you are strong and will overcome this. I connected with my childhood as I lived on St. Thomas and my father lived on Tortola from 1969-74 and I will be back next fall! My heart is with everyone!!!!!

[@ndoghouse6853]

I lived on the west end for Hugo in 1989 and it looked pretty much like that afterwards but I think Irma was more widespread. Looks like nothing was spared. Tolians will have that Island back to normal in a years time. They are some of the hardest working people I have ever known. I miss Tortola. Thanks for the support links. If I was younger id go back and help them rebuild. Thanks for sharing your video Karlis. Hope my friends there are OK and especially after Maria.

[@stcarlosss6248]

Thank you! Maria passed Tortola and didn't do much damages. Nevertheless it caused a lot of floods, however as far as I know, there are no deaths recorded and nor there are major damages done because of the hurricane Maria. You can actually see a lot of improvement already and I think it is fair to assume that in a year the island will be back to normal.

[@larryblanchard7352]

Thanks for posting the video Karlis. We loved our time in the BVI's.....So sad. Looks like almost every leaf on every tree and bush........GONE. Best of luck in the rebuild phase. I know the people will rebound and come back.

[@Ninja_Sloth]

Karlis, thanks for posting this video. Your first person account of the devastation is humbling. 6 of us were to vacation in Cane Garden Bay this coming October at the Seven Peaks Villa (purple peaked roofs on NW side of the bay). Did you see how badly Seven Peaks was damaged? We are donating money to relief efforts and have rescheduled our trip to October 2018. May the island return to it's lush beauty and people regain strength.

[@stcarlosss6248]

tslazoo it was.. I can't describe how I felt the next day when I walked through Cane Garden Bay (my favorite place in tortola) and saw all that. It was hard to process it. I do hope that we can all rebuild the island to what it once was.

[@stcarlosss6248]

tslazoo about the villa, I'm not entirely sure which one is it. If it's the one when you head down the hill to the gas station on the right side - it was alright. However my house was right by the water, next to the gas station. Also in the video. Completely destroyed. I'm happy I decided to take shelter up hill.

[@Ninja_Sloth]

Karlis Kruze - I have shared your video with one of the top meteorologists in the entire US, Tom Skilling of WGN news in Chicago. He wants to share your video to help build awareness of the destruction in Tortola. He agreed that the BVIs have had very little coverage on US news reports. If you are ok with him sharing your video, I will let him know. So sorry to hear about your home but glad you are safe. Stay strong, help will come

[@stcarlosss6248]

tslazoo of course. I have no issue with it. As long as it is for a good purpose to raise awareness, anyone is more than welcome to use this video

[@Ninja_Sloth]

Karlis, I will pass along your approval. Question: have you seen UK Government assistance arriving in Tortola? Water? Food? Shelter?

[@eddvinci6725]

thank you for posting this

[@wtf_usa5597]

WOW. Powerful video. Thank you. 🙏

[@peterkruze1773]

Sveiks Karli We have visited the BVI group numerous times and are heartbroken by the destruction of places we know well. The BVI people are wonderful and hard working and we trust they are back on the feet soon and we can visit these beautiful islands in their full magic

[@stcarlosss6248]

Sveiks Peter! This is a terrible tragedy that happened to the islands. However I am certain that the island will be rebuilt very soon! Thanks for your comment.

[@peterkruze1773]

The Latvian navy will sail the waters of BVI again someday. We will look for you!

[@Ninja_Sloth]

Karlis, does Cane Garden Bay have electricity back yet? Are power lines still down?

[@MARKLINMAN1]

So sad, i PRAY that the GREAT lord will keep you all and that this GORGEOUS piece of paradise is once more just that! God Bless and keep you all. #BVISTRONG

[@mbrosadoPR]

without words, I am from Puerto Rico. :-(

[@sallysheldon1547]

Have good friends who live on Tortola love the island.

[@gabrielvalim5508]

How is Long Bay?

[@stcarlosss6248]

Gabriel Valim Not sure, I haven't been there after the storm.

[@michaelvogt7413]

Eine unendliche Katastrophe ... Katastrophe ... Bagger und mehr Tageslicht wird gebraucht! Wer das Land nicht kennt - wird es niemals verstehen. Thank you for Support!!!!!!!

[@dickhamilton3517]

how do people make a living here? Tourism?

[@stcarlosss6248]

Dick Hamilton the main sources of income in the BVI are from Tourism industry and Financial Services industry, since the BVI is one of the so called low tax jurisdictions or offshore jurisdictions. However now many businesses have suffered due to the hurricane

[@Way2Deep]

My grandmas house is destroyed so is mines

[@joyelvin2822]

Hi Karlis, Joy here from One Love BVI. We are creating a video for the 1 year anniversary, and our volunteer video guy, Frank Lervik, would like to know if he can use some of this footage. Please, can you email me at [e-mail]. Thank you.

[@stcarlosss6248]

Joy Elvin Hey. Sure, you can use the footage I have of Irma. If you need raw video with no sound let me knoe

[@joyelvin2822]

Karlis Kruze Thank you. I will let you know. So grateful.

[@Superulv]

Hi Karlis! It would be great if you could send me the video with original sound or without the music. The clip from when the hurricane hits (filmed in Cane Garden Bay?) and some of the streetwalking is what I need the most to make the anniversary-video better...I will not use many seconds but your videoclips are very good. If you could send some of the clips on filemail.com that would be very nice. My email: [e-mail] And thank you. Frank Lervik

[@stcarlosss6248]

No problem. I am currently uploading some footage on Google Drive. I will send you the link.

[@stcarlosss6248]

I sent you the footage

[@mrmichael610]

God bless the B.v.i !!

[@larryblanchard7352]

Thanks for posting the video Karlis. We loved our time in the BVI's.....So sad. Looks like almost every leaf on every tree and bush........GONE. Best of luck in the rebuild phase. I know the people will rebound and come back.

[@stcarlosss6248]

Larry, yes it is incredibly sad. The trees look like they would be burnt down by a massive fire. I couldn't even recognize the place anymore. But I believe that the island will be back to normal very soon.