Recovery in Dominica after Hurricane Maria
Simon's story
When Hurricane Maria wreaked havoc in Dominica in 2017, it destroyed Simon’s house. Read how we have supported Simon in rebuilding his home and finding comfort once again.
Hurricane Irma: three years on
When hurricane Irma and Maria hit the Caribbean in September 2017, no one imagined how powerful and devastating they would be.
Whole islands devastated
On 27 August 2017, a tropical wave left the west coast of Africa. Within 4 days it had become Hurricane Irma – the most powerful hurricane ever recorded in the Atlantic Ocean.
Hurricane Irma made landfall on 6 September, leaving a string of Caribbean islands completely devastated. With wind speeds of up to 185 mph, Irma maintained Category 5 strength for 60 consecutive hours.
But the devastation didn’t stop there. Almost two weeks later, Hurricane Maria hit the same islands that took the brunt of Irma’s wrath. Also a Category 5 hurricane, Maria sustained winds of 155 mph, taking down home after home. When the hurricane passed over Dominica, it destroyed all of the buildings on the island.
Three years later, we are looking back to one of the worst hurricane seasons in the Caribbean, in pictures. Take a look below to see how we helped.
In pictures
Click the photos to see the stories behind them
ShelterBox HQ, Truro
Members of the Operations team discuss the progress of Hurricane Irma at ShelterBox HQ.
The Caribbean
The team fly out to the Caribbean to start assessments in the affected islands.
Barbuda
Signs of devastation during the 1st assessment on Barbuda after Hurricane Irma struck.
Barbuda
95% of all houses on Barbuda were destroyed by Hurricane Irma. This photo is just one example of the devastation caused.
Dominica
Hurricane Maria damaged or flattened almost every building in Dominica, leaving the island with no power and little water for days.
Barbuda
ShelterBox aid arriving in Barbuda. We provided aid to over 2,000 families across five islands in the Caribbean.
Barbuda
“We just kept praying, hoping, and waiting.” The roof of Amy’s house in Barbuda was blown off and everything was damaged by water.
Dominica
A Response Team Volunteer with a Dominican woman who received ShelterBox aid in 2017.
Dominica
Recovery in Dominica was slow but steady. Here, two locals are in the process of fixing their roof with a ShelterBox tarpaulin, 2017.
Barbuda
July 2018. Just on the island of Barbuda, we supported nearly 200 families. Here, a local is already in the process of rebuilding his house.
Nine months after Hurricane Maria had flattened her house, Kishma still lived in a ShelterBox tent with her two children, hoping to move in something permanent soon after.
Dominica
Ella’s home in Dominica was flattened by Maria in 2017. Now, she and her family are split living between ShelterBox tents and a basement of an empty house.
Who we've helped
We have provided aid to over 2,000 families across five islands in the Caribbean. Read their incredible stories of recovery here.
Preparing for a busy hurricane season
2020 has been a year like no other. While coronavirus gets a hold of the world, a menacing Atlantic hurricane season is expected.
Read our blog article to find out how we’re preparing for a potentially dangerous hurricane season.
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