1. IMPACT REPORT: HURRICANE IRMA
(U) Emergency and disaster efforts are underway after Hurricane Irma passes through the Caribbean.
(U) SITUATION:
Hurricane Irma hit the Leeward/Caribbean Islands causing massive destruction and widespread flooding. The Caribbean covers 2.7 million square kilometers, encompassing approximately 700 islands and 30 territories, from the British Virgin Islands to Cuba.
Humanitarian needs have escalated since the passing of Hurricane Irma, as ground teams are able to send and receive reports and countries are able to reach islands that were severely impacted.
Hurricane Jose has caused some logistical obstacles, however authorities have been able to stage on closer islands until they are able to safely continue operations. Current severe issues revolve around contaminated water sources, inaccessible roads and damaged and unstable infrastructure (critical and homes), power outages and shortages, access to food, looting and security issues, susceptibility to disease due to prime mosquito conditions, and loss of communication abilities.
(U) DAMAGE ASSESSMENT OVERVIEW:
People of Turks and Caicos are in urgent need of emergency relief. Livelihoods, including housing and infrastructure in Anguilla, Barbuda, the British Virgin Islands, St. Martin/St. Maarten, the US Virgin Islands, and Turks and Caicos are severely affected. Reports of extensive damage to agriculture are coming in from Haiti and Cuba.
Residents have complained of looting on the islands of Anguilla, Barbuda, and St. Barts.
UK troops have arrived in the British Virgin Islands as part of Britain's response to the disaster. They are pictured meeting locals in Road Town on the island of Tortola

2. Aid to Affected Countries/Islands
COUNTRY
DAMAGE/ASSESSMENTS
Puerto Rico
Three fatalities have been reported
42 hospitals and more than two thirds of homes are without electricity. 17% of homes are without water.
Reports state several thousand people remain in shelters and rescue teams are searching for missing people.
Air traffic has resumed.
Some airports only allowing relief flights for coordination, most airports remain closed.
St Barthélemy and St Martin/Saint Maarten
Urgent need for water and food has been reported for both St. Martin and St. Barthélemy.
St. Barthélemy: The French government has confirmed widespread flooding and power outages. Airports have been heavily damaged. Major damage to infrastructure in general.
St Martin: Nine fatalities have been reported. 95% of St. Martin is estimated destroyed with 518 residential settlements destroyed or damaged. The island’s jail was reportedly destroyed and 250 inmates remain at large. There have been reports of widespread looting. Power and water supplies in the Dutch section of Saint Maarten has been destroyed. Major damage to airports has been reported.
There are security concerns around health care facilities and medical stocks.
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Damage to healthcare facilities has been reported.
Damage to homes in Saint Kitts in areas such as Conaree, Molineaux, and St. Paul’s Keys has been reported. Damage to infrastructure appeared light compared to other countries as most roads were cleared quickly. The seaport and airport did not sustain significant damage.
Electricity services has restored power to more than 50% of the island. Water service is available to 90% of the population with the remaining 10% depending on the restoration of electricity service to power the water pumps.
Twelve shelters were opened with 33 persons housed in Nevis. Several people had been evacuated due to roofs being blown off houses.
Limited air traffic has been restored.
Water and sanitation kits have been identified as key relief items that will be needed to address the effects of Irma on the islands.
Dominican Republic
No fatalities reported.
Approximately 114 houses have been destroyed, 2,600 houses have been damaged leading to the displacement of 24,000 people.
As of September 8, over 10,700 persons were sheltering in 149 emergency shelters throughout the country.
Water infrastructure used by 1.2 million people (12% of population) has been damaged, including 58 aqueducts.
Concerns over contamination and sanitation of clean water supplies on affected islands will present major health needs.
18-24 provinces remain on red alert due to the possibility of landslides and floods.
Punta Cana International Airport has resumed normal operations.
The area’s hotel sector is reporting no major damage.
Damaged homes and flooded streets in Cabarete and Sosua have been reported.
The tropical storm warning was lifted and the population has still been advised to exercise caution.
The USAID/OFDA staff indicated that 127 public shelters are expected to reopen in anticipation of Hurricane Jose.
Airports in the Dominican Republic have resumed normal operations.
Thousands of people were displaced in the affected areas.
Although health services were spared major damage, some health specialists have been mobilized to affected communities to address disease control, sanitation and hygiene needs.
Food security assessments are underway and protection measures for vulnerable people in affected communities are being taken.
Livelihoods in affected communities are anticipated to be an area of need when recovery efforts begin.
Several organizations are making funds available to support relief in the affected areas of the Dominican Republic.

3. COUNTRY DAMAGE/ASSESSMENTS
Bahamas
According to the government, approximately 1,000 people were evacuated from the southern islands of Acklins, Crooked Island, Inagua, Mayaguana, and Ragged to shelters on New Providence Island, the most populous island in the Bahamas. There are 127 public shelters open across the Bahamas. Grand Bahama has 12 shelters with a capacity to house 2,546 people.
All airports are closed.
CDEMA stated aerial reconnaissance for the southern islands is required and the full extent of damage remains unclear.
Flooding led to damage along the coastlines.
Bonaire, Saint Eustatius and Saba
Serious infrastructure damage on Saba and St Eustatius, and there is a shortage of drinking water.
Antigua and Barbuda
USAID/OFDA staff report that some residents of Barbuda are being transported to Antigua and that repairs are being made to existing shelters on Barbuda in anticipation of Hurricane Jose.
Bermuda: One fatality confirmed and 1,600 people including 750 children have been evacuated.
Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) infrastructure has been significantly damaged and almost all critical facilities have been destroyed. Roads, airports and communication have been destroyed. Supplies have been sent by boats and helicopters from Antigua.
Antigua: Damage to infrastructure was minor. The seaport is intact and operational, super market and stores are open, and the airport is currently open for emergency landings.
Almost all critical facilities in Barbuda, including ambulances have been destroyed by Hurricane Irma.
Needs for Barbadians evacuated to Antigua include shelter, and access to education and healthcare.
Support with telecommunications is needed to restore electricity in Barbuda.
Medium-to-long term recovery needs identified so far include building materials for reconstruction, equipment to clean the island, supplies for schools and hospitals, health kits, dignity kits and seeds and other agricultural goods.
Haiti
The northeast and northwest of the island was severely affected, particularly the coastline.
There is significant damage to agricultural fields, livestock, and banana plantations.
St. Thomas Hospital has suffered structural damage and is undergoing repairs.
Dominica
Damage to the island is less than expected with the airport currently open. Essential crew are on the roads carrying out repairs to services.
Montserrat
Serious infrastructure damage on Saba and St. Eustatius. There is a shortage of drinking water.
Cuba
Massive destruction and widespread flooding has been reported along the northern coast. In the east and center of the island, the provinces of Holguín, Las Tunas, Camaguey, Ciego de Avila, Sancti Spiritus, and Villa Clara have been severely affected. In Havana, roofs have been ripped off buildings and there are power outages.
Large-scale destruction to major sugarcane, plantain crops and poultry farms has been reported throughout the country.
Authorities are concerned with disease outbreak as flooding is expected to persist until Tuesday. The most vulnerable areas are located in western and central regions.
Electric infrastructure is affected in almost all the counties. Airports are closed except Havana and Varadeo, unless forced to close due to winds.
According to the government, the hurricane has affected 5.2 million people and more than 1,130,000 people have been evacuated.

4. COUNTRY DAMAGE/ASSESSMENTS
United States Virgin
Islands
Four people have been reported as killed and the National Emergency Operations Center has been destroyed.
A state of emergency has been declared. Ongoing assessments have reported severe and critical damage.
Power is out across the islands, communications are down, roads are blocked, and only one hospital is operational.
There have been reports of looting and damage to a prison that has breached security.
The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) reports that the airport is still operational despite damage to the control tower.
The RFA Mounts Bay has arrived and is providing security and assistance as it did in Anguilla.
Preliminary media reports cite extensive damage to homes and buildings, as well as destroyed schools. Many roads remain inaccessible.
British Virgin Islands
Five confirmed dead and authorities are expecting the toll to rise.
9,500 children have been affected and hundreds of people are housed in 9 shelters.
Water infrastructure has been significantly damaged.
Authorities have declared a state of emergency and curfew.
Water and food supplies are currently limited.
Critical facilities, homes, and businesses have been devastated.
Communication systems have been impacted, but communication has been restored with CDEMA.
The airport is operational but the tower has been compromised.
National Emergency Operations Center has been destroyed.
Authorities in the islands have requested emergency utilities personnel to restore connections on the islands.
Anguilla
Four deaths have been confirmed.
The airport runway and most roads leading to the airport have been cleared of debris.
Assistance was provided by the RFA Mounts Bay in making the airport runway serviceable for emergency flights.
British troops supported refurbishment of two shelters damaged during the hurricane.
The UK provided a twelve- member liaison and reconnaissance operating team.
Four of the team members are to be deployed to the territory and eight will to remain in Barbados to provide further military assistance.
The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency is reporting the airport runway and most roads leading to the airport have been cleared of debris.
The agency is also reporting that 90 % of government buildings and business structures were damaged as well as 90 per cent  of the electricity infrastructure.
There is also significant damage to the main water supply.
Health care needs assessments are underway, and support for shelters and protection is arriving in the coming days.
Turks and Caicos Islands
CDEMA report on household damages: 70% in Southern Caicos, 70% in Providenciales, and 50% in Grand Turk Island. There has been reported serious damage to health facilities.
10,000 children have been affected.
Wave heights were likely to exceed 8m with storm surge in excess of 4m. The National Emergency Operations Center was moved.
Assessment of the damage is continuing.