Fortunately not! Hurricane Lee did not cause any significant damages in Antigua. Although Antigua and Barbuda took warnings and safety precautions, Hurricane Lee did not inflict any storms or damages on the region. Island locals report only sustained winds and a few swells in the eastern part of the island, especially at Half Moon Beach.
This Hurricane Lee departed from Cape Verde, Africa, forming on September 5th, 2023. It went from Category 1 to Category 5 quickly (with winds of 165 mph), approaching the Caribbean islands and heading towards the USA.
According to the Fox Weather site, the Lesser Antilles, Puerto Rico and the U.S. and British Virgin Islands are experiencing rough seas and strong waves. The U.S. Coast Guard has issued warnings to vessels in these areas to prepare for hurricane force winds.
The last time a hurricane affected Antigua and Barbuda was on September 6, 2017. They named it Hurricane Irma. It was a category 5 hurricane that hit both islands. The eye of the hurricane passed directly over Barbuda, causing widespread devastation. A large percentage of buildings in Barbuda suffered destruction or severe damage, leading to the island being deemed uninhabitable. Irma also affected Antigua, but to a lesser extent.
Recovery from Hurricane Irma was slow and difficult. The government of Antigua and Barbuda received international help to assist in rebuilding. However, many people are still struggling to recover from the damage caused by the hurricane.
As a result, Hurricane Irma caused widespread damage in Antigua and Barbuda, destroying or damaging roads, bridges, power lines, and water systems. An estimated 50% of the population lost their homes, and the hurricane also destroyed crops and livestock. About 1,300 people were evacuated from the islands, and the hurricane resulted in the deaths of two people.
So, to mitigate the effects of future hurricanes, Antigua and Barbuda has taken steps to build hurricane shelters. They planted trees to help protect against storm surge, developed early warning systems, improved building systems and educated the public on hurricane safety. These measures will help protect the people of Antigua and Barbuda from future hurricanes. However, it is important to remember that no country is immune to the effects of these powerful storms.
