Businesses and residents continue to secure their homes and properties as hurricane Irma approaches. Photo: Team of Reporters

The hurricane shutters have been drawn at the Anegada Clinic in The Settlement. Photo: Team of Reporters

Boarded up! Photo: Team of Reporters

A business establishment on Anegada partially boarded up. Photo: VINO

A boarded up property on Anegada. Photo: Team of Reporters

A boat being moved to safety. Photo: Team of Reporters

And despite residents of Anegada being urged to evacuate the island, which is expected to be hardest hit, some residents are standing their ground.

"It is expected that storm surge from this event can range from 10 to 14 feet or higher," the Department of Disaster Management (DDM) stated yesterday.

The last boat evacuating persons from Anegada is expected to leave that island at 12:00 P.M. today.

‘Keep each other in prayers’

However, several residents of Anegada say they are not budging as they are confident they can withstand the passage of hurricane Irma in the safety of their own homes and properties.

"I have been living here for so many years, passed through several hurricanes, even category 4 hurricane here and we did well. My family staying right here. We know what to do to be safe and it's what we will do," said one man.

He added, "All we need to do is keep each other in prayers let's just keep praying for one another. There is power in unity prayers. We are using wisdom by choosing to stay."

A popular businessman of that island also added similar sentiments, "Only people who not from here going, we safer over here.

“I been here 2010 with a cat 4 already. We been through this over and over."

Early preparations

Asked about safety measures, this news site was told by residents that from the time Irma was progressing into a suspicious "bad gal" hurricane, they have been pitting their houses in order.

"We ready and strong. We know who to look out for in case of anything. We are one Anegada and we standing strong for each other," a resident said.

Ferry available to take residents out today

Meantime, Government has made arrangements with Speedy’s and Road Town Fast Ferries to transport persons who wish to relocate from Anegada to Virgin Gorda or Tortola.

These ferries will leave Anegada at 12 noon on Tuesday, September 5, 2017.

Individuals who don’t have family members on Tortola or Virgin Gorda can be accommodated at emergency shelters on these islands.

Emergency shelters

On Virgin Gorda, the Catholic Community Centre in the Valley and the Methodist Church in North Sound will open to receive persons.

Persons wishing to stay on Tortola can be accommodated in St George’s Anglican Church Hall in Road Town, the New Testament Church of God in Baughers Bay, East End Community Centre or West End Community Centre.

Individuals who choose to seek temporary accommodation on Tortola or Virgin Gorda at Emergency Shelters must inform the District Officer, Mrs Shirley Vanterpool of their intentions so that arrangements can be made for them.

Please ensure that you have essential supplies (an emergency kit, well stocked with water, batteries, battery-operated radio, flashlights, medications and non-perishable food items) for at least three days.

The Claudia Creque Educational Centre on Anegada will also be opened to accommodate persons who wish to remain on the island. This facility will be managed by the Anegada Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) headed by Melanie Faulkner-Smith.