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US Virgin Islands Devastated

Picking up the pieces in paradise won't be an easy task.

Hello everyone, I’m Rick Jackson. Thanks for joining us.

The us Virgin Islands are struggling after hurricane Irma sideswiped them last week.

The Virgin Islands are an archipelago in the Caribbean, between north and south America.

Archipelago means a group of islands. These territories are held by America and the people who live here are considered U.S. Citizens, though they don't have the right to vote for our nation's president.

St. John, the smallest of the us Virgin Islands, is expected to take years to rebuild. Reporter Isa Soares visited the popular vacation destination.

Isa: once a lush island, covered in rolling green hills and pristine beaches... Now a battered wasteland -- whipped by the ferocious power of Irma.

On the ground -- trees have been shaken... Naked to their bark.

Power lines have been toppled.

And homes -- are left teetering on the edge of this land -- now stripped bare.

Steve smith was one of the lucky ones.

His home partially unscathed.

The next-door neighbor's house -- a reminder of what could have been.

Reporter: completely destroyed…

Steve smith, resident of St. John: this is completely destroyed. And this is the kind of way the one above us is also. You see the refrigerator is in the living room, the sliding glass doors are in his kitchen.

Despite the change in scenery and the destruction in every corner... Steve smith isn't budging. This is island perseverance.

Steve smith, resident of St. John: it used to be a little bit better. That's greenery. The destruction I’m seeing is horrible. But I’m not leaving.

The reality may not sustain this optimism.

Here there's no water, power and cellular service... The only signal... This building in the entire island.

By the dock, volunteers delivering supplies are their only connection to the outside world.

They were also their first helping hand... Arriving on shore days after hurricane Irma hit with water, perishable goods and food.

Megan -- a resident of St. John is staying put for now.

Megan, resident of St. John: it's hard, I mean, a lot of families have been here for generations and this is their whole world. And if you leave, the question is where do you go. And not knowing what you're going to come back to is also a big concern.

A catch 22 only further exacerbated by looting and lawlessness... Which according to locals has eased somewhat since the navy and coastguard have been patrolling these streets.

A much needed presence for an island that has always feared being forgotten.

Isa Soares, St. john, in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Rick: Thanks Isa. Florida's residents are also cleaning up from hurricane Irma. President trump made his way to Naples, to help dish out a welcome meal to survivors of the storm.

He had this to say to them.

Trump: " I just want to tell you, 'we are there for you, 100 percent.' I’ll be back here numerous times. This is a state that I know very well, as you understand, and these are special, special people, and we love them. Thank you."


Instructional Links


Online Reference Book: The CIA Factbook, The Virgin Islands | Includes info, maps & images

Website Article: CNN, Hurricane Harvey Aftemath, The Devastation by the Numbers | Includes facts & statistics

Website Article: Newsela, Storm Robs Millions Of Electricity, Which Could Take Weeks To Restore | May need to sign in. Discusses devastation in Florida.