My Hurricane Irma Story
Lawrence Mangollado
Accounting Administrator at Oikocredit International EDCS U.A.
3 Years Ago, I experienced a Category 5 Hurricane with a wind of 280 km/h. I was alone during the Hurricane as my parents were in New York, and I stayed at our home in Road Town, British Virgin Islands. I didn't know what was coming as I was naive about how powerful Hurricanes can be; we weren't even sure if it will pass us. Nights fall, thinking that another Hurricane will fly over just like last year. I was wrong; Hurricane Irma changed the course of my life.
The following day, Irma came. It blew the galvanized roof-metal sheets from the nearby houses, just like a paper. It turned the lushes green hills into brown muddy tump less than a day. I was petrified as I wrapped my arms around a rope knot in our door as the breeze tried to pull it out and take what's inside our house. My hands were shaking and sore while grabbing the rope tightly. Water was coming from all directions.
As Hours passed, Irma slowly stopped. No Electricity nor tap water in weeks. We had to fetch undrinkable water in the nearby river by galloping the uncertain electric wires in the path. No phone signal to tell my parents that "I am okay..".
The Hurricane Irma Experience has been one of the highlights of my life. This experience was indeed something special as I look up with a thankful and positive outlook into the future.
#HurricaneIrma #HurricaneIrmaStory