0:00:04 > 0:00:06Come on down, people!
0:00:06 > 0:00:08You have something a lot of folks dream about.
0:00:11 > 0:00:15In 2016, the Island Parish series celebrated
0:00:15 > 0:00:18the close church community and relaxed way of life
0:00:18 > 0:00:20on the Caribbean island of Anguilla.
0:00:26 > 0:00:29Help us, Father, to build on the successes of the past.
0:00:29 > 0:00:32That our island home will grow from strength to strength.
0:00:35 > 0:00:38Colonised by English settlers in the 17th century...
0:00:38 > 0:00:41Three cheers for Her Majesty the Queen.
0:00:41 > 0:00:43Hip, hip, hip, hooray!
0:00:43 > 0:00:47..the Caribbean island is now one of 14 British Overseas Territories,
0:00:47 > 0:00:49with its own government and the Queen as its head of state.
0:00:49 > 0:00:51Fire!
0:00:51 > 0:00:53This is the epitome of paradise.
0:00:53 > 0:00:57You know, I wouldn't want to be anywhere else!
0:00:57 > 0:01:00But this paradise is also fragile.
0:01:00 > 0:01:03We have been monitoring a storm that's in the Atlantic at this time.
0:01:03 > 0:01:05We're still looking at a category three,
0:01:05 > 0:01:07it might even go to maybe a cat four.
0:01:07 > 0:01:11When one of the most powerful hurricanes in recorded history
0:01:11 > 0:01:13bore down on the Caribbean last September,
0:01:13 > 0:01:15Anguilla was right in its path.
0:01:15 > 0:01:18We must prepare for the worst and pray for the best.
0:01:20 > 0:01:23The eastern Caribbean islands were first in line for a battering.
0:01:23 > 0:01:25This is an eminent disaster.
0:01:25 > 0:01:27180mph winds.
0:01:27 > 0:01:30Hurricane Irma is a terrifying force of nature.
0:01:30 > 0:01:33May God bless all of you and may God bless Anguilla.
0:01:40 > 0:01:44By the time Hurricane Irma had carved its path of destruction
0:01:44 > 0:01:46across the Caribbean,
0:01:46 > 0:01:49it had left around £7 billion of damage
0:01:49 > 0:01:51and at least 38 people dead.
0:01:54 > 0:01:57Whole communities were destroyed.
0:01:57 > 0:02:02We're running low on water, so that's a little bit frightening.
0:02:02 > 0:02:05Cut off from the outside world in the days that followed the storm,
0:02:05 > 0:02:09a shortage of essential supplies tested Anguilla's community spirit
0:02:09 > 0:02:10to the limit.
0:02:10 > 0:02:13People have been here since morning trying to get gas,
0:02:13 > 0:02:15and everyone is irritable.
0:02:15 > 0:02:18It's a very, very stressful situation for everybody.
0:02:21 > 0:02:23The British government showed it wouldn't forget the island
0:02:23 > 0:02:25at the time of its greatest need.
0:02:27 > 0:02:29- BORIS JOHNSON:- The UK is here, the UK is here to support.
0:02:29 > 0:02:32This is an overseas territory, these are British people.
0:02:34 > 0:02:38A month after Irma, our cameras returned to discover
0:02:38 > 0:02:42how this island parish stayed strong in the wake of the storm.
0:02:57 > 0:03:00For the 15,000 people who live in Anguilla,
0:03:00 > 0:03:02hurricanes are nothing new.
0:03:02 > 0:03:07But few of them had ever experienced anything like Irma.
0:03:07 > 0:03:11The noise you heard from the bedroom was terrible,
0:03:11 > 0:03:16but there were so many houses where the roofs had come down.
0:03:16 > 0:03:18Terrible.
0:03:18 > 0:03:23A month on from Irma, and only 6% of the island has power,
0:03:23 > 0:03:26hundreds of Anguillans still queue for food and basic supplies.
0:03:29 > 0:03:34Life is tough, but most islanders are just grateful to still be alive.
0:03:34 > 0:03:37By midnight, the winds really started to get gushing,
0:03:37 > 0:03:41and as the time go along, it kept coming up more and more,
0:03:41 > 0:03:48but when the hurricane really hit, it had to be a minimum of 230.
0:03:48 > 0:03:50That's what I averaged it to.
0:03:50 > 0:03:54Sheltering from the hurricane in his home and restaurant is an experience
0:03:54 > 0:03:57that Edgar Richardson will never forget.
0:03:57 > 0:03:59I was in the corner there.
0:03:59 > 0:04:01When the roof were coming down,
0:04:01 > 0:04:04I went on my knees and then I make my escape.
0:04:05 > 0:04:07We lose everything.
0:04:07 > 0:04:09It hits you once in a while,
0:04:09 > 0:04:12but you've got to still thank God for what's happened.
0:04:16 > 0:04:18Even in the face of all the destruction and loss,
0:04:18 > 0:04:22Anguillans are finding strength in their deep and unerring faith.
0:04:26 > 0:04:30High winds and torrential rains are testing the damaged church roof
0:04:30 > 0:04:34where Father Hodge is holding the Sunday service.
0:04:34 > 0:04:37A reminder of the trauma his parish has just endured.
0:04:37 > 0:04:43We have all been through a terrible hurricane recently.
0:04:43 > 0:04:46Many have suffered unspeakable loss.
0:04:46 > 0:04:51But amidst it all, we are still required and expected
0:04:51 > 0:04:55to hold on to our faith in the goodness of God.
0:04:55 > 0:04:58As well as giving spiritual guidance,
0:04:58 > 0:05:01churches have been handing out water to their congregations.
0:05:02 > 0:05:05Without power, most taps on the island have run dry.
0:05:06 > 0:05:10That's made drinking, washing, and flushing a major struggle
0:05:10 > 0:05:12for parishioners like Dr Linda Banks.
0:05:13 > 0:05:15With the electricity being off, we had to go back
0:05:15 > 0:05:18to the old traditional ways of dipping water,
0:05:18 > 0:05:20filling up a bucket and taking it to the bathroom.
0:05:20 > 0:05:22We all have cisterns under our homes.
0:05:22 > 0:05:25When the hurricane came, they had to turn the electricity off.
0:05:25 > 0:05:29There was no means of pumping the water to the taps
0:05:29 > 0:05:31which go to the house. When that went, we were back
0:05:31 > 0:05:33to the bucket bath.
0:05:36 > 0:05:39Have you been receiving any help from the Red Cross
0:05:39 > 0:05:42or from anybody at all?
0:05:42 > 0:05:43I get from our church.
0:05:43 > 0:05:45Oh, you got from the church, very good, very good.
0:05:45 > 0:05:48Take care and God bless you, all right?
0:05:48 > 0:05:52Without power, many Anguillans have become isolated, making
0:05:52 > 0:05:57Father Hodge's job of visiting the elderly and the vulnerable
0:05:57 > 0:05:58all the more vital.
0:05:58 > 0:06:03I try to get out into the community as much as I possibly can.
0:06:03 > 0:06:06When I get in touch with people, I try to encourage them
0:06:06 > 0:06:11as much as they can to keep the faith and keep on holding on.
0:06:17 > 0:06:19Look at the damage here, the roof is gone.
0:06:19 > 0:06:23All the way here, you can see the roofs are all ripped off.
0:06:24 > 0:06:27That house is blown to pieces altogether.
0:06:29 > 0:06:31A merciless hurricane it was.
0:06:33 > 0:06:35Never seen anything like that here before.
0:06:41 > 0:06:44Alfredo, como estas?
0:06:44 > 0:06:46- Bien, gracias.- Bien, gracias, si.
0:06:48 > 0:06:51You moved out before the hurricane actually started?
0:06:51 > 0:06:52- Yeah, yeah, yeah.- OK, right.
0:06:52 > 0:06:55It's a good thing you did, otherwise you would have been
0:06:55 > 0:06:56in lots of trouble.
0:06:57 > 0:06:59All your stuff is gone.
0:06:59 > 0:07:01All the stuff, I don't see the fridge up to now.
0:07:01 > 0:07:03Oh. You haven't seen the fridge yet?
0:07:03 > 0:07:05No, I don't see the fridge yet.
0:07:05 > 0:07:08And you do sewing, you say?
0:07:08 > 0:07:10Yeah, yeah, it's my original profession.
0:07:10 > 0:07:12- As a tailor?- Yeah, tailor.
0:07:12 > 0:07:14- Where is the machine?- I have...
0:07:14 > 0:07:17The rest of them are mashed up, but let me show you.
0:07:17 > 0:07:19Alfredo has lost more than just a home.
0:07:19 > 0:07:21He's lost his sewing machine...
0:07:21 > 0:07:23- Oh, I see, yeah. - ..and livelihood.
0:07:25 > 0:07:27And it was electrical?
0:07:27 > 0:07:29- With electricity?- Yeah, yeah, yeah.
0:07:39 > 0:07:41All over Anguilla,
0:07:41 > 0:07:44islanders are still counting the true cost of the hurricane.
0:07:46 > 0:07:50Oh, wow. The coconut trees mashed up bad, bad.
0:07:50 > 0:07:51Bad, yeah. Everything mashed up.
0:07:54 > 0:07:58Simone Connor and her father, Neville, run and own
0:07:58 > 0:08:01one of Anguilla's best-known attractions.
0:08:01 > 0:08:05So, right now, we're going to what's left of Sandy Island.
0:08:05 > 0:08:10We operated a restaurant there, we hosted weddings there.
0:08:10 > 0:08:13She was special to us, special to our family.
0:08:13 > 0:08:14Yeah.
0:08:15 > 0:08:19For Neville and Simone, creating a successful resort
0:08:19 > 0:08:22on this beautiful but desolate sandbank has been
0:08:22 > 0:08:24a labour of love.
0:08:24 > 0:08:28Taking decades of hard work and perseverance against the elements.
0:08:35 > 0:08:39The storm blew and washed the sandbank away entirely.
0:08:39 > 0:08:43Slowly but surely, it's been building itself back up again.
0:08:43 > 0:08:44Oh, wow!
0:08:46 > 0:08:47That's what's left of Sandy Island,
0:08:47 > 0:08:50we're looking at what's left of Sandy Island.
0:08:52 > 0:08:54Got to try and make the best of it.
0:08:54 > 0:08:56It's sad, but what to do?
0:09:12 > 0:09:15Day-to-day, you never know where you're going to go,
0:09:15 > 0:09:17you never know what's going to happen.
0:09:19 > 0:09:22But the challenge is to make do with what you have...
0:09:24 > 0:09:26..and to go forward in faith.
0:09:38 > 0:09:39Look at this.
0:09:42 > 0:09:44Yeah. Oh, wow.
0:09:48 > 0:09:51Ah, maybe it was in the bathroom... No.
0:09:53 > 0:09:55No, the bathroom wasn't there.
0:09:57 > 0:09:59A friend of mine, he said, "Oh, Simone, I was looking
0:09:59 > 0:10:02"through my window and for a moment there was some clear
0:10:02 > 0:10:06"and then a gush of wind came, and I just saw the trees just going,
0:10:06 > 0:10:08"the wind was just taking them, and all of a sudden,
0:10:08 > 0:10:11"I saw the main roof," cos the roof was huge,
0:10:11 > 0:10:13you could see it from the mainland.
0:10:13 > 0:10:17He said the whole roof went in one quick gust...
0:10:18 > 0:10:20..out to sea.
0:10:23 > 0:10:2825 years, 30 years - in five minutes, gone.
0:10:29 > 0:10:31Just like that.
0:10:40 > 0:10:42It's like somebody just...
0:10:46 > 0:10:50You wouldn't know. To express how I feel, you have to be there,
0:10:50 > 0:10:52feel it and know it. Not easy.
0:11:01 > 0:11:02Hurricane Irma..
0:11:03 > 0:11:05..she gave us a clean slate.
0:11:05 > 0:11:09She said, "It's time to do something fresh,
0:11:09 > 0:11:11"time to do something different,"
0:11:11 > 0:11:14and we're going to heed, we're going to take heed.
0:11:14 > 0:11:16We're going to obey.
0:11:16 > 0:11:19When Mother Nature speaks...
0:11:19 > 0:11:21we're going to obey.
0:11:21 > 0:11:22We're going to rebuild.
0:11:24 > 0:11:28It's still hurricane season in the Caribbean -
0:11:28 > 0:11:31the time when most Anguillans take stock and prepare
0:11:31 > 0:11:33for the up-and-coming holiday season.
0:11:36 > 0:11:40Tourism provides over half of Anguilla's income.
0:11:40 > 0:11:45And although the market has slumped, after the global financial crisis,
0:11:45 > 0:11:49before Irma an increase in visitor numbers had given islanders hope
0:11:49 > 0:11:50of a bumper year.
0:11:53 > 0:11:57Most holiday-makers have now cancelled their reservations
0:11:57 > 0:12:01after scenes of devastation were broadcast around the world.
0:12:04 > 0:12:07Few hotels are in a fit state to accommodate them anyway.
0:12:09 > 0:12:12Our main building, we lost the roof, you can see.
0:12:12 > 0:12:16Everything inside of those rooms are gone.
0:12:16 > 0:12:19Will Fleming's popular beach-side hotel took the brunt
0:12:19 > 0:12:22of Hurricane Irma's force.
0:12:22 > 0:12:26When I was in high school, my father started building this property,
0:12:26 > 0:12:29and he came to me with his plan and said, "The carpenter is
0:12:29 > 0:12:32"charging me 80 a board foot."
0:12:32 > 0:12:34He said, "You can do it cheaper."
0:12:34 > 0:12:37So I spent the next couple of months with a jigsaw,
0:12:37 > 0:12:41cutting these things out for the entire property,
0:12:41 > 0:12:43every day after school.
0:12:43 > 0:12:45That was my work right here.
0:12:47 > 0:12:52The busy and lucrative Christmas holiday season is fast approaching.
0:12:52 > 0:12:55Without an insurance pay-out, Will has set his staff to work.
0:12:56 > 0:13:00If you look across, you see Don tapping out with the construction,
0:13:00 > 0:13:04he's actually one of my bartenders, and over here is Lauren,
0:13:04 > 0:13:06who is trying to repair the pool pump.
0:13:07 > 0:13:10He is our accountant.
0:13:10 > 0:13:12We are jack-of-all-trades and master of none!
0:13:12 > 0:13:14HE LAUGHS
0:13:14 > 0:13:17But all their efforts could yet be in vain.
0:13:18 > 0:13:21These are going to have to be changed as well.
0:13:21 > 0:13:22The plywood is peeling.
0:13:22 > 0:13:24HE SIGHS
0:13:25 > 0:13:28The hotels are doing everything they can to get ready,
0:13:28 > 0:13:31but the destination also have to be ready as well.
0:13:31 > 0:13:35So, the ports, electricity, the infrastructure itself
0:13:35 > 0:13:38should be cleaned up and ready to receive tourists.
0:13:38 > 0:13:41Anguilla itself have to be ready, not just the hotels.
0:13:43 > 0:13:474,000 islanders work directly in tourism.
0:13:47 > 0:13:51The future employment of at least half of them is now uncertain.
0:13:53 > 0:13:55Hoping to save as many jobs as he can
0:13:55 > 0:13:59is Anguilla's new British governor, Tim Foy.
0:13:59 > 0:14:02Down here's probably the part of the island that took the worst
0:14:02 > 0:14:05of the damage, because the eye went...
0:14:05 > 0:14:07Oh, tortoise. Here we go.
0:14:07 > 0:14:10Tim arrived on the island just two weeks before Irma.
0:14:10 > 0:14:11He's making good progress.
0:14:11 > 0:14:14He still getting used to the island's quirks.
0:14:14 > 0:14:16I wish I had one of those badges at the back,
0:14:16 > 0:14:18"I always stop for tortoises."
0:14:19 > 0:14:23With Deputy Governor Perin Bradley, Tim has come to Blowing Point -
0:14:23 > 0:14:25the port for ferries to and from Anguilla's
0:14:25 > 0:14:29larger neighbour, Saint Martin, a 20-minute boat journey away.
0:14:30 > 0:14:33So this was the Blowing Point terminal.
0:14:35 > 0:14:38And, essentially, it just needed to get flattened.
0:14:39 > 0:14:42Britain has already pledged over £62 million
0:14:42 > 0:14:44to the Caribbean relief effort.
0:14:44 > 0:14:47Tim has to direct limited resources to help get
0:14:47 > 0:14:50Anguilla's shattered tourism industry back up and running.
0:14:52 > 0:14:56Probably 80% of Anguilla's tourists actually come in via Saint Martin,
0:14:56 > 0:14:57the airport on Saint Martin.
0:14:57 > 0:15:01So being able to get people from that side to this is crucial,
0:15:01 > 0:15:05because it is the main artery for passenger transport in and out
0:15:05 > 0:15:07of the island.
0:15:07 > 0:15:12It's not exactly the holiday rush, but in post hurricane Anguilla...
0:15:12 > 0:15:16- Welcome back.- ..every visitor is precious revenue.
0:15:16 > 0:15:19This is great because this is business.
0:15:20 > 0:15:24Anguilla is also an exclusive holiday destination
0:15:24 > 0:15:25for the super-rich,
0:15:25 > 0:15:29many of whom arrive by helicopter or private jet
0:15:29 > 0:15:31at the island's small airports.
0:15:31 > 0:15:35Itself badly damaged and in parts beyond repair.
0:15:35 > 0:15:39This was the tower. As you can see, we lost glasses...
0:15:40 > 0:15:43..all the equipment has been pretty much written off.
0:15:43 > 0:15:45Everything's pretty much dead in here.
0:15:47 > 0:15:48So...
0:15:49 > 0:15:53Head of the airport, Al Barnett came to the job
0:15:53 > 0:15:55just over a year ago.
0:15:55 > 0:16:00I think it's in this bay. Yes, you see that container there, that tank?
0:16:00 > 0:16:02That was thrown close to a mile.
0:16:02 > 0:16:04Known to his team as Mr B,
0:16:04 > 0:16:07he was given the task of modernising the airport.
0:16:07 > 0:16:09But Irma had other ideas.
0:16:10 > 0:16:14This has sort of become the boneyard now, I think.
0:16:14 > 0:16:17There were two aircraft that were both in for engine work, so they
0:16:17 > 0:16:20couldn't fly them out of here. They tied them down to there.
0:16:20 > 0:16:22And after the hurricane, all that was left was...
0:16:22 > 0:16:25The ropes were still there, but the aeroplanes were gone.
0:16:26 > 0:16:29When they looked at the altimeter, it had been as high
0:16:29 > 0:16:30as nearly 500 feet,
0:16:30 > 0:16:35and the highest gust, I think, on the recorder was 228mph.
0:16:35 > 0:16:40This aircraft here, for instance, it normally cruises at 160mph.
0:16:40 > 0:16:43So if he had been able to fly in those conditions,
0:16:43 > 0:16:45he'd have been going backwards.
0:16:46 > 0:16:47So...
0:16:48 > 0:16:52Mr B has to meet strict UK aviation regulations
0:16:52 > 0:16:56in order to restore full operations at the airport,
0:16:56 > 0:16:57a priority for the new governor.
0:16:57 > 0:16:59Hey, Al. Sorry.
0:16:59 > 0:17:02- How are you doing?- I'm doing fine. - Yeah.
0:17:02 > 0:17:05Tim wants to get the high-end tourists back to Anguilla.
0:17:08 > 0:17:09For every day they're on the island,
0:17:09 > 0:17:13they can generate tens of thousands of pounds in taxes.
0:17:13 > 0:17:17- Who is this? Do we know?- What? - Who is this?- I don't know.
0:17:19 > 0:17:21- Maybe off the ship.- Right.
0:17:21 > 0:17:22Off the boat.
0:17:24 > 0:17:26- Oh, to have the money.- Yeah.
0:17:26 > 0:17:29With such a damaged economy and our ability to actually raise
0:17:29 > 0:17:32revenue being so badly affected, it's critical that the government
0:17:32 > 0:17:36focuses in on that high-end market and actually ensures
0:17:36 > 0:17:38that people here can fly in.
0:17:38 > 0:17:41It's key to actually ensuring that we sustain jobs on the island.
0:17:41 > 0:17:44We're very, very worried about lots of people being without work.
0:17:44 > 0:17:47So the quicker we can show that the place is back for business,
0:17:47 > 0:17:50the quicker people can come back, so much the better.
0:17:52 > 0:17:55The return of high-end tourism in particular will bring in
0:17:55 > 0:17:58much-needed cash to pay for the massive task
0:17:58 > 0:18:00of rebuilding the island.
0:18:01 > 0:18:04Half of Anguilla's 800 electricity poles
0:18:04 > 0:18:06will have to be replaced.
0:18:06 > 0:18:08Businesses have been forced to close.
0:18:08 > 0:18:1290% of government buildings are badly damaged,
0:18:12 > 0:18:16and schools have been shut for over a month.
0:18:16 > 0:18:19If you really want to see inside here, you've got to make a jump up.
0:18:19 > 0:18:20All right!
0:18:23 > 0:18:26Classrooms in Michael Skellekie's primary school
0:18:26 > 0:18:27will have to be demolished.
0:18:32 > 0:18:33It was devastating for everyone.
0:18:34 > 0:18:39But the school motto is Never Say Fail.
0:18:41 > 0:18:46We are looking towards the future with bright hope, not giving up.
0:18:46 > 0:18:48We're going to be better for it.
0:18:48 > 0:18:50All right?
0:18:50 > 0:18:51We're going to be better for it.
0:18:51 > 0:18:57The school is only a small part of the estimated £250 million cost
0:18:57 > 0:18:59of rebuilding Anguilla,
0:18:59 > 0:19:02when the island's entire annual government budget is
0:19:02 > 0:19:04less than 80 million.
0:19:04 > 0:19:06I'm not sure where the money is going to come from,
0:19:06 > 0:19:09where the funding is going to come from, but we're hoping that
0:19:09 > 0:19:12the British helps with the reconstruction process.
0:19:13 > 0:19:17Because there's so much to do and it will require so much capital
0:19:17 > 0:19:18across the nation.
0:19:20 > 0:19:23In the initial aftermath of the hurricane,
0:19:23 > 0:19:25there had been criticism that the British government
0:19:25 > 0:19:28wasn't doing enough to help its overseas territory.
0:19:29 > 0:19:32Can show you the bedroom where Boris Johnson slept.
0:19:34 > 0:19:37One of Tim's first tasks as governor was to host
0:19:37 > 0:19:41the British Foreign Secretary, who'd arrived on the island to assess
0:19:41 > 0:19:43the scale of the problem first-hand.
0:19:45 > 0:19:46This was our sort of main...
0:19:46 > 0:19:49This is the bedroom we use for ministerial visits,
0:19:49 > 0:19:51cos it's quite nice with the en suite.
0:19:53 > 0:19:54It's not the start I would have wanted.
0:19:54 > 0:19:58I remember sort of crawling down the road through the
0:19:58 > 0:20:01fallen telegraph poles and the wires when the car got stuck,
0:20:01 > 0:20:05and I was thinking, "Well, there goes my first 90 day plan.
0:20:05 > 0:20:07"Life's going to be a bit different."
0:20:11 > 0:20:14Even a month on from Hurricane Irma,
0:20:14 > 0:20:17everyone on the island is still trying to make sense
0:20:17 > 0:20:20of what has happened and how their lives have changed.
0:20:22 > 0:20:26Right now, people are still in shock and people have
0:20:26 > 0:20:29gathered themselves together, they've been very resilient
0:20:29 > 0:20:32and they're picking up the pieces of their life and restoring
0:20:32 > 0:20:35and cleaning up and all that sort of stuff.
0:20:35 > 0:20:39So, for some people, it hasn't really sunk in,
0:20:39 > 0:20:40you know, what has really happened.
0:20:40 > 0:20:44In the dark evenings, without electricity,
0:20:44 > 0:20:48Linda's has become a regular meeting point for family and friends.
0:20:48 > 0:20:53My neighbour found her washer, like, across the street.
0:20:53 > 0:20:56It was just white and then you could see the wind coming in like...
0:20:56 > 0:21:00whoosh! Like somebody was just throwing buckets, and just...
0:21:00 > 0:21:01It was ridiculous.
0:21:01 > 0:21:04Right now, there's a piece of...
0:21:04 > 0:21:06and we don't know how we're going to get it out,
0:21:06 > 0:21:08the tree will probably have to grow around it.
0:21:08 > 0:21:10SHE LAUGHS
0:21:10 > 0:21:12But you know, it's been fun in a lot of ways. Right, Helen?
0:21:12 > 0:21:14Yes.
0:21:14 > 0:21:18We've sat around and we've told stories, we've played games.
0:21:18 > 0:21:22- Played games again.- Yeah, and we've had some good, good family times.
0:21:22 > 0:21:25We talk a lot more than we used to.
0:21:25 > 0:21:28- Mm-hm.- We're getting to know each other.- Yes.
0:21:28 > 0:21:32It really brings families together and communities together.
0:21:35 > 0:21:39I mean, we're accustomed to every now and then not having power,
0:21:39 > 0:21:42but not for this extended period of time.
0:21:42 > 0:21:45We enjoy the simple pleasures for now,
0:21:45 > 0:21:48but we don't really want to go back there.
0:21:48 > 0:21:50We don't want to go back there, it gets old!
0:21:53 > 0:21:58In hard times, people turn to the church for reassurance and answers.
0:21:58 > 0:22:03# And the father's love has come
0:22:03 > 0:22:06# Amen. #
0:22:08 > 0:22:12Religion plays a central role in island life.
0:22:12 > 0:22:15For a population of just 15,000,
0:22:15 > 0:22:19there are 19 churches and 15 denominations.
0:22:19 > 0:22:21Peace.
0:22:21 > 0:22:22Peace.
0:22:23 > 0:22:26Anglican leader, Bishop Errol Brooks...
0:22:26 > 0:22:28She squeezed the life out of me.
0:22:28 > 0:22:31..is doing his best to explain to his parishioners
0:22:31 > 0:22:35why their lives have been so devastated.
0:22:35 > 0:22:38We hear people saying, "Well, it's an act of God."
0:22:38 > 0:22:41You know, even the insurance companies are using that
0:22:41 > 0:22:45as a sort of cop-out, "an act of God."
0:22:45 > 0:22:47You know, acts of God, for me -
0:22:47 > 0:22:50love, mercy, justice.
0:22:50 > 0:22:53- The positive. - The positives, you know.
0:22:56 > 0:23:03We need to remember that God does not cause evil to happen.
0:23:05 > 0:23:08God, for reasons known only to himself,
0:23:08 > 0:23:09allows certain things to happen...
0:23:11 > 0:23:12..but he doesn't cause it.
0:23:14 > 0:23:17There's some people who are so judgmental in this whole thing
0:23:17 > 0:23:20that, you know, "God is beating up on us," and all the rest of it.
0:23:21 > 0:23:25We fail to understand that sometimes we bring things on ourselves.
0:23:29 > 0:23:34Bishop Brooks, like many in his parish, blames the ferocity
0:23:34 > 0:23:39of Hurricane Irma on climate change, from which the Caribbean islands
0:23:39 > 0:23:41are thought to be particularly vulnerable.
0:23:47 > 0:23:49All right, so we're going to release them now.
0:23:49 > 0:23:52Hold it very carefully.
0:23:52 > 0:23:55Jan Richardson works tirelessly to protect
0:23:55 > 0:23:58the island's rich but endangered wildlife.
0:23:58 > 0:24:02Educating the next generation on the value of some of Anguilla's
0:24:02 > 0:24:04most precious inhabitants.
0:24:04 > 0:24:08Sea turtles are beautiful, gentle creatures
0:24:08 > 0:24:10that deserve to be protected.
0:24:10 > 0:24:15I'm hoping that the kids would begin to look at Anguilla as the home of
0:24:15 > 0:24:18sea turtles and want to protect not just sea turtles
0:24:18 > 0:24:20but all of our natural resources.
0:24:30 > 0:24:32To gauge the impact of Irma,
0:24:32 > 0:24:35Jan, along with Farah Mukhida and other members of
0:24:35 > 0:24:39Anguilla's National Trust, are heading to a protected
0:24:39 > 0:24:41offshore island where turtles breed.
0:24:44 > 0:24:47This is the first time that we've gone since the storm,
0:24:47 > 0:24:50so we don't know what to really expect.
0:24:50 > 0:24:54The team is hoping that the turtle nests survived the hurricane,
0:24:54 > 0:24:57but first signs aren't good.
0:24:57 > 0:24:59They're all gone.
0:24:59 > 0:25:01I'm feeling a little heartbroken.
0:25:01 > 0:25:04There were lots of nests along this entire stretch of the beach.
0:25:05 > 0:25:06They're gone.
0:25:10 > 0:25:13Beaches were exposed to the full force of the hurricane.
0:25:15 > 0:25:18The storm surge has eroded and, in some cases,
0:25:18 > 0:25:22completely swept away some of the turtles' favourite nesting grounds.
0:25:25 > 0:25:27It looks like the nest is over here.
0:25:27 > 0:25:29I wonder if it was up or in.
0:25:33 > 0:25:35So these are all hatched eggs.
0:25:35 > 0:25:39They're relatively small, so it's a hawksbill turtle.
0:25:39 > 0:25:42The hawksbill, Jan, they nest... How many eggs do they usually lay?
0:25:42 > 0:25:45So they can lay up to 160 eggs.
0:25:47 > 0:25:53But usually we get up to at least 100, maybe 120 or so.
0:25:55 > 0:25:58Counting the eggs will determine if the whole nest survived the storm.
0:25:58 > 0:26:02Two, three, four...
0:26:02 > 0:26:03five...
0:26:04 > 0:26:07Turtles aren't the only protected wildlife on Anguilla.
0:26:09 > 0:26:13A year before the hurricane, Jan and Farah released
0:26:13 > 0:26:16Lesser Antillean iguanas onto the island -
0:26:16 > 0:26:20a native species under threat from the invasive newcomer,
0:26:20 > 0:26:22the green iguana.
0:26:22 > 0:26:24I think he's saying, "Thank you for releasing me."
0:26:27 > 0:26:29This is like a fresh start for the species.
0:26:29 > 0:26:32Yeah. We would love for him to have babies!
0:26:34 > 0:26:35I would love for him to start a family.
0:26:38 > 0:26:41Devon Carter is now hoping they're still alive.
0:26:43 > 0:26:45I don't know if any survived.
0:26:46 > 0:26:48Maybe we're going to find one, maybe we might not.
0:26:51 > 0:26:53There's a chance that they're dead.
0:26:53 > 0:26:56But I don't want to believe that they're dead,
0:26:56 > 0:26:57but they could be.
0:26:57 > 0:27:00Maybe one or two might not have survived, but I believe
0:27:00 > 0:27:04there's at least one still on the island.
0:27:04 > 0:27:06But I hope that there's at least one.
0:27:06 > 0:27:11So that's ten, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 65, 67.
0:27:12 > 0:27:17So 67 is about half of what we would have expected in this nest.
0:27:17 > 0:27:21- Yeah.- So, probably just washed away or blown away.
0:27:22 > 0:27:25In their work as conservationists, Jan and Farah believe
0:27:25 > 0:27:28they are seeing the effects of climate change first-hand.
0:27:33 > 0:27:35And recent studies have linked the increasing number
0:27:35 > 0:27:38of intense hurricanes over the past 50 years
0:27:38 > 0:27:41to rising sea surface temperatures -
0:27:41 > 0:27:44a trend many scientists think is influenced by global warming.
0:27:47 > 0:27:49I mean, it's just...
0:27:49 > 0:27:52I just want to say that climate change is actually real,
0:27:52 > 0:27:56whether or not we choose to believe it, you know?
0:27:56 > 0:27:59I mean, within the space of two weeks, we were faced
0:27:59 > 0:28:02with three major storms. In the space of two weeks,
0:28:02 > 0:28:04two category fives and a category four,
0:28:04 > 0:28:07and so that is a testament that our seas are getting warmer
0:28:07 > 0:28:12and we can only expect more of this sort of thing happening.
0:28:12 > 0:28:15The Caribbean is on the front line of having to deal with
0:28:15 > 0:28:17all of those consequences and all of the impacts.
0:28:17 > 0:28:22- Yeah.- And to do this every three, four, five years,
0:28:22 > 0:28:23that's not sustainable.
0:28:23 > 0:28:25This is not the way we can operate.
0:28:25 > 0:28:27Especially if this is going to become the norm now.
0:28:27 > 0:28:28And I think it is.
0:28:30 > 0:28:31This is the new normal.
0:28:33 > 0:28:34So...
0:28:35 > 0:28:39- It's not really looking like anything up there.- OK.
0:28:39 > 0:28:42The search of the island revealed that almost all the turtle nests
0:28:42 > 0:28:45were lost in the hurricane.
0:28:45 > 0:28:47Not a single iguana was found.
0:28:49 > 0:28:50This is Radio Anguilla.
0:28:50 > 0:28:54It's a beautiful Monday here, if you look around most of the trees,
0:28:54 > 0:28:57if not all, are green and flourishing and there are flowers
0:28:57 > 0:28:59growing back.
0:28:59 > 0:29:02We are back to work, even those who don't have electricity are coming in
0:29:02 > 0:29:05with their clothes a little wrinkly.
0:29:05 > 0:29:07The kids are going back to school for the first time
0:29:07 > 0:29:10and some of the schools are looking a lot different.
0:29:10 > 0:29:13So good luck today to everyone that's going back to school.
0:29:16 > 0:29:18Margaret, please put this out here.
0:29:18 > 0:29:23Five weeks later than scheduled, it's the start of a new term.
0:29:23 > 0:29:25No, no, no, no, she's not a teacher.
0:29:25 > 0:29:28Only the teachers, look. Teachers could park there for now.
0:29:28 > 0:29:29OK? Yeah.
0:29:30 > 0:29:35With his primary school for 120 children damaged beyond repair,
0:29:35 > 0:29:39headmaster Michael Skellekie and his teaching staff
0:29:39 > 0:29:41have hastily converted holiday apartments,
0:29:41 > 0:29:43offered to the school rent-free.
0:29:45 > 0:29:49So we've taken like a sitting room and a dining room and a kitchen
0:29:49 > 0:29:51and made it our space.
0:29:54 > 0:29:56- Hi, kiddos. Morning.- Hi! - Welcome to school.
0:29:58 > 0:30:02What we want to thank you for this day, you have brought us to this stage,
0:30:02 > 0:30:04to this new environment, to this new building.
0:30:07 > 0:30:09And we are OK.
0:30:09 > 0:30:11We are alive.
0:30:11 > 0:30:13Thank you, all, and...
0:30:14 > 0:30:15..you can put your hands down.
0:30:15 > 0:30:17Amen. All right.
0:30:19 > 0:30:23Getting children back to school and back to normality is something that
0:30:23 > 0:30:28Anguilla's ministers and the island's new governor have worked hard to achieve.
0:30:28 > 0:30:29Kids, welcome back to school.
0:30:31 > 0:30:34You've all had an interesting few weeks, eh?
0:30:34 > 0:30:36Some of it was a bit scary.
0:30:36 > 0:30:39It's been a difficult time, but things are getting back to normal.
0:30:39 > 0:30:42So, enjoy your school year, get the most out of it.
0:30:42 > 0:30:46And, as we always say, God bless Anguilla. Thanks, kids.
0:30:46 > 0:30:47APPLAUSE
0:30:47 > 0:30:49- THEY SING:- # I am a promise
0:30:49 > 0:30:51# I am a possibility
0:30:51 > 0:30:53# I am a promise
0:30:53 > 0:30:55# Promise with a capital P. #
0:30:57 > 0:31:00Despite the damage to homes and belongings,
0:31:00 > 0:31:04the turnout of the children has impressed the governor's wife, Dina.
0:31:05 > 0:31:07We were just saying now how smart the kids look.
0:31:07 > 0:31:10They're all like... Their hair's nicely done,
0:31:10 > 0:31:11their uniform's all pressed.
0:31:11 > 0:31:13- Right.- It's just amazing. - Yes, they look smart.
0:31:13 > 0:31:18- They look wonderful. Yes.- When you come and you see 100, 150 kids
0:31:18 > 0:31:21going back to school for the first time, that is quite...
0:31:21 > 0:31:22It is quite emotional.
0:31:22 > 0:31:25I've been around a bit, so I don't want to get too sentimental
0:31:25 > 0:31:28but I did find that one quite touching, really.
0:31:28 > 0:31:29Good morning, class.
0:31:29 > 0:31:32- CHILDREN:- Good morning, teacher McCartney,
0:31:32 > 0:31:37and may God bless you and may you have a pleasant day.
0:31:38 > 0:31:41Anguilla has its own elected government,
0:31:41 > 0:31:44but as an Overseas British Territory, when it comes
0:31:44 > 0:31:48to a disaster like Irma, even one of the island's youngest citizens,
0:31:48 > 0:31:52Corey Barrett, wants its wealthy partner to help out.
0:31:52 > 0:31:55Dear Prime Minister Theresa May,
0:31:55 > 0:31:58can you please send supplies to Anguilla,
0:31:58 > 0:32:02like electrical poles, money,
0:32:02 > 0:32:05generators, concrete,
0:32:05 > 0:32:09vehicles and a reverse osmosis plan?
0:32:09 > 0:32:12- The letter's gone.- Yes.- The letter has been hand-delivered
0:32:12 > 0:32:14- to Number Ten.- Nice. - It went over the weekend.
0:32:14 > 0:32:16- Very good, very good. - So I've delivered...
0:32:16 > 0:32:19- I've fulfilled my duties and responsibilities.- All right.
0:32:19 > 0:32:23Please send these applies to help rebuild the beautiful island
0:32:23 > 0:32:25of Anguilla.
0:32:27 > 0:32:30Despite being 4,000 miles apart,
0:32:30 > 0:32:33there's still a powerful bond between the UK and Anguilla.
0:32:34 > 0:32:36Cricket's very popular.
0:32:37 > 0:32:39People follow British football.
0:32:39 > 0:32:41They really do follow the monarchy.
0:32:41 > 0:32:44So, for me, affirming the relationship between
0:32:44 > 0:32:47the UK and Anguilla is a really nice thing to do,
0:32:47 > 0:32:49and it's an important thing to do. It's part of the job, really.
0:32:51 > 0:32:55Money from Britain is already being spent on Anguilla's damaged airport
0:32:55 > 0:32:58so that it can meet UK regulations in time for the holidays.
0:33:04 > 0:33:06We had this problem yesterday. Oh, here we go.
0:33:08 > 0:33:09OK, let's get in the Gator.
0:33:11 > 0:33:15At 72 years old, and over half a century in the business,
0:33:15 > 0:33:18there's little Mr B doesn't know or hasn't experienced
0:33:18 > 0:33:20in the world of aviation.
0:33:22 > 0:33:23Secret spot for the key.
0:33:24 > 0:33:27But Irma has presented a new set of challenges.
0:33:28 > 0:33:33In the storm, metal cargo containers were blown onto the airport,
0:33:33 > 0:33:36damaging runway lights and smashing through the perimeter fencing,
0:33:36 > 0:33:39leaving the airport open to the island's wildlife.
0:33:41 > 0:33:44See, those are the type of animals we have to keep out.
0:33:45 > 0:33:46Goats.
0:33:51 > 0:33:55Mr B and his team are working extra weekend shifts
0:33:55 > 0:33:58to get the airport back up to speed for the holidays.
0:33:58 > 0:34:01Crane operators have arrived to move one of the containers away
0:34:01 > 0:34:02from the fence.
0:34:03 > 0:34:06We'll just let him do his thing, because we just need to get that
0:34:06 > 0:34:09out of there so we can put the fence back and have some integrity.
0:34:13 > 0:34:16His operator there is really...
0:34:16 > 0:34:18Looking really experienced.
0:34:21 > 0:34:23But he seems to know what he's doing.
0:34:25 > 0:34:28It must be his son because they've got their own little signals
0:34:28 > 0:34:31going on and everything seems to work.
0:34:31 > 0:34:32So, they're a team.
0:34:33 > 0:34:35They certainly are a team.
0:34:38 > 0:34:40This is my eldest son.
0:34:40 > 0:34:44He's eight years old. He's been doing it, you know, off and on,
0:34:44 > 0:34:48but these last couple of months, he was doing a lot of the crane work.
0:34:48 > 0:34:50It's very fun to operate.
0:34:50 > 0:34:52You get to lift stuff and put it in different places,
0:34:52 > 0:34:54and you get paid for it, too.
0:34:58 > 0:35:02Working the weekend makes little difference to Mr B either.
0:35:02 > 0:35:04This was a bit of a storm.
0:35:04 > 0:35:06He's still without power at home.
0:35:06 > 0:35:07So, come into my world.
0:35:07 > 0:35:11So since Irma, he's made alternative living arrangements.
0:35:11 > 0:35:13So, I haven't made my bed yet.
0:35:16 > 0:35:19We'll just put it... Put it off in the corner for now.
0:35:19 > 0:35:23It just became much easier to stay here.
0:35:23 > 0:35:24Even though I share it with...
0:35:24 > 0:35:27There were a couple of rats in here when I first moved in.
0:35:27 > 0:35:31Then I had a night of swatting roaches when they fell in
0:35:31 > 0:35:33through this window, the ceiling collapsed a little bit
0:35:33 > 0:35:36and they all fell in on me. So...
0:35:36 > 0:35:38But other than that, it's quite comfortable.
0:35:40 > 0:35:44The loss of power at home is testing everyone's resolve.
0:35:44 > 0:35:47So when the electricity company knocks at the door,
0:35:47 > 0:35:48it can be quite a relief.
0:35:50 > 0:35:52This is the moment of truth!
0:35:52 > 0:35:54My lights will be on tonight!
0:35:54 > 0:35:56Glory be to Jesus!
0:35:57 > 0:36:00Linda is next in line to be reconnected.
0:36:02 > 0:36:04I'm excited. God is good.
0:36:04 > 0:36:07It has come. A month later, but it's come.
0:36:08 > 0:36:13Since Irma, Anguilla's linesmen have been working 24/7.
0:36:14 > 0:36:16We really applaud them for what they're doing
0:36:16 > 0:36:18and we really appreciate.
0:36:18 > 0:36:20Sometimes you don't say thanks enough.
0:36:20 > 0:36:22And Mr Ben, thank you!
0:36:22 > 0:36:25- You're welcome.- Oh, man.
0:36:26 > 0:36:28How many have you done so far?
0:36:28 > 0:36:30- Hundreds, yes?- Hundreds.
0:36:30 > 0:36:31And thousands left.
0:36:31 > 0:36:33- Thousands left.- Yeah.
0:36:35 > 0:36:38I want my life back to normal again.
0:36:41 > 0:36:44- What do I do now? - You just switch the breaker on.
0:36:45 > 0:36:48- Just make sure I... Which one? Which one, which one?- OK.
0:36:48 > 0:36:50- This one here. Just move it up. - Just move it up?
0:36:50 > 0:36:52A little pressure. Right.
0:36:54 > 0:36:56- All right.- Whoo! - And here you go, power.
0:36:58 > 0:37:01- The meter is saying "delivered." Delivered, D-E-L.- Delivered! D-E-L.
0:37:01 > 0:37:03- So that is...- The meter is talking to me.
0:37:03 > 0:37:05- Yes, that's right.- Wow!
0:37:10 > 0:37:13Let there be light!
0:37:16 > 0:37:17Thank you!
0:37:19 > 0:37:23To show her appreciation, Linda has prepared a lunch for the engineers.
0:37:28 > 0:37:33There is life after loss and the quality of life is richer,
0:37:33 > 0:37:36because you get a deeper appreciation for what you have.
0:37:36 > 0:37:38You realise that relationships are what is key.
0:37:41 > 0:37:45Not one to miss out on a party is Linda's brother, Bankie Banx,
0:37:45 > 0:37:47a well-known musician in the Caribbean.
0:37:49 > 0:37:52This is my brother, Bankie Banx.
0:37:52 > 0:37:55Linda and Bankie both attended the secondary school next door.
0:37:57 > 0:37:59Wow!
0:37:59 > 0:38:01Its storm-damaged buildings are now being demolished.
0:38:03 > 0:38:05It's very strange look over there and don't see the old school.
0:38:12 > 0:38:15I guess there are many reasons for these hurricanes.
0:38:15 > 0:38:17We don't know why they come.
0:38:18 > 0:38:20Changes our lives drastically and like...
0:38:21 > 0:38:23..you can wake up one day and...
0:38:26 > 0:38:27Yeah. My God.
0:38:33 > 0:38:35Lots and lots of memories.
0:38:35 > 0:38:37Lots and lots of memories.
0:38:38 > 0:38:40Mm.
0:38:40 > 0:38:43Bankie's own house has been severely damaged
0:38:43 > 0:38:45and he's been staying with his sister.
0:38:50 > 0:38:53He's written a new song to mark the hurricane.
0:38:56 > 0:38:58# It ain't easy
0:38:58 > 0:39:00# But it's all right
0:39:01 > 0:39:05# It ain't easy, we made it through the night
0:39:05 > 0:39:07# It ain't easy
0:39:07 > 0:39:09# But it's all right
0:39:10 > 0:39:11# It ain't easy
0:39:11 > 0:39:14# God is on our side. #
0:39:15 > 0:39:16You ready?
0:39:16 > 0:39:21- ALL JOIN:- # Well, it ain't easy, but it's all right
0:39:21 > 0:39:24# It ain't easy, we made it through the night
0:39:24 > 0:39:26# It ain't easy
0:39:26 > 0:39:28# But it's all right
0:39:29 > 0:39:33# It ain't easy, God is on our side. #
0:39:35 > 0:39:38- Amen!- Amen! - THEY APPLAUD AND CHEER
0:39:48 > 0:39:51Simone has been returning to Sandy Island,
0:39:51 > 0:39:55where tourists once sipped rum under 20 foot palm trees.
0:39:55 > 0:39:59I'm just nestling the seedling into the sand.
0:40:00 > 0:40:02And I don't want to do it too deep,
0:40:02 > 0:40:06because I still want the nut to be able to get some sun
0:40:06 > 0:40:07and some moisture.
0:40:08 > 0:40:12But if I do it too shallow, then the wind can blow it away,
0:40:12 > 0:40:13because it's very windy now.
0:40:16 > 0:40:20This is definitely one of the first steps in bringing Sandy Island back.
0:40:22 > 0:40:24Right now, she's just a sand bar.
0:40:26 > 0:40:31Once we can get these to grow, and we can get some seagrass,
0:40:31 > 0:40:33then she'll start to take on the semblance of what
0:40:33 > 0:40:34she looked like before.
0:40:38 > 0:40:40- Grow for mama! - SHE LAUGHS
0:40:40 > 0:40:42That's what I tell all of them.
0:40:44 > 0:40:47This is seagrass that we transplanted last week.
0:40:47 > 0:40:49As you can see, it's growing nicely.
0:40:49 > 0:40:50It's still green.
0:40:53 > 0:40:55This one looks like it's struggling a little bit.
0:40:58 > 0:41:00These are doing well. We just need to trim them now.
0:41:00 > 0:41:04What we're going to have to do is trim all of these branches
0:41:04 > 0:41:08that have died, because right now they're just sucking the water
0:41:08 > 0:41:10from the leaves that really need it.
0:41:10 > 0:41:11And we've got birds.
0:41:13 > 0:41:15Once the birds come back, we're good.
0:41:15 > 0:41:17Because once the birds come, they are going to poop,
0:41:17 > 0:41:20and once they poop, that's good because every drop of poop
0:41:20 > 0:41:22makes a difference.
0:41:22 > 0:41:23That's fertiliser for the plants.
0:41:23 > 0:41:26- So, we love it when the birds poop! - SHE LAUGHS
0:41:38 > 0:41:40All right. So, who is going in the water?
0:41:42 > 0:41:44After the disappointment of discovering
0:41:44 > 0:41:48that most of Anguilla's turtle nests were destroyed in the hurricane,
0:41:48 > 0:41:53Jan and Farrah are looking to assess how the population has fared.
0:41:53 > 0:41:55They're attempting to capture turtles in one of their
0:41:55 > 0:41:57favourite foraging spots.
0:41:58 > 0:42:03We've set the net and our swimmers are swimming around the net
0:42:03 > 0:42:05looking for sea turtle. So...
0:42:05 > 0:42:08Crossing fingers they find something, but nothing yet.
0:42:13 > 0:42:17The encouraging news is that the seagrass on which the turtles graze
0:42:17 > 0:42:19is looking healthy after the storm.
0:42:23 > 0:42:27And it's not long before the team make a catch.
0:42:27 > 0:42:29Turtle!
0:42:29 > 0:42:31Bring it, bring it. Go, go!
0:42:31 > 0:42:32It's an adult green turtle.
0:42:35 > 0:42:38These ones are actually really important for Anguilla
0:42:38 > 0:42:40because we don't have a huge population.
0:42:40 > 0:42:44We can't even estimate right now, but definitely fewer than 100.
0:42:44 > 0:42:46So, it's really small.
0:42:46 > 0:42:50And they are endangered, so we do want to protect everything
0:42:50 > 0:42:51that we do have.
0:42:53 > 0:42:55A small adolescent soon follows.
0:42:56 > 0:42:57We have a little one.
0:42:59 > 0:43:02As the team found few nesting sites on the beaches,
0:43:02 > 0:43:05there was genuine concern that the hurricane might have
0:43:05 > 0:43:07driven some of the turtles away from the island.
0:43:10 > 0:43:14We captured five turtles today and all of them were new.
0:43:14 > 0:43:17So we hadn't seen or tagged any of them before,
0:43:17 > 0:43:19which is always a good sign.
0:43:22 > 0:43:25I don't think they've really been affected too much,
0:43:25 > 0:43:28in terms of like sort of the foraging population, anyway.
0:43:28 > 0:43:30I don't think they've been affected too much.
0:43:30 > 0:43:33Just perhaps more of the nesting population,
0:43:33 > 0:43:35which would have needed our beaches.
0:43:42 > 0:43:43There they go.
0:43:45 > 0:43:47Awesome, good job, guys.
0:43:49 > 0:43:52There is a huge sense of relief that we still have turtles here,
0:43:52 > 0:43:56that their habitats, their seagrass beds are still OK.
0:43:56 > 0:43:58Cos at least we know that our foraging population managed
0:43:58 > 0:44:00to weather the storm...
0:44:01 > 0:44:02..OK.
0:44:08 > 0:44:09Here we are.
0:44:09 > 0:44:12The governor is returning to the primary school with a response
0:44:12 > 0:44:16from Downing Street to ten-year-old Corey Barratt's letter.
0:44:16 > 0:44:17Right, here we are.
0:44:20 > 0:44:23Corey, you're a very famous young man,
0:44:23 > 0:44:26because you write to the Prime Minister
0:44:26 > 0:44:27and you actually get a reply.
0:44:27 > 0:44:31And it's from the Right Honourable Theresa May,
0:44:31 > 0:44:34the Prime Minister. It's got her signature at the bottom.
0:44:35 > 0:44:39And it says, "Dear Corey, thank you for writing to me about the impact
0:44:39 > 0:44:41"of Hurricane Irma on your home island of Anguilla.
0:44:43 > 0:44:45"I was shocked by the scale of the destruction."
0:44:46 > 0:44:49There's no firm commitment to Corey's request
0:44:49 > 0:44:50for additional funds.
0:44:50 > 0:44:53Something that the governor himself will shortly be raising in meetings
0:44:53 > 0:44:55with the British government in London.
0:44:57 > 0:45:01"The UK Government stands side by side with the people of Anguilla.
0:45:01 > 0:45:04We will continue to do all we can to restore the beautiful island
0:45:04 > 0:45:07"you call home. Yours sincerely, Theresa May."
0:45:07 > 0:45:09- Well done. - APPLAUSE
0:45:12 > 0:45:14You're looking a bit shocked there.
0:45:14 > 0:45:16Do you need to sit down?
0:45:17 > 0:45:20Without further financial support from Britain,
0:45:20 > 0:45:23Anguilla will struggle to get over the devastating effects
0:45:23 > 0:45:25of Hurricane Irma.
0:45:25 > 0:45:31# Glory, glory, hallelujah
0:45:31 > 0:45:35# Glory, glory, hallelujah
0:45:35 > 0:45:41# His truth is marching on. #
0:45:43 > 0:45:47How many of you like me have been angry with Irma?
0:45:47 > 0:45:48Hmm? Why?
0:45:48 > 0:45:50Have you asked that question?
0:45:50 > 0:45:54When the tourism industry was just picking up, right?
0:45:54 > 0:45:55It wasn't just picking up,
0:45:55 > 0:45:58weren't we looking forward to a rambunctious season?
0:45:58 > 0:45:59- CONGREGATION:- Yes.- Mmm.
0:45:59 > 0:46:02Linda is trying to lift the spirits of her fellow parishioners.
0:46:04 > 0:46:05It ain't easy.
0:46:05 > 0:46:07But it's going to be all right.
0:46:08 > 0:46:11It ain't easy, but we made it through the night.
0:46:12 > 0:46:15It ain't easy, but it's going to be all right
0:46:15 > 0:46:17because God is on our side.
0:46:17 > 0:46:19How many of you agree with that sentiment?
0:46:19 > 0:46:23Let me see the hands of those who agree that it ain't easy.
0:46:23 > 0:46:25It's not been easy over the past few weeks.
0:46:25 > 0:46:27It's not been easy.
0:46:29 > 0:46:34# Amazing Grace
0:46:34 > 0:46:39# How sweet the sound
0:46:39 > 0:46:46# That saved a wretch like me
0:46:48 > 0:46:53# I once was lost
0:46:53 > 0:46:57# But now am found. #
0:47:01 > 0:47:04You're locked in here to the voice of joy destination station,
0:47:04 > 0:47:07Radio Anguilla. It is a beautiful day here in Rainbow City.
0:47:07 > 0:47:10Businesses up and running. Most of us have electricity.
0:47:10 > 0:47:12And we're just looking forward to Christmas, baby.
0:47:12 > 0:47:14It's going to be a beautiful, beautiful Christmas.
0:47:14 > 0:47:15Oh, gosh, I can just feel it.
0:47:15 > 0:47:18I can just feel the Christmas vibes in the air.
0:47:22 > 0:47:25Now, three months after Irma,
0:47:25 > 0:47:28Anguilla is returning to normal, gradually.
0:47:29 > 0:47:33Matter of fact, in some regards, it's going to be better because
0:47:33 > 0:47:36some of the houses that were blown down by the hurricane
0:47:36 > 0:47:41were either old or the construction was not up to standard.
0:47:41 > 0:47:44And so, people are building more substantial buildings now,
0:47:44 > 0:47:48and we know that Anguilla will be all the better for it.
0:47:51 > 0:47:54The previous roof was just a wooden structure with an aluminium roof
0:47:54 > 0:47:55on top.
0:47:55 > 0:47:59And with some four by four stays that were holding it up.
0:47:59 > 0:48:02And the four by fours were literally lifted off the ground
0:48:02 > 0:48:04and went with the wind.
0:48:04 > 0:48:08So we put these walls in to create the support for the concrete roof.
0:48:08 > 0:48:11That will not be able to lift off so easily with a hurricane.
0:48:12 > 0:48:16A shortage of building materials has dashed Will's hopes of reopening
0:48:16 > 0:48:19his hotel for the all-important Christmas holiday season.
0:48:21 > 0:48:23He's still not had an insurance pay-out.
0:48:24 > 0:48:26So far, for all the work we've done,
0:48:26 > 0:48:30we have been paying out of our own pockets, directly.
0:48:30 > 0:48:33The hotel doesn't have any resolves left.
0:48:33 > 0:48:35It might look as if it's a losing battle, but you just
0:48:35 > 0:48:38can't give it up, you know. We have put so much into it already
0:48:38 > 0:48:41over the years. You can't just abandon it right now,
0:48:41 > 0:48:44no matter what you think. My family will not give it up so easily.
0:48:45 > 0:48:48Sacrifices will be made and we have to make it.
0:48:49 > 0:48:53Fully restoring the island to what it used to be will take years
0:48:53 > 0:48:58and require funds that Anguilla on its own will struggle to raise.
0:48:58 > 0:49:01Thanks very much for coming in.
0:49:01 > 0:49:06Governor Tim Foy and the island's chief minister, Victor Banks,
0:49:06 > 0:49:09Linda's older brother, have just returned from urgent meetings
0:49:09 > 0:49:11with the British government in London.
0:49:13 > 0:49:18We made sure that they knew exactly what our priorities were,
0:49:18 > 0:49:23exactly what the strategy was to engage the British government
0:49:23 > 0:49:25in ensuring that we got as much support as possible.
0:49:26 > 0:49:31It's really good news for us because we were able to secure £60 million
0:49:31 > 0:49:34worth of grant support for the reconstruction and rehabilitation
0:49:34 > 0:49:36of Anguilla after Hurricane Irma,
0:49:36 > 0:49:38which is a heck of a lot of money for Anguilla.
0:49:38 > 0:49:40It'll really help us to get all of our schools
0:49:40 > 0:49:42and our health facilities back up,
0:49:42 > 0:49:44complete the work we've been doing on the airport
0:49:44 > 0:49:46to get access back into the island.
0:49:54 > 0:49:55OK.
0:50:01 > 0:50:03There we go. Third time lucky.
0:50:05 > 0:50:07At the airport, the British government has provided
0:50:07 > 0:50:10Mr B with a temporary air-traffic control tower.
0:50:12 > 0:50:15Me and my brand-new hips are getting used to these stairs now.
0:50:20 > 0:50:21Come into Alaska south.
0:50:24 > 0:50:28Because of the equipment, the air conditioning has to be kept on.
0:50:28 > 0:50:30So, as a consequence...
0:50:31 > 0:50:33..the controllers have to wear this.
0:50:36 > 0:50:39It's very cold in here, so we have to bulk up.
0:50:41 > 0:50:43And you can see, we've got a couple of jets in now.
0:50:45 > 0:50:49Cleared for take-off. Seven degrees at 12 noughts.
0:50:49 > 0:50:52Since the tower was installed, flights have increased.
0:50:54 > 0:50:58Private jets like to go where there's air-traffic control services
0:50:58 > 0:51:01and so that's made a big difference.
0:51:01 > 0:51:03One of those jets coming in for every day they're here
0:51:03 > 0:51:06represents a lot of money being spent on the island.
0:51:09 > 0:51:12A full ferry timetable is also back up and running.
0:51:13 > 0:51:15You can't get a better picture than that, can you?
0:51:18 > 0:51:21We are getting a steady trickle of tourists.
0:51:21 > 0:51:25It's less than it would have been on a normal year, but I have to say,
0:51:25 > 0:51:28it's a lot better than we all anticipated
0:51:28 > 0:51:30the day when we all woke up after Irma.
0:51:31 > 0:51:34But this is... You know, it's quite an encouraging situation
0:51:34 > 0:51:37still because so many people come here
0:51:37 > 0:51:39on repeat trade, it's word of mouth.
0:51:39 > 0:51:45So the best that we can do to make 2017 as good, and to demonstrate
0:51:45 > 0:51:47and project Anguilla out,
0:51:47 > 0:51:51it's critical not just for this year but for 2018 and onwards,
0:51:51 > 0:51:54and I think it's one of the top destinations in the world,
0:51:54 > 0:51:55but I'm biased.
0:51:58 > 0:52:01Power has been restored to large parts of the island.
0:52:02 > 0:52:05Which means that Mr B is no longer sleeping on a sofa
0:52:05 > 0:52:07in the airport maintenance shed.
0:52:09 > 0:52:13You know, it's only when you lose electricity
0:52:13 > 0:52:14that you really miss it.
0:52:25 > 0:52:28It's Neville Connor's 68th birthday.
0:52:28 > 0:52:30Got to take really good care of this cake.
0:52:30 > 0:52:33And to mark the occasion, along with the first steps in the
0:52:33 > 0:52:35regeneration of Sandy Island,
0:52:35 > 0:52:38family and friends have come together for a celebration.
0:52:40 > 0:52:41This feels so wonderful.
0:52:43 > 0:52:44This is awesome.
0:52:45 > 0:52:49To realise this day is, like, momentous, it's monumental for us.
0:52:49 > 0:52:51It's fabulous.
0:52:52 > 0:52:54Welcome, Gino. Thanks for coming.
0:52:54 > 0:52:57It's the first time that visitors have set foot on the island
0:52:57 > 0:52:58since the hurricane.
0:52:58 > 0:53:02Welcome to the new Sandy Island, Father Hodge.
0:53:02 > 0:53:03Is there anything here to be eaten?
0:53:03 > 0:53:05- Yes, there is lots of things to be eaten.- OK.
0:53:05 > 0:53:07- Right over there, on the far end. - Yes.
0:53:09 > 0:53:13It's not the Sandy Island of before, but for Simone and her father
0:53:13 > 0:53:15today is an important step forward.
0:53:17 > 0:53:19You have to start. Once we start, then we will finish.
0:53:19 > 0:53:22If you never start, you never finish.
0:53:22 > 0:53:25And so what better time to start than on the occasion of
0:53:25 > 0:53:29my father's birthday when he starts another chapter in his life.
0:53:30 > 0:53:33It's going to be an emotional day, for sure.
0:53:33 > 0:53:37It's all about new challenges, new beginnings.
0:53:37 > 0:53:39Measuring tape.
0:53:39 > 0:53:43On the mainland, Jan is checking turtle nests buried after the storm.
0:53:45 > 0:53:49So, we've just found a sea turtle nest,
0:53:49 > 0:53:51and it was successful.
0:53:51 > 0:53:54And so, what we're doing right now is just measuring the...
0:53:55 > 0:53:58..distance from the top of the nest.
0:54:00 > 0:54:03These eggs have actually hatched.
0:54:03 > 0:54:08And these, we know what species they are just from the eggs.
0:54:08 > 0:54:10And we know that this is a hawksbill.
0:54:13 > 0:54:17Oh, there you go. So these guys just found a little hatchling.
0:54:21 > 0:54:23It's like a little baby.
0:54:25 > 0:54:28Oh, my goodness! You can see the smile on my face, right?
0:54:28 > 0:54:30I'm so excited.
0:54:30 > 0:54:31So excited.
0:54:33 > 0:54:34He's ready to go.
0:54:40 > 0:54:44So, it is extremely, extremely important for a sea turtle,
0:54:44 > 0:54:47the hatchlings, to make their own way down to the beach.
0:54:47 > 0:54:51Before Irma, all of this rocky beach was actually sand.
0:54:51 > 0:54:53So we just brought it a little closer so that it can make
0:54:53 > 0:54:55its own way down.
0:54:55 > 0:54:57So we're going to just let it walk.
0:55:01 > 0:55:04The critically endangered hawksbill turtles are known to return
0:55:04 > 0:55:07to the same beach where they were born,
0:55:07 > 0:55:10often more than 20 years later, to lay their own eggs.
0:55:12 > 0:55:14It's a wonder that they even survive.
0:55:14 > 0:55:19It's amazing. It's amazing just how strong and just resilient
0:55:19 > 0:55:20they are, I think.
0:55:21 > 0:55:24Life has always been perilous for these turtles.
0:55:24 > 0:55:28Only one or two in a thousand will make it to adulthood.
0:55:28 > 0:55:30And with rising sea temperatures,
0:55:30 > 0:55:34and the trend for more violent storms predicted to continue,
0:55:34 > 0:55:36survival has become even more challenging.
0:55:41 > 0:55:43JAN LAUGHS
0:55:49 > 0:55:50And there he is. He's off.
0:55:52 > 0:55:53Good luck!
0:56:05 > 0:56:07We're here at Sandy Island,
0:56:07 > 0:56:10on the southern end of the little island now.
0:56:10 > 0:56:12So, we are going to ask God's blessing on it,
0:56:12 > 0:56:16that he will protect it from all the harm and danger in the future.
0:56:17 > 0:56:20God the father, God the son, God the holy spirit,
0:56:20 > 0:56:25bless this place in the name of the father, the son and the holy spirit.
0:56:25 > 0:56:26Amen.
0:56:26 > 0:56:31Now, we move to another place for another blessing.
0:56:31 > 0:56:33OK? So we cover all the points.
0:56:34 > 0:56:37Father Hodge is blessing Sandy Island...
0:56:37 > 0:56:39We bless this place in the name of the father,
0:56:39 > 0:56:40the son and the holy spirit.
0:56:42 > 0:56:44Amen. Over here.
0:56:44 > 0:56:46..at every point on the compass.
0:56:46 > 0:56:51Bless this place in the name of the father, the son and the holy spirit.
0:56:51 > 0:56:55Amen. We go, we do the point down there and then we do the middle.
0:56:55 > 0:57:00Anguilla is only at the beginning of the rebuilding process.
0:57:00 > 0:57:02We bless this place in the name of the father,
0:57:02 > 0:57:06of the son and of the holy spirit. Amen.
0:57:06 > 0:57:09It will take many years and many challenges
0:57:09 > 0:57:11to undo Irma's destruction.
0:57:11 > 0:57:14We bless this place in the name of the father,
0:57:14 > 0:57:16the son and the holy spirit.
0:57:16 > 0:57:19And pray God's protection on it from any harm and danger
0:57:19 > 0:57:21in the future.
0:57:21 > 0:57:23In Christ our lord, amen.
0:57:25 > 0:57:28OK? I did what I could. It's now in the hands of the lord.
0:57:32 > 0:57:36The threat from future hurricanes is always present,
0:57:36 > 0:57:40but the spirit and faith of the islanders remain undimmed.
0:57:42 > 0:57:45Hurricane Irma, unfortunately, had the upper hand on us.
0:57:45 > 0:57:48But guess what, Anguillans are resilient
0:57:48 > 0:57:52Anguillans are innovative, Anguillans are creative.
0:57:52 > 0:57:54We've learned to make do from nothing,
0:57:54 > 0:57:58and so we are rising like a phoenix from the dust right now.
0:57:58 > 0:58:01Anguilla will come back stronger and better
0:58:01 > 0:58:05because we Anguillans are proud, strong and free.
0:58:07 > 0:58:11- BANKIE BANX:- # It ain't easy, but it's all right
0:58:11 > 0:58:14# It ain't easy, but God is on our side. #