British Response To The Hurricanes

[mikey4444]

I have just heard Boris waffle on to John Humphrys about how well he and the FO have responded to the hurricanes in the British Virgin Islands. But all the reports I have heard of, mostly this morning, tell a very different story.

[DTCwordfan]

// Richard Branson's private island has been completely destroyed apparently//

For the second time in less than 5 years, he probably keeps his building plans on file - so why doesn't Mr Virgin build his Caribbean idyllic fortress(es) of stronger stuff and forget his son making an appeal - the man can easily afford to rebuild both his islands in totum, not much sympathy from me there.

As to the other islands, well cost of materials and frankly, as in the southern US, it is easier and quicker to replace poles and wires than take on broken buried cabling. Probably, like many on here, I have lived through this a number of times.

As to the criticism of the Brit response, the Dutch and French have local garrisons - and the Frogs were asking our assistance in lifting things....it's a communal effort, not the responsibility of any one nation and one that shall last months/years, so let's be less judgmental to immediate response, perhaps, and in scoring political points.

[237SJ]

The "Frogs"?

[DTCwordfan]

never heard that before, SJ? Even they jokingly call themselves les grenouilles....get real.

[sherrardk]

What about the Royal Marines that arrived two days ago?

[jno]

it seems Britons there are sitting watching other nationalities being evacuated

One woman said: “I can’t even begin to tell you how angry we all are. The Canadians went. The Argentinians went. And we’re are all sitting in our hotel waiting to move.”

Another woman said: “The Cuban people were the only ones that have actually looked after us. Our own Government just left us to sink.”

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/world/hurricane-irma-extra-flights-to-rescue-thousands-of-britons-stranded-in-cuba-a3631881.html

Yes, I know Canada's closer. But given that the storm has been approaching for a week, it's hard to see what the problem is.

[DTCwordfan]

A week beforehand, as to getting aircraft in, "right, you lot, onto the Thomson/BA/Cook/Yorkshire Airlines plane now" (take your pick) - and I can just imagine the vocal or two finger objection.....no satisfying many is there??

[237SJ]

Can you say that again in English? No offence but what are you talking about?

[Togo]

One woman said? Another woman said?? Definitely verified than. What were the Cubans doing in BVI? Ohh we have jumped to Cuba.

//Thomas Cook moved its holidaymakers from Cayo Coco to Varadero where their customers are in hotels built to withstand a hurricane.
Hurricane Irma hits Florida, leaving trail of destruction in its wake
​Varadero airport is due to reopen tomorrow and the travel company is talking to several airlines to help with the evacuation, perhaps using other airports, with 26 more members of its special assistance team waiting to fly out from the UK to provide support.
Experts highlighted that it would have been easier for Canada to evacuate its citizens given that the flight time is around three hours rather than a transatlantic flight.//

Could Cuba handle 50 or 60 flights at short notice? Fuel? Technical back up? Aircraft runway space? Etc.Etc. Meehh.

[jno]

are they somehow better able to handle Canadian planes than British ones? A miracle.

[237SJ]

Well done. You are he Googler of the day

[Spicerack]

Thank you, jno. Of all the heart wrenching hurricane stories I've read 'one woman & another woman's' are the most poignant.
Can't we start a fund to rescue them?

[trt]

It took a long time for our troops to get to the Falklands didnt it?

[tamborine]

Have you seen the loads on backs of rescue troops; they resemble ninjas. Heavy trunks of water off loaded by hand, without a wheeley in sight.

Best to air drop polythene sheets for temp shelter, food & water. These islands are tropical 30c & brick buildings would be too hot. Infrastructure can be rebuilt by donation to Oxfam et al.

[waterboatman]

RFA Mount Bay was the first ship of any nation to be on the scene. everyone seems to ignore that.

[Togo]

//are they somehow better able to handle Canadian planes than British ones? A miracle.//

Trite as ever. Let's spell it out for you. Whilst waiting for a plane to cross the Atlantic, 2 planes could land and take off with another just an hour away from arrival. Now do we need to further explain or can you do the last bit?

[Togo]

Another illuminating, and very informative snippet, gleaned from the news reports, is. French aircraft (probably from the French military garrison on St Martin) took off with French nationals half empty after refusing to evacuate British nationals. The excuse being that they didn't want "refugees". Nice. Entente Cordiale? Meehh.

[murraymints]

that's disgraceful by the French....

[Togo]

Nothing new there Minty. Can't see the RAF acting in such a peevish and maliciously conceived fashion, can you?

[murraymints]

would like to think our Air Force would evacuate all and any if they had the room..

[albaqwerty]

I hope Boris and the PM tell their French counter-parts just what they think in no uncertain terms.
(Not that it'll do any good)