Just back from some real devastation in the BVI area. Some towns still no power-- so of course no refrig. We were told winds in excess of 260 MPH with tornados and one town West End had earthquakes during Irma. 2 or 3 islands that had newer structures were in service but older buildings were still with no roofs. AND not just a few places. Whole towns leveled. Many many are furious with the insurance coverage because a clause in the islands called "Averaging" has kicked in and the insurance isn't paying what was insured-- for but AVERAGED in. Said to myself-- so it's just not in USA-- that insurance can be a scam. Will note that supply (building type) is going to the very rich. Lower income doesn't stand a chance until places like Necker Island (richard Branson) gets put back together.

Trash is piled everywhere and the burn is starting. Boats are piled everywhere. Many islands describe seeing 60ft catamarans flying in the tornados-- and from the looks of it-- they didn't land up right.

So your tour company didn't tell you?

Hurricane Ike hit Galveston in 2008. It probably took about five years for stuff to really smooth out and go back to normal. But by the time right before Harvey hit in 2017, you could still see evidence of Ike here and there.

Harvey was in September, 2017. My parents are on the mainland, but things are still down to the studs.

If my family in the Houston/Galveston area are still waiting their turn ten months later, I have no problems at all believing that large bits of the BVI's are still struggling from Irma (and Maria?).

to answer a few questions. No - no travel agent. we had a 42ft monohull by Catalina there (that was our boat) -- that was salvaged due to damage from Irma. So we chartered a 37 ft Bavaria for 11 days. We went from Isl to island and didn't stay in any one town except to stock the boat. We stocked like never before but stocking ice is difficult. We had pictures loaded in the camera from past years and had pretty good comparision shots of the damage. We didn't stay with Richard Breason on Necker but it's full blow repair going on there. Laura not sure where your going in PR but i would check sites on line for updates. Deanna if you know TX hurricanes you have a pretty good concept of damages.

As far as AVERAGING goes-- it's a brit thing. The locals thought they were covered full blown but there not. The other interesting thing is if your whats called a non-belonger (wasn't born there) you can't do anything with out permission-- NOTHING. Every repair needs-- or should I say a rebuild needs the crowns approval. Absolutly no changes allowed- no 4bd converted to 3bd or adding or subtracting baths-- change a gazebo and your shut down.

Nice to sail to, wouldn't want to live there. I used to race on a boat the owner got after a hurricane. He paid $100 for a Catalina 42. It had a hole you could drive a volkswagon through.