IMF To Assist Countries Affected By Hurricane Irma

Christine Lagarde, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), says the IMF will assist countries affected by Hurricane Irma.

Irma — a Category 5 storm that has kept sustained winds of 180 mph longer than any other on record — knocked out electricity to more than 1 million customers in Puerto Rico as it churned off the US territory, and devastated smaller islands, including Barbuda and the British Virgin Islands.

It has caused severe destruction and at least 10 dead across a string of Caribbean islands to the east.

Lagarde said in a statement issued by IMF that the fund was ready to help the affected countries deal with the aftermath.

“I would like to express our deep concern and sympathy for the countries affected by Hurricane Irma – one of the strongest Atlantic storms ever,” she said.

“Several islands in the region have already suffered terrible damage from the storm, and others are still in its path.

“We are very saddened by the reports of lives lost and widespread destruction.

“The Fund stands ready to help its member countries as they deal with the aftermath of this catastrophe including, if needed, financial support from our rapid financing facilities.”

Irma could next hit the Atlantic archipelagos of the Turks and Caicos and the Bahamas — and by the weekend may reach a nervous Florida, where people have flocked to stores to prepare and some communities have ordered evacuations, the CNN reports.

“Regardless of which (Florida) coast you live on, be prepared to evacuate,” Florida Gov. Rick Scott said Thursday at a news conference in Hialeah.

“This is not a storm you can sit and wait through. … We can’t save you after the storm starts,” he added.
Mandatory evacuations have been issued for the Florida Keys and low-lying parts of Miami-Dade and Broward counties.