New hurricane alert for British territories

A FRESH hurricane warning is in place for British overseas territories and parts of the Caribbean, just days after Irma unleashed devastation on the region.

Chris Austin from the Department for International Development, who is now leading the UK’S response to the disaster, said Britain’s Joint Task Force is anticipating provision of further short-term relief as Storm Maria edges closer.

He said it has provided 75 tons of aid – including shelter kits, food and water – but the 5,000 tarpaulins already distributed could be lost in the new weather front.

“We are planning for the unexpected, we are planning for the worst, we need to demonstrate our own resilience because there could be some pretty sharp backwards steps I think,” he said.

It is predicted the front, developing over the Atlantic, could turn into a category three hurricane, with islands in its potential path being issued a warning.

Brigadier John Ridge, the second in command of the Joint Task Force, said the UK’S military helicopters and aircraft in the region “will be kept out of harm’s way” in Barbados, where there is cover to protect them.

Maria was set to arrive in Barbados overnight while both Anguilla and the British Virgin Islands could be affected today, but Brig Ridge said it is not clear exactly which way it will track.

“It almost does not matter whether it tracks north of here or straight through here. If it tracks straight through here our problems are going to be the strength of the winds, if it tracks north then we will be on the edge of the rain,” he said.

Brig Ridge said additional reserve troops will be sent to the British Virgin Islands, but defended his decision to put troops potentially in harm’s way, stating it is a “risk worth taking” because it ensures “extra capacity” to deal with any immediate problems in the aftermath.

“Once the hurricane is through we can leap back into action, we have got the guys positioned in the right place so they are ready to react,” he said.