SAN ANTONIO – The people of St. Croix were stuck on their small island, with no escape from hurricanes Irma and Maria. Now, the residents of the U.S. Virgin Islands are struggling to recover.
A San Antonio woman who grew up on the island said her people are in dire need of help.
Lisa Thomas showed stunning before and after pictures of one of her family's properties on the island. The first showed beautiful greenery in the forefront overlooking homes, buildings and a calm blue ocean. The second pictured tattered and jagged trees tossed across a lawn, battered homes, a rough gray ocean, and dim sky.
"It's complete devastation. Houses are gone. Roofs are gone. People are trying to find their families. It's just heart-wrenching," Thomas said.
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When Maria barreled through, Thomas' brother and sister were on different parts of St. Croix.
"My sister has cellphone coverage in the area she's in. My brother does not," she said.
Both are OK, but she hasn't heard from her brother who's been caring for her parent's home.
"According to neighbors and families close by, it's bad. All over trees are gone, fences are gone, roofs are gone but as to the status of my home I'm not sure," Thomas said.
Her sister said the biggest challenge is the 911 system being down. There's no way for people to get immediate emergency help. People are turning to social media.
"You see all the posts where people are asking for help and they're telling you, 'I'm under a mattress in my bathroom. I need help,' and I'm thousands of miles away and there's nothing I can do.
Shelters and hospitals have been badly damaged and there are few places for people to go as conditions worsen.
She described a shelter for people with medical needs losing the roof during the storm and people scattered trying to find shelter. The hospital had its doors ripped away and water flooded some of the floors. The high school, which was serving as a shelter to hundreds, no longer has a roof.
"We're going to need help. But we're VI strong," she said.
The island is small, but Thomas knows it's also tough and resilient. She just hopes people pay attention to that area as much as other places hit by the storm.
Spurs star Tim Duncan grew up on the U.S. Virgin Islands and has been raising funds for recovery since Hurricane Irma hit them the first time. He is continuing those efforts and has raised more than $2 million already on his relief website.
