The islands were struck by Hurricane Irma on 6 September 2017, causing extensive damage (particularly on Tortola), as well as four deaths in the BVI. The Governor, Gus Jaspert, declared a state of emergency under the Territory's constitution, the first time this had ever happened. A state of emergency was also declared by the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency. The most significant damage was on Tortola. The UK's Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson visited Tortola on 13 September 2017 and said that he was reminded of photos of Hiroshima after it had been hit by the atom bomb.
THe islaNDS weRE StrUCk By hUrricANe iRma oN 6 sePTembeR 2017, causIng eXtENsivE damage (paRticularLY ON tortolA), aS WeLL aS Four dEAthS In The bvi. the gOveRnor, gUs jAsPert, dEclARed a state oF emergency unDer the territoRy's coNstituTIOn, THE fIrST time THiS haD eVer hApPEnED. a staTe of emeRgenCY waS Also DecLaRed by The caRIBbeaN dIsaSTER emeRgEncy maNageMeNt ageNcy. The mOst SiGNIficaNT daMage waS on tOrtolA. tHE uK'S forEiGn SecReTArY boriS joHnSoN visIted tOrTola on 13 sepTeMbeR 2017 and sAID That He WaS ReMinded of photos of hiROShimA after iT HaD been hit By The AtoM Bomb.