At least five people were killed and hundreds of properties destroyed after Hurricane Irma tore through the area last Wednesday night.
And since the huge clean-up operation began, the island has faced a new threat from armed criminals targetting wrecked homes, shops and offices, mainly in the capital of Road Town.
Speaking on Monday, former Jersey resident Shona Ringsdore, who lives in the BVI with husband Tim, said: ‘Some of what is going on here is absolutely terrifying.
‘There are a lot of people whose lives are in danger at the moment.’
Much of the crime and civil unrest is believed to have been caused by the estimated 100 to 120 prisoners who escaped from the island’s jail after the site was partly destroyed by the category five storm.
One hundred and twenty British troops have now been stationed on the island to help restore order.
Describing the atmosphere in Tortola – the most populated island in the BVI – Mrs Ringsdore said: ‘It is just sheer devastation here. It is a million times worse than I ever imagined it could be.
‘We are desperately trying to get off the island but we are not having much luck.’
She added: ‘There is a lot of looting. No one is going into Road Town unless they absolutely have to. We went in to get some fuel at 6 am today. It was horrible – tempers are frayed and everyone is screaming at each other.
‘There are so many desperate people. There are a lot of good people here but a lot of bad people too. We are staying inside as much as we can until we manage to get off the island.
‘The Royal Marines are here now and supplies are beginning to come through. But supermarkets are only letting 25 people at a time in – and they will only open their doors if they have armed guards.’
Mrs Ringsdore and her husband, the former managing director of JT in the Channel Islands, who now works in the BVI, escaped unharmed last week after enduring more than ten hours sheltering from Irma.
The couple – who were living with friends – were forced to take refuge in a downstairs toilet as the storm tore the roof off the property and destroyed much of the first floor.
Mrs Ringsdore added: ‘The landlords of the property where we were staying have let us live with them. They are an absolutely lovely local family. They own a shop too but that has been looted. It’s so upsetting.
‘We partly want to get out because of the looting and crime but also because we don’t need to be here. There are so many people who have lost everything and supplies here aren’t great, so we feel like we need to go,’ said Mrs Ringsdore.
