Hurricane Irma caused severe damage to some Caribbean islands and the American state of Florida. These places depend heavily on tourism to fuel their economies. The area had been preparing for an increase in visitors from the United States and Europe ahead of the upcoming high tourist season. But instead of foreign visitors, many local governments are struggling just to provide their people with food, water and other needed supplies. In some areas, shortages caused unrest and looting. Among the hardest hit areas was the independent island nation of Antigua and Barbuda. Officials there reported about 95 percent of buildings were either destroyed or severely damaged. Also hard hit was St. Martin, which is split between French and Dutch territories. Witnesses on the island said most buildings were flattened by Irma.