Saint-Barthmely students in Quebec relieved to hear from home in wake of Hurricane Irma

As Hurricane Irma continues to cut a swath of destruction, some students from Saint-Barthmely in Quebec are relieved to hear from their loved ones after being out of contact with their island home since Wednesday.

Mateo Miceli, 16, a student at Collge Saint-Bernard in Drummondville, said he could barely sleep while waiting for his parents to contact him after the hurricane ripped through his island homeearly Wednesday.

"It was agony," he said, "because we knew that if the hurricanewas going to hit, that there would be consequences,but we didn't know what kind of damage it would bring."

As of late Thursday, the Category 5 storm has flattened islands in the Caribbean, leaving at least 11 people dead and thousands homeless. Saint-Martin and Saint-Barthmelyare among the hardesthit.

• Hurricane Irma kills 11, leaves thousands homeless as it flattens Caribbean islands
• Montrealers at home and in Hurricane Irma's path brace for destruction

Miceliwaited 14 hoursto hear from his father,who sent a text message on Thursday morningto let himknowthe family was okay. Theirhome isintact, althoughhigh winds knocked down nearby poles and ripped the roofs off neighbouring buildings.

"It's a relief,"saidMiceli. "It's a very, very big relief to know that everything is okay."

'It's not easy'

There are 25 students from Saint-Barthmelyat CollgeSaint-Bernard.

Frdric Malette, the director of student services, said most have now been in contact with their relatives,butsome are still anxiously awaiting news.

"It's not easy, but we are focusing on believing that everything is going to be okay," he said, adding that it's likelysome people on the islandhave dead cell phones so aren't able to get in touch.

"We know that there is no electricity on the island right now."

While most students were unable to sleep or rest as the storm wreaked havoc onthe Caribbean,Malette said the school madepreparations as soon as administratorsheard of Hurricane Irma's approach a week ago.

There are psychologists and school counsellors on hand.They also focus on the health of the students and their loved ones and not the physical damage to the island and to their homes.

"Wehave that helpthatis there 24/7," said Malette.

• Stuck in the path of Hurricane Irma? Here are key facts and contacts you need

While that help has been crucial for JulietteArviset, 17,she saidthe last day has still been difficult for her and her fellow Saint-Barthmelystudents.

She was relieved to hear from her father earlier this afternoon but describes the island as being broken after the storm.

"It's our island, our family, our friends," saidArviset. "And it's just hard to wait and do nothing."