he now works for the nonprofit no one left behind. to l tonight, the fall of afghanistan. president biden addressing the american people late today, defending the u.s. withdrawal, telling americans, quote, i stand firmly behind my decision. the searing images from kabul, with the taliban now in control of the country. afghan citizens racing to an american military plane, a c-17, heading down the runway for takeoff. reports people were killed falling from the plane. and that others died in the chaos. disturbing video showing people desperate to board planes. video showing a child being pulled aboard, clinging to a rope. the u.s. tonight now says it is preparing to air lift ousandof americaembassy staffnd afghan interpreters and their families. those who briefly worked with the americans over 20 years. now fearing for their lives.
can even be our home again. reporter: further south, the hurricane is said to have destroyed more than 90% of the island. american medical student shot this video of the damage where he lives, cars tossed around the parking lot finally able to leave on an american military plane. tonight he s in puerto rico. there were plenty of times that night and throughout the week i really wondered, gee, how is this going to end. reporter: cruise ships are arriving to take others out. on barbuda, 100% destroyed and carrying people off the island. families taking strangers into their homes. these families have lost everything. you couldn t believe that there was a town there before. it surreal. reporter: officials say reconstruction in barbuda alone could cost hundreds of millions of dollars. richard branson today posting these images of destruction. branson already helping with the relief effort. that was nbc s ron mott.
looting and burglaries reported. servicemen arrived to clean up. it s a mess. robbery is a big concern. lots of people are walking around. she worried about her husband still there. it s not going to be the same st. john. we don t know if it can be our home again. reporter: furser south, on st. martin, the storm destroyed 90% of the island. cars tossed around the parking lot, finally able to leave on an american military plane. he is in puerto rico. plenty of times that night and throughout the week where i wondered, geez, how is this going to end? reporter: cruise ships are arriving to take others out. barbuda, almost 100 destroyed. families in nearby antigua
nbc s ron mott reports from san juan. reporter: the usual lush green u.s. virgin islands are a lifeless dull brown tonight torn apart by irma. many hopes damaged and destroyed and looming and burglaries reported and american service members arriving to clean up. home invasions are high, armed robbery. that s a big concern. lots of people are walking around armed. reporter: brittany gonzalez worried about her husband still there. it s not going to be the same st. john and we don t know if it can even be our home again. reporter: further south, the hurricane is said to have destroyed more than 90% of the island. american medical student shot this video of the damage where he lives, cars tossed around the parking lot finally able to leave on an american military plane. tonight he s in puerto rico.
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