A couple who lost their home when Hurricane Irma struck the island of St. John has set up a relief fund for other victims in the Virgin Islands.

Matt Atkinson and Lyndsey Varvatos were visiting New Canaan when the storm struck. They say the storm destroyed her house and washed away their possessions.

Atkinson is from Southbury, Varvatos is from New Canaan and they returned to Connecticut to celebrate his 30th birthday.

"It's hard to imagine until you actually see it," Atkinson says. "I'm not a religious person, and that's pretty much all we could do -- just say a silent prayer."

Hurricane Maria is expected to sweep over the island next. 

The Virgin Islands Relief Fund has raised thousands of dollars to help with rescue efforts and supplies, and country singer Kenny Chesney has offered to help.