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- Updates from the Islands -- - Grenada - - |
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| - TD27 in Grenada | |
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| - Emily in Carriacou |
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I am writing a report from Carriacou, where the eye of Emily passed over last night. By all counts, she was far worse than Ivan, in wind and rain, and in the devastation we found lying around us in the morning.
Emily started churning around 8pm, with gusts of wind and little rain. We still had power then, and could see that we were in the outer rim of the approaching "tropical storm" we had been expecting. We were able to get the 10 pm update that Emily had become a hurricane before we lost power. So by 11pm, we were experiencing winds that we expected for a category 1.
However, from midnight to 4 am, what we went through simply cannot be described as 90 mph winds! We faced a terrifying wall of wind and almost no rain until the second half which came around 2:15 am. Regardless of what official reports might say about passed over us - no one in Carriacou thinks Emily was a category 1 storm. Most of us think she was a 3, or at the least, the eye of a VERY strong 2.
The devastation we woke to this morning is quite extensive. There are hundreds of homes that have significant damange, some homes totally destroyed, and all of the crops have been ruined. I am in the only part of the island that has had power restored (which is excellent, because this means we have water!) but other areas that were worse hit, will likely have to wait quite awhile longer. So far, there are no reports of loss of life, on land, though there are reports of 2 boats and about 5 people missing.
I am sending out an urgent plea to anyone who can help us with construction materials, which are always in short supply since Ivan. We need windows, doors, galvanized steel, plywood, as well as food and clothing for the homeless. The boat and 3 crew members of the ship that usually brings supplies to us is missing, so getting things here might not be easy. But there is an incredible need to rebuild as quickly as possible and an even greater need to construct emergency shelters as quickly as possible so we can protect the many people left homeless by Emily from the storms to come, as well as shelter ourselves from a climate gone mad this summer.
We've already got another tropical wave a little over 1000 miles away!
Jennifer ethical_ideas at gmail.com
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| - Amazing survival in Carriacou |
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St Georges was business as usual again yesterday. Shops, banks, petrol stations all open once more, and apart from the last few remaining stormshutters being taken down there seemed little to remind us of Emily. We have heard an amazing story of Hurricane survival near Carracou. A well known sailor and Radio Ham Operator who was endeavouring to reach the safety of the Mangroves in his yacht unfortunately struck a reef and his yacht began to sink. So wearing his lifesaver suit he managed to grab his EPIRB ( distress beacon ) and as the ship sank he was left to drift alone in the dark seas. His signal was picked up ( we believe in Puerto Rico ) and ships in the area were notified. Many hours later after bobbing around in the hurricane ravaged seas he was rescued by a passing oil tanker we believe somewhere near Union Island and so he is now safe and sound in Trinidad ( there next port of call ). I shall certainly be looking into getting one of those bits of kit in the future. Mark Ian Heath gardeniacottage at caribsurf.com Grenada |
| - CDERA to visit Grenada for first hand assessment |
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SITUATION REPORT #2 =================== ISSUED BY: THE CARIBBEAN DISASTER EMERGENCY RESPONSE AGENCY (CDERA) DATE & TIME: July 14, 2005 -- 5:00 pm THE EVENT At 5 pm Eastern Caribbean Time, the center of Hurricane Emily was located near latitude 13.3 north, longitude 65.9 west or about 800mls ESE of Kingston, Jamaica. Emily is now a Category 3 Hurricane on the Saffir Simpson Scale. The Government of Jamaica has issued a Hurricane Watch for the island. THE PROGNOSIS The all clear has now been issued for Grenada and its Dependencies and Trinidad & Tobago. Emily is fast approaching Jamaica and is expected to pass very close to the couth coast by the afternoon of Saturday, July 20, 2005. Participating States in the Northwestern Caribbean need to monitor the progress of Emily very closely and complete their preparedness activities. THE SITUATION Grenada The Grenada National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) has provided the following update. The overall picture has not changed significantly from that reported earlier. The Northeast of the island, Carriacou and Petit Martinique were the hardest hit by Hurricane Emily. The Prime Minister conducted an aerial reconnaissance of the country this morning with the assistance of the Trinidad & Tobago Defence Force. The National Emergency Advisory Council is meeting this afternoon and will provide an updated report immediately after. St. Vincent and the Grenadines The National Disaster Coordinator has advised that following their more detailed assessments today it is apparent that the country fared well relative to the impact on Hurricane Ivan. 52 Houses are reported damaged with 25 that lost their complete roof, 27 with significant damage. The level of damage is within the capabilities of the island and therefore no support is being requested at this time. Saint Lucia The Damage and Needs Assessment Committee in Saint Lucia through the National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO) has advised that they have conducted their initial assessment of the impacted areas of the island. No damages were observed to structures, some debris deposited on beaches and the river in Anse La Raye is in spate but not causing any flooding. Trinidad & Tobago The Office of Disaster Preparedness & Management with the support of the Trinidad & Tobago Defence Force conducted an aerial reconnaissance of the country this morning. This was followed by ground assessments in some areas conducted by the Municipalities. Diego Martin Regional Cooperation ? the Diego Martin River was elevated but has since receded. Roads in some areas are blocked by debris and landslides but are being cleared by the Ministry of Works. Port of Spain City Council ? Flooding in some areas reported. Residents in need of assistance to clear and clean houses affected by mud. San Juan/Laventille ? Many roads blocked by flooding and debris. Ministry of Works clearing to allow traffic to flow. Severe flooding reported in near Hololo Bridge and at Bourg Mulatresse. Water now receding. Landslides reported in Santa Cruz area are being cleared. The Aranguez Bridge is impassable as the protective gabion baskets have been washed away. No entry to area is being allowed. Retaining wall along San Juan River near MTS Plaza collapsed. Repairs to be made next week. 6 houses in Mt. Lambert flooded. Tunapuna/Piarco ? Road by the Trincity Mall flooded and water rising. Most rivers in the area are reported in spate and rising. Chaguanas ? Flood waters affected most areas but now receding. 30 persons in the Pierre Road, Charlieville area have been relocated due to flooding. Relief supplies being dispatched to the affected persons. Couva/Tabaquitte/Talparo ? The Mamoral and Caparo rivers are reportedly in spate and have flooded the Carr Road area. The Ministry of Works will verify as conditions permit. The Caparo Village is completely cut off and residents are marooned. Arima- Many areas affected by flood waters. 12 Houses flooded near Manuel Congo Road. River banks in some areas unstable. Sangre Grande ? No electricity in Matelot due to fallen poles. Tobago House of Assembly ? 9 roofs blown off. It was also reported that 40% of the island is without electricity from St. George to Charlotteville. 3 house damaged in Mt. St. George. Many areas are threatened by flooding form rising river waters. Trinidad & Tobago Electricity Corporation reported that 11,000 customers lost supply. 8200 have now been restored. Full restoration is expected by midday Friday. Regional The Regional Response Mechanism (RRM) has been activated at Level 2. The RRM is an agreement among CARICOM member states as well as international and regional non-governmental organisations and relief agencies to provide assistance to impacted states. The International Federation of the Red Cross Societies (IFRCS) has announced that it will be launching an appeal July 15, 2005 to raise much needed funds to support countries affected by Hurricanes Dennis and Emily. UNICEF has advised the Eastern Caribbean Donor Group (ECDG) and CDERA CU of its list of emergency response items that could be made available to support any first response operations. The Pan American Health organization (PAHO) is collaborating with local counterparts to conduct assessments of the health facilities. PAHO/CPC Barbados will deploy personnel to Grenada July 15, 2005. The OECS Secretariat has advised that its on standby to assist as necessary. CDERA CU ACTIONS IN SUPPORT OF GRENADA: 1. The Preparedness & Response Manager will be deployed to Grenada on July 15, 2005 to meet with local Officials. 2. Information is being collated and SITREPS being prepared for dissemination The CDERA CU continues to issue SITREPs on Hurricane Emily which may be viewed at www.cdera.org. Contact Details: The CDERA CU 24hr contact number is 246 425 0386 |
| - Situation Report #1 - TS/Hurr Emily impact on Windward Islands |
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ISSUED BY: THE CARIBBEAN DISASTER EMERGENCY RESPONSE AGENCY (CDERA) DATE & TIME: July 14, 2005 12:00 noon THE EVENT: Tropical Depression #5 formed Sunday night July 10, 2005 and advisories were initiated by the National Hurricane Centre at 11 pm. At 5 am on July 11, 2005 the tropical depression was upgraded to Tropical Storm Emily which slowly strengthened to become a strong tropical storm as it approached the Windward Islands on the afternoon of Wednesday July 13, 2005. Around 8:45 pm July 13, 2005 data from an United States reconnaissance aircraft taking measurements in the tropical storm found that Emily had become a very strong Category One Hurricane with sustained winds of 90 miles per hour. Another measurement at 8:15 am July 14, 200 found an 11 millibar drop in pressure this morning, indicating that further strengthening is underway, however, the plane did not report increased wind speeds. The forecast track from initialization by tracking models on July 10, 2005 was for a gradual turn toward the west-northwest. Despite 11 advisories in the first three days to this effect, Emily stubbornly refused to turn but late Wednesday night July 13, 2005, a gradual turn started and has continued. The track brought the centre of Emily, then a Tropical Storm, about 125 miles south of Barbados, 90 miles northeast of Trinidad before passing over Grenada between 1 am and 2 am Thursday July 14, 2005 as a Category One Hurricane. The forecast track at 11:00 am Thursday July 14, 2005 is for Emily to pass south of Jamaica as a Category Three hurricane Saturday morning. Emily impacted Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and Grenada. THE IMPACT (BY COUNTRY): Barbados No official information available Tobago 1. About 40 per cent of population lost electricity; 2. One northern town is without communication and cut off; 3. Two homes reported damaged or destroyed; 4. Another 16 homes sustained roof damage; 5. Seven roads reported blocked by fallen trees or debris; 6. Landslides reported in Lanse Fourmi. There is still heavy wind and rain in the area. 9:00 am; 7. One family was evacuated; 8. The hotels are all in good shape and open for business; 9. Martinair, Excel, and British Airways flights are operating according to schedule today. St Vincent and the Grenadines 1. Small number of homes sustained roof damage; 2. Shelters were opened and being utilized. Grenada 1. State of emergency remains in effect with a curfew from 7 pm to 6 am. Police are on patrol; 2. Eighty buildings were identified as emergency shelters of which 45 were used to house 1,650 persons; 3. Communication remained intact with the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) and all of its District Coordinators; 4. Communication was also maintained and flowed well between the EOC and the media and then to the public; 5. Hardest hit areas were in the parish of St Andrew?s where houses in the villages of Seamoon, Pearls, Paradise, Marqui and Telescope were among those losing roofs; 6. A large number of houses in the northern parish of St. Patrick?s were also damaged. 7. Many homes were destroyed in Petit Martinique and Carriacou; 8. The hospital in Carriacou lost part of its roof and patients were taken into another section of the building; 9. The roof of the operating theatre of the main hospital in Grenada suffered water damage but was remained intact; 10. Part of the roof of the Police station in Petit Martinique was blown off; 11. Two Homes for the elderly, the Caudrona and the Hillarion lost their roofs; 12. The roof of the Sauteurs police station was blown away; 13. The eastern town of Grenville and parts of the outskirts of St.George are flooded; 14. Teams from the districts are being dispatched into the communities to carry out rapid assessment of the damage; 15. The Grenada Coast Guard has been put on standby to take damage assessment teams to Carriacou and Petit Martinique; 16. The works ministry has quickly mobilized crews to be dispatched to affected areas to commence recovery efforts; 17. Relief distribution has started to key areas; 18. The Prime Minister is expected to address the nation later today; THE RESPONSE (LOCAL, REGIONAL, INTERNATIONAL): Based on the information in Grenada and discussions with the National Disaster Coordinator the Regional Response Mechanism is at a Level Two Response. Level Two means that Grenada can largely handle the damage on its own but may require some external assistance. The Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force is conducting a surveillance flight with Grenadian emergency personnel and the Prime Minister of Grenada, Dr Keith Mitchell. The Eastern Caribbean Donor Group (ECDG) met at United Nations House in Barbados at 10 am July 14, 2005 and was informed that Grenada has declared a Level Two Disaster which means they can cope largely using their own resources but would require some external assistance. As a result there will be no need for the Rapid Needs Assessment Team. Pan American Health Organisation advised that a team of medical persons would be accompanying the Trinidad and Tobago Reconnaissance Flight to assess the damage to the Carricaou Hospital. Members at the ECDG indicated they were presently conducting their own assessments in the affected states where they had representative. This information be shared with the respective EOCs and with CDERA. Indications of immediate support available from these Agencies would also be communicated. These SITREPS will be shared with CDERA and a further update will be issued to the public as information becomes available. Information is also available at the Agency?s Website- http://www.cdera.org. |
| - update from Grenada | |
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| - Emily leaves Grenada |
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Well that was a long night. Emily certainly packed more of a punch than we expected. Back to living with the noise of a generator once more. Surprisingly little damage evident between Lance Aux Epines and St Georges. The town and buildings all look in good shape. No boats appear to be lost or badly damaged in lagoon apart from those still there from Ivan, Hog Island still looks full of intact boats from a distance anyway. The power lines and poles generallyl seem to be intact in the area so hopefully power will return sooner than later. Still got leaves on the trees and not much debris around. Grenada was certainly better prepared this time. Mark Ian Heath gardeniacottage at caribsurf.com |
| - Grenada update | ||
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| - Emily |
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You don't seem to have any info from Grenada and we're expecting the worst.Everyone is still nervous after Ivan. There has been panic shopping, the supermarkets have been doing great business and many of the shelves are empty. In St George's it is impossible to buy gas (for cars) and cooking gas. As far as I know most businesses have already shut down. The banks closed at 10 am. It is sunny at the moment, and no wind. We had some rain earlier. I guess that people who have a roof after Ivan are praying that they won't lose it again. Richard Worth St George's Grenada |
| - Grenada holds it's breath | ||
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| - Heavy Rains in Grenada | ||
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