Here We Go Again - Hurricane Ivan

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Tombstone
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Here We Go Again - Hurricane Ivan

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CVX
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Here We Go Again - Hurricane Ivan

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Grenada Severely Impacted By Hurricane Ivan - 3 dead

Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency (CDERA)





Barbados (CDERA) - Grenada, a member state of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency (CDERA) was severely impacted by Hurricane Ivan. Three people are confirmed dead.



The Capital St Georges suffered incalculable damage. The Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) and the residence of Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell were destroyed. The EOC is presently relocating and re-establishing communications.



The CARICOM Secretariat has received a full brief from CDERA.



The Eastern Caribbean Donor Group is meeting at CDERA headquarters in the morning to receive a detailed damage report which will inform their emergency response.



The Caribbean Disaster Response Unit operated by the Regional Security System is deploying restoration teams to Grenada as well as CARILEC which has mobilized power utility restoration teams from Belize, Turks and Caicos, Cayman Islands, and Antigua.



HMS Richmond, the British Naval patrol vessel is available to support immediate response in Grenada.



The Emergency Assistance Funds operated by CDERA, CDB, FirstCaribbean International Bank are being activated.



Below is a Situation Report issued by CDERA at 7:30 pm. Updates are also available at http://www.cdera.org ____



The Event: Hurricane Ivan strengthened once again today into a category 3 hurricane and passed south of Barbados buffeting that island with strong tropical storm force conditions. It also brushed Tobago and Saint Lucia with tropical storm force conditions, impacted St Vincent and the Grenadines before devastating Grenada.



The Prognosis: Ivan is now clearing the Windward Islands and forecast to strengthen. The National Hurricane Centre has forecast that on its present course Ivan is expected to approach Jamaica by weekend.





THE SITUATION



Barbados There was island wide power outage except for the major health care facility, the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Power is being restored to the island. More than 221 houses damaged particularly in the southern part of the island in the parishes of Christ Church, St Philip, and St Michael. Some utility poles are down and some areas are without landline telephone service. All cellular services are operational. There are also reports of coastal damage associated with storm surge. Water supply remains functional.



Emergency Operational Center remains operational and is coordinating response to the impact. No request for external assistance has been communicated to CDERA at this time.



One death in Barbados cannot be confirmed as attributed to Hurricane Ivan at this time.



All clear is issued



Trinidad and Tobago The twin islands of Trinidad and Tobago experienced tropical storm force conditions. Tobago experienced the greater impact.



The Emergency Operations Centre in Tobago remains operational and is coordinating response. In Tobago 14 villages reported damage, 33 homes reported either total or partial roof damage, utility down across many areas of the island.



The International Federation of the Red Cross in Trinidad reports that damage has been concentrated in the northern part of the island Charlotteville and Speyside are without power at this time, as are some other areas.



At 5 pm the tropical storm warning was discontinued and a National Emergency Task Force meeting was scheduled for 6:30 pm.



Grenada



Grenada was the most significantly impacted of the CDERA Participating States. Present reports indicate significant damage with three deaths reported so far. Utilities in all areas are out with exception of cell phone coverage.



The Capital of St Georges suffered incalculable damage. The Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) and the Prime Minister's residence were destroyed. No one in the EOC or Prime Minister's residence was reported hurt. An alternative EOC is presently being set up. The main hospital was damaged as well as some shelters. The people in those shelters were moved to others. The population in public shelters is 1,000 and climbing.



St Vincent and the Grenadines



No fatalities or severe casualties have been reported.



More than 1, 000 people in shelters. Power is down island wide. Storm surge inundated coastal areas and destroyed 19 homes from which 63 were evacuated and are now part of the 1,000 in public shelters. More than 40 other homes were damaged. Areas which sustained most damage were Georgetown, Canaries, and Argyle.



The hospital on Union Island lost it roof.



Saint Lucia



Two people injured while trying to repair a roof. They are hospitalized. No fatalities reported. Minor roof damage reported.



The Dennery Police Station had to be relocated from its coastal location. No damage to roads has been reported. Electricity is off in one area where lines were sparking. Power to the areas was disconnected by the electricity supply company. Water supply is locked off in some areas. Phone service is up in all areas.



Four shelters are opened. ACTIONS BY COORDINATING UNIT:



1. The Eastern Caribbean Donor Group is meeting at 9 am Wednesday at CDERA headquarters to receive a preliminary damage assessment which will inform the Group's emergency response;

2. The Caribbean Disaster Response Unit is being mobilized for deployment to Grenada as early as tomorrow - weather conditions permitting.

3. Trinidad and Tobago, the CDERA sub-regional focal point for Grenada is mobilizing a vessel to deploy relief supplies tomorrow.

4. CARILEC has assembled restoration crews which will be deployed to Grenada.

5. HMS Richmond, the British Naval patrol vessel is available to support immediate response in Grenada.

6. CARICOM Secretariat has been apprised of the situation in the CDERA Participating States.

7. The Emergency Assistance Funds operated by CDERA, CDB, FirstCaribbean International Bank are being activated.



The CDERA CU continues to issue SITREPs on Hurricane Ivan which may be viewed at www.cdera.org.





FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Jeremy Collymore

Coordinator, CDERA

Tel: (246) 425-0386



Donovan Gentles

Preparedness and Response Manager

Tel: (246) 425-0386



Terry Ally

Public Education and Information Specialist

Tel: (246) 425-0386
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