(St Lucia Times) In the aftermath of Sunday’s heavy rainfall that triggered devastating flooding in the north of the island, Saint Lucia has been mobilising regional and international assistance.
The disclosure came from Prime Minister Philip J Pierre at a news conference yesterday.
Pierre said National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO) was in contact with the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA).
“NEMO has been in touch with CDEMA and other regional and international disaster response agencies with a view to mobilising assistance for the affected communities,” he said.
At the same time, the Prime Minister said that responders were working around the clock to conduct a damage assessment, clear roads and drains, and provide relief to affected individuals.
In addition, Pierre disclosed that teams were assessing the impact on agriculture.
And he explained that once NEMO presents a damage assessment, the government will determine the nature and extent of the assistance needed and create a complete response programme.
There have been no reports of death following Sunday’s flooding.
However, Pierre and acting NEMO director, Maria Medard, expressed concern about indiscriminate garbage disposal.
Pierre noted that the Ministry of Infrastructure had maintained the prescribed desilting schedule during preparation for the hurricane season.
But he told reporters that there were many things in the rivers that were not supposed to be there.
The Castries East MP said they included old stoves, discarded fridges, and plastic bottles.
“Once more, we are begging and urging the public of Saint Lucia not to dispose of these materials in the waterways and rivers,” Pierre stated.
“Climate change is real. These weather events are going to be more frequently and more devastating,” Pierre warned.
Hours after the devastation caused by the flooding on Sunday, Pierre rallied citizens in a social media post after a tour of the Castries East constituency to assess the damage.
“We will get through this together! Be assured, Saint Lucia, that our emergency personnel, technical crews, Lucelec, and volunteers are on the ground and are providing assistance to those most affected by this system,” Pierre stated on his Facebook page.
“Once again, I encourage everyone to stay safely indoors and to exercise extreme caution if you must venture outdoors.”
He also expressed gratitude to all who were working hard to bring relief to citizens and the country.
In addition, Pierre urged residents to remain steadfast in the task ahead and lend a helping hand during this time.
“God give us strength and courage!” he said.
Several residents in north St Lucia were trapped in their homes and there were reports of land slippage after heavy rainfall resulted in flooding on Sunday.
While flooding was reported in the north from Gros Islet to Bexon, other parts of the country experienced fair to partly cloudy skies, meteorologists said.
NEMO said it received reports of individuals trapped in their homes in the Assou Canal area. Medard said emergency responders, including police, the St Lucia Fire Service, the Gros Islet District Disaster Committee and the National Transportation Committee, assisted in evacuating the distressed residents.
“Some people have reported that the flooding was up to their neck. That was in the Corinth, Grande Riviere area,” she said, although saying it was uncertain how many residents were affected.
The St Lucia Meteorological Services said an upper-level trough affected the island during the weekend.