(Trinidad Guardian) Hurricane Beryl has left a trail of death and destruction in its wake after rampaging across the Caribbean. Three people were reported killed in Grenada and Carriacou, and another in St Vincent and the Grenadines, officials said.
Devastation descended upon Grenada’s Carriacou Island and Petite Martinique as the islands served as ground zero for the hurricane with a Category 4 strength and 150 miles per hour eye, which destroyed homes and left three people dead. During a media briefing yesterday, Grenada Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell said the fatalities were recorded in Grenada and Carriacou, with the possibility of the figure rising in the coming days.
Prime Minister Mitchell said, “Minister Andrews has tentatively reported at least two deaths as a result of the passage of Hurricane Beryl. The possibility that there may be more remains a grim reality.”
Mitchell stated that the absence of communication networks made it difficult to ascertain facts. “I can’t elaborate on this; all I can say to you is that we have one fatality in Grenada that happened when a tree fell on a house. In the case of Carriacou, the reports I have are of two fatalities. I cannot give you more details, as I indicated we have had virtually no communication with Carriacou in the last 12 hours except briefly this morning (Tuesday) via satellite phone. Movement within Carriacou is severely restricted because of the significant destruction.” Mitchell painted a bleak picture of the island in the aftermath of the hurricane. “The situation is grim; there is no power, and there is almost complete destruction of homes and buildings on the islands. The roads are not passable, and in many instances, they are cut off because of the large quantity of debris strewn all over the streets, and obviously, there are dangers posed by downed power lines.”
He further noted that as a result of the widespread destruction of homes and properties, emergency shelters would continue to remain in operation.
“The north of the island, including Carriacou and Petite Martinique, and the south of the island are almost completely different places. In the southern tip, there is minimal damage, and all power has already been restored. But that is not the case in the north, western, and eastern parts of the island. We are still dealing with road clearance; power is out, and numerous of our citizens have lost their roofs and do not have any shelter over their heads. Our shelters will remain open.”
The hurricane horror story was also shared by an emotional prime minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves, who recounted the tragedy that swept through the islands of St Vincent and the Grenadines.
“Sadly, it has been reported to the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO). We don’t yet know all the details of how one person died. There may well be more fatalities. We are not yet sure, given the fact that I am reporting to you a few hours after the devastation that was brought unto this land.”
Gonsalves stated that 90 per cent of homes and businesses on Union Island were destroyed, and its airport was also damaged.
“From the indicators, we have suffered badly, and in particular areas like Union Island, for example, it has been devastating.”
He appealed to criminal elements on the island not to exploit the vulnerability of those impacted by the hurricane. On Monday evening, Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley said clean-up efforts were underway for impacted coastal areas. She stated that while damage to properties and infrastructure was recorded, the country was spared the brunt of the hurricane.
“I still believe that while we have had significant damage, the truth is it could have been a lot worse, and we have to give thanks and say our prayers,” she said.
In St Lucia, assessments of the damage were being conducted. Prime Minister Philip J Pierre issued an all-clear for utility companies to begin evaluating and performing repairs. He indicated that businesses and government offices were expected to reopen yesterday, and schools were expected to reopen today.
According to the St Lucia Times, “The Prime Minister also disclosed ‘significant damage’ at the Soufriere Waterfront and Cemetery area, flooding in Laborie, particularly at the Cross Over Park and waterfront areas. In addition, Pierre said the Vieux Fort Police Jetty has been completely destroyed.”
