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Cuba

Situation Report on Hurricane Dennis in Cuba 11 Jul 2005

Description:

Hurricane Dennis, a category 4 hurricane, affected approximately 600 square km. of Cuban territory and caused sea surges, landslides, and severe flooding. The most affected provinces are Granma, Cienfuegos, Havana, Cuidad de la Habana, Matanzas, Sancti Spiritus, Ciego de Ávila, Camaguey and Santiago de Cuba. An estimated 8 million people in 11 provinces were directly at risk.

Impact of Hurricane Dennis in Cuba:

1. Environmental: Major damage is reported to the agricultural sector due to floods and strong winds. The principal damages are in the cultivation of fruits, tubers and vegetables. An estimated 31,316 dwellings were affected by the storm and 2,327 were destroyed.

2. Goods and Services: Several communication channels were destroyed along the south road connecting Santiago de Cuba and Granma. Telecommunications have been interrupted in Vía Niquero and Pilón as well as in the cities of the provinces of Santiago of Cuba, Granma, Cienfuegos, Sancti Spiritu, Matanzas; electric powerhas been cut in many cities of the country as a preventive measure. Damage is being repaired.

3. Impact on the population:

Dead: 10

Wounded: still no information

Missing: till no information

Evacuated people: 1,535,545 people

Number of shelters: 1,804

People in Shelters: 687,941 people

Health Services Infrastructure: two or more provincial hospitals

Response measures carried out by the community, organizations and national authorities:

The response of the national authorities was immediate and helped to limit the number of deaths.

The Ministry of Health carried out measures to secure health care facilities, evacuation and protection of computers, air conditioners, equipment etc. The medical and surgical brigades were moved to the areas at greatest risk. Monitoring of water quality, food handling and personal and collective hygiene has been stepped up, as have the cleaning of ditches and elimination of other potential vector breeding sites. Personnel have been mobilized to support to the most affected areas.