DHA-GENEVA 94/0348
CARIBBEAN - TROPICAL STORM DEBBY
INFORMATION REPORT NO. 1
13 SEPTEMBER 1994
1. ON 10 SEPTEMBER HIGH WINDS AND HEAVY RAINS DUE TO TROPICAL STORM DEBBY, SIXTH TROPICAL DEPRESSION OF ATLANTIC HURRICANE SEASON, CAUSED CASUALTIES AND INFRASTRUCTURE DAMAGE IN SAINT LUCIA.
2. ACCORDING TO CARIBBEAN DISASTER EMERGENCY RESPONSE AGENCY (CDERA) THERE WERE 4 PEOPLE DEAD, 6 MISSING AND 24 INJURED. 150 PERSONS ARE RECOVERED IN SHELTERS. FURTHERMORE:
- BRIDGES WERE DESTROYED OR EXTENSIVELY DAMAGED ISLANDWIDE LIMITING ACCESS TO VILLAGES
- MAJOR LANDSLIDES OCCURRED MAKING KEY ROADS IMPASSABLE
- WATER SUPPLY WAS DISRUPTED ISLANDWIDE. APPROX. ONE WEEK IS ESTIMATED TO BE NEEDED TO RESTORE WATER SUPPLY AS CRUCIAL INTAKES WERE WASHED AWAY OR BLOCKED.
3. ACTIONS TAKEN
- THE GOVERNMENT OF SAINT LUCIA HAS UNDERTAKEN AERIAL AND LOCALIZED ASSESSMENTS AND HAS MET TO REVIEW SITUATION/OPERATIONS AND NEEDS
- PRIORITY HAS BEEN PLACED ON THE PROVISION OF WATER AND RESTORATION OF THE WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
- SCHOOLS ARE CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
- MOST MAJOR ROADS HAVE BEEN REOPENED
- MARINE AND AERIAL TRANSPORT HAVE BEEN OBTAINED TO ASSIST IN THE DELIVERY OF CRITICAL SUPPLIES TO COMMUNITIES WHICH ARE DIFFICULT TO ACCESS BY ROAD. LOCAL YACHTING COMPANY PROVIDED 30 YACHTS FOR THIS PURPOSE.
4. INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE
| GRENADA | COAST GUARD VESSEL |
| GOVT. OF ST VINCENT | ROLL-ON ROLL-OFF BOAT, DUE 13 SEPT COAST GUARD VESSEL |
| MARTINIQUE | 14,000 LITRES OF BOTTLED WATER |
| PAHO | SANITATION ENGINEER SUMA PROJECT ACTIVATED |
| CDERA | INFORMATION SYSTEMS MANAGER, RELIEF SUPPLY TRACKING SYSTEMS |
| ST VINCENT RED CROSS | TEAM IN PLACE TO ASSIST IN ASSESSING
SITUATION IN ANSE LA RAGE 700 GALLONS OF WATER |
5. OUTSTANDING NEEDS
- ASSISTANCE IN THE RESTORATION OF THE
WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
- WATER FOR CONSUMPTION - BOTTLED OR BULK
- CASH DONATIONS.
6. APPEAL TO DONORS BEING PREPARED BY THE GOVERNMENT OF SAINT LUCIA AND WILL REFLECT THE COMMITMENTS OF CARICOM GOVERNMENTS.
7. FOLLOWING STORM DEBBY, ROADS WERE DAMAGED AND POWER LINES WERE AFFECTED IN DOMINICA, AND MINOR DAMAGE TO ROOFTOPS WAS REGISTERED IN ST VINCENT.
DEPARTMENT OF HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS - GENEVA
TELEPHONE NO. +41 22-917-12.34
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DESK OFFICER: MR. F. GENTILONI, DIRECT
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