Grenada and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) have both reported death and major devastation following Hurricane Beryl.
Declaring that the situation was grim, Grenada’s Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell Tuesday announced at least two deaths following the storm.
The islands of Carriacou and Petite Martinique bore the brunt of Beryl’s Category Four fury.
Prime Minister Mitchell told a press briefing that he could speak with Carriacou and Petite Martinique Affairs Minister Tevin Andrews by satellite telephone only on Tuesday morning.
Mitchell said Andrews had ‘tentatively’ reported two deaths due to Beryl, with the grim possibility that the fatalities could increase.
The Grenada PM said he had requested helicopter assistance from the region since impassable roads in Carriacou and Petit Martinique would restrict movement over land.
For his part, Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves said Hurricane Beryl had left immense destruction, pain, and suffering in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
Gonsalves said ninety percent of the houses on Union Island had either been destroyed or sustained severe damage.
“In Bequia, we have had damage, but not to the extent as in the Southern Grenadines and, sadly, it has been reported to NEMO, we do not as yet know all the details, that one person died,” Gonsalves stated.
He added that there might well be more fatalities.
With the urgent need for assistance in mind, Guyana has swiftly announced plans to assist Caribbean countries impacted by Hurricane Beryl, starting with relief aid for Grenada.
A Guyana Defence Force (GDF) aircraft left Tuesday morning for Grenada with a comprehensive package of aid, including tarpaulins, chainsaws, generators, batteries, flashlights, safety vests, hygiene products, and water purification tablets.
Guyana President Dr. Irfaan Ali, as the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) chairman, called for solidarity in the face of adversity.
“This is a time for all of us as a regional community to stand together and extend our support to those impacted or likely to be impacted by Hurricane Beryl,” Ali stated.
On Tuesday morning, the Guyana leader convened an emergency response meeting with regional leaders to evaluate the initial damage caused by Hurricane Beryl, which is currently active in the Caribbean.
He announced on Facebook that he was closely coordinating with all affected countries in the region.
Beryl grew into a Category Five storm late Monday, packing winds of at least 157 miles per hour.
Weather experts predict the storm will bring hurricane conditions to Jamaica on Wednesday.
President Ali expressed deep anxiety and concern over Beryl’s impact on the Caribbean.
Nevertheless, the Guyana President was confident that the region’s people could overcome the adversities together.
May we remember them in our thougths and prayers and sympathie in one way or the other..
It’s a sad day and the news that we knew was coming but did not want to hear has arrived. I wish the people of Grenada a speedy recovery and I am certain the sister islands will come to give hand in the time of need. The economic impact of hurricanes are significant. Monies that the treasury saved throughout the years are now having to be disbursed for the repair of critical infrastructure. And once that infrastructure is up and running again only to be destroyed by another hurricane in the future and the vicious cycle ensues ad infinitum. This is the sad reality of developing countries that don’t have much resources. We are constantly stuck in survival mode, going one step forward, two step backward. Tittering on the edge of wanting to develop and being under- developed. Wanting to move forward with progress but having to fight the forces that brings regress….The way forward is to bring a strong scientific base to help develop innovative ways to combat and survive these natural phenomenon. Caribbean governments have sat too long on the side lines allowing this wanton destruction of our societies and not taking an active and progressive way forward…..we must pool resources together to institute a team of highly trained and skilled specialists in the various fields of science to formulate a way forward. This wanton destruction is not the first, nor will it be the last….the time to act is now…..
Lucians take note
Sometimes some folk in the Caribbean fail to prepare and also are not very aware of the devastation that can happen because of weather patterns over which no one on earth has any control. In addition, some folk build their homes too close to the shoreline. Moreover, with winds over 150 mph everything in its path is ultimately reduced to a paper bag regardless.