The islands in St Vincent and the Grenadines as well as those off Grenada faced significant damage following the passage of Hurricane Beryl, as reported by the Caribbean Disaster and Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA).
CDEMA provided an update on the initial assessment of the damage caused by the hurricane during a virtual media conference, revealing the extent of destruction on several islands in the southern Caribbean.
Executive Director Elizabeth Riley shared that the agency conducted aerial reconnaissance missions to assess the damage on July 2.
In St Vincent and the Grenadines, Hurricane Beryl affected the entire population of the island of Canouan, with 90% of houses being extensively damaged or destroyed. The police station in Charlestown lost its roof, and the airport building and control tower were badly damaged on Union Island.
Grenada, particularly Carriacou and Petit Martinique, also experienced severe damage with reports of majority of homes and buildings being extensively damaged.
Other islands in the region faced coastal damage, power outages, landslides, and fallen trees due to the hurricane’s impact.
Barbados reported significant damage to the fishing sector and coastal areas, while St Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago also experienced infrastructure damage. Dominica reported minor damage compared to the other affected islands.
Despite challenges, islands in the region have come together to coordinate relief efforts for the severely affected areas. CDEMA activated its regional plan and convened an emergency meeting of heads of government to address the response.
Relief efforts include the establishment of a transhipment hub in Barbados, deployment of emergency telecommunications teams, and provision of relief items and human resources from various supporting nations.
As Hurricane Beryl continued its path towards Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, and Haiti, preparations were made in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, while challenges were faced in preparing Haiti due to ongoing social unrest.
Despite the complexities, CDEMA and regional partners are working to provide support and relief to those affected by Hurricane Beryl, ensuring that humanitarian assistance reaches those in need.
