THE islands in St Vincent and the Grenadines as well as the islands off Grenada bore the brunt of the damage caused by Hurricane Beryl, according to the Caribbean Disaster and Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA).
The agency updated the region in a virtual media conference on the initial assessment of the damage caused by the hurricane when it passed over several islands in the southern Caribbean.
CDEMA executive director Elizabeth Riley said the agency was able to assess damage to the islands through an aerial reconnaissance mission on July 2.
She said in St Vincent and the Grenadines, 100 per cent of the population of the island of Canouan, estimated at 12,600 people, were affected by the hurricane, with 90 per cent of the houses either extensively damaged or destroyed. She confirmed the police station in Charlestown had lost its roof.
On Union Island, the 3,000-person population was also affected, with 98 per cent of the buildings, including houses, being damaged. Riley said the airport building had been badly damaged, and the control tower of the airport had been destroyed. She added that the roof of the hospital was also destroyed.
The power plant was severely damaged. About 30 per cent of the panels in the island's solar farm were either damaged or destroyed.
[caption id="attachment_1094177" align="alignnone" width="1024"] A screenshot from a video posted by Grenada Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell showing the destruction on Carriacou on July 2 after Hurricane Beryl made landfall on July 1. - Photo courtesy Dickon Mitchell's Facebook[/caption]
In Grenada, there were reports of damage in Carriacou, which has a population of about 6,081.
“Initial reports are that the majority of the homes and buildings on that island have been extensively damaged,” Riley said. “The majority of the people who have been affected are currently sheltering in places with temporary arrangements.”
The majority of homes and buildings in Petite Martinique were also severely damaged, with the entire 900-person population being affected by the hurricane.
Other islands hit by Beryl reported damage to coastal areas, power outages, landslides and fallen trees.
In Barbados, the fishing sector and coastal areas experienced significant damage, particularly to the south of the island. Riley said over 200 boats were damaged and there were partial road obstructions due to debris and fallen trees. St Lucia got significant damage to the south of the island, especially along the Soufrière waterfront. St Lucia also reported fallen trees and landslides.
TT reported power outages, water disruptions and temporarily blocked roads. Dominica only reported minor damage.
Riley said CDEMA could not confirm an official death toll, although reports have come in that at least four people have died.
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Riley said several islands in the region came together to co-ordinate relief efforts for severely affected islands.
CDEMA’s co-ordinating unit activated its regional plan on June 29.
An emergency
