Event

Tomas impacted the CDEMA Participating States of Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada, Barbados, Saint Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines between October 29 and 31, 2010 and caused significant losses and damage to Saint Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Excessive rainfall and high winds have resulted in damage to the housing stock, agriculture sector, road infrastructure, downed power lines and disruption to the utilities sector.

The areas severely affected in St. Vincent and the Grenadines are Park Hill, Chester Cottage, Sandy Bay and Byera on the Windward side of mainland St. Vincent and Chateaubelair, Coulls Hill, Spring Village and Fitz Hughes on the north western side of the island.

Saint Lucia has been severely impacted island wide however, based on aerial reconnaissance, the district of Soufriere appears to be the most affected by Hurricane Tomas with major landslides.  The area remains cut off from the neighbouring communities of Choiseul and Canaries.  Assessments in the Northeast portion of the island also revealed some significant damages.

A national disaster has been declared in Saint Lucia and disaster areas have been declared in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines from Park Hill to Sandy Bay on the Windward side and Belle Isle to Fitz Hughes on the north western side of the island.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) reports that a total of approximately 1900 households (9500 people) have been affected across the three islands. The IFRC also states that the majority of needs identified to date are in Saint Lucia. Several communities in the south and centre—west of this country are still isolated and require immediate water and sanitation support.

Tomas impacted countries of the northern Caribbean as a Tropical Storm between November 5 and 6, 2010 including Haiti, the Turks and Caicos Islands and the south-eastern Bahamas. The impact on Haiti has been moderate. No damage was reported in Bahamas, while the TCI experienced minor damage.

Haiti

Situation Update

The Tropical Storm Warning was discontinued for Haiti this morning but the alert for heavy rain and flooding has been maintained. The National Meteorological Center has advised that several areas remain at risk of experiencing mudslides and flooding because of excessive soil saturation. Roughs seas are also expected in some areas.

Local and international flights resumed today.

Some areas in the south report that rains have continued.  Many areas are experiencing flooding and trees have been uprooted.  Strong tidal waves have also been reported.

Across Haiti approximately 6083 persons were evacuated. Several houses were flooded and the shelter capacities have been exceeded in some areas.  Other impacts included coastal inundation and damage to housing and crops.

Three (3) persons have been reported wounded and one (1) person has been carried away by the Glace River.

Damage assessment has begun to more precisely define the needs of the affected areas. In the meantime, resource mobilization been initiated and humanitarian assistance has been started to arrive in the most impacted areas that remain accessible.

National Actions

• Distributed 300 wool blankets
• Distributed 1 ton of energy biscuits
• Distributed purification tablets
• Distributed 10 Lanterns

Work has begun on affected roads in the South to re-establish access. Sectoral rapid assessment teams (Water, Agriculture, and Environment) have been mobilized.

Immediate Needs and Priority Actions

Grand’ Anse

The CPD has identified the following as emerging needs for the Grande Anse area.

• Food
• Portable water
• Hygiene kits

Turks and Caicos Islands

Situation Update

The NEOC was stood down at 2:00 p.m. today.

Flooding has been report in several areas on Providenciales, however there has been no indication of damage. Roads on Middle Caicos remain passable despite water accumulating in some areas. There have been reports of broken trees on South Caicos. Power outages have been experienced in North Caicos, South Caicos and Grand Turk. Power has since been restored on all islands.

Domestic flights have resumed today while international flights will begin tomorrow, Sunday November 7th, 2010. The Cruise Ship Terminal will re-open on Monday November 8th, 2010 for regularly scheduled business.


Bahamas

Situation Update

The Department of Meteorology has advised that all watches and warnings have been discontinued. The NEOC has been stood down as of 1:00 p.m. today.

No deaths, injuries, damages, or flooding have been reported.  Residents experienced light winds and intermittent showers.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Situation Update

The winds and heavy rains resulted in significant damage across the island mainly on the Northern half of the island. As of 5th November 2010, there is an estimated 485 persons in 21 shelters.  Most of the shelters are primary schools and the Ministry of Education has closed all schools for the period November 1st – 5th, 2010.

The areas severely affected in St. Vincent and the Grenadines are Park Hill, Chester Cottage, Sandy Bay, Owia, and Byera on the Windward side of the island and Chateaubelair, Coulls Hill, Spring Village on the north western side of the island.

Areas from Park Hill to Owia on the Windward side and Belle Isle to Fitz Hughes on the north western side of the island still remain declared disaster areas.

To date ninety-five percent (95%) of power has been restored.

Severe damages to the water service infrastructure causing widespread disruption in the water supply.

Preliminary damage assessment indicates that approximately 1200 homes have been damaged with 20 completely destroyed.

Five (5) schools, one (1) community centre and one (1) government doctor`s quarters have been damaged.

There has been widespread destruction in the agriculture sector with bananas and plantains suffering an almost 98% in the affected areas.


National Actions

The National Emergency Operation Centre remains partially activated.

The Relief Supplies and Shelter Management Sub-Committees are still coordinating the distribution of relief supplies.

The Building Roads and General Services Authority (BRAGSA) are still conducting road clearing and cleaning operations with emphasis on access and feeder roads leading to farms.

The Ministry of Education is now relocating shelter occupants from schools utilised as emergency shelters in an effort to reopen schools in the upcoming week.

The Damage Assessment teams are continuing the damage assessment process.

Tarpaulins for temporary roofing, family food packages and comfort kits for persons in shelters and other displaced persons have been distributed.   

The Ministry of Agriculture has submitted a rehabilitation programme to support the agriculture sector.


Immediate Needs

As updated by National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO) as at November 5, 2010 immediate needs are as follow:

• Plastic sheeting
• Galvanize sheets
• Comfort/hygiene kits
• Plywood
• Galvanise sheets
• Roofing material
• Macro-economic assessment
• Assessment of coastal impacts in Bequia and mainland Saint Vincent.

Saint Lucia

Situation Update

The road to the John Compton Dam has been opened.  Nine (9) km of pipe between the dam and the primary distribution area is broken.

A major concern is the damage caused to the water distribution system in the North of the Island. This may take weeks or months to repair and may be expensive. Emergency water supply will be required.

Water supply has been restored to residents of the town of Soufriere.

Communication is still a challenge island wide. Several radio stations remain off air.

The Choc and Bois D’Orange two major bridges on the Gros-Islet highway which were reported damaged have been temporarily restored.  

Disruption to electricity and telecommunication services continues but has been restored in some areas.

The agriculture industry, particularly bananas were severely affected with 80 - 100% crop damage.

The road to Soufriere via Choiseul has been cleared and is now opened for vehicular traffic.

Significantly affected areas in the south are Soufriere Town, Fond St. Jacques and the district of Canaries where more than 120 families have been significantly impacted.

Over 100 homes have been completely destroyed, significantly damaged or inundated by mud.

Several schools have been impacted by silting from mud.

Food supplies in many of these areas are also low.

Direction has been given by the Prime Minister on the advice of the Engineers for the immediate evacuation of 1000 persons from Fond St. Jacques to Soufriere to place in the Comprehensive School (approximately 500) and other locations to be defined. The period of relocation is undefined.

A few roads are now opened in Soufriere.

National Actions

The National Emergency Management Organisation is compiling a quantitative assessment on the damage to assist the Saint Lucian Government in informing donor agencies about the level of financial assistance required.

The Ministry of Education has indicated that schools will remain closed for the rest of the week.

Damage assessment and relief supplies distribution are ongoing.

Shelters are opened and occupied in Canaries, Dennery North and South, Vieux –Fort and Gros-Islet. The shelter population is decreasing.
The Hewanorra International Airport opened on November 2, 2010 and international airlines have made arrangements with regional carrier such as LIAT and two local charters to shuttle passengers between the north and south.

Immediate Needs and Priority Actions

• Water supply infrastructure, buckets and potable water
• Provision of assistance to affected families (50 households)
• Restoration of Education facilities, school equipment and supplies
• Health equipment and supplies including the re-establishment of primary health services
• Repair of river banks
• Blankets / Coats
• Clearing operations including the clearing of streets, schools and houses
• Construction material
• Temporary shelter (tarpaulins)
• Generators
• Vector control equipment and supplies
• Support for search and rescue and recovery of people buried by landslides.

Regional and International Response

• The Rapid Needs Assessment Team (RNAT) has completed the Assessment Report for Saint Lucia which is currently being reviewed for approval by the Government of Saint Lucia.  The (ECDG) met today on November 05, 2010) to determine key focus areas for support.
• CDEMA has been informed of the following pledges by international donor groups:

-    United States Agency for International Development /Office of U.S Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA) - US $50,000 to both Saint Vincent and Grenadines and Saint Lucia.
-    Australia Agency for International Development (AusAID) – Aus$100,000 to support CDEMA’s assistance to the affected states.
-    The International Federation of Red Cross Crescent Societies (IFRC) has issued a Preliminary Emergency Appeal for 611,470 Swiss francs (622,109US dollars or 446,067 euro) in cash, kind, or services to support the National Societies of Barbados, Saint Lucia and the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to assist 1550 families for six months. 51,653 Swiss francs were allocated from the IFRC Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) to support this operation.

• The Regional Response Mechanism remains on standby. The CARICOM Disaster Relief Unit (CDRU) is also on standby and ready to provide response support should this become necessary.
• The IFRC has mobilized resources to assist in recovery efforts in Saint Lucia.
• CDEMA has initiated action for accessing the CDB grant of US$200,000 for each of the affected States.  The CDEMA Coordinating Unit continues to maintain contact with the impacted Participating States, closely monitoring the situation and coordinating the regional response.

Contact Details: The CDEMA CU 24hr contact number is 1 246 425 0386