Grenada Assessing Damage Caused by Hurricane-Force Winds on Sunday

ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada – Grenada's government says it is still assessing the damage caused by unexpected hurricane-force winds on Sunday that destroyed towers belonging to the telecommunication companies here among other infrastructure.

Damage caused by hurricane force winds on Sunday (CMC Photo)“Assessments on the extent of the damages continue, however, initial surveys of this exceptional weather event reinforce how vitally important it is that we strengthen our climate resilience mechanisms,” Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell said in a message posted on his Facebook page.

“Our hearts go out to everyone who has suffered losses as a result of this adverse weather. Our emergency teams have been in contact with several of the most affected persons and we have provided tarpaulins and other necessary items for short-term protection from the elements,” he said.

“We are also grateful to the neighbors and friends who are pitching in and sacrificing to help those in need right now. This is the true spirit of who we are as a people. As we progress into the hurricane season, all citizens are asked to remain vigilant and stay tuned to official channels of information,” said Prime Minister Mitchell, who also chairs the National Emergency Advisory Council.

Forecasters at the Meteorological Office at the Maurice Bishop International Airport said that the thunderstorm occurred when cloudiness associated with Tropical Wave number 24 developed unexpectedly to bring Category 1 hurricane force winds to Grenada and other Caribbean countries.

Forecaster Fimbar Frank said the event which unfolded indicated there was rapid cloud development to the immediate east of Grenada and that the mass of clouds continued to develop as it moved overhead during a four-hour period.

“The weather expert explained that the unfamiliar weather events which unfolded were extremely difficult to predict and as a result, no advisories were issued before,” according to a release from the National Disaster Management Agency.

The unexpected weather situation caused electricity blackout affecting thousands of consumers, the loss of roofs to residential properties as well as damages to the roof of the national stadium.