HURRICANE DEAN: SITREP #2

1. (U) At approximately 0200 hours EST, Hurricane Dean made
its way past Barbados as a Category-2 hurricane. Dean's
center was approximately 85 miles east-southeast of
Martinique and 90 miles north-northwest of Barbados,
traveling at a rate of 23 mph and with winds up to 100 mph.
Embassy Bridgetown convened an Emergency Action Committee at
0930 hours, at which time no major damage or loss of life
were reported in the Eastern Caribbean region. USAID/OFDALAC
Regional Advisor reported that Dominica and St. Lucia,
initially feared to be the most seriously affected, did not
sustain any major damage or loss of life. End Summary.



2. (U) According to the Disaster Management Office in
Dominica and the National Emergency Management Organization
in St. Lucia, there were no major damages or loss of life
reported. Similar reports came from the Disaster Management
Committee in Barbados, the National Office of Disaster
Services in Antigua and Barbuda, the Disaster Management
Office in St. Kitts and Nevis, and the National Disaster
Management Agency in Grenada. In Martinique and Guadeloupe,
authorities reported that there was no major damage or loss
of life. The impact of Hurricane Dean in the Lesser Antilles
region was limited to minor flooding, electricity outages and
isolated cutoffs of water supply. Some minor damage occurred
in the agricultural sector, but cannot be determined at this
time.



3. (U) Embassy Bridgetown convened an Emergency Action
Committee at 0930hrs, at which time all embassy staff were
accounted for, including Embassy Grenada. There was no damage
to U.S. mission facilities. Peace Corps Director in St.
Lucia reported that all staff and volunteers are safe.
Grantley Adams International Airport in Barbados resumed its
operations at 0900 hours. On August 16, LIAT and American
Airlines provided extra flights to Dominica to facilitate the
departure of Ross University students in anticipation of
Dean. The university set up an impromptu shelter on campus
for those who remained in Dominica. Executive Dean of Ross
University reported to Embassy Bridgetown Charge d'Affaires
early August 17 that, to the best of their knowledge, no
students were harmed. There were also no reports of any harm
to American citizens in other countries of the Lesser
Antilles region.



4. (U) U.S. assistance was not requested as of the time of
this cable. An Eastern Caribbean Donor Group (ECDG) meeting
commenced at 1100 hours, where further damage and needs
assessments will be determined.

Comment


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5. (U) Post will advise when additional information becomes
available and if circumstances change throughout the day.
Although the Lesser Antilles region is currently experiencing
the side effects of Hurricane Dean (medium to heavy rains and
minor flooding), it appears that the impact on the region has
been relatively minor. End Comment.
HOWARD