Identifier | Created | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|
07BRIDGETOWN1035 | 2007-08-17 17:53:00 | UNCLASSIFIED | Embassy Bridgetown |
VZCZCXRO3420 OO RUEHGR DE RUEHWN #1035 2291753 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 171753Z AUG 07 FM AMEMBASSY BRIDGETOWN TO RUCNCOM/EC CARICOM COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE RUEHSJ/AMEMBASSY SAN JOSE IMMEDIATE 0919 RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5255 RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS PRIORITY 0418 RUEHDG/AMEMBASSY SANTO DOMINGO PRIORITY 5859 INFO RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC PRIORITY RHMFIUU/DEPT OF HOMELAND SEC IA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RHMCSUU/FAA NATIONAL HQ WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUMIAAA/HQ USSOUTHCOM J2 MIAMI FL PRIORITY RUMIAAA/HQ USSOUTHCOM J5 MIAMI FL PRIORITY RUMIAAA/HQ USSOUTHCOM J4 MIAMI FL PRIORITY RUMIAAA/HQ USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY RUEPVAP/TSA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEWMCS/TSAIP MIAMI MIAMI FLORIDA PRIORITY RHMFIUU/US CUSTOMS AND BORDER PRO WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEHRC/USDA FAS WASHDC PRIORITY RUEHCV/USDAO CARACAS VE PRIORITY RUEHUB/USINT HAVANA PRIORITY 0071 |
UNCLAS BRIDGETOWN 001035 |
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 -------------------------- 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 |