Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BRIDGETOWN1043
2007-08-20 10:55:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Bridgetown
Cable title:  

HURRICANE DEAN: SITREP #3

Tags:  ASEC CASC BB XL 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO4568
OO RUEHGR
DE RUEHWN #1043/01 2321055
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 201055Z AUG 07
FM AMEMBASSY BRIDGETOWN
TO RUCNCOM/EC CARICOM COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RUEHSJ/AMEMBASSY SAN JOSE IMMEDIATE 0920
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5269
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS PRIORITY 0419
RUEHDG/AMEMBASSY SANTO DOMINGO PRIORITY 5861
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 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 0072
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BRIDGETOWN 001043 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR WHA/CAR
SAN JOSE FOR USAID/OFDA-CALLAHAN AND LEONARD
USAID FOR DCHA/OFDA-THAYER AND LAC/AA
GENEVA FOR N.KYLOH, USUN FOR T.MALY, SECDEF FOR SOLIC,
JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC FOR J3/J4/J5, USSOUTHCOM FOR
J3/J4/J5, NSC FOR P.MARCHAM

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC CASC BB XL
SUBJECT: HURRICANE DEAN: SITREP #3

Ref: Bridgetown 1035 and Previous

-------
Summary
-------

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BRIDGETOWN 001043

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR WHA/CAR
SAN JOSE FOR USAID/OFDA-CALLAHAN AND LEONARD
USAID FOR DCHA/OFDA-THAYER AND LAC/AA
GENEVA FOR N.KYLOH, USUN FOR T.MALY, SECDEF FOR SOLIC,
JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC FOR J3/J4/J5, USSOUTHCOM FOR
J3/J4/J5, NSC FOR P.MARCHAM

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC CASC BB XL
SUBJECT: HURRICANE DEAN: SITREP #3

Ref: Bridgetown 1035 and Previous

--------------
Summary
--------------


1. On August 17, Hurricane Dean moved away from the Eastern
Caribbean Region, making way for national assessments team to
perform damage and needs assessments. As of the end of business
day, Regional Rapid Needs Assessment Teams (RNATs),assembled by the
Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response System (CDERA),were
deactivated. National emergency management agencies have informed
the population to resume normal activities as general weather
conditions have improved in all the Eastern Caribbean islands:
Dominica, Guadeloupe and its dependencies, St. Lucia, Martinique,
Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, and St.
Vincent. Preliminary information to date indicates that Hurricane
Dean did not result in significant damages to the Eastern Caribbean
islands. The two islands that bore most of the damage were Dominica
and St. Lucia. As of August 18, local authorities in Dominica and
St. Lucia reported a total of three hurricane-related deaths and one
person missing. Preliminary reports indicate that some houses
suffered roof damage, and the agricultural sector in Dominica and
St. Lucia suffered extensive damage. The Emergency Action Committee
(EAC),with support from USAID/OFDA, has been closely monitoring the
impact of Dean and to date no request for USG assistance has been
received by the Mission. After local damage and needs assessments
are performed, requests for USG relief assistance may be
forthcoming. End Summary.

--------------
Donor Meetings
--------------


2. On August 17, the Eastern Caribbean Donor Group (ECDG) convened a
meeting to discuss the effects of Hurricane Dean in the region.
CDERA reported that the hurricane did not cause significant damage
to the Eastern Caribbean islands, except for Dominica and St. Lucia.
Regional Rapid Assessment Teams (RNATs) on standby were deactivated
as of close of business August 17. As general weather conditions
have improved in the region, national emergency assessment teams
will be able to assess damage and needs of the affected population.
Reports from these assessments will be shared by CDERA to the ECDG.

--------------
Hurricane Dean's Impact
--------------


3. Dominica: To date, local reports indicate major impact on the
agricultural sector, damage to house roofs, uprooted trees, and
power outages across the island. In addition, heavy rainfall
resulted in several landslides. One bridge had been close to
collapsing due to river overflow, according to Charge d'Affaires
local sources. According to local authorities, two hurricane-related
deaths have been reported. Local damage assessment teams are on the
ground collecting information, surveying the area, and estimating
damages resulting from the hurricane.


4. St. Lucia: To date, local authorities have reported extensive
damage to the agricultural sector, damage to house roofs, and the
roof of the pediatric wing of the general hospital. Heavy rainfall
caused several landslides and floods in the island, including in
Castries, the capital. Local media reported one hurricane-related
death and one person missing to date. Water and electricity
services have been restored.


5. Local authorities in Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Grenada,

BRIDGETOWN 00001043 002 OF 002


Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Saint Vincent reported that the hurricane
did not cause significant damage. Normal activities in the
countries have resumed.

--------------
Next Steps
--------------


6. The Barbados Mission, in close coordination with USAID/OFDA, will
continue to monitor the impact of Hurricane Dean in Dominica and
Saint Lucia and will be prepared to receive any eventual request for
USG assistance - although we do not anticipate any such request at
this time.


7. USAID/OFDALAC will continue to monitor the progress of Hurricane
Dean as the system continues a general west-northwest motion.

HOWARD