MGHH01: HURRICANE MONITORING GROUP SITUATION

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 095696 SIPDIS, SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AEMR ASEC CASC KFLO MARR PREL PINR AMGT CD SUBJECT: MGHH01: HURRICANE MONITORING GROUP SITUATION REPORT NO. 05 IKE CATEGORY 4 OVER THE BAHAMAS, HEADING TOWARDS CUBA -------------- -------------- ¶1. (SBU) Outer bands will reach the northeastern coast of Cuba September 7 with the center nearing Havana in 48 hours. Northern Haiti is experiencing tropical storm force winds and heavy rain. (MG/National Hurricane Center telcon) HAVANA -------------- ¶2. (SBU) USINT Havana requests authorized departure: -- USINT to open September 8 until 1400 EDT and will be closed September 9. (MG/USINT Havana telcon) -- The Cuban government declined the United States offer of a disaster assessment team, asking instead to permit the sale to Cuba of "indispensable materials" and to allow U.S. food sellers to offer credit to Cuba. (MG/National Hurricane Center telcon, MG/WHA telcon) -- Cuba did not address U.S. plans to disburse $100,000 in disaster relief through NGOs. (MG/National Hurricane Center telcon, MG/WHA telcon) TURKS AND CAICOS -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Reports indiciate widespread damage: -- Embassy Nassau has yet to re-establish contact with wardens, yet most AmCit tourists departed before the worst of the storm. The airport remains closed. (MG/Embassy Nassau telcon) -- Embassy expects an assistance request from local authorities in Turks and Caicos. (MG/Embassy Nassau telcon) BAHAMAS -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Southeastern islands bear brunt of storm: -- Bahamian Royal Defense Force strike teams were pre- deployed. Most AmCits evacuated before the storm. (MG/Embassy Nassau telcon) (SBU) Nassau and Freeport airports are open. If calm conditions continue, Embassy Nassau will request return of official Americans September 8. (MG/Embassy Nassau telcon) HAITI -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Limited access and weather hamper efforts: -- President Preval requested a commitment from international donors to provide immediate assistance, STATE 00095696 002 OF 002 including temporary bridges and road repair, medical and food assistance, and long-term assistance for recovery of the agricultural sector. (MG/Embassy Port-au-Prince telcon) -- Preval warned a lack of communication throughout the country could affect his ability to govern. (MG/Embassy Port-au-Prince telcon) -- Haitian authorities report 36,000 families affected with approximately 82,600 people in shelters. Concern remains regarding victims in areas not yet reached by relief workers. (MG/Embassy Port-au-Prince telcon) -- Official combined death toll for Hanna and Gustav remains at 246. (MG/Embassy Port-au-Prince telcon) -- UNICEF reports all water sources in Gonaives are contaminated, raising health concerns. CDC epidemiologist to arrive September 7. (MG/Embassy Port- au-Prince telcon) -- A UN convoy scheduled to reach Gonaives by road September 7 was postponed due to deteriorating weather conditions. (MG/Embassy Port-au-Prince telcon) (SBU) U.S. Coast Guard helicopters ferrying supplies are grounded due to inclement weather, USS Kearsarge to arrive September 8. (MG/Embassy Port-au-Prince telcon) DOMINICAN REPUBLIC BACK TO NORMAL -------------- ¶6. (SBU) Consular teams are returning from the north coast. (MG/Embassy Santo Domingo telcon) ¶7. (U) Minimize considered. RICE