MGHH01: HURRICANE MONITORING GROUP SITUATION

UNCLAS STATE 097589 SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AEMR ASEC CASC KFLO MARR PREL PINR AMGT SUBJECT: MGHH01: HURRICANE MONITORING GROUP SITUATION REPORT NO. 9 IKE HEADS NORTH, MAY SPARE MEXICO -------------- ¶1. (SBU) Mission Mexico continues to monitor the storm. Expected rainfall is unlikely to cause flooding in the Rio Grande valley. (MG/WHA telcon) CUBA RECOVERS, AIRPORT AND SEAPORT OPERATING -------------- ¶2. (SBU) The Cuban government estimates three to four billion USD in damages and five deaths to date. Officials report 320,000 housing units were damaged or destroyed, as well as 20 percent of the citrus crop. (MG/WHA telcon) ¶3. (SBU) USINT has resumed normal operations and plans to request an end to authorized departure. (MG/WHA telcon) HAITI RELIEF EFFORTS CONTINUE, 20 MILLION USD DISPERSED -------------- -------------- ¶4. (SBU) The USS Kearsarge remains stationed outside of Port-au-Prince; Navy helicopters and sea vessels are scheduled to transport more than 260 metric tons of critical relief supplies to Port-de-Paix, Les Cayes, and Gonaives. USG assets are greatly facilitating the transport of supplies to critical need areas. (Ops/USAID e-mail) ¶5. (SBU) Primary roads remain impassable near four bridges; additional bridges are weakened and may collapse with additional rainfall. OFDA and SOUTHCOM are working with Haiti's Ministry of Public Works, Transportation, and Communications on a formal needs assessment and request for assistance in the coming days. (Ops/USAID e- mail) ¶6. (U) Minimize considered. RICE