Report of 2008 Hurricane season impact on St Vincent and Grenadines .

1. Report of 2008 Hurricane season impact on St Vincent and Grenadines.

2. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines have once again been speared the worst of this year’s very active hurricane season. Our location at the southern end of the island chain seems to be working in our favor.The months of June July and August were relatively quiet and uneventful with only the occasional tropical wave passing our way and dumping some rainfall on the island. June was the rainiest of these months with a higher than average monthly rainfall total of 264.6 mm.

3. Heavy rains caused landslides flooding and death. • In the month of September there was an increase in activity. The country was affected by a series of waves and troughs. • The interaction of a tropical wave and a low-level trough affected the island during the period 17th – 21st September. Between 8:00 pm on the 18th and 2:00 pm on the 19th a total of 123. mm of rainfall was recorded at the E.T. Joshua Airport meteorological office. As a result of these rains there were numerous reports of landslides and flooding across the island and many roads were either completely or partially blocked.

4. This rainfall caused a large retaining wall to collapse onto the main highway leading into the capital. Two vehicles were damaged with one of them being totally destroyed. The lone occupant of this vehicle a 67 year old lady was instantly killed by the debris that fell on the vehicle. The other vehicle which was a passenger van was moderately damaged and several passengers received injuries. Some pictures of the damaged and the vehicle that was crushed are included here.

5. Main road completely blocked by collapsed retaining wall.

6. Clean up works continue.

7. Another view of the debris from the collapsed wall.

8. House on its perch above collapsed wall.

9. Wreckage of vehicle found under debris.

10. Deadly rains in St. Vincent and the Grenadines • By National Emergency Management Office, SVGSat, 20 Sep 2008, 16:15Kingstown, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, September 20, 2008 (NEMO)-  On Friday, September 19, 2008, as a result of the interaction of a tropical wave and a low level trough, St Vincent and the Grenadines was drenched by heavy rains which resulted in one (1) death, island wide flooding and landslides which left many roads blocked. • The heavy rains began at about 2.00am and continued for approximately the next twenty four hours. By 6.00am residents were reporting houses being flooded out, rivers overflowing bridges and landslides in several areas of the country. All schools were closed by midday on Friday.

11. In the area of Ratho Mill, a huge retaining wall collapsed unto the Windward Highway resulting in complete blockage of the area.  An operation was started to clear the road. Later it was reported that there may have been the possibility that a vehicle or vehicles were buried under several hundred tons of debris. What started as a clean-up operation was converted to a full scale Search and Rescue (SAR) operation. Heavy duty operators were unable to reach the wreckage until 7.00pm. A flattened car was removed its lone female occupant was pronounced dead by the Coroner who was at the scene.

12. SAR operation continued until midnight when it was called off due to more rains and the unstable nature of the damaged walls that were left standing. The operation continued at day break. However, there were no more vehicles under the rubbles.  • A total of 25 landslides were reported and 11 blockages of roads. Ten houses were reported flooded on Friday and four remain under flood waters. One house was destroyed by a landslide and there were reports of scores of collapsed retaining walls.By midday Saturday September 20, 2008 most roads have been cleared or partially cleared. Assessment of the damaged roads and bridges are being undertaken.  Damage assessment is also continuing in other areas to ascertain the full extent of impact of the rains.

13. Omar’s waves cause flooding and coastal damage. • On the 15th and 16th October St. Vincent and the Grenadines were affected by huge swells and large battering waves caused by the passage of Hurricane Omar through the northern leeward islands. These waves which were as high as 12-15 feet began affecting the island in the early hours of the Thursday15th and continued all through Friday 16th as well.

14. The entire western and southern coastline was affected by these waves. The cruise ship berth which houses the Ministry of Tourism was completely flooded out and these offices had to be relocated. The customs and government supermarket also received some flooding. A large number of fishing boats along the southern and western coast and in the Grenadines were damaged and several were also completely destroyed. Many of these fishermen will have to receive government assistance to get back fishing boats and nets. The St Vincent Port Authority lost one of its pilot vessels in the rough seas.

15. Quite a number of beachfront properties also received damaged. The multimillion dollar Buccament Beach Resort was also slightly damaged. • Although no official report has yet been issued by the Government. Some officials have said that the cost of the damages caused by Omar’s waves could well be more than two million dollars.

16. The fury of Omar’s waves. Cruise ship berth under water.

17. Wall at government supermarket destroyed by huge swells.

18. Flood waters inside the entrance of the customs department.

19. Other issues pertaining to the met services and the hurricane season. • During the year and in particular during the hurricane season, the St Vincent and the Grenadines Met Services has and is still being plagued by the late or non issuance of information relating to impending bad weather. We have at times been placed in uncomfortable positions. • On September 19th a flood warning was issued for St Vincent and the Grenadines at 12:30 pm valid until 6:00 pm. But however the island had already received in excess of 60 mm of rainfall in the 12 hours from 8:00 pm on the 18th to 8:00 am on the 19th and the rains had continued unabated during the four period leading up to the issuance of the flood warning.

20. Most of the flooding and the landslides had occurred during the period 8:00 pm on the 18th and 12:00 noon on the 19th. See official report from NEMO. (slide 8) • The met office of SVG did not receive any advance warning about the impending huge swells and large waves caused by the passage of Hurricane Omar. Many questions were asked of the Met Services since considerable damage was caused to both commercial and pleasure boats across the island. Because no warning was issued the fishermen and boaters did not move their boats and nets away from the water to higher, safer ground. Many home and business owners were also caught unawares by the flooding rivers and raging seas.

21. We in St Vincent and the Grenadines as was said before , have to be very grateful to the almighty for once again spearing our blessed country the ravages and devastation caused by this years the storms and hurricanes.

22. Presented by: Mr. David Burgin Meteorological Officer E.T. Joshua Airport St. Vincent and the Grenadines.