BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, OCTOBER 31ST 2012 (CUOPM) – St. Kitts and Nevis’ Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas has expressed sympathy to the United States of America on the extensive damage and loss of lives following the passage of Hurricane Sandy
Dr. Douglas was speaking during a ceremony at the Coast Guard Base, Bird Rock during which United States Ambassador to St. Kitts and Nevis, His Excellency Mr. Larry Palmer, handed over marine equipment to the St. Kitts and Nevis Coast Guard.
“As the Government and the People of the United States of America respond at this very moment to the effects of the megastorm Sandy, we ask you, Ambassador to convey through your Secretary of State, Mrs. Hilary Clinton, our deep condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives,” said Prime Minster Douglas.
He commended the brave response of the Government of the United States and its People in moving expeditiously to restore normalcy to the northeastern seaboard.
“We are with you in this period of difficulty. So many times in the past you have been the first to respond to our own times of difficulty after hurricanes that have come our way. We stand with you in this period of loss,” said Prime Minister Douglas.
Ambassador Palmer accepted the sentiments expressed by Prime Minister Douglas and promised not only to convey his expression of sadness to Secretary of State Hilary Clinton, but also to United States President, the Hon. Barack Obama.
In the United States, residents of the areas pummeled by superstorm Sandy began to look towards rebuilding efforts Wednesday, though many remain without power, neighborhoods remain strewn with debris and many transportation systems remain closed. At least 55 people have been reported dead as a result of the storm, which one economic firm predicted caused up $20 billion in damage.
According to media reports, New York City buses resumed their schedule and the New York Stock Exchange prepared to reopen its trading floor Wednesday, but it became clear that restoring the region to some semblance of normalcy could take days or considerably longer for communities that were the hardest hit.
"We will get through the days ahead by doing what we always do in tough times — by standing together, shoulder to shoulder, ready to help a neighbor, comfort a stranger and get the city we love back on its feet," New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg said.
As of early Wednesday, Sandy had left at least 55 people dead along the Atlantic Coast, and had destroyed beachfront homes and boardwalks from the mid-Atlantic states to southern New England. The storm later moved across Pennsylvania on a predicted path toward New York State and Canada.
"The biggest problem is not the first few days but the coming months."
- Alan Rubin, disaster recovery expert
At the height of the disaster, more than 8.2 million lost electricity — some as far away as Michigan. Nearly a quarter of those without power were in New York, where lower Manhattan's usually bright lights remained dark for a second night.
Forecasting firm IHS Global Insight predicted Tuesday the storm will end up causing about $20 billion in damage and $10 billion to $30 billion in lost business. Another firm, AIR Worldwide, estimated losses up to $15 billion — big numbers probably offset by reconstruction and repairs that will contribute to longer-term growth.
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