.....reports massive destruction
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts -- HURRICANE Beryl continues to spin in the Caribbean Sea, leaving territories to pick up the pieces and survey the devastation left in its wake.
Disaster Response Officials are lifting various restrictions as they assess the damage.
In St. Vincent and the Grenadines, at least one person has been confirmed dead as preliminary information trickles in. During an evening update in Kingstown, Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves described Hurricane Beryl as “a dangerous, devastating hurricane, which has left in its wake immense destruction, pain, suffering, across our nation at this hour.”
Dr. Gonsalves reported that the destruction has left hundreds of families uncertain about their housing futures. Union Island was particularly devastated, with reports indicating that 90% of the houses have been severely damaged or destroyed. Roofs and structures have been significantly compromised, and the Union Island airport roof has been completely destroyed.
No information has yet been received from two of the islands, Gonsalves noted, adding that Bequia has experienced damage, but it is not as significant as in the southern islands of the chain.
While confirming the one death, the Prime Minister cautioned that the information is provisional and that there could be more fatalities. “We are not yet sure. Given the fact that I'm reporting to you a few hours after the devastation brought upon this land, the report is necessarily provisional. But it is important that I speak to you,” Dr Gonsalves said.
He added, “There are hundreds of houses on St. Vincent which have been severely damaged or destroyed. Roofs are gone.”
The island is expected to reopen tomorrow, allowing businesses to begin the recovery process as the storm continues to move west.
