PM Douglas commends nation for positive response to hurricane warnings

By Terresa McCall
Reporter-SKNVibes.com

Prime Minister Dr. Denzil Douglas

This was the utterance of Prime Minster of the Federation of St. Christopher and Nevis and Minister of National Security, Dr. the Hon. Denzil Llewellyn Douglas in an address to the nation following the passage of Hurricane Omar.

Omar, when in the vicinity of the Leeward Islands, had gained strength to a Category 3 storm. It passed an approximate 100 miles to the north of the Federation and brought with it towering and battering waves as well as torrential rain and in its wake left different degrees of destruction across the Federation. 

Yesterday morning, after the storm had passed, teams from the National Emergency Management Agency were out conducting assessments of the destruction.

PM Douglas in his evening address explained that he had since received reports from the Damage Assessment Team on St. Kitts and also from the leader of the Nevis Island Administration, Premier Joseph Parry.

The National Security Minister, in highlighting some of the damages suffered, explained that the weather “precipitated the evacuation of residents, especially from the coastal areas of Old Road, Verchilds and Halfway Tree in St. Kitts as well as in the Low Street area in Nevis. There has been some flooding and beach damage in the Frigate Bay area and South East Peninsular but we are assured that The Strip, the famous night spot in Frigate Bay, is already returning to normal business.”  ~~Adz:Right~~

Preliminary reports, the PM stated, are that the storm resulted in no loss of life. However, considerable infrastructural damage and significant coastal erosion took place.

“…some of our citizens in the Halfway Tree, Verchilds and Old Road communities in St. Kitts have severe damage to their homes, some it would appear permanently, and also had loss of your household items. There has been significant infrastructural damage also in the area of Old Road.  Coastal erosion is visible from Old Bay to Pump Bay in Sandy Point. Sections of the road network on both St. Kitts and Nevis were blocked by debris and became impassable by vehicular traffic. I should say that extensive damage was sustained in the Old Road Bay area in particular.  Repairs, however, have started and should be completed shortly”.

According to Douglas, downed power lines resulted in temporary interruptions in the electricity supply on both islands; however, telephone, cable and water services remained intact. Therefore, he added, all government schools, colleges and offices will re-open today (Oct. 17).

The Four Seasons Hotel, the PM explained, sustained “some storm surge damages” but he indicated that “there have been no reports of significant damage at any other hotel, and most of them are already open for business”.

Those, who, during the time of disaster, neglected self for the good of the country, were thanked by the Prime Minister for their invaluable contributions to the effort. He also thanked those who have pledged future support to the Federations recovery effort.

“I wish to thank all those who worked untiringly throughout the night and early hours of the morning in order to assist in protecting lives and in protecting property: The Security Forces, the staff of the National Emergency Management Agency, the staff at the Joseph N. France General Hospital and the Charlestown Hospital in Nevis, the Fire and Rescue Services, the Electricity Department, the Public Works Department, the private operators of heavy equipment, the army of volunteers, the media and everyone who united at this critical time. I wish to thank the general public for responding very positively to the frequent hurricane advisories and warnings given by the National Emergency Management Agency and my own appeal to you last evening…Our regional partners have been contacted and have committed to collaborate with us in the recovery period which we know is always difficult.”

The Prime Minister pledged that the needs of those citizens affected by the passed storm would be “met accordingly” and reminded that vigilance must be maintained as “the hurricane season is not yet over. We should all remain united and resilient as we move forward into the recovery process”.

The country’s leader said he is hoping to receive “a much more detailed assessment report with costing from the chairman of the Damage Assessment Committee and also from the Nevis Island Administration”. The Cabinets on both islands are expected to meet after the submission of the report.

“Let us now extend a helping hand to our neighbours especially those who have been severely affected by this storm”.