The island of Grenada is in deep trouble from Ivan

[Bluebear]

"The call I had this evening was worrying, more so than previous calls. There is looting by gangs of houses in St Georges, vigilante groups are forming to protect themselves and property, there is no water and food is in short supply. This all would fit with a picture of total devastation and complete loss of law and order. Grenada needs help now."

"Looting has been widespread and gangs armed with machetes have forced off-campus students from their homes and they've taken everything (this from every off-campus student able to make it back to campus).

There is a 24-hour curfew on the island. The students are doing their own cooking and security. There is a minimum amount of food and no water to drink or in the bathrooms. Again, she said there is NO WATER, this is not the same information the school is putting out. She said the school and government have done nothing to help to this point, the students are doing everything. The school is trying to get charter flights to ecvacuate the students. She said the students and school know they can't stay."

"90% of the island is reported to have been demolished by Ivan. 20 deaths. Buildings have been flattened and/or their roofs blown away by the force of Ivan's winds which have been said to have reached strength of approx. 90 mph. Major buildings and Public facilities have been damaged. The Nutmeg plantations which is a major income earner for Grenadians have been flattened. Spices and tourism are the onky industry and now they are both gone. Electricity, Water and Telephone communications are out in the majority of the island. Limited cell service is available. Further damage assessments are currently in progress. Looting is a major concern. People are trying to secure their possessions. Law and Order needs to be restored. Volunteers are concerned re: their safety whilst in Grenada. Their Prison was demolished and all the prisoners (including murderers, lifers) are now "on the loose".



http://www.stormcarib.com/reports/2004/grenada.shtml

[althecat]

1. If Ivan flattened Grenada with 90mph winds... what about Jamaica

with 160mph winds...

This is definitely Ivan the Terrible

[proud patriot]

2. My prayers for the people of Grenada

:-(

[JohnyCanuck]

3. A couple stories on Grenada from a Barbados Newspaper

From the Barbados Nation News.

IT BROUGHT TEARS TO MY EYES.

People walking about like zombies.

Where there were houses are now empty shells.

It was like a nightmare.

Only it wasn’t. This was real.

The charming “Spice Island” of Grenada was devastated by 140 miles-per-hour winds of Hurricane Ivan.

For the past 20 years, I have covered almost every major natural disaster in the Caribbean, but until yesterday, I never experienced such a formidable fight with my emotions.

Nightmare In Grenada


Just after Hurricane Ivan ripped across Grenada on Tuesday, damaging most of the houses and crippling the country’s communication system, Dr Allyson Leacock, general manager of the Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation, spoke with Grenada Prime Minister Keith Mitchell about the conditions in his country

It’s really, really rough. We are terribly devastated in Grenada. It’s beyond any imagination, it’s really, really rough.

Basically I would say from a rough calculation right now that over 90 per cent of the houses in the country have been affected in a very serious way, roof and the sides – total destruction.

Most of them have lost the roof and the water damage in places has been extensive. We have been trying to get through some of the roads. They are blocked with telephone and electricity poles and trees that have fallen, so it has been very difficult for the entire population.

Stunned Mitchell (Grenada's PM) Seeks Help

Canadian DUers, I understand that there has been a relief fund set up and donations can be made at any branch of the CIBC.

On Edit. You might have some difficulty connecting to the Nation News' web site. The server, as you can imagine, has been quite busy all day. However, this evening after about 10:00pm, I found it generally much easier to connect.

[shanti]

6. and the u.s.

gives grenada $50,000 (i read this today). that is NOTHING. it will take millions to rebuild grenada.

[jdj]

4. This is so sad, it's unbelievable. n/t

[hatrack]

5. Please check the link on this post - lots on how to help!

Thanks for the post, and the information! :hi:

[barb162]

7. I think there's a typo in the wind speed

that can't be right as that hurricane has been running sustained winds around 150-165 mph for a few days now. I bet that sentence meant gusts of 190mph. The very extensive damage done probably couldn't have been from winds of 90mph. This may sound silly but I think this kind of thing scares the hell out of people when they see the photos and think 90mph winds did that. Of course, does this help people who think the hurricane may be coming their way? Not really unless they can get out of the way.