(See video at end of post)
Two persons were reported missing overnight as torrential rains on Christmas Eve from a tropical trough caused severe flooding, damage to homes, and infrastructure in St. Vincent.
The extreme weather event left several areas without electricity during the night, and without pipe borne water Christmas morning.
The Central Water and Sewerage Authority (CWSA) has announced that a large swath of the country could be without water for “an extended period” today, Christmas Day.
Michelle Forbes, deputy director of the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO), said in a report at 3 a.m. today, that an 18-year-old female and her 2-year-old brother were reported missing in the Buccament area, on St. Vincent’s south-eastern coast, where an emergency shelter, housing five families — 27 persons, had been activated.
The National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) is partially activated and a number of key agencies and volunteers are involved in the operations, Forbes said in an update, which was also posted on NEMO’s Facebook page.
Several persons were trapped in their home from floodwaters.
The E. T. Joshua Airport was flooded and is scheduled to open at noon on Christmas Day.
The Paediatric Ward at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital was also flooded and heavy flooding was also reported in other parts of the nation’s capital, Kingstown.
Forbes said that the Building Roads and General Services Authority (BRAGSA) and the Ministry of Transport and Works have reported that several bridges and roads are flooded and will conduct assessments as soon as possible.
Rivers overflowed their banks in Chateaubelair, Buccament, Vermont, O’Briens Valley, Clare Valley and South Rivers.
The major areas affected are Buccament Bay, Vermont, South Rivers, Byera, Spring Village, Rose Bank, Kingstown, E.T. Joshua Airport, and Milton Cato Memorial Hospital.
The heavy rains that have been affecting the country over the past few days intensified Christmas Eve night, triggering floods across the country.
Meanwhile, the CWSA has reported damage to its Dalaway and Layou water supply systems.
CWSA said the damage resulted from heavy rainfall in the interior and the resulting flooding of the Vermont/Buccament riverbanks.
“Residents from Layou, South Leeward, Kingstown and its environs right through to Villa will be without pipe borne water for an extended period from today, Christmas Day,” the CWSA said in a statement, also published on its Facebook page.
The CWSA said its staff will be carrying out a complete damage assessment today, “when hopefully, the rain and the rivers abate”.
Following are some reports of damage posted on the I-Witness News Facebook page overnight and the approximate time (Eastern Caribbean Time) of the post:
- Georgetown in need of a rescue plan. (11:30 p.m.)
- Had to help buss two persons out of a flooded room. It got serious for a while there. The bridge constantly blocks and causes an overflow. (Barrouallie, 11:30 p.m.)
- Landslides in Greggs, Lowmans (Windward), Lauders … (10:30 p.m.)
- The basement of the Mespo SDA Church flooded. (10:30 p.m.)
- A few houses flooded in Vermont and without power. Two small shops at Retreat washed away and a male resident of Francois has been swept away by the river current. (Vermont Valley, 10:30 p.m.).
- Currently in Troumaca, North Leeward: roads are blocked in some places; no water or electricity. Flooding reported in Chateaubelair and Spring Village; land slippage in Gordon Yard. (1 a.m.)
Last night was my first experience of a true lightning storm
Excellent work under the circumstances
We are shocked at the news and loss of life and property. We had no major hurricanes but this event seems worse. In Metro Toronto, in July we had 120 mm of rain in 2 hours, more than they had in Hurricane Hazel! This weekend ice storms wreaked havoc from Maine to Michigan! Is this climate change or climate warming?? Does it matter?
We pray for all affected and for our .friends and family island wide, including Buccament, Layou, Barrouallie, Clare Valley,Spring Village and other valleys Windward and Leeward. Loss of life, homes and of water supplies will pose horrible potential problems.
Seems that Grenada and St. Lucia were also affected. Relatives as far north as St. Croix complained about heavy rains also. Their hope was to see any sun today.
” God grant us the serenity and wisdom to accept the things we cannot change.”
We must pitch in once again to help our country.
In the meantime, “Walk Good” as they say in Ja.
Geoff Edwards
Very unusual weather for my home land at Christmas. I can only recall one Christmas since my boyhood in Georgetown when Christmas was washed out. Weather patterns have really changed.
Brother and sister we have to watch and pray and remember that god love us, and the earth is changing and shifting god know best and we must love one another and help one another i love my country svg and all my people love and light
My thoughts and prayers. To my people in SVG.Keep the faith.
Praying for my people only god have the answers, let us come together as one people and help each other the best way we can.St Vincent Strong!
God is our strength, and we are all praying for our people and Country. we will get through this. i agree. St Vincent Strong in Christ.
My heartfelt sympathies is extended to the people of St.Vincent especially my family and numerous relatives and friends who are affected in the South Leeward Buccament Valley area. However, I was actively tuned in to various radio stations yesterday and Monday but I am perplexed as to the lack of warning or information on the approaching storm.
Death has no respect for color, class, race, nor looks. There is not a known timing for death. We know one thing for sure, DEATH is a must.
No amount of dollars, nor pretty looks can save a person from death. Be you the highest rank in the land or the common man as society has classified us … Death will come one day.
Condolences going to the family of my five relatives who lost their lives due to the landslide in Rose Bank and to Nia A.Velox who lost her best friend Keslia Sara James.
Some deaths are untimely and unexplainable.
I hope they are able to rest in peace.
I’m praying that all the families that has been affected by the storm would be okay and that it won’t be too long before things returns to normal.
Oh, my God! Not now!.
I got this sad news from my aunt Monica Parsons.
I was and am shocked at the news, and of the loss of life and property/damages on SVG.
I do pray that the island will get back on its feet soon as this reminds me of what happened on the Philippines some months ago.
I pray for a speed recovery.
Rudolph.
My thoughts and praise go out the people in St Vincent and the Grenadines.
God is a good God and he answer prayers, keep the faith. God bless you all. Amen
My concern is, the damage to the multiple bridges and road ways that are vital to the infrastructure of the island and the flood impact at the main hospital. Many families have no access to running water in the face of residual waste in their homes left by the flood. I hope that the media will reach out to the international communities for necessary aide. I have not heard any reports on the US media, so responsible parties need to act quickly while this crisis is acute to abate a dangerous aftermath.
My prayers are with my beloved countrymen, friends and family. Saran and family I hope you are ok. I had hoped to be with you but will see you all soon.
Claire