ST GEORGE’S, Grenada, CMC – The Government of Grenada has declared the northern parish of St Patrick and the islands of Carriacou and Petite Martinique as disaster zones for three months covering the period July 01 to September 30.
In a notice published in Friday’s edition of the Government Gazette, section 55 of the 2023 Disaster Management Act, which came into effect as of October 2023, said that the Prime Minister may declare a disaster for Grenada, or for a part of Grenada if he or she is satisfied—that there is a substantial hazard within Grenada; that a disaster has happened, is happening or is likely to happen in Grenada; and that it is necessary for the agency or a person authorised under this Act to exercise disaster management and disaster risk management powers under this Act, to prevent or minimise loss of human life, illness or injury to human, property loss or damage to the environment.
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Grenada was among several Caribbean countries that Hurricane Beryl, the first hurricane for the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, devastated when it passed over the islands last week.
“This Notice shall be deemed to have commenced at 11:00 a.m. on the 1st day of July 2024 and shall expire at 11:59 p.m. on the 30th day of September 2024,” said the notice which explained that Hurricane Beryl with maximum sustained winds of approximately 120 mph which caused widespread damage and destruction to property, physical infrastructure, the environment and crops and loss of human life.
Three people reportedly died from the hurricane while 98% of the housing stock in Carriacou and Petite Martinique was blown away.
In St Patrick, a significant number of roofs and houses along with agricultural produce was devastated.
The winds of the hurricane not only damaged properties in these areas, the damage islandwide included the loss of electricity, water and telecommunications.
By Friday, more 70% of the utilities were back in operation in the non disaster zones.
