Effects of Hurricane Dean in the Lesser Antilles

Infobox Hurricane Impact
Name=Hurricane Dean
Type=hurricane
Year=2007
Basin=Atl
Image location=Dean approaching Lesser Antilles 2007-08-16.jpg

Hurricane Dean on August 16 as it approached the Windward Islands
Date=August 17, 2007
1-min winds=85
Gusts=90
Da

Fatalities=3 direct, 2 indirect
Areas=Windward Islands (especially St. Lucia, Martinique and Dominica), Leeward Islands
Rainfall=332 mm (13.07 inches)
Hurricane season=2007 Atlantic hurricane season
Series=Hurricane Dean
Related=Hurricane Dean RelatedThe effects of Hurricane Dean in the Lesser Antilles were spread over five island countries and included 3 fatalities. Hurricane Dean of the 2007 Atlantic hurricane season formed in the Atlantic Ocean west of Cape Verde on August 14 2007. The National Hurricane Center's first Forecast Advisory on the system anticipated that the Cape Verde-type hurricane would pass into the Caribbean through the Lesser Antilles. The storm moved persistently towards the small island chain, strengthening until it passed through the islands three days later on August 17 as a Category 2 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale. It went on to brush the island of Jamaica and reached Category 5 strength before making landfall on Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula.

While crossing the Lesser Antilles, Dean caused moderate damage in St. Lucia, Martinique, and Dominica, where it washed out roads, damaged houses, and killed 6 people. It also devastated the agriculture-dependent economies of those three states, as well as that of Guadeloupe, destroying between 80% and 100% of the banana crops. Deaths were reported as far away as Trinidad.

Preparations

The National Hurricane Center consistently predicted that the storm would intensify and pass through the islands.cite web|author=Knabb|year=2007|title=Tropical Depression Four Forecast/Advisory One|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-08-13|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2007/al04/al042007.fstadv.001.shtml?] cite web|author=National Hurricane Center|year=2007|title=Hurricane Dean Advisory Archive|accessdate=2006-11-19|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2007/DEAN.shtml?] As Hurricane Dean approached, the island nations began to prepare with a flurry of activity. On August 14 the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency (CDERA) placed its Regional Response Mechanism on standby and contacted the National Disaster Coordinators of all member states in the Lesser Antilles.cite web|author=CDERA|publisher=Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency|date=2007-08-22|accessdate=2007-08-24|title=Summary of Impact of Hurricane "Dean" on CDERA Participating States|url=http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/RWB.NSF/db900SID/EKOI-76D2JW/$File/Full_Report.pdf] On August 15 the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) dispatched teams to Barbados, Dominica, and St. Kitts in advance of the hurricane to provide damage assessment should the hurricane affect those islands.cite web|author=United States Agency for International Development (USAID)|publisher=Relief Web|date=2007-08-23|accessdate=2007-08-25|title=USAID provides hurricane assistance to Dominica and St. Lucia|url=http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900sid/EDIS-76DKTZ?OpenDocument&rc=2&emid=TC-2007-000135-LCA] At 11 p.m. AST August 15 (0300 UTC August 16) the respective governments of St. Lucia, Martinique, Saba, St. Eustatius, and Guadeloupe and its dependencies issued Hurricane watches and the government of the Netherlands Antilles issued a tropical storm watch for the island of St. Maarten,cite web|author=Brown|year=2007|title=Tropical Storm Dean Public Advisory Eleven|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-08-15|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2007/al04/al042007.public.011.shtml?] as then-Tropical Storm Dean was expected to intensify to hurricane strength and reach the Windward Islands within 36 hours.cite web|author=Brown|year=2007|title=Tropical Storm Dean Forecast/Advisory Eleven|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-08-18|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2007/al04/al042007.fstadv.011.shtml?] Authorities in Martinique canceled a memorial to the victims of West Caribbean Airways Flight 708 and began to set up shelters.cite web | title = Hurricane Dean strengthens as it takes aim at Caribbean islands | url = http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/08/17/news/CB-GEN-Hurricane-Dean.php | date = 2007-08-16 | accessdate = 2007-08-17 | author = Staff writer | publisher = Associated Press]

At 5 a.m. AST (0900 UTC) August 16 the respective governments of St. Lucia and Dominica issued hurricane warnings in anticipation of Hurricane Dean's imminent approach. In Dominica, a dozen and a half tourists were evacuated to concrete shelters.cite web | title = Hurricane Dean strengthens as it takes aim at Caribbean islands | url = http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/08/17/news/CB-GEN-Hurricane-Dean.php | date = 2007-08-16 | accessdate = 2007-08-17 | author = Staff writer | publisher = Associated Press] The government of Dominica also canceled leave for emergency service personnel and evacuated Princess Margret Hospital, fearing that its roof might be vulnerable to the storm's winds.cite web|author=PAHO/WHO Caribbean Program Coordination|date=2007-08-23|accessdate=2007-08-24|publisher=Pan American Health Organization|title=Hurricane Dean in the Caribbean and Mexico, August 2007|url=http://www.paho.org/English/DD/PED/HurricaneDean807.htm] At the same time the Meteorological Service of Barbados issued a tropical storm warning for Barbados and a tropical storm watch for St. Vincent.cite web|author=Beven|year=2007|title=Hurricane Dean Public Advisory Twelve|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-08-16|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2007/al04/al042007.public.012.shtml?] Three hours later, at 8 a.m. AST (1200 UTC), the Meteorological Service of Antigua issued a tropical storm watch for Montserrat, Antigua, St. Kitts, Nevis and Barbuda.cite web|author=Blake/Avila|year=2007|title=Hurricane Dean Public Advisory Twelve A|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-08-16|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2007/al04/al042007.public.012a.shtml?] Shortly thereafter the Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service issued a tropical storm watch for Grenada and its dependencies.cite web|author=Pasch|year=2007|title=Hurricane Dean Tropical Cyclone Update|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-08-16|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2007/al04/al042007.update.08161239.shtml?]

The Eastern Caribbean Donor Group convened a meeting on August 16 under the Chair of the Resident Representative United Nations Development Programme Barbados in anticipation of the hurricane causing significant damage and member states requiring international assistance.cite web|author=CDERA|publisher=Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency|date=2007-08-22|accessdate=2007-08-24|title=Summary of Impact of Hurricane "Dean" on CDERA Participating States|url=http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/RWB.NSF/db900SID/EKOI-76D2JW/$File/Full_Report.pdf] At 11 a.m. AST (1500 UTC) the Barbados Meteorological Service issued tropical storm warnings for St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and the Government of the Netherlands Antilles discontinued the hurricane watch on Saba and St. Eustatius, replacing it with a tropical storm warning.cite web|author=Blake/Avila|year=2007|title=Hurricane Dean Public Advisory Thirteen|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-08-16|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2007/al04/al042007.public.013.shtml?] At 5 p.m. AST (2100 UTC) August 16, roughly 15 hours before Hurricane Dean arrived,cite web|author=Avila|year=2007|title=Tropical Storm Dean Discussion Seventeen|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-08-17|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2007/al04/al042007.discus.017.shtml?] the Government of France issued hurricane warnings for Martinique and Guadeloupe and its dependencies, and the NHC issued a tropical storm watch for the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.cite web|author=Blake/Avila|year=2007|title=Hurricane Dean Public Advisory Fourteen|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-08-16|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2007/al04/al042007.public.014.shtml?] At 8 p.m. AST (2100 UTC) August 16 the Meteorological Service of Antigua issued a tropical storm warning for Anguilla.cite web|author=Franklin/Brown|year=2007|title=Hurricane Dean Public Advisory Fourteen A|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-08-16|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2007/al04/al042007.public_a.014.shtml?] Martinique's main airport and both of St. Lucia's commercial airports closed that night when the last airplanes landed as the storm's outer rainbands began to sweep over the island.cite web|author=Michael Melia|date=2007-08-17|title="(AP) Hurricane Takes Aim at Caribbean Islands"|publisher=NashvilleWx|accessdate=2007-08-20|url=http://www.wkrn.com/nashville/news/ap-hurricane-takes-aim-at-caribbean-islands/113008.htm] At 11 p.m. AST August 16 (0300 UTC August 17) the NHC upgraded the tropical storm watch on U.S. Virgin Islands to a tropical storm warning.cite web|author=Franklin/Brown|year=2007|title=Hurricane Dean Public Advisory Fifteen|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-08-16|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2007/al04/al042007.public.015.shtml?] The next morning, August 17, the center of Hurricane Dean passed between St. Lucia and Martinique.cite web|author=Avila|year=2007|title=Tropical Storm Dean Discussion Seventeen|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-08-17|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2007/al04/al042007.discus.017.shtml?] The Meteorological Service of Antigua issued a tropical storm warning for the British Virgin Islands that same morning,cite web|author=Beven|year=2007|title=Hurricane Dean Public Advisory Sixteen|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-08-17|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2007/al04/al042007.public.016.shtml?] and the Eastern Caribbean Donor Group convened a second meeting to finalize the coordination of three Rapid Assessment Teams.cite web|author=CDERA|publisher=Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency|date=2007-08-22|accessdate=2007-08-24|title=Summary of Impact of Hurricane "Dean" on CDERA Participating States (PDF)|url=http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/RWB.NSF/db900SID/EKOI-76D2JW/$File/Full_Report.pdf]

Impact

The storm entered the Caribbean through the Saint Lucia Channel between St. Lucia and Martinique on the morning of August 17 as a Category 2 storm with winds of 90 knots (100 mph, 165 km/h).cite web|author=Avila|year=2007|title=Tropical Storm Dean Discussion Seventeen|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-08-17|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2007/al04/al042007.discus.017.shtml?]

t. Lucia

Power outages began in some neighborhoods at 6:30 p.m. AST (2230 UTC) August 16, over 12 hours before the storm arrived, and quickly spread over the entire island. The night saw heavy rains, 4cm (1.58 inches) at Hewanorra International Airport, [ [http://www.wunderground.com/history/airport/TLPL/2007/8/16/DailyHistory.html?req_city=NA&req_state=NA&req_statename=NA History : Weather Underground ] ] [ [http://www.wunderground.com/history/airport/TLPL/2007/8/17/DailyHistory.html?req_city=NA&req_state=NA&req_statename=NA History : Weather Underground ] ] and intense thunderstorms and by morning hurricane force winds peaked at 80 knots (90 mph, 145 km/h).cite web|author=Amselma Aimable|date=2007-08-18|title=Report from St Lucia|publisher=Caribbean Net News| accessdate=2007-08-22|url=http://www.caribbeannetnews.com/news-3095--20-20--.html] The winds uprooted trees,cite web|author=Staff writer|date=2007-08-17|title=Hurricane hits eastern Caribbean|publisher=BBC News|accessdate=2007-08-17|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6950626.stm] downed electricity poles, disabled bridges, triggered landslides, and damaged several roofs. Hurricane Dean tore the corrugated metal roof off Victoria Hospital's pediatric ward, but its patients had already been evacuated.cite web|author=CTV.ca News Staff|year=2007|title=Hurricane Dean upgraded to powerful Category 4|publisher=CTV.ca|accessdate=2007-08-17|url=http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20070817/dean_storm_070817/20070817?hub=CTVNewsAt11] St. Jude Hospital in Vieux Fort was also damaged when part of the roof blew off its medical ward and fell through the roof of the emergency room. A section of the cafeteria also lost its roof, but no one was injured in either incident.cite web|author=PAHO/WHO Caribbean Program Coordination|date=2007-08-23|accessdate=2007-08-24|publisher=Pan American Health Organization|title=Hurricane Dean in the Caribbean and Mexico, August 21, 2007|url=http://www.paho.org/English/DD/PED/HurricaneDean807.htm]

The capital, Castries, was flooded by the storm surge and high seas deposited boulders and fishing boats on the streets. One person drowned in Sarrot after being swept away by a rain-swollen river while trying to recover a cow.cite web|author=BBC NEWS|date=2007-08-17|title=Caribbean storm gathers strength|publisher=BBC News|accessdate=2007-08-17|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6950626.stm] cite web | author = Staff writer | publisher = Associated Press | title = Hurricane Dean Gains Power in Caribbean | date = 2007-08-17 | url = http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2007/08/17/ap4032484.html | accessdate = 2007-08-17] Flooding was also reported in the town of Dennery where a number of residents had to be evacuated.cite web|author=Amselma Aimable|date=2007-08-18|title=Report from St Lucia|publisher=Caribbean Net News| accessdate=2007-08-22|url=http://www.caribbeannetnews.com/news-3095--20-20--.html] Nationwide, damage to housing and buildings totaled EC$800,000.cite web|author=CDERA|date=2007-08-21|accessdate=2007-08-22|publisher=CDERA.org|title=CDERA Mounts Level Two Response to Hurricane Dean Impact Update August 21, 2007, 4 p.m. EDT|url=http://www.cdera.org/cunews/uploads/hurricane_deansitrep7.pdf] In the worst hit areas of the north, closest to Hurricane Dean's path, at least 15 roofs were blown off. Two small waterfront houses were completely destroyed in the town of Gros Islet. The heavy seas also sunk or damaged several boatscite web|author=United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)|date=2007-08-21|title=Hurricane Dean OCHA Situation Report No. 5|publisher=Relief Web| accessdate=2007-08-22|url=http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/RWB.NSF/db900SID/EKOI-76B7U6?OpenDocument] and damaged coastal roads, in some places eroding the land itself.cite web|author=PAHO/WHO Caribbean Program Coordination|date=2007-08-23|accessdate=2007-08-24|publisher=Pan American Health Organization|title=Hurricane Dean in the Caribbean and Mexico, August 17, 2007|url=http://www.paho.org/English/DD/PED/HurricaneDean807.htm] Coastal damage was estimated at $700,000.cite web|author=CDERA|date=2007-08-21|accessdate=2007-08-22|publisher=CDERA.org|title=CDERA Mounts Level Two Response to Hurricane Dean Impact Update August 21, 2007, 4 p.m. EDT|url=http://www.cdera.org/cunews/uploads/hurricane_deansitrep7.pdf]

Although the Ministry of Education reported that eleven schools had sustained a combined total of $300,000 of damage,cite web|author=CDERA|date=2007-08-21|accessdate=2007-08-22|publisher=CDERA.org|title=CDERA Mounts Level Two Response to Hurricane Dean Impact Update August 21, 2007, 4 p.m. EDT|url=http://www.cdera.org/cunews/uploads/hurricane_deansitrep7.pdf] the Ministry of Communications, Works, Transport, and Public Utilities reported that most of the country's other major infrastructure remained functional.cite web|author=United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)|date=2007-08-21|title=Hurricane Dean OCHA Situation Report No. 5|publisher=Relief Web| accessdate=2007-08-22|url=http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/RWB.NSF/db900SID/EKOI-76B7U6?OpenDocument] They estimated that the cost to clean up all of the roads and drains was $900,000 and the cost to repair the utilities and communications damage was another $505,000. Saint Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority reported another $922,000 of damage, but none of these sectors experienced prolonged disruptions to their functionality.cite web|author=CDERA|date=2007-08-21|accessdate=2007-08-22|publisher=CDERA.org|title=CDERA Mounts Level Two Response to Hurricane Dean Impact Update August 21, 2007, 4 p.m. EDT|url=http://www.cdera.org/cunews/uploads/hurricane_deansitrep7.pdf]

The island's convert|5000|acre|km2|0 of banana farms in Mabouya Valley, Roseau Valley, and Marc Marc were severely damaged with many of the plantations waterlogged or outright destroyed.cite web|date=2007-08-17|title=Hurricane claims one life in St. Lucia and possibly two in Dominica|author=Staff Writer|publisher=CBC|accessdate=2007-08-17|url=http://www.cbc.bb/content/view/12195/45/|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5axkRsHjT|archivedate=2008-09-19] cite web|author=Amselma Aimable|date=2007-08-18|title=Report from St Lucia|publisher=Caribbean Net News| accessdate=2007-08-22|url=http://www.caribbeannetnews.com/news-3095--20-20--.html] An average of 75% of the crops were lost, with some fields in the Northern Farms losing up to 80% and in the Roseau Valley losing up to 85%. The cost to the agriculture industry was $13.2 million, bringing Hurricane Dean's total cost to $17.3 million (US$6.4 million in 2007) or 0.5% of the nation's GDP.cite web|author=CDERA|date=2007-08-21|accessdate=2007-08-22|publisher=CDERA.org|title=CDERA Mounts Level Two Response to Hurricane Dean Impact Update August 21, 2007, 4 p.m. EDT|url=http://www.cdera.org/cunews/uploads/hurricane_deansitrep7.pdf] cite web|author=CIA|date=2007-08-16|publisher=Central Intelligence Agency|accessdate=2007-08-22|title=St. Lucia: Economy|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/st.html] cite web|author=Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)|date=2007-08-22|title=Thousands in need of humanitarian assistance after Hurricane Dean|publisher=Relief Web|accessdate=2007-08-23|url=http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/RWB.NSF/db900SID/EVOD-76CHTB?OpenDocument&rc=2&cc=dma]

Martinique

Martinique experienced 65 knots (75 mph, 120 km/h) winds with gusts to 90 knots (105 mph, 170 km/h).cite web|author=Avila|year=2007|title=Tropical Storm Dean Discussion Seventeen|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-08-17|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2007/al04/al042007.discus.017.shtml?] The torrential rainfall, which reached 332 mm (13.07 inches) [ [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pdf/TCR-AL042007_Dean.pdf Tropical Cyclone Report ] ] caused flooding throughout the island, with the town of Rivière-Pilote flooding completely. The majority of Martinique's population were left without electricity, water, telephone, or food.cite web|author=Staff Writer|date=2007-08-20|title=Heavy losses for Martinique; Eastern Caribbean reopens after Dean|publisher=Caribbean360| accessdate=2007-08-22|url=http://www.caribbean360.com/News/Weather/Stories/2007/08/20/NEWS0000004782.html] cite web | url = http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/hurricane-dean-intensifies/2007/08/18/1186857814654.html | title = Hurricane Dean intensifies | publisher = Agence France-Presse | author = Staff writer | date = 2007-08-18 | accessdate = 2007-08-18] The storm destroyed Martinique's entire banana crop, and 70% of the island's sugar cane plantations. [cite web | url = http://www.canada.com/topics/news/world/story.html?id=a8b3574c-38b9-4843-8ec3-8c550c33a27b | title = Hurricane destroys Martinique, Guadeloupe bananas | publisher = Reuters | author = Staff writer | date = 2007-08-18 | accessdate = 2007-08-18]

Three people were killed, many more were injured, and 600 Martiniquans were left homeless. The banana fields were completely destroyed. Officials estimated the damage on the island at about €250 million (US$337 million).cite web|author=Danik Ibraheem Zandwonis|publisher=Caribbean Net News|date=2007-80-23|accessdate=2007-08-23|title=Guadeloupe and Martinique after Dean|url=http://www.caribbeannetnews.com/news-3166--49-49--.html]

Dominica

In Dominica, a mother and her seven-year-old son died when one of a dozen landslide caused by the heavy rains fell onto their house.cite news | title = Hurricane Dean Gains Caribbean Strength | author = Jonathan Katz | publisher = Associated Press | url = http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2007/08/18/ap4033014.html | date = 2007-08-18 | accessdate = 2007-08-18] Landslides also blocked several roads in the mountainous country.cite web|author=Staff Writer|date=2007-08-20|title=Heavy losses for Martinique; Eastern Caribbean reopens after Dean|publisher=Caribbean360| accessdate=2007-08-22|url=http://www.caribbean360.com/News/Weather/Stories/2007/08/20/NEWS0000004782.html] In another incident two people were injured when a tree fell on their house.cite web|date=2007-08-17|title=Hurricane claims one life in St. Lucia and possibly two in Dominica|publisher=CBC|accessdate=2007-08-17|url=http://www.cbc.bb/content/view/12195/45/]

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit initially estimated that 100 to 125 homes were damaged,cite web|date=2007-08-17|title=Dominica Badly Affected|publisher=CBC|accessdate=2007-08-17|url=http://www.cbc.bb/content/view/12195/45/] but in actuality Hurricane Dean damaged many more: 183 houses lost their roofs completely, 205 houses sustained partial damage to their roofs, 43 houses were completely destroyed, 115 houses suffered significant structural damage to components other than their roofs, and 225&nsbp;non-dwelling buildings were damaged. In total, 771&nsbp;buildings suffered significant damage.cite paper|author=Office of Disaster Management|accessdate=2007-08-22|url=http://www.cdera.org/cunews/uploads/dominica_summary_preliminary_damage_assessment_report_hurricane_dean.doc|title=Summary Preliminary Report on Damages as a Result of Hurricane Dean, August 17, 2007|publisher=Commonwealth of Dominica] cite web|author=CDERA|date=2007-08-21|accessdate=2007-08-22|publisher=CDERA.org|title=CDERA Mounts Level Two Response to Hurricane Dean Impact Update August 21, 2007, 4 p.m. EDT|url=http://www.cdera.org/cunews/uploads/hurricane_deansitrep7.pdf]

Princes Margret Hospital, the island's only hospital, suffered damage to the roofs of the psychiatric and intensive care units. This led to heavy water damage, which also spread into the maternity ward and damaged the electrical system. All of the patients had been evacuated before the storm arrived. Because most equipment and supplies had also been removed, the hurricane's cost to the health sector was limited to the EC$3 million of structural damage.cite web|author=PAHO/WHO Caribbean Program Coordination|date=2007-08-23|accessdate=2007-08-24|publisher=Pan American Health Organization|title=Hurricane Dean in the Caribbean and Mexico, August 2007|url=http://www.paho.org/English/DD/PED/HurricaneDean807.htm]

The storm surge caused EC$15.5 million of damage to sea walls and another EC$15 million of damage to coastal bridges. Floods and landslides contributed EC$17.6 million of damage to the island's road network, while river floods destroyed EC$45.5 million dollars of river walls.cite paper|author=Office of Disaster Management|accessdate=2007-08-22|url=http://www.cdera.org/cunews/uploads/dominica_summary_preliminary_damage_assessment_report_hurricane_dean.doc|title=Summary Preliminary Report on Damages as a Result of Hurricane Dean, August 17, 2007|publisher=Commonwealth of Dominica] Flooding also devastated the agriculture sector and 95% of the crops were lost.cite web|author=CDERA|date=2007-08-21|accessdate=2007-08-22|publisher=CDERA.org|title=CDERA Mounts Level Two Response to Hurricane Dean Impact Update August 21, 2007, 4 p.m. EDT|url=http://www.cdera.org/cunews/uploads/hurricane_deansitrep7.pdf] cite web|date=2007-08-17|title=Dominica Badly Affected|publisher=CBC|accessdate=2007-08-17|url=http://www.cbc.bb/content/view/12195/45/] Replanting a rehabilitation of the banana trees, 99% of which were destroyed, was expected to take several years.cite web|author=Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)|date=2007-08-22|title=Thousands in need of humanitarian assistance after Hurricane Dean|publisher=Relief Web|accessdate=2007-08-23|url=http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/RWB.NSF/db900SID/EVOD-76CHTB?OpenDocument&rc=2&cc=dma]

Elsewhere

Although the winds and rain of the hurricane did not reach as far south as the islands of Trinidad and Tobago, sea swells on the east coast killed two people as they tried to secure a boat.cite web|author=Staff Writer|date=2007-08-20|title=Heavy losses for Martinique; Eastern Caribbean reopens after Dean|publisher=Caribbean360| accessdate=2007-08-22|url=http://www.caribbean360.com/News/Weather/Stories/2007/08/20/NEWS0000004782.html] Hurricane Dean destroyed 80% of the banana and 70% of the sugar cane plantations in Guadeloupe.cite web|author=Reuters|date=2007-08-19|title=Hurricane Dean smashes Caribbean: Texas braces|publisher=Brisbane Times|accessdate=2007-08-20|url=http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/news/world/hurricane-dean-smashes-caribbean/2007/08/19/1187462057027.html] These two crops are the country's main exports.cite web|author=Guadeloupe Guide|year=2004|title=Tourism and banana farming are major breadwinners for Guadeloupe's economy|publisher=Guadeloupe Guide|accessdate=2007-08-20|url=http://guadeloupe-guide.info/past.and.present/economy/]

Aftermath

St. Lucia and Dominica activated their Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency (CDERA) response systems to help assess and correct the storm's damages. CDERA acknowledged their requests and, based on preliminary damage assessments, initiated a Level Two response which allowed for the event to be managed at the country level with regional assistance limited to technical support and resources where required.cite web|author=CDERA|publisher=Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency|date=2007-08-22|accessdate=2007-08-24|title=Summary of Impact of Hurricane "Dean" on CDERA Participating States|url=http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/RWB.NSF/db900SID/EKOI-76D2JW/$File/Full_Report.pdf] Barbados, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Grenada also activated their CDERA response systems. Although they were not directly affected by the hurricane they used the opportunity to test the systems' operating procedures.cite web|author=Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency (CDERA)|date=2007-08-22|title=Summary of impact of Hurricane "Dean" on CDERA participating states|publisher=Relief Web|accessdate=2007-08-22|url=http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/RWB.NSF/db900SID/EKOI-76D2JW?OpenDocument&rc=2&cc=dma] The other affected islands of the Lesser Antilles, Martinique and Guadeloupe, are not members of CDERA.cite web|author=CDERA|publisher=Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency|accessdate=2007-08-24|title=Participating States|url=http://www.cdera.org/members.php]

CDERA dispatched a technical support team of Bajans, Montserratians, and Grenadians to Dominica on August 22 to assist in developing a damage assessment. The Government of Venezuela sent 500 blankets, 500 sheets, 3 large tents, 120 units of tarpaulin, water, and medical supplies to Dominica. The Government of Canada pledged $2 million in immediate aid to the afflicted countries.cite web|author=CDERA|publisher=Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency|date=2007-08-22|accessdate=2007-08-24|title=Summary of Impact of Hurricane "Dean" on CDERA Participating States (PDF)|url=http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/RWB.NSF/db900SID/EKOI-76D2JW/$File/Full_Report.pdf] The U.S. Government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), declared a disaster in Dominica and St. Lucia and provided $25,000 and 75 rolls of plastic sheeting to Dominica for emergency shelter repairs and an additional 50 rolls of plastic sheeting to St. Lucia through its National Emergency Management Organization.cite web|author=United States Agency for International Development (USAID)|publisher=Relief Web|date=2007-08-23|accessdate=2007-08-25|title=USAID provides hurricane assistance to Dominica and St. Lucia|url=http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900sid/EDIS-76DKTZ?OpenDocument&rc=2&emid=TC-2007-000135-LCA] CDERA petitioned the Caribbean Development Bank for a US$100,000 relief grant to assist with relief efforts and damage repairs in St. Lucia and Dominica.cite web|author=CDERA|publisher=Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency|date=2007-08-22|accessdate=2007-08-24|title=Summary of Impact of Hurricane "Dean" on CDERA Participating States (PDF)|url=http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/RWB.NSF/db900SID/EKOI-76D2JW/$File/Full_Report.pdf]

Although St. Lucia suffered significant damage to its residential structures and agricultural land, its airports and hotels were operational within days having needed only small-scale repair work. Hospitals and other essential services kept running on standby power supplied by independent generators to assist in the cleanup and recovery efforts.cite web|author=Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)|date=2007-08-19|title=Hurricane Dean in the Caribbean: Situation Report 19 Aug 2007|publisher=Relief Web| accessdate=2007-08-22|url=http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/RWB.NSF/db900SID/EGUA-769NZG?OpenDocument] Roads connecting the north and south of the island were quickly cleared.cite web|author=Graham Greenaway|date=2007-08-21|title=St Lucia survives Hurricane Dean largely unscathed|publisher=BookFHR| accessdate=2007-08-22|url=http://www.fhr-net.co.uk/travel_news/729/st_lucia_survives_hurricane_dean_largely_unscathed/] LUCELEC, the nation's only electricity provider,cite web|author=Lucelec|date=2007-08-21|title=Discover LUCELEC|publisher=St. Lucia Electricity Services Ltd.|accessdate=2007-08-22|url=http://www.lucelec.com/discover/index.php] worked around the clock to repair dozens of downed electrical poles and restored electricity by August 21.cite web|author=Graham Greenaway|date=2007-08-21|title=St Lucia survives Hurricane Dean largely unscathed|publisher=BookFHR| accessdate=2007-08-22|url=http://www.fhr-net.co.uk/travel_news/729/st_lucia_survives_hurricane_dean_largely_unscathed/] The rest of the island's infrastructure weathered the storm.cite web|author=United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)|date=2007-08-21|title=Hurricane Dean OCHA Situation Report No. 5|publisher=Relief Web| accessdate=2007-08-22|url=http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/RWB.NSF/db900SID/EKOI-76B7U6?OpenDocument] Two shelters were opened for hurricane-affected residence,cite web|author=PAHO/WHO Caribbean Program Coordination|date=2007-08-23|accessdate=2007-08-24|publisher=Pan American Health Organization|title=Hurricane Dean in the Caribbean and Mexico, August 17, 2007|url=http://www.paho.org/English/DD/PED/HurricaneDean807.htm] and USAID/OFDA provided US$40,432 of assistance to the island.cite web|author=U.S. Agency for International Development|date=2007-09-05|accessdate=2007-09-15|publisher=U.S. Agency for International Development|title=Latin America and the Caribbean - Hurricane Season 2007. Fact Sheet #5|url=http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/RWFiles2007.nsf/FilesByRWDocUnidFilename/1E4CF62AD914B0ED4925734E00030C43-Full_Report.pdf/$File/Full_Report.pdf]

Dominican Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit declared August 19, 2007 to be a national day of prayer and thanks-giving.cite web|author=Staff Writer|date=2007-08-20|title=Heavy losses for Martinique; Eastern Caribbean reopens after Dean|publisher=Caribbean360| accessdate=2007-08-22|url=http://www.caribbean360.com/News/Weather/Stories/2007/08/20/NEWS0000004782.html] The destruction of 546 residences forced approximately 1,000 people into 100 shelters.cite web|author=CDERA|publisher=Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency|date=2007-08-22|accessdate=2007-08-24|title=Summary of Impact of Hurricane "Dean" on CDERA Participating States|url=http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/RWB.NSF/db900SID/EKOI-76D2JW/$File/Full_Report.pdf] A USAID disaster specialist liaised with the Dominican Office of Disaster Management and arraigned for assistance to the order of US$60,648 of relief supplies and $25,000 of Emergency Shelter supplies.cite web|author=U.S. Agency for International Development|date=2007-09-05|accessdate=2007-09-15|publisher=U.S. Agency for International Development|title=Latin America and the Caribbean - Hurricane Season 2007. Fact Sheet #5|url=http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/RWFiles2007.nsf/FilesByRWDocUnidFilename/1E4CF62AD914B0ED4925734E00030C43-Full_Report.pdf/$File/Full_Report.pdf]

In the days after to storm, some residents of Martinique, still without electricity, food, water, or telephones, took to looting stores and bakeries. Utility workers from Guadeloupe, French Guiana, and France arrived on August 19 to help restore electricity.cite web|author=Staff Writer|date=2007-08-20|title=Heavy losses for Martinique; Eastern Caribbean reopens after Dean|publisher=Caribbean360| accessdate=2007-08-22|url=http://www.caribbean360.com/News/Weather/Stories/2007/08/20/NEWS0000004782.html]

The Secretary of State for the French Overseas, Christian Estrosi, visited Martinique shortly after the hurricane to inspect the damage. He was joined by French Prime Minister, Francois Fillon on August 22 and the two surveyed the damaged to Guadeloupe and Martinique, the two hardest hit French colonies. A week after the storm hit 11,000 people in Martinique were still without telephone and electricity and in the worst hit parts of southern Guadeloupe the water was still not drinkable.cite web|author=Danik Ibraheem Zandwonis|publisher=Caribbean Net News|date=2007-80-23|accessdate=2007-08-23|title=Guadeloupe and Martinique after Dean|url=http://www.caribbeannetnews.com/news-3166--49-49--.html] Banana crops in Guadeloupe, 80% of which were destroyed by Dean, will not recover until March, 2008.cite web|author=Staff Writer|publisher=Fresh Info|date=2007-08-25|accessdate=2007-08-25|title=Bananas in potential shortage after Dean|url=http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?s=n&ss=nd&sid=43198&s_txt=&s_date=0&ms=&offset=0]

ee also

* List of Atlantic hurricanes
* List of Category 5 Atlantic hurricanes
* 2007 Atlantic hurricane season
* Hurricane Dean

References