Effects of Hurricane Ivan in the Lesser Antilles and South America

Infobox Hurricane Impact
Name=Hurricane Ivan
Type=hurricane
Year=2004
Basin=Atl
Image location=Ivan Sat Img Sept 7 2004.jpg


Date=September 2, 2004
1-min winds=105
Gusts=116
Da

Inflated=2
Fatalities=44 direct
Areas=Windward Islands (especially Grenada), Venezuela
Rainfall=16.2 inches (411 mm)
Hurricane season=2004 Atlantic hurricane seasonThe effects of Hurricane Ivan in the Lesser Antilles and South America included 44 deaths and over $1 billion in damage (2004 USD), primarily in Grenada where it was considered the worst hurricane in nearly 50 years. Ivan developed from a tropical wave on September 2 and rapidly intensified to become a major hurricane, passing through the southern Lesser Antilles on September 7 with winds of 125 mph (205 km/h). At the time, its tropical storm force winds extended outward up to 160 miles (260 km) with hurricane force winds outward to 70 miles (110 km),cite web|year=2004|title=Hurricane Avila Public Advisory Twenty-Two|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-11-23|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2004/pub/al092004.public.022.shtml?] and the northern portion of the eye passed over Grenada.

In the region, the worst damage occurred on Grenada, where the damage total of $1.1 billion (2004 USD, $1.2 billion 2007 USD) represented 200% of its GDP. The hurricane damaged more than 14,000 homes in the nation, and 30% of the houses in the nation were destroyed which left about 18,000 people homeless. A total of 39 people were killed by the hurricane on the island. Elsewhere, moderate damage was reported in northern Venezuela, where at least three fatalities were reported. One person died each in Trinidad and Barbados. The name "Ivan" was later retired.

Preparations

Early in the duration of the storm, the National Hurricane Center consistently forecast Ivan to track further to the north than in actuality. Late on September 5, the government of Barbados issued a hurricane watch for its territory. Shortly thereafter, Saint Lucia was put under a hurricane watch and Grenada and its dependencies were put under a tropical storm watch. As the hurricane approached the southern Lesser Antilles, more watches were issued, and by 24 hours prior to Ivan passing through the island chain a hurricane warning was in effect for Barbados, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Lucia, Tobago, and Grenada, and a tropical storm warning was in effect for Trinidad. With the path of Ivan more southerly than predicted, the hurricane warnings were downgraded to tropical storm warnings for the northern islands, and by late on September 7 when the eye of the hurricane passed near Grenada, hurricane warnings were in effect for Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, and Grenada. Subsequently, a tropical storm warning was issued for the northern coast of Venezuela through the Guajira Peninsula of Colombia.cite web|author=Stacy Stewart|year=2004|title=Hurricane Ivan Tropical Cyclone Report|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-10-21|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2004ivan.shtml?]

On Venezuela, citizens in coastal areas of Sucre and Isla Margarita were moved to safer areas,cite news|author=Linda Hutchinson-Jafar|publishdate=2004-09-07|title=Hurricane Ivan devastates isle of Grenada|publisher=Reuters Foundation|accessdate=2007-10-26|url=http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900sid/MHII-64M8UM?OpenDocument&rc=2&cc=ven] and several thousands were evacuated due to the hurricane. The Simón Bolívar International Airport, as well as three other mainland airports, were closed. Petróleos de Venezuela S.A. temporarily closed its oil refinery in Curaçao, and two ports were briefly shut down; this caused a delay in two oil deliveries. [cite news|publisher=VENews|date=2004-09-10|title=Hurricane Ivan moves away; Rangel says situation under control|accessdate=2007-11-22] The Valero Energy Corporation shut down its largest oil refinery in Aruba. [cite news|author=Geoffrey Smith|date=2004-09-09|title=Hurricane Ivan tears into Caribbean isles: 20 reported dead|publisher=Bloomberg|accessdate=2007-11-22] Prior to the arrival of the hurricane, oil companies in Trinidad and Tobago ceased production and removed workers from offshore rigs; the Atlantic LNG company closed exports. Seven shelters were opened on Tobago, where about 560 people evacuated for the storm. Most evacuees were from low-lying areas, and on the day of the storm's passage most schools and businesses were closed. The two main airports in the country were closed, with one airline canceling all of its flights.

Over 1,000 people evacuated to emergency shelters on Grenada, including hundreds in low-lying areas in the capital city.cite web|author=International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies|year=2004|title=Caribbean: Hurricane Ivan Preliminary Appeal No. 21/04 Operations Update No. 2|publisher=ReliefWeb|accessdate=2007-11-22|url=http://wwwnotes.reliefweb.int/w/rwb.nsf/6686f45896f15dbc852567ae00530132/9d750df6c9cb9b5549256f0e000f145c?OpenDocument] Some shelters were damaged during the hurricane, forcing the evacuees to go elsewhere. Overall, the population responded little to the official advisories and recommendations, which potentially contributed to the death toll on the island. More than 1,000 residents of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines evacuated to 28 emergency shelters.cite web|author=United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs|year=2004|title=Hurricane Ivan OCHA Situation Report No. 3|publisher=ReliefWeb|accessdate=2007-10-26|url=http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900sid/SZIE-64MLEH?OpenDocument&rc=2&cc=ven] On Barbados, officials closed schools and government buildings and prepared shelters prior to the arrival of the hurricane. To minimize danger, the island power grid was shut down. Four shelters opened on Saint Lucia, where many people sought safety during the storm.

Impact

Venezuela and Trinidad and Tobago

Along the northern coastline of Venezuela, the hurricane produced heavy precipitation and a storm surge of about 13 feet (4 m), which damaged 60 homes. Sustained winds on Isla Margarita peaked at 26 mph (42 km/h), and the most affected states were Vargas, Aragua, Carabobo, and Anzoátegui. Rough waves capsized 10 boats and closed several beaches, and one person drowned due to the surf. [cite web|publisher=Europe Press|date=2004-09-09|title=El huracán Iván provoca un muerto en la costa de Venezuela|language=Spanish|accessdate=2007-11-22|url=http://www.lukor.com/not-por/0409/09043720.htm|language=Spanish] Further inland, two people drowned due to an overflown river, and near Caracas a man died after strong winds toppled a wall. The combination of rainfall and winds destroyed 21 houses and blew off the roof of several others, affecting 1,376 people, of which 80 were left homeless. Power outages and lack of water were reported.cite web|date=2004-09-09|title=Cuatro muertes en Venezuela por paso de Iván|accessdate=2007-11-22|url=http://www.el-universal.com/2004/09/09/pol_ava_09A491145.shtml|language=Spanish|publisher=El Universal (Caracas)] In the country, the passage of the hurricane caused 127 injuries,cite web|publisher=Ministario del Poder Popular para la Comunicación y la Información, Gobierno Boliariano de Venezuela|date=2004-09-10|title=Cinco muertos y 127 damnificados dejó huracán Iván|accessdate=2007-11-22|url=http://www.rnv.gov.ve/noticias/index.php?act=ST&f=2&t=8425|language=Spanish] and a death toll reported between three and five. An initial news story reported 28 people missing offshore on three boats.cite web|publisher=Deutsche Presse Agentur|date=2004-09-08|title=Hurricane Ivan Kills 24 on Grenada|publisher=ReliefWeb|accessdate=2007-10-26|url=http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900sid/SODA-64N4BS?OpenDocument&rc=2&cc=ven]

Moderate wind gusts of up 46 mph (74 km/h) were reported in Tobago,cite web|author=World Meteorological Organization|year=2005|title=Twenty-Seventh Session RA IV Hurricane Committee|accessdate=2007-11-23|url=http://www.wmo.ch/pages/prog/www/TCP_vO/Final%20HC%2027%20Report-English.pdf|format=PDF] which downed several trees and caused power outages in seven villages; power was cut to more than 30% of the island. Twenty villages on the island suffered various forms of damage, and at least 45 homes lost their roofs. The hurricane left 22 people homeless and directly impacted about 1,000 people. The hurricane caused one death when a falling tree killed a woman.cite web|author=Agence France-Presse|year=2004|title=Hurricane Ivan kills at least 14 in Caribbean|accessdate=2007-11-22|url=http://wwwnotes.reliefweb.int/w/rwb.nsf/6686f45896f15dbc852567ae00530132/530fcb683baa58f285256f0a0051a657?OpenDocument |publisher= reliefweb] Wave heights were estimated at 65 feet (20 m),cite web|author=Earl Manmohan|date=2004-09-08|title=Tobago Suffers Blows|publisher=Trinidad Express|accessdate=2007-11-23|url=http://www.trinidadandtobagonews.com/forum/webbbs_config.pl/noframes/read/2376] and at least one home collapsed and fell into the ocean. Rainfall from the storm's passage unofficially peaked at 16.2 inches (411 mm) on the island, which caused some mudslides. Some crop damage was also reported, and overall damage on Tobago was estimated at $4.9 million (2004 USD, $5.4 million 2007 USD); damage in neighboring Trinidad was minimal.cite web|author=International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies|year=2004|title=Caribbean: Hurricane Ivan Information Bulletin|accessdate=2007-11-23|url=http://www.ifrc.org/docs/appeals/rpts04/caribhuiv3.pdf|format=PDF |publisher= International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies]

Grenada

Passing just to the south of the island, Hurricane Ivan produced strong winds in Grenada, with sustained winds reaching 120 mph (195 km/h) and gusts peaking at 133 mph (215 km/h) at Point Salines International Airport. The airport recorded 5.26 inches (134 mm) of precipitation during the hurricane's passage. Of the nation's six parishes, the four southernmost ones were most severely affected, constituting 80 percent of the total population.cite web|author=John Wilson|year=2004|title=Hurricane Ivan Grenada Community Revitalization|publisher=United States Agency for International Development|accessdate=2007-11-21|url=http://www.usaid.gov/locations/latin_america_caribbean/environment/IEEs/grenada/IEE04_76.pdf|format=PDF]

The strong winds impacted more than 14,000 homes on Grenada with 90 percent of the nation's houses damaged and of which 30 percent were destroyed. The capital city of St. George's was severely damaged, where every major building was either damaged or destroyed. Its passage either damaged or destroyed 85 percent of the structures on the island, [cite web|author=Direct Relief International|year=2006|title=Grenada: Direct Relief's programme activities update Jun 2006|publisher=ReliefWeb|accessdate=2007-11-20|url=http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900sid/HMYT-6S3QGU?OpenDocument&rc=2&emid=TC-2004-000089] including the nation's emergency operations center and a 17th century prison, which allowed many inmates to briefly escape during the height of the storm. The hurricane damaged or destroyed 75 primary or secondary schools, with only two left in working condition. All of Grenada was left without power or running water.cite web|author=United States Agency for International Development|year=2005|title=Grenada Hurricane Ivan Reconstruction Program Quarterly Report 31 Mar 2005|publisher=ReliefWeb|accessdate=2007-11-20|url=http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900sid/EGUA-6D6QN5?OpenDocument&rc=2&emid=TC-2004-000089]

Tourism was adversely affected; an estimated 60 percent of hotel rooms were damaged. The winds downed 80 percent of the nutmeg trees on the island, with other crop losses varying between 60–90 percent. An estimated 18,000 people were left homeless by the hurricane, and about 700 people sustained injuries from the storm. Ivan was considered the worst hurricane to strike the nation since Hurricane Janet in 1955; its passage resulted in 39 fatalities and $1.1 billion in damage (2004 USD, $1.2 billion 2007 USD), about 200% of its GDPcite web|author=United Nations Department of Public Information|year=2005|title=Grenada Rebuilds|publisher=ReliefWeb|accessdate=2007-11-20|url=http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900sid/TKAI-73EAG4?OpenDocument&rc=2&emid=TC-2004-000089] and of which about 45% resulted from housing damage.

aint Vincent and the Grenadines, Barbados, and northward

Wave heights from the hurricane reached 20 feet (6 m) along coastline portions of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, which washed away 2 homes; the storm surge destroyed 19 homes and damaged 40 more. On Union Island, the winds damaged the roof of a hospital, while the northern portion of the island sustained heavy damage from the waves.cite news|author=British Broadcasting Corporation|publisher= British Broadcasting Corporation |date=2004-09-07|title=Hurricane Ivan leaves four possible deaths, trail of destruction|accessdate=2007-11-24] Moderate damage was also reported on Palm Island and Carriacou and Petite Martinique.cite web|author=International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies|year=2004|title=Caribbean: Hurricane Ivan Preliminary Appeal No. 21/04|publisher=ReliefWeb|accessdate=2007-11-22|url=http://wwwnotes.reliefweb.int/w/rwb.nsf/6686f45896f15dbc852567ae00530132/969012716d38072b85256f0b004cd111?OpenDocument] The winds left more than two-thirds of the island without power, and also damaged the island's banana crop. [cite news|author=Eric Green|date=2004-09-16|title=World Bank Join U.S. in Aiding Caribbean Hurricane Victims; Aid will go to nations hit by Hurricanes Frances, Ivan|publisher=Washington File|accessdate=2007-11-24] Damage in the country totaled $40 million (2004 USD, $44 million 2007 USD).

On the island of Barbados, sustained winds peaked at 69 mph (112 km/h) while gusts reached 92 mph (149 km/h), which damaged many trees and roofs.cite web|author=Eric Nurse|date=2004-09-07|title=Houses bear the brunt of Hurricane Ivan|publisher=Associated Press|accessdate=2007-11-23|url=http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=22&art_id=qw1094564882248B262] A total of 531 houses were damaged,cite web|author=Government of Barbados|year=2006|title=Barbados: Hurricane Ivan housing recovery project winding-up|publisher=ReliefWeb|accessdate=2007-11-20|url=http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900sid/VBOL-6L4FVD?OpenDocument&rc=2&emid=TC-2004-000089] of which 43 were completely destroyed. Additionally, four hotels sustained some damage.cite news|author=Kitty Bean Yancey|date=2004-09-17|title=Grenada, Grand Cayman, Grand Bahama feel the pain|publisher=USA Today|accessdate=2007-11-23] The winds left most of island left without electricity, though officials worked quickly to restore the power. Rainfall from the storm was light, remaining less than 1 inch (25 mm) in most areas. Storm surge and wave action caused beach erosion that severely damaged most coastal roads. One death was reported on the island, and damage was estimated at more than $5 million (2004 USD, $5.5 million 2007 USD).

Strong winds and rough surf caused moderate coastal damage to southern portions of Saint Lucia; the combination impacted houses near the coast and also led to losses in the banana crop. Minor roof damage was also reported, and damage totaled $2.6 million (2004 USD) on the island; three serious injuries were reported on the island due to the hurricane, though no fatalities were reported. In Dominica, winds reached 43 mph (69 km/h). High waves from Ivan caused light damage to southwestern Martinique and Guadeloupe.

Aftermath

The government of Barbados created a Hurricane Ivan Housing Recovery Project, which repaired or rebuilt 190 houses for people without the available funds; around 90 homes required minor immediate repairs, while the rest required significant reconstruction. The project finished in early 2006 for a total of $5 million (2004 BBD, $2.8 2007 USD).

Several nearby countries assisted Grenada in its aftermath. The government of Guyana shipped about $250,000 (2004 USD, $40 million 2004 GYD) worth of sugar, as well as 100 members of the Guyana Defense Force to assist in restoring order and reconstruction. The government of Trinidad & Tobago sent 190 policemen, and the government of Anguilla sent 1,230 cases of water. A committee of Caribbean nations realized the local governments could not provide the support that Grenada needed in its aftermath, and thus turned to international assistance. [cite web|author=Miranda La Rose|date=2004-09-17|title=One hundred soldiers headed for Grenada|publisher=Stabroek News|accessdate=2007-12-04|url=http://www.stabroeknews.com/index.pl/article_general_news?id=8664253] Within a day of Ivan passing to the south of Grenada, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) deployed 67,600 gallons of water, 500 rolls of plastic sheeting, four 10,000 liter water bladder kits, and a water treatment kit; [cite web|author=USAID Press Office|year=2004|title=U.S. Providing Assistance to Grenada|accessdate=2007-11-21|url=http://www.usaid.gov/press/releases/2004/pr040909.html|publisher= USAID] assistance from USAID totaled $6 million (2004 USD) within a few weeks of the storm's passage, primarily in aid for reconstruction and rehabilitation. In the weeks subsequent to the hurricane, the European Commission Humanitarian aid Office (ECHO) provided €3 million (2004 EUR). By a year later, housing redevelopments and disaster preparation problems continued after being impacted by Hurricane Emily; as a result, the ECHO provided €1.2 million (2005 EUR) to Grenada in September 2005.cite web|author=European Commission - Humanitarian Aid Office|year=2005|title=Guyana and Grenada: European Commission approves about €2.2 million in humanitarian aid|publisher=ReliefWeb|accessdate=2007-11-20|url=http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900sid/RMOI-6GL8LJ?OpenDocument&rc=2&emid=TC-2004-000089] Nine months after the hurricane, Chinese officials provided assistance in reconstruction and handling foreign debts after meeting with the Grenadian Prime Minister;cite web|author=Government of Grenada|year=2005|title=More Assistance from China|publisher=ReliefWeb|accessdate=2007-11-20|url=http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900sid/VBOL-6E7E3L?OpenDocument&rc=2&emid=TC-2004-000089] in 2007, Chinese officials funded the construction of a new $40 million (2007 USD) cricket stadium near St. George's. [cite web|author=Associated Press|date=2007-02-08|title=Grenada: Bandleader Loses Job in Chinese Anthem Gaffe|accessdate=2007-11-24|url=http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache:LEgv8i7QmCIJ:query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html%3Fres%3D9C05EFDB113FF93BA35751C0A9619C8B63+%22Grenada:+Bandleader+Loses+Job+in+Chinese+Anthem+Gaffe%22&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=2&gl=us&client=firefox-a|publisher= New York Times] The Caribbean Development Bank approved a $10 million loan (2004 USD) requested by the government of Grenada in July 2005, which was intended to assist in long-term development of the housing, business, and environmental sectors. [cite web|author=Caribbean Development Bank|year=2005|title=CDB secures USD 10 million loan from IDB for reconstructure, recovery and development in Grenada|publisher=ReliefWeb|accessdate=2007-11-20|url=http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900sid/VBOL-6GFCH3?OpenDocument&rc=2&emid=TC-2004-000089] Emergency operations in Grenada in coordination with the Pan American Disaster Response Unit ended in July 2005. [cite web|author=International Federation of Red Cross And Red Crescent Societies|year=2006|title=Pan American Disaster Response Unit Appeal No. 05AA040 Annual Report|publisher=ReliefWeb|accessdate=2007-11-20|url=http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900sid/HMYT-6TDRJQ?OpenDocument&rc=2&emid=TC-2004-000089]

Within a few days after the hurricane passed, the Grenada Emergency Operations Center temporarily prevented relief supplies from entering the country to ensure the safety of the incoming items; the decision was reversed shortly thereafter, and planes flew supplies during daylight hours into the reopened airport. Severe looting occurred in the immediate aftermath of Ivan, prompting police officials to enact a curfew for the night hours. In the first week following the hurricane, aid was slow to the affected residents, due to the lack of an efficient aid distribution system.cite web|author=CTV Television Network|year=2004|title=People in Grenada frustrated by lack of aid|accessdate=2007-11-24|url=http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/1095110552732_90519752/?hub=CTVNewsAt11|publisher=CTV Globe Media] 30 official shelters and 17 prepared ones housed over 5,000 people in the aftermath of the storm. Thousands of people lost their jobs due to the hurricane, with all businesses shut down following the hurricane. By two months after the hurricane struck, 65 schools were opened, some of which serving as shelters; water and power were gradually restored to the island.cite web|author=USAID|year=2004|title=Caribbean Hurricane Update|publisher= USAID |accessdate=2007-11-21|url=http://www.usaid.gov/environment/hurricane/index.html] By a year after the storm's passage, all schools were reopened, and most buildings enacted provisional repairs. Officials determined around 10,000 houses on the island required complete reconstruction, while a further 22,000 needed repairs. The government of Grenada initially planned to rebuild 1,000 houses in the year after the hurricane struck;cite web|author=United Nations News Service|year=2005|title=Island after the hurricane: Grenada struggles to recover from devastation|publisher=ReliefWeb|accessdate=2007-11-20|url=http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900sid/KOCA-6HRJJN?OpenDocument&rc=2&emid=TC-2004-000089] by June 2005, 260 families were provided houses, with a further 85 under construction. The government also established a Material Assistance Programme, which provided $5,000 (2004 XCD) of free materials to more than 5,000 families, as well as a total of $4.3 million (2004 XCD) in low interest loans to 148 families. [cite web|author=Government of Grenada|year=2005|title=Grenada: More than 5400 persons have received government help for housing since Ivan|publisher=ReliefWeb|accessdate=2007-11-20|url=http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900sid/VBOL-6DMDQQ?OpenDocument&rc=2&emid=TC-2004-000089] Several indirect fatalities occurred in the aftermath of the hurricane, primarily senior citizens.

ee also

* Hurricane Ivan

References