Schools and most businesses closed for a clean-up the day after the storm. It rained a lot that day so it took a while for us to dry out. Communities took to the streets with shovels and brooms and most areas were presentable in two days.

Places

Someone asked me about Bolans. Early reports said that Bolans, Jennings, Crabbe Hill, Parham and Willikies were bad too. I was in Bolans a day after the storm and that village and 90% of the rest of western Antigua appeared fine. Later an official report was released which indicated that serious damage was limited to Urlings, Five Islands and Crabbe Hill. Certainly Crabbe Hill got hit very badly again. I spend a lot of time telling you about our recovery here but let me take a moment for the FEW unfortunate victims. The eye of Jose passed over us just as Georges did. That meant that the wind direction was almost identical. The areas that got the worst if it in Georges.... got the worst of it in Jose too. Many of the SAME PEOPLE have lost homes and mashed businesses and I feel for them at this difficult time. I have been talking to other business people here about trying to set up a relief fund for them. Economically we are hurting too so I am interested in any ideas about how we can proceed with this as well as any contributions that readers can organize. Cash isn't the only way to contribute. There are some relief supplies being provided such as tarpaulins and plastic sheeting for those with holes in their roofs, ( the Antigua and Barbuda Red Cross began distributing relief supplies to scores of families who lined up at their headquarters on Old Parham Road), but these people have no homes... let alone roofs. They need, food, building materials and shelter. Any advice or help is greatly appreciated.

Michele Henry reports.... "Potters is okay, we have water and electricity back".

The Catholic church in or near Sea View Farm lost it's roof.

St. Michael's Primary School was severely damaged and there was extensive damage to the Market Place on Valley Road.

Margetson's Ward at Holberton Hospital suffered some damage, as well as some of the other buildings, including the doctor's residence.

The V.C. Bird International Airport, which closed during the storm, is now operational and flights have resumed.

Philmore Mullin, assistant director of the National Office of Disaster Services, has reported that damage to the island has been relatively minimal. The Sun on-line reports "He was unsure, at that time, of the number of homes destroyed, but assessments from nine of the district committees were being carried out. Mullin said that bad weather and the short daylight period after the hurricane on Wednesday did not allow for much assessment to take place until Thursday morning. But, based on initial assessments, there was minimal damage to infrastructure and dwellings. "The damage is nowhere near the figures that we have from Hurricane Georges," Mullin said. "The hotel plants are intact. There was some minimal damage, primarily superficial &endash; broken windows, garden disrupted. No major damage in the hotel industry," he emphasized."

The Museum Of Antigua & Barbuda - museum@candw.ag Michele Henry Executive Director at the museum wrote me a very touching email outlining hurricane related events at the musem which I deaply apreciated.

Bob Williamson provided a report from English Harbour.

Here is our report on Aiton Place.

More news about the other villages as I get it.

 

People

Kevin George, 28, of Cassada Gardens was found dead on a bed in his home. Since there was little damage to the house the cause of death is uncertain.

An elderly female from Crabbe Hill is reported missing.

A blind elderly man from Sea View Farm had been removed before the hurricane struck. However, the property was destroyed and concerned neighbors who were unable to locate him, filed a missing persons report. They were relieved to hear their concerns were unfounded and good on them for taking the time to look for him.

 

Back to our main hurricane reports page

 

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