News
“Almost Whole Island Homeless” After Hurricane Beryl
Union Island, St Vincent and the Grenadines – July 2, 2024 – Hurricane Beryl has left Union Island in ruins, with nearly all residents now homeless. The storm destroyed most buildings and critical infrastructure, leaving the island in a dire state.
Devastation and Desperation: Katrina Coy, a local resident, described the aftermath: “Union Island is in a terrible state after Beryl passed. Almost the whole island is homeless. Houses are flattened, roads blocked, and electricity poles are down.”
Sebastien Sailly, a fisherman, echoed her sentiments: “Everything is lost. I have nowhere to live right now. Ninety percent of the island – easily 90% – has been erased.” Having lived through Hurricane Ivan in 2004, he noted that Beryl’s destruction was on another level.
Alizee Sailly, who runs a family hotel, recounted the harrowing experience as the hurricane passed: “We had to push furniture against doors and windows to keep the winds from blowing them open. The pressure was so intense you felt it in your ears. Roofs and windows were breaking, flooding was everywhere.” The trauma from the event is still fresh, with many residents feeling overwhelmed by the extent of the damage.
Immediate Needs: The community’s immediate priorities are shelter, food, and water. Residents are trying to gather materials for temporary shelters. “Finding water and food is going to be tough,” said Sebastien. He has also lost his two farms and beehives, adding to the personal toll of the disaster.
Alizee emphasized the urgent need for tinned foods, powdered milk, sanitary products, first-aid kits, tents, and generators. She has been communicating via SpaceX’s Starlink network due to downed power and communications.
Government Response: Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves acknowledged the immense destruction in a morning address: “Hurricane Beryl has left in its wake immense destruction, pain, and suffering across our nation.” He promised swift action to tackle the post-hurricane priorities, but residents are sceptical about the government’s capacity to respond effectively.
Sebastien hopes for military and coastguard assistance. “This is going to take billions; it will take a year or more and is going to need international help,” he said. The community remains uncertain about the government’s ability to provide the necessary resources and manpower for recovery.
Call for Help: Katrina Coy, director of the Union Island Environmental Alliance, called for immediate assistance from the Caribbean diaspora. “We’re in dire need of help. Emergency kits, food, evacuation – all of that is needed now.” Her work on water security, vital for small island communities, has also been devastated by the hurricane.
Hurricane Beryl’s Impact: Beryl hit land as a category four hurricane with 150 mph (240 km/h) winds. Thousands remain without power and many are in temporary shelters across St Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada, and St Lucia.
Despite the devastation, Sebastien expressed gratitude: “The most important thing is that we are still alive, not the material losses. I was just pleased to see my neighbours were still here.”
In a devastating incident in eastern India, at least 46 people, including 37 children and seven women, have drowned while celebrating the Hindu Jivitputrika festival. The fatalities, which occurred across 15 districts within the past 24 hours, resulted from victims ritually bathing in rivers and ponds swollen by recent flooding.
The three-day festival, which honors children’s wellbeing, is traditionally marked by mothers fasting and families participating in ritual baths. This year, the swollen water bodies, exacerbated by recent floods, have turned the celebratory ritual into a deadly disaster.
Local disaster management officials have expressed fears that the death toll could rise further. State authorities have promised compensation for the families and relatives of the victims.
Fatal accidents during religious festivals are not uncommon in India, where large gatherings often take place with insufficient safety measures. This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by such gatherings, especially during adverse weather conditions.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have conducted airstrikes in Beirut, reportedly killing Mohammad Hussein Surur, a senior Hezbollah air unit leader. The Lebanese health ministry confirmed two deaths and 15 injuries from the attack. The strikes come amid escalating violence between Israel and Hezbollah, with both sides exchanging fire throughout the night and into the morning.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the IDF would continue to fight “with full force” against Hezbollah, aiming to dismantle the Iran-backed militant group. This marks a significant intensification of hostilities between the two sides, which have been exchanging rockets and airstrikes for days. The Lebanese health ministry also reported that 28 people were killed today by Israeli airstrikes.
In retaliation, Hezbollah launched 80 missiles targeting northern Israeli cities, including Safed. Israeli authorities have reported no casualties but noted significant property damage in Safed and Rosh Pina.
Amid the intensifying conflict, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin renewed calls for a diplomatic solution. The U.S., along with 11 other allied nations, has urged both Israel and Hezbollah to agree to a ceasefire to prevent further escalation and civilian casualties.
Ferry travel between the Isle of Man and Lancashire continues to face disruption due to strong winds over the Irish Sea. The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company has cancelled Thursday’s 08:45 BST sailing of the Manxman to Heysham and its scheduled 14:15 return journey. This follows the cancellation of the vessel’s return trip from the Lancashire port on Wednesday evening.
The disruptions have affected postal services, with the Isle of Man Post Office reporting delays in deliveries from the UK. While local deliveries within the island remain unaffected, items posted on Wednesday for UK delivery may not reach Royal Mail’s network in time for Friday delivery.
Additionally, the ferry cancellations have caused a delay in newspaper deliveries, with no papers available on the island on Thursday, as confirmed by the island’s wholesale distributor.
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