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“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.”
News
Over 60 Injured in Drone Strike on Northern Israel
More than 60 people have been injured following a drone strike in northern Israel’s Binyamina region, according to emergency response organization United Hatzalah. The attack, claimed by Hezbollah, targeted a training camp of the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) Golani Brigade, located between Tel Aviv and Haifa.
The victims, whose conditions range from critical to mild, were evacuated to five regional hospitals via ambulances and helicopters. Israeli media reported that 67 people were injured in total, with four in critical condition and five others seriously wounded.
Hezbollah’s media office said the strike was in retaliation for Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon and Beirut earlier this week. The group used a “swarm of drones” in the attack, and reports suggest the low-level drones launched from Lebanon did not trigger Israel’s early warning alarms.
Footage showed wounded individuals being rushed into emergency vehicles, including helicopters, as medical teams worked swiftly to provide care. The injured were taken to hospitals in Hadera, Tel Hashomer, Haifa, Afula, and Netanya, where medical teams are working to stabilize those in critical condition.
News
Officials Urge Caution in Aftermath of Hurricane Milton: ‘Don’t Go Sightseeing’
Although Hurricane Milton has passed, officials are warning residents across Florida to remain cautious as the storm’s lingering effects, including severe flooding, continue to pose risks. In Hillsborough County, where Tampa is located, rescue teams have been hard at work after the river overflowed, causing over 6 feet (1.8 meters) of flooding. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, traveling by boat, has been ensuring the safety of residents in the flood-affected areas.
While multiple Florida ports have reopened, including Key West, Port Everglades, and Miami, several remain closed, such as those in St. Petersburg, Fort Myers, and Jacksonville. Georgia and South Carolina have also seen some port reopenings, but many areas still face closures and flooding risks.
President Biden provided an update on the storm’s damage, estimating the total cost to be around $50 billion. He emphasized that more financial aid would be necessary and called on Congress to approve additional funds as the true extent of the damage is assessed.
Officials are also urging people to stay off the roads and avoid “sightseeing” in affected areas to prevent further accidents or fatalities. “We’re going to need a lot of help,” Biden said, stressing the long recovery ahead after Milton and Hurricane Helene, which struck the region just weeks earlier.
News
Florida Reels as Hurricane Milton Leaves Six Dead and Destruction in its Wake
At least six people have died after Hurricane Milton tore through Florida, leaving behind a trail of destruction. As emergency responders navigate floodwaters and clear debris from fallen trees and power lines, the full extent of the storm’s toll remains unclear.
In St. Lucie County, four people lost their lives after multiple tornadoes struck the region. In central Florida’s St. Petersburg, police chief Anthony Halloway confirmed two more deaths.
President Joe Biden addressed the nation, acknowledging the uncertain scope of the damage and the dangers that remain. He emphasized that while the storm has passed, the aftermath can often bring additional fatalities. “There’s still very dangerous conditions in the state,” Biden warned.
He also stressed the need for substantial financial aid to support the state’s recovery. Biden called on Congress, currently in recess, to return and address the urgent emergency funding needs, underscoring that Florida’s recovery will be a “long haul” requiring billions of dollars in aid.
The president assured that immediate relief efforts are underway, ensuring that residents affected by the storm receive the support they need.
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