|
|
News |
|
|
|
Opinion |
|
|
|
SKN Observer |
|
|
|
Advertising |
|
|
|
Resources |
|
|
|
| Tropical Waves Wreak Havoc on St. Kitts |
| By Sheena Brooks |
|
|
 |
Storm debris |
| |
The structural damage and service disruptions caused by a bout of unexpected bad weather over the weekend has some St. Kitts and Nevis residents asking, “What if it had been a hurricane?”
Carl Herbert, National Disaster Coordinator told The Observer that the impact of the weather system was in no way indicative of the Federation’s state of disaster preparedness.
“What happened was three Tropical Waves and a trough converged and as a result some 4.17 inches of rainfall fell over a period of 12 hours, from Monday night to Tuesday morning. That is a significant amount of rain in such a short period. When a hurricane hits, there isn’t normally that much rain, and the rainfall would be over an extended period,” he said.
Herbert explained that most of the water, which caused damage throughout St. Kitts, had come down from the mountainsides as it had been raining there before it reached the low-lying areas.
“One can’t stop water from coming down the ghauts and gullies from the mountains, however what persons can do to minimize damage is to not park in the ghauts and areas prone to flash flooding,” he advised.
Residents in various parts of the island, including St. Pauls, Old Road, and Camps reported serious water damage to homes. High winds knocked over large roadside signs, fences, and residential walls. A small section of the Warner Park Stadium wall was damaged during the heavy rains. The storm conditions led to mounds of dirt and debris being piled up at the Basseterre Ferry and Bus Terminal on the Bay Road. The silt and debris pile-up was also seen along Liverpool Row and other connecting streets. Cleanup crews descended on the area early Tuesday morning to remove the accumulated debris and the area was soon re-opened to traffic. Bus drivers and residents from the surrounding area also pitched in with the clean-up efforts.
The rains caused an island-wide blackout that lasted from late Monday evening until early Tuesday evening. Some residents also reported the loss of water and telephone services following the storm. Power station officials denied generator failure as the cause of the blackout saying instead the heavy rains had created problems in the field and at the plant.
Herbert told this media house that last week’s unexpected weather system should serve as a wake-up call for residents and urged all to maintain a state of preparedness and keep basic necessities on hand. |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
