Tobago damage to exceed $30M

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Tobago Situation Report has stated that damage caused by Hurricane Ivan on September 7 2004, is now estimated at TT$30,711,300, and this covers approximately 90 percent of the island. The report issued by the Protocol and Public Relations Unit, in the Office of the Chief Secretary of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA), said hurricane winds in excess of 165 kilometres per hour caused the destruction of agricultural produce, premises (residential and Government buildings), as well as the disruption of  Public Utilities due to downed trees and utility poles. “Based on the reports received and the Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis (DANA) done, the agency should cater for reconstruction/restoration costs amounting to US$2.972 million, or approximately TT$18,723,300,” the report said.

It added that it should be noted that this cost excludes the approximately TT$6.478 million incurred by TSTT, TTEC and WASA in their recovery/restoration exercises, and damage to hotels estimated at TT$3 million. The report, prepared by Merna Riley-des Vignes in collaboration with NEMA’s Tobago co-ordinator Owen Sandy, said: “Torrential rainfall associated with the weather system also resulted in landslides and blockage of the roads leading into the eastern and northern portions of the island. “One fatality has been associated with this hurricane.” In terms of housing, several homes throughout the island sustained damages and required some form of repairs, and houses located in the eastern end of the island were hardest hit. The assessment revealed damage to 253 roofs, structural damage to 54 homes and complete destruction of six homes, and the extent of damage to roofs ranged from the loss of galvanise to the entire destruction of some roofs.

The costs associated with this situation, the report said, is TT$9.510 million. In addition to the cost of housing damage, the estimated cost of the rewiring to date is TT$300,000. As a result of the destruction/damage of roofs and homes, household appliances and furniture were also destroyed. An assessment and investigation of the cases by the Social Service team revealed that to date, the estimated costs associated with providing assistance for genuine cases amounts to TT$90,000. Hurricane Ivan also damaged Government and other public buildings. Approximately 25 buildings were damaged, and the estimated costs of repairs amounts to TT$589,089.36.

The report indicated that a total of 81 trees were downed and a total of 42 landslides were reported throughout the island. Reports received from individual residents and investigations done by the Department of Agriculture revealed there was significant destruction of crops and livestock, with damages amounting to TT$6 million. Speaking with Newsday yesterday, THA’s Chief Secretary, Orville London, pointed out that having deducted the donations received to date, there is still a shortfall of TT$18,723,300. He appealed to central Government for financial assistance in helping the THA and NEMA construct strong, emergency shelters in order to protect the people in the future.