Transport and Works lead assessment of damage caused by weather system

The National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO), has so far received reports of 29 houses being affected by the trough system that dumped several inches of rain on St Vincent and the Grenadines on Monday and Tuesday. Some damage was due to land slippage, and flooding which have undermined some structures, and there also have been reports of four homes suffering roof damage, and two that have completely collapsed. In this batch are houses that were negatively impacted by Hurricane Beryl on July 1, 2024.

There have also been reports of the collapse of four retaining walls. Director of NEMO, Michelle Forbes, told SEARCHLIGHT that the Ministry of Transport and Works, one of the agencies under the NEMO mechanism, is leading the damage assessment, with teams being in the field since Tuesday; the assessment will continue. The families at Golden Vale and Murray’s Village whose homes have collapsed have now been placed under the care of the Ministry of National Mobilisation that will look at the provision of longer term accommodation. Forbes said this is still the preliminary phase; she expects there will be additional reports of damage received from those who have been affected by the weather system.