Hurricane Beryl: Communication services restored in Grenada

Following the devastating hand of Hurricane Beryl, which caused much destruction in Grenada, communication services have been restored.
Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) Director Elizabeth Riley hosted an online press conference on Tuesday to give an update on the rebuilding progress.
“With respect to communications, there is satellite phone service as well as VHF radio connections. These have been established at the Carriacou District Emergency Operations Centre and there is also satellite phone service on Petite Martinique so there is better connectivity than a few days ago,” Riley revealed.
She also expressed that a health team has been deployed in the mainland of Grenada.

“We do have a health team from the mainland of Grenada which is the airport in Petite Martinique and this is of course important to want to make sure that the affected population can have access to a requisite care.”
She added, “A field hospital has been set up in Carriacou by Sir Martin’s Purse which is one of the big international Non-Governmental-Organisation (NGO’s) and that is operational and we thank them for providing that support to the government of Grenada.”
Meanwhile, the CDEMA director revealed that a complete state of emergency is still in effect in Grenada, however flights and vessels are fully operational.
“With respect to Carriacou and Petite Martinique, a person should note that the state of emergency remains in effect for these islands as indicated by the government of Grenada.”
She added that the airport and seaport in Carriacou are operational and in fact are accommodating flights as well as vessels.
The jetty in Petite aused and as such this is the modality by which relief items are being distributed to that island as there is no air strip accesses just by boat.
Hurricane Beryl, the first named storm of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, made its presence felt in the Eastern Caribbean. Initially a compact but powerful system, Beryl intensified rapidly, catching many off guard with its unexpected strength and trajectory.
Carriacou, a small island in Grenada, bore the brunt of Hurricane Beryl’s force as it made landfall. The island, known for its tranquil beaches and vibrant marine life, faced severe disruptions. High winds and torrential rains battered the island, causing widespread power outages and significant damage to infrastructure. Coastal areas were particularly hard hit, with many homes and businesses suffering extensive flood damage. The storm surge inundated low-lying areas, displacing residents and causing severe erosion to Carriacou’s cherished beaches. Despite the devastation, the community’s resilience shone through as local and regional aid efforts swiftly mobilised to provide relief and begin the arduous task of recovery. (G2)