ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada--Severe flooding has crippled Grenada’s capital city of St. George’s along with southwestern portions of St. David’s parish over the last four days, following heavy rains that began on Wednesday as part of a tropical weather system, with significant rainfall and flooding still expected into early Monday morning.
However, Spicemas revellers in other parts of the island seemed to be unaffected by the flooding and the heavy rains.
As a result of the flooding, there were several land and mudslides throughout the St. George’s and St. David’s parishes, as utility lines came tumbling down, cars were swept away and left under waist- and chest-deep waters, with residents scrambling for higher ground. Both parishes have been declared disaster zones as a result and clean-up and containment efforts are under way.
Grenadian news outlets have also reported that the St. John River overflowed, causing residents to immediately evacuate the area.
Grenada’s National Disaster Management Agency NaDMA reports that one fatality has been confirmed. Caribbean News Now has confirmed that the death was of a male resident who was said to have been swimming towards his boat in the heavy rains and high flood water in an attempt to secure it from floating away, but unfortunately he drowned in the process.
On Wednesday, at the start of the depression, NaDMA held a press conference on Grenadian television advising residents to take the necessary precaution as the level of damage was projected to be severe.
Initial damage assessments indicate that at least ten homes, three schools, and five other buildings have sustained varying levels of damage and most of the parishes still remain under water with few, if any, passable thoroughfares.
Forecasts did not project additional rainfall over Grenada on Sunday, although a second tropical wave is said to be impacting the region and may make its way to Grenada within the week.
A video posted by a Grenadian living in Canada, Edward Mahon, via family members being affected on the island, shows how severe the flooding has been over the last few days.
Despite the flood and severe weather affecting St. George’s and St. David’s parishes, the August Spicemas festivities, which began in earnest on August 2, continued in the northeastern part of the island in the St. Andrew parish with the 10 to 10 Soca Fete that started on August 4 going into the morning of August 5, took place as revellers were seen enjoying the concert.
Spicemas revellers seemed unaffected by the flooding and the heavy rains and the party continued on well into the morning, with many concert goers visibly enjoying themselves despite what has been taking place in other parts of the island.
No word yet from the event organisers, the Spicemas Corporation, on whether or not events planned at venues in St. George’s and St. David’s will be relocated or cancelled.
Grenada recently got a boost from regional airline Leeward Islands Air Transport (LIAT) in terms of increased airlift to the island for the Spicemas festival this month due to the high demand and bookings received for this festival season.
Notwithstanding the expectation of another tropical system to impact Grenada within the week, the festivities for Spicemas on the Corporation’s website have remained unchanged as events are booked well into the culminating attractions through August 13 and 15. ~ Caribbean News Now! ~
