CDC leads relief efforts following wind storm

The Civil Defence Commission (CDC) continues to assess damage and provide relief following high winds that struck multiple communities in Regions Three, Four and Five on Monday.

Areas including Kaneville, Uitvlugt, Hope, Melanie, Cane Grove, Mahicony, and Bare Root reported structural damage to homes, community centres, and schools. One private business in Georgetown was also reportedly impacted.

According to CDC’s Mitigation and Recovery Manager, Mariea Harrinaraine-Singh, emergency response efforts were launched immediately in coordination with regional authorities and Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs).

“We normally have a working relationship with all the NDCs across the country… we check in with them daily… to find out if anything has happened,” she said.

She noted that most of the damage was concentrated in residential and communal areas, including several schools.

In the immediate aftermath, the CDC began distributing cleaning supplies and food hampers to affected residents. Additional assistance will be guided by final damage assessments and directives from the Office of the Prime Minister.

“So far, we’ve provided cleaning supplies and food hampers… but we can’t say what further relief would be until we’ve completed the assessment of the damages so far,” she added.

Harrinaraine-Singh said that longer-term recovery and prevention will require a coordinated national effort to revise and enforce building codes, particularly at the NDC and municipal levels.

The CDC reported no major challenges in its emergency operations. Residents are encouraged to report damage or request assistance via the Commission’s 24/7 hotline at 226-1027 or WhatsApp at 600-7500.