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Tropical storm Erika: Dominica declares disaster status and appeals for aid Tropical storm Erika: Dominica declares disaster and seeks aid
(about 11 hours later)
Rescue teams worked to reopen roads to remote communities in Dominica on Sunday after tropical storm Erika caused flooding and mudslides that killed at least 20 people and left more than 50 missing on the Caribbean island.Rescue teams worked to reopen roads to remote communities in Dominica on Sunday after tropical storm Erika caused flooding and mudslides that killed at least 20 people and left more than 50 missing on the Caribbean island.
“Access by road to these communities is impossible,” said the prime minister, Roosevelt Skerrit. These towns “are cut off from the rest of the country”.“Access by road to these communities is impossible,” said the prime minister, Roosevelt Skerrit. These towns “are cut off from the rest of the country”.
In a national address late on Saturday, Skerrit declared disaster status for nine local areas.In a national address late on Saturday, Skerrit declared disaster status for nine local areas.
On Sunday the government ordered about 1000 inhabitants to evacuate from the small town of Petite-Savanne, fearing new landslides.On Sunday the government ordered about 1000 inhabitants to evacuate from the small town of Petite-Savanne, fearing new landslides.
Erika whipped the island for more than five hours on Wednesday, bringing strong winds and intense rain that provoked flooding and landslides. Hundreds of homes were destroyed.Erika whipped the island for more than five hours on Wednesday, bringing strong winds and intense rain that provoked flooding and landslides. Hundreds of homes were destroyed.
Crews were using heavy equipment sent by the governments of Venezuela, Martinique and Guadalupe. Hundreds of men worked on Sunday to reopen the country’s main airport, Skerrit said. Crews were using heavy equipment sent by the governments of Venezuela, Martinique and Guadeloupe. Hundreds of men worked on Sunday to reopen the country’s main airport, Skerrit said.
Skerrit appealed for international aid and estimated that damage from the storm could set the country’s development back two decades.Skerrit appealed for international aid and estimated that damage from the storm could set the country’s development back two decades.
In Haiti the storm killed at least one person in a suspected landslide. Four others died when a truck hit a bus during the downpour.In Haiti the storm killed at least one person in a suspected landslide. Four others died when a truck hit a bus during the downpour.