“There has been only one hurricane in the known history of the island – Janet – which occurred in 1955. We do not expect a repeat visit for another five hundred years or so.”
[Grenada’s main guidebook – printed 2002]

At 3.30pm on September 7, 2004, Hurricane Ivan struck Grenada with full force. It was the worst hurricane in living memory and one which claimed 39 lives. Travelling at 125 mph, it tore through Grenada, leaving behind a wasteland of flattened houses, twisted metal, and splintered wood.

During the 6 hours of hurricane force winds, 90% of homes were damaged or destroyed and 40% were left totally uninhabitable. The entire island lost its electricity connection and drinking water was unavailable for several days. Telephone services were cut and there were shortages of food. The Prime Minister, Keith Mitchell, declared a national disaster.

The storm destroyed schools, churches, the island’s prison and one of the island’s two hospitals. The island's extensive public health system collapsed and people were left without medication. Only two of the island’s 75 primary and secondary schools were left in a useable condition. In the aftermath of the hurricane, widespread looting occurred and troops had to be brought in from surrounding countries to restore order.

The hurricane had sucked up seawater and blown it across the land. As a result the remaining trees and vegetation appeared to be scorched and brown. Inland, the rainforest suffered extensive and severe damage. Half of the trees were left lying on the ground and the other half lost all their leaves.

The economy suffered a devastating setback. 80% of Nutmeg, Cocoa, banana and other agriculture trees were destroyed and 70% of the island’s tourist infrastructure was damaged with hotels left needing extensive repairs and rebuilding.

The following are eye-witness accounts of the hurricane and its aftermath:

“As the wind blew on my roof it sounded like I was in a washing machine. The next thing I remember, I was lying on the floor with the roof on me.”
James

“In the area where I live, as far as my eye can see, every building lost their roof including mine. It all happened so quickly that all one could do was to stay where they were, covering themselves. When my roof disappeared, I went underneath a step in the basement together with my five-year-old daughter, sheltering from the rain underneath a piece of thick canvas. We stayed there for about 2.5 hours as the wind howled and roof tops came tumbling down the hill and crashing into our house.”
Ernest

“When the eye of the storm came, we left the house and went outside. It was very quiet. There was no wind. It felt surreal, as if we were experiencing something extreme and on the edge of human existence. Outside, it was as if a giant had trampled through the area. Trees were flattened and the buildings looked like they had been abandoned years ago and left to ruin. When the wind started up again, the gusts picked up all the loose debris and threw it against the house we were in. This included huge water tanks, big branches and the roof of a neighbouring house.”
Heather

“In Grenada food is desperately short, and serious health problems are imminent due to lack of sanitation and clean water. Distribution of relief is hampered by lack of vehicles, and roads are still impassable.”
Nicola

“Almost all of the house roofs are gone, debris litters the streets and the most prominent sound that you can hear is the sound of chain saws as people try to clear the wreckage. On our way out of town we were stopped by soldiers who wanted to search us for looted materials, they eventually allowed us to continue but warned us that their orders were to arrest people on the streets.”
Leslie

During our time in Grenada we have learnt a great deal about the effects Hurricane Ivan, many of which being felt (and can still be seen) over two years on. My next blog entry will talk more about this........