Five hundred and eighteen residents were evacuated from Petite Savanne and 121 from Dubique up to August 31 but some persons are refusing to leave the communities.
Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit said 409 residents were evacuated from Petite Savanne on August 31 while109 persons were evacuated from that same community on August 30.
Petite Savanne was declared a Special Disaster Area and Government was focusing significant efforts on that community. Earlier this week, Parliamentary Representative for the community, Dr Kenneth Darroux said that five persons had been found dead while 15 were missing.
Skerrit said Monday’s evacuation was done with help from the Dominica Coast Guard, St Lucia Coast Guard, Barbados Coast Guard, helicopters from Trinidad and a helicopter from the Venezuela ship that is in Dominica.
He said 30 of those evacuated from Petite Savanne on Monday were elderly or injured and had to be airlifted.
Ten residents from the Darroux area (one elderly and nine other persons) and three (two elderly and one physically challenged) from the Morne Topie area are refusing to leave Petite Savanne.
“As we said, it is a voluntary process. You have to sign a consent form and we cannot force you,” he said.
Three others who are bedridden are in another part of Morne Topie and efforts will made to evacuate them today.
Moreover, three persons are refusing to leave Dubique, he reported.
Some of the evacuated residents are staying with relatives while others are housed at the Dominica Grammar School.
Efforts will be made to encourage the last remaining residents to leave the two communities.
How many rivers have Dominica now?…… 563? Boy look water eh!
Trust me no one understands no one knows what these people are going through we think we do but we don’t .I’m from petite savanne left there 20 years ago and I feel the pain crying everyday trust me you do not know the feeling
safety First! If a village is declared unsafe to reside at present and we have to evacuate, there is absolutely no excuses when it comes to safety. You must obey rules and follow proper procedures otherwise you are not taking safety seriously. If some decide to stay that means there is a state of panic.
Leaving Egypt and heading towards the promise land is not that easy. But for freedom and safety, one has to leave.
Oh yes! This is heartbreaking. Those poor people; what they have gone through.
I hope those who refuse to leave will be safe. May God protect them.
All of you who are affected by this tropical storm, take heart. In time, you will be back to normal, even though memories of your experience will not wane.
Our Lord Jesus Christ said: “In this world you will have trouble. Take heart. I have conquered the world.” He is with you.
God is watching over you and strengthening you as you receive help, to at least somewhat ease your concern, pain and suffering.
HOW DO YOU FEEL WHEN……?
How do you feel when you have to leave a FAMILIAR PLACE that you know all your life and go to a NEW PLACE that you know nothing about?
It really is not easy,but again if you do not go you may not know or ever see the new location,a catch 22 situation
Thank you DNO for the insightful coverage of the disaster in the wake of Erika. To me, this is DNO’s finest hour. No other media house has covered the event with such timeliness and clarity. Awesome pix and stories. Big up to you, Tim, your editor and reporting team. You kept the news flowing despite whatever personal issues affected you during and after the storm. Loved the survivors’ tales; excellent writing,, give us more!
My heart goes out to the people of Dominica,
I have been to your beautiful Island many many times.
I now have a lot of close friends that I have made over the past twenty five years and feel that they are part of my family. I will be praying for all of Dominica.
STAY STRONG,
Tony Sulfaro
Florida Governor Rick Scott issued the emergency declaration to free up resources for storm preparations.
Poor Dominicans boy
How can u compare USA to DA governor Rick Don’t have to depend on out side help America can take care of America
It really is not easy,but again if you do not go you may not know or ever see the new location,a catch 22 situation
So tell me will resources be diverted from other states to Dominica? That state of emergency is for THE UNITED STATES.
dem people do not want to live eben eben eben
eben icannot understand some people the dat hard for their own good them am sorry to say but it takes wicked people to do so
LOL! I eh moving garcon!
I understand their plight; living in an area all your life and then suddenly you have to move.