August 29, 1979, is a date that will be remembered by many Dominicans.
It was the day Hurricane David struck Dominica.
The island had only twice been previously struck by a severe hurricane. In a hurricane in 1806, 131 people died when the Roseau River shifted its course and flooded the capital. On September 10, 1834, 200 lives were lost as a result of what was to be known as the ‘Great Hurricane.’
And 39 years ago today Hurricane David, a Category 4 hurricane and one of the deadliest of the latter half of the 20th century, roared towards the island.
Days before, forecasters predicted the hurricane would spare Dominica and hit Barbados instead. But hours before moving closer to the islands the hurricane shifted and headed for Dominica. Although it was clear David was coming residents did not appear to take the situation seriously.
Hence the island was totally unprepared as there were little local radio warning and no systems in place for disaster preparedness. Packing winds of 150 miles-per-hour the hurricane pounded Dominica for six hours from 9:00 am.
Thirty-seven people were killed and an estimated 5,000 were injured. Three-quarters of the population of 75,000 were left homeless. Many people slept in the open or huddled in homes of fortunate friends and neighbors for weeks or months to come.
The economy was totally destroyed, roads and bridges were blocked or swept away. Communications to the outside world were maintained only through Fred White’s battery operated ham radio until links were restored.
The Commander of a British Navy Frigate, which arrived in Dominica the next day, described the scene on the island as that of a bombed-out battlefield.
Dominica’s plight soon got swift attention from the Caribbean and the wider world. Food, tents, water and other supplies began arriving from the United States, Britain and Canada. Caribbean countries such as Barbados, Antigua and St. Lucia allowed temporary residence for scores of Dominicans who fled the island or who sent their children away until conditions improved.
The authorities struggled to restore some semblance of normalcy to the island. A food ration system was initiated. Foreign forces, contingents of the French Army, US Cee Bees and Royal Engineers set up camps here and assisted with relief efforts.
By November, Prime Minister Seraphin estimated that the pledges of assistance were at over US$37 million and that there was the probability of more in the long term. Assistance began pouring in from the IMF, International Red Cross, the Non-Aligned Movement, the Organisations of American States, the EEC and Caribbean Community States among others.
For months after the storm, the island echoed with the sounds of chain saws, hammering and electric generators as the people attempted to rehabilitate themselves.
August 29, 1979 is a day that many Dominicans will never forget.
Reference: The Dominica Story by Dr. Lennox Honychurch.
How many days it take when you post a comment for it to show up or may be it should be in line with every one that talking bad about their country then it get posted very quick
Just hang in there pal, unless there was a problem or issue it will show up, just check back. It’s not like your comment was an idea nor instructional. Lol
Yes it was bad but not as bad as Maria and I see every body came out and help fixing roof fixing houses what ever they can do I did my part by supplying about 20 people with electricity out of a big generator I got from Martinique right there in bath estate it took almost 1 year before we get power back so we can say thanks this modern day after Maria this is a big change except locals are not helping as before every body want to get money but money is not all
It was a terrible experience for me and thank God it pass through during the day..Remember being trapped in miss Mitty Rogers shop in zicack, Portsmouth because I had gone to buy something..However it was a Blessing in disguise because I migrated to Antigua and then the USA where I had good opportunities that I would never have gotten in Dominica. Unfortunately I choose to Return home after 38 yrs just to be welcome? by Maria’s wrath…
Let us all continue to take responsibility for our common home and do all we can to mitigate the impact of climate change on our Nature Isle.
Hurricane David was not as bad and divastating as Hurricane Skerrit. As bad as Hurricane David was, the fact is Hurricane David did not touch Ross University whereas Hurricane Skerrit blue Ross all the way to Barbados.
@ So-called Hurricane Skerrit, you idiot the word is Blew and not blue, Now you apologise to Dr Skerrit you fool!!
Haaahaa, @Silver Fox and others CANNOT address or defend the point I made so he choses to attack my spelling error lol. But how could a smart and intelligent person like you refer to the Prime Minister as Dr. Skerrit? Did you just confirm yourself as an educated fool? I would much rather be an intelligent idiot, than to be an educated fool though
@ Hurricane so-called Skerrit, NO matter what you say please remember you have never contributed a penny to Dominica and so are many so-called workers supporters because your handsome Lordship told you not too, I also remember the prophet of doom, Francisco saying after the hurricane Maria he would not give Dominica a failed state any help what so ever and today one cannot turn if that nasty old man dirty Liar isn’t popping up in our faces day and night writing pathetic crap.
You all kept blaming the PM for everything one day you all will say we Skerrit was there.
You are just a joker. Look thousands of people loosing their jobs in Trinidad. i guess is skerrit that did that
I remember that day like it was yesterday. Ironically David struck on a Wednesday …
I was in Dominica during Hurricane David. Prior to the hurricane, I wanted to experience what it felt like to lice through one. I was never so terrified in my life. Having seen the devastation wrought on the island, I did not think it got any worse, until I saw footage of the aftermath of Maria.