Roseau, Dominica (TDN) UPDATE 7:45 P.M The death toll from the carnage left by the passage of Tropical storm Erika is expected to rise. Unconfirmed reports out of Petite Savanne indicate that several bodies have been recovered including that of an entire family; and that the search and rescue operation continues in that village.
UPDATE 6:01 P.M A search and rescue helicopter from the Caribbean Disaster Management System arrived from Trinidad at about 5:45 P.M and is headed to the village of Petite savanne.
UPDATE 6:01 P.M A search and rescue helicopter from the Caribbean Disaster Management System arrived from Trinidad at about 5:45 P.M and immediately set out to the village of Petite savanne.
UPDATE 4:55 P.M A Coast Guard vessel has made its way to the isolated village of Petite Savanne where as many as 20 people are believed to be either dead or injured. They will form the main thrust of a search and rescue operation in that village following several landslides triggered by the passage of Tropical Storm Erika.
UPDATE 4:20 P.M Reports continue to pour in of several deaths as well as damage to facilities and infrastructure across Dominica. A new million dollar Auto Trade football facility, which was opened last weekend has been washed away. Bridges in Mahaut, Macoucherie, Layou, Pichelin and elsewhere either completely or partially destroyed.
The airports at Canefield and Melville Hall has sustained significant damage and should be closed for a few days.
The Petro Caribe petrol facility and The Dominica Coconut Products factory sustained significant damage. In the case of Petro Caraibe a number of filled cylinders floated into the sea while equipment from the DCP factory similarly floated away.
UPDATE 2:36 P.M
Authorities in Dominica continue to await the arrival of two rescue helicopters from Trinidad to assist in evaluating the situation in Petite Savanne where there are reports of scores of casualties; which are yet to be confirmed.
UPDATE 1:37 P.M Mass casualties are being reported from the Petite Savanne area where authorities fear that as many as 20 persons may have died. Health minister Kenneth Darroux reported just moments ago that sources within the village are reporting the large number of casualties.
With communication lines cut and authorities unable to access the village the minister indicated that he was awaiting assistance with rescue helicopters scheduled to arrive in Dominica within the hour.
Tropical Storm Erica dumped several inches of rain on Dominica leaving behind a trail of death and destruction in its wake.
From about 3 A.M on Thursday August 27, 2015 Erika began pounding the island with rain and surprisingly little wind. However the consistent rain has resulted in the unconfirmed deaths of at least seven individuals.
Two brothers were reportedly washed away in Bath Estate when they returned to their previously evacuated home to retrieve some personal items and to take some photos. In the village of Good Hope villagers retrieved the bodies of an elderly gentleman and two children who were covered by a landslide.
A similar scenario unfolded in Delices and Castle Bruce where one individual each were missing and feared dead.
Across the island, Erika destroyed bridges and triggered landslides. In Roseau a church sitting on the edge of the river was partially swept away along with a stretch of road and at least two other wooden structures. No deaths were reported in that instance.
At around noon on Thursday steady rains continued to inundate the island prompting authorities to warn residents to evacuate to higher ground.
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