This system affected the island on the 3-4th August, 1980, in St.Lucia maximum winds reached 125mph in the south and 105mph in the north of the island, In both cases recording instruments were either blown away or damaged before the passage of the most intesne weather. The storm was described as “dry” with rainfall ranging from 2.69 inches to 8.76 inches. Some stations recorded as little as 3 inches . Associated wave and storm range affected southern regions with waves of up to 20 ft almost completely destroying the village of Dennery on the east coast (population, 2500 in 1980) (Sutherland 1980)
Estimates of damages and losses : A report produced by the Central Planning Unit (CPU) produced in September 1980 remains the most authorititative source on damage and loss carried by the storm. Six lives were lost as a direct consequence of the storm and a further three indirect victims. Some 1570 homes were severely damaged and a further 10,000 suffered some level of damage. Approximately 9600 persons were rendered homeless. Eighty percent of all schools were completely destroyed or severely damaged and all major roads and telecommunication units were either severed or otherwise severly affected. The sole flour mill was completelely destroyed and the 1980-1981 tourist season suffered a 36 % decline in visitor arrivals compared with 1979-1980.
The impact on the banana crop:
In general the impact on agriculture was greater than on any other sector of the economy. The CPU Report estimated total losses and damages at EC $235.4 million projected over 15 years of which 79% was agricultural. OF the estimated EC $110.7 million direct damages, 67 % were agricultural. It was assessed that 100 % of the standing banana crop was destroyed with 88 % trees snapped and 12% completely uprooted. No earnings were anticipated before April 1981, with an estimated net income loss of EC 6.7 million over that period (Central Planning Unit, 1980). It was projected that it would take at least three years for the production and export of bananas to return to pre-hurricane levels. A “net-income loss” to the economy was calculated based on a comparison of pre-hurricane projections of banana output and exports and the post-hurricane output projections, assuming a rehabilitation programme. The “net income loss” of the banana industry arising out of hurricane Allen for the period 1981-83 was estimated at EC $ 47.68 million (Central Planning Unit, 1980)
According to a document by the government of St.Lucia, damage was estimated at EC$250 million.
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