Hurricane Maria – First Hit Dominica Island Destroyed Completely

Dominica is the first island hit by Hurricane Maria and the island is destroyed completely, almost.

Seven people have been confirmed dead and the toll may rise as several parts of the island is still inaccessible by the rescue team.

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit had to be rescued from his residence during the hurricane as the campus was flooded with water.

Adviser to PM, Hartley Henry, said Skerrit is safe and fine and they had communicated through a satellite phone.

Henry added, “It’s difficult to determine the level of fatalities, but so far seven are confirmed as a direct result of the hurricane. That figure, the prime minister fears, will rise as he wades his way into the rural communities.”

A CNN crew said almost every tree was touched by Hurricane Maria and Dominica is stripped of vegetation.

The crew added, “The breadth of the destruction is staggering – intact or untouched homes to find amid the chaos.”

Meanwhile, airport and sea ports have been completely closed and a landing strip is said to be opened within days to allow relief teams reach the island.

Neighboring islands Antigua and St Lucia are coordinating in the recovery efforts.

Antigua and Barbuda’s National Office of Disaster Services head Philmore Mullin said, “Damage is severe and widespread. We know of casualties, but not in detail. We’ve head of many missing, but we just don’t know much at the moment.”

Mullin added the only power available in Dominica is from car batteries and emergency generators.