As Haiti and Jamaica brace for Tomas, expected to regain strength as a Category 1 hurricane by Friday, a massive cleanup continues on St. Lucia.
Prime Minister Stephenson King described the impact of the storm as the country’s worst-ever natural disaster but key tourism facilities remain operational.
Saint Lucia's airports in the north and south of the island are now fully operational following the passage of Hurricane Tomas, a Category 1 storm, over the weekend.
At least 14 people have been killed on the island, although the exact number of deaths has not been revealed. Massive mud slides have closed many roads and the worst hit town of Soufrière was inaccessible.
Senator Allen Chastanet, Saint Lucia's Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister, reported that over the past few days Saint Lucians have joined forces in "true community spirit" to clear roads, clean debris and help communities return to a state of normalcy.
As of Tuesday, the island's two airports - Hewanorra International Airport in the south and George F. L. Charles Airport in the north of the island - were open for business; and American Eagle had increased services at George F. L. Charles Airport to move passengers who had previously been delayed between San Juan, Puerto Rico and Saint Lucia.
"We are pleased to report that major roads have been cleared and the Castries-Vieux Fort and Soufrière-Vieux Fort thoroughfares are now fully motorable," Senator Chastanet said, thanking the state authorities, businesses and private citizens for helping facilitate critical access between the north and the south.
Electricity has been restored to 80% of the island and is expected to reach 90% of the island by the weekend.
Senator Chastanet says that most resorts currently have adequate water, and water supply should be restored in short order. Detailed inspections revealed damage to the water dam was substantially less than expected.
Most businesses have been able to resume operations.
Buoyed by the clean-up work of the Saint Lucian populace, the Tourism Minister declared, "We look forward to welcoming visitors by air from Europe, North America and the Caribbean with regularity from this Friday, November 5th - a week earlier than previously forecast."
Senator Chastanet also announced that cruise ships will resume calls to the island from November 7th.
"Our prayers are with our brothers and sisters here and in the Eastern Caribbean who have been affected by this storm as well as those elsewhere in the region who are bracing themselves for its arrival over the next few days," said Senator Chastanet.
The tourism minister noted the government was working with local, regional and international partners to help deliver humanitarian assistance to communities that have been affected by Hurricane Tomas.
