REGIONAL: St Lucia records one fatality as Elsa damage assessment continues

SOURCE: St Lucia Times – Prime Minister, Allen Chastanet, has confirmed that one man died in Fond St Jacques, Soufriere during the passage Friday of Hurricane Elsa.

“Sadly, I do have to report that there has been one fatality – a gentleman in Fond St Jacques perished in his home,” Chastanet said in a video posted on his official Facebook page.

And he expressed condolences to the family of the deceased and the community.

According to reports, the man’s house collapsed during the passage of Elsa.

The hurricane caused flooding, downed trees and power lines, tore off roofs and triggered flooding and landslides in several parts of the country.

The Prime Minister has been touring areas impacted by the weather system.

He visited the CDC buildings in Castries in the company of Castries Central MP, Sarah Flood-Beaubrun, Castries Mayor, Peterson Francis and other officials to view the hurricane damage first hand.

Chastanet disclosed that roofs were lost and homes were damaged in the CDC buildings and he gave the commitment that the situation will be addressed  as soon as possible.

The Prime Minister indicated that he will be meeting with members of his cabinet and other officials Saturday to get an update on hurricane damage and plan to get things repaired as quickly as possible.

But he warned that another storm is ahead.

“We have been advised that there is  another storm that’s brewing. We still cannot confirm whether it is going to come to Saint Lucia, but we must prepare ourselves for that eventuality. So we will be moving very quickly to get the country cleaned,” Chastanet stated.