Agency for Washington D.C. International 20523 Development

MARTINIQUE/GUADELOUPE- Hurricane David

Date: August 29, 1979 (FY 79) Location: Northeastern part of Martinique most severely hit; in Martinique the lower island of Basse Terre worst hit, along with Marie Galante and Les Saintes islands

No. Dead: None

No. Injured: l (Martinique); 2 (Guadeloupe)

No. Homeless: 500 in Martinique; several hundred in Guadeloupe

No. Affected: 20,000

Damage: Martinique - extensive damage to northeastern part of the island; banana crop devastated; 30 houses destroyed and 200 damaged; major roads blocked; 60% of the island left without electricity or telephones; container wharf at Fort-de-France damaged; 80 private boats at Case Pilote destro yed; total damages estimated at $50 million Guadeloupe - dock at Basse Terre (Guadeloupe's main banana port) destroyed; road from Basse Terre out; banana plantations on southern part of Basse Terre island heavily hit; telephone lines on both Basse Terre and Grande Terre down; total damages, largely to banana crop, estimated a t $100 million

The Disaster

Both Martinique and Guadeloupe were severely bit by Hurricane David on August 29, 1979, The impact of the disaster was primarily economic. No one was killed, there were few serious injuries, and the number made homeless was under one thousand. However, roads, power, and telephone service were all severely disrupted, and the port facilities and banana crops of both Martinique and Guadeloupe suffered major damage. MARTINIQUE/GUADELOUPE- Hurricane David

Action Taken by the Government of Martinique and Guadeloupe (France)

The French disaster relief organization (ORSEC) carried out needed relief measures.

Assistance Provided by the United States Government

On August 31, the U.S. Consul in Martinique determined that the devastation cawsed by Hurricane David in bath Martinique and Guadeloupe warranted the declaration of a disaster. Subse­ quentl y a check for $12,500 was presented to the Guadeloupe Red Cross and a second check for $12,500 was presented to the Martinique Red Cross, for a total of $25,000.

TOTAL $25,000

Assistance Provided by U.S. Voluntary Agencies

None reported .

Assistance Provided by the International Community

None reported.