Luego de las inundaciones, comienzan a normalizarse los servicios públicos en Santa Lucía

Slowly recovering

Electricity and other services were being gradually restored here less than 24 hours after a slow moving low level trough caused widespread flooding and destruction to St. Lucia.

Prime Minister Dr. Kenny Anthony told nationals he could not “recall when we have had such heavy rainfall on the eve of Christmas”.

The rains and strong winds, which had blamed for five deaths and damage to roads, bridges and houses, also caused destruction in neighbouring St. Vincent and the Grenadines, where nine people were confirmed dead and the search continuing for three others, presumed dead.

The St. Lucia Air and Sea Ports (SLASPA) said that the Hewanorra International Airport, south of here, remained closed and that crews were working tirelessly to have the airport reopened as soon as possible.

“Passengers expecting to travel or coming to pick up someone, please contact your party for the status of the flight before coming to the airport,” it added.

The St. Lucia Electricity Services Limited (LUCELEC) said that it had been able to restore power to “nearly all areas that had been affected by outages resulting from the heavy rains and severe lightning”.

LUCELEC Transmission and Distribution Manager Gilroy Pultie said acknowledged that some areas in the south of the island that had been severely battered by the rains and winds have not been re-energised, but hoped the situation would be completed as soon as possible as crews deal with fallen poles and trees that have brought down power lines.

“All other areas around the island have power, except for a few isolated pockets which will be attended to over the next several hours.”

The telecommunications company, LIME, said that it was gradually restoring services to customers and that the network link between Bexon and Dennery was once more functional.

http://cananewsonline.com/news/94543-slowly-recovering.html