Hurricaine News

[stephew]

as per my conversation with the school today:

1) the school will be chartering a flight into Grenada to bring in supplies that the chancellor is organizing.

2)some want to donate: if you do, contact 800 899-6337: debbie Beeman ext 246.

3) food and water ok for a few days (they're emptying University club).

4)SENIOR OFFICIALS AND RAs have been on campus the whole time. They were holed up just like students. Including the four of five Deans. The rumor that they got on the plane monday afternoon is not true (actually the word used in responce to my direct question about that is no publishable here) as per the school. Many students were with the faculty at the time.

5)There is wind and water damage to the campus buildings but the buildings are structurally sound via visual inspection. Engineers (probably from Trinidad) are being sent in to confirm. The majority of repairs it is anticipated, will involve window and roofing materials. University admin is "very pleased with how the structural buildings held up". One dorm did lose its roof. no one was hurt.

6)in spite of reports of looting, the contact the university has had with students suggests there has been none of this on campus. A liquor store off campus of course did have a robbery; glovers did open their doors to others but NOT UNDER THREAT. The word quoted to me was "there is real community spirit but people are nervous".

7)classes hope to be up and running monday.

8)the university is working with the US state department. A master list of students is being compiled and the US state department will confirm their safety.

9) the campus has opened available phone lines for students to call parents and notify family of safety. There are three phones so it will take a while. The students can call out; people shouldn't call in.

10) please call sgu as the phones were manned all night last night and probably tonight 1 800 899-6337- hit "zero".

11) unconfirmed report is 19 Grenadians lost their lives.

[SnowRat]

Hey there!

Many of us over here at AUC have been worried about the people on Grenada! It's good to read that things are being taken care of. Hope you are all okay! Are the families okay?? I know it's busy there, so I'll be patient in waiting for a response. When you get a chance let me know how the families are and if there is anything the AUC Spouse Club can do to help!

Trisha Snow

[stephew]

that is very kind. Perhaps when things settle the SO's at auc can be in contact with the SO's at sgu and coordinate. anything helps.
steph

[father]

:!: To all parents and relatives of SGU students :!:

Please call US Department of State at (202)647-4384 OR (202)647-5088

and ask US Government to do everything necessary to protect and help our loved once in SGU. Especially I concern about looting and crime situation after this terrible hurricane.

Many of students in Grenada are US citizens and our government must do all in its power to protect them.

[stephew]

hi father. Please dont assume the worst case- remember rumors abound particularly when there is no cotact. THe US state dept is involved. Our thoughts are with your family there. Hopefully your grassroots will help move things along.
steph

[father]

Thank you for your response. I am also optimist,...but "better to be safe than sorry...".....

[dimipt]

Hello to all!

I'm a second term SGU student. I am in NY since luckily enough, I decided to come home for the holiday weekend.
SGU administration and especially the President of the University are on the top of everything and my contact at University Services assured me that there is a plan that is implemented. NO reason to Panic !

Log into the www.sgu.edu site and you will find constant updates about the situation.
If you need additional information the US State Department has established a Hot Line: 1-888-407-4747 and they will give you information.
I know of a couple of other students who are in NY at this moment and we are all willing to help in any possible way that we can. So if anybody needs anything please send private message. Some of us are going back on Sunday. Hopefully the school will be up and running by Monday.
:!: For our fellow classmates down in Grenada: We are thinking of you and Keep Strong!

[azskeptic]

http://news.google.com/news?q=damage+to+Grenada&num=100&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&safe=off&sa=N&tab=nn

[helpfulgrad]

I know many of you (my colleagues in grenada) will not read this for some time...until power and communications are back up.
Know that my thoughts and prayers are with you all.....

take care...
HG

[azskeptic]

I know many of you (my colleagues in grenada) will not read this for some time...until power and communications are back up.
Know that my thoughts and prayers are with you all.....

take care...
HG

a father of one of kids called me today and told me that his daughter had been able to send an email out last nite but probably by now her laptop battery was down. Wonder how the server is still up? perhaps they had backup batteries on it.

reading the press sounded like it destroyed the house of the Prime Minister of the island.

[dad]

Telephone calls to land line numbers sometimes go through. Not all students knew what to do during and after the hurricane (some felt that they were left to their own devices). It seems that there was a breakdown in communications between SGU administration and at least some of the students. It is not known at this time if the term will be extended or not (changellor will have to decide). Bay Shore staff in an effort to alleviate concerns indicated that Security on campus is assured and that students are being provided with food an water. Overall (based on a single three minutes telephone call four hours ago) it seems that the student population is calm.

[father]

[duplicate post, original text can be found here (http://www.valuemd.com/viewtopic.php?p=119492#119492).]

[bertc]

Overall (based on a single three minutes telephone call four hours ago) it seems that the student population is calm.
Calm? Students are calm?

Perhaps if you call: "arming themselves with knives, sticks and pepper spray for fear that looters in the city would come up the hill (CNN)" -- calm.

[azskeptic]

Stephew, have you verified the info you are getting or is it coming from only 1 source?

Sounds like conflicting reports are happening.

az skeptic

[father]

...for some reason my statement disappeared. Please read it by clicking on link:

[duplicate post, original text can be found here.]


Also it's not much information on the national news about our children - CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES in danger.

Please call national radio, TV and newspapers and tell them that OUR KIDS NEED HELP FROM US GOVERMENT.

[azskeptic]

...for some reason my statement disappeared. Please read it by clicking on link:

[duplicate post, original text can be found here.]


Also it's not much information on the national news about our children - CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES in danger.

Please call national radio, TV and newspapers and tell them that OUR KIDS NEED HELP FROM US GOVERMENT.

You have to admit if Uncle Sam has to invade Grenada again it will be interesting. Father, you talk to any administrator yourself? Imagine everyone there is pretty upset from it all...

[father]

...dear "azskeptic"....I am not talking about military invasion,...I am talking about Humanitarian Help and Providing Security for our children...

[azskeptic]

...dear "azskeptic"....I am not talking about military invasion,...I am talking about Humanitarian Help and Providing Security for our children...

US is awaiting an official request from the govt. Other Carib countries are already rushing in to help. Since they got $4 million from the charities a few years ago I am sure they will get money.

In terms of security they aren't going to accept any 'military' help..too political after Reagan's thing. Peace keeping will be done by their own people. The question is can they do it quick enough for your kids. If I had any questions I'd get them out of there......you've got a problem there...my guess is push to get them off the islands and the school has a responsibility to assure safety for the kids if it is possible. I would guess they are doing it....kids are probably scared but the school has resources and staff on the ground....wow, tough call...my thoughts are with you.

[stephew]

Stephew, have you verified the info you are getting or is it coming from only 1 source?

Sounds like conflicting reports are happening.

az skeptic
no way to verify. Im basically calling bayshore, asking questions asked here, and responding to them. Of course, bay shore may not have all info but at least we're getting the qeustions to them.

[stephew]

...for some reason my statement disappeared. Please read it by clicking on link:

[duplicate post, original text can be found here.]


Also it's not much information on the national news about our children - CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES in danger.

Please call national radio, TV and newspapers and tell them that OUR KIDS NEED HELP FROM US GOVERMENT.where did your post disappear from? It wasn't deleted.
S

[father]

I would guess they are doing it....kids are probably scared but the school has resources and staff on the ground....

...school HAD resources before hurricane,...but let's think logically.....these resources are local...so they have their own families and kids to take care... so guess: where all these resources AFTER this disaster occur???

I talked to number of kids tonight and all of them said they left on their own...No security around...do not see any school staff.

[azskeptic]

I would guess they are doing it....kids are probably scared but the school has resources and staff on the ground....

...school HAD resources before hurricane,...but let's think logically.....these resources are local...so they have their own families and kids to take care... so guess: where all these resources AFTER this disaster occur???

I talked to number of kids tonight and all of them said they left on their own...No security around...do not see any school staff.

If that is the case, get the kids to get to the US consul...that is who looks after you if you have no one else to help you.

http://www.spiceisle.com/homepages/usemb_gd/

[azskeptic]

Embassy Information

Address

P.O. Box 54,
St. George's,
Grenada,
West Indies
Telephone :(473)-444-1173 / 444-1176

Fax: (473)-444-4820

Email: usemb_gd@caribsurf.com

AMBASSADOR: MARY ELIZABETH KRAMER (RESIDENT IN BRIDGETOWN)

[Parent of Daughter]

My daughter and the group of students she is with are telling completely different stories than the school is leading us to believe. The situation in Grenada is much worse than the school is letting the parents know and the overall safety of our students are at risk. I do not understand why they have not cleared the airport so we could get some planes in and get some students out. There has been no signs of the administration or security on campus - looting seems to be widespread and locals are on campus. We need help for our loved ones and we need it now.

[azskeptic]

My daughter and the group of students she is with are telling completely different stories than the school is leading us to believe. The situation in Grenada is much worse than the school is letting the parents know and the overall safety of our students are at risk. I do not understand why they have not cleared the airport so we could get some planes in and get some students out. There has been no signs of the administration or security on campus - looting seems to be widespread and locals are on campus. We need help for our loved ones and we need it now.

Call the Ambassador..if you can't reach them call the State Department in Washington DC

http://contact-us.state.gov/

[azskeptic]

resources on the island:

Red Cross
http://www.ifrc.org/address/gd.asp

Salvation Army
http://www.salvationarmycarib.org/www_car.nsf/vw-news/BA4E697B2AF99B2B05256F090079E48D?opendocument

Background on Grenada (they have an 800 member police force)
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2335.htm

Grenada maintains an embassy in the United States at 1701 New Hampshire Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20009 (tel: 202-265-2561).



Someone in there should be able to help you find out what is real or not.

[surfNsmile]

Just want to send prayers and well wishes for all those in Grenada. Hope things return to normal soon.

[wifeofDr2b]

Our hearts and prayers go out to the students and families during this difficult time. We sure hope everyone is safe.

[microphage]

Rumors and speculations help no one. If all the parents want their kids home, then I'd say find the solution. Call your state politician, call the airlines, anyone IMPORTANT. Venting in this public forum won't solve anything

Good luck to all in Grenada.

[mdatpride]

I graduated from SGUSOM in 1988, and to those who have never lived in Grenada, the truth is that it is a very difficult place to live even in the best of times. Clearly, this is not the best of times. There is no doubt in my mind that Bayshore has the best interests of the students as their top priority, but as we all know, sometimes it is very difficult to get consistant accurate answers from them. Grenada is a very scary place during power outages- I lived through many of them. What the parents, families and friends of the students need to realize is that the people of Grenada, although wonderful and friendly people, are now fighting for their survival. Food and fresh drinking water are scarce. Their is no electricity, radio or television. Communications are spotty at best. To me this situation is somewhat similar to the circumstances in 1983. There is possibly an unsafe and volitile situation on the island. With the destruction of the prison, no one can guarantee the safety of the students and faculty. It is the responsibility of the families, parents and friends to pressure the Administration to evacuate the students and establish temporary alternate campuses as they did when I was a student in 1983. We all know that Dr. ****** will have the school repaired to perfection as soon as possible, but let's make the safety of the students and faculty our top priority during this unfortunate disaster.

With sincere best wishes to everyone in Grenada,

Lee R. Anisman M.D.
SGUSOM 1988
Medical Director, Pride Medical Inc.
Atlanta, GA
www.pridemedical.com

[azskeptic]

SAFETY AND SECURITY: For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department's Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov where the current Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, Travel Warnings and Public Announcements can be found.

The Overseas Citizens Services call center at 1-888-407-4747 can answer general inquiries on safety and security overseas. This number is available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). Callers who are unable to use toll-free numbers, such as those calling from overseas, may obtain information and assistance during these hours by calling 1-317-472-2328.

[FutureDoc2be]

here's a clip from BBC that is taken by the british navy...it shows damage inline with what we've been reading.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/video/40050000/rm/_40050556_hurricane01_dunlop09_vi.ram


**you'll need realplayer to view it.
----

[Cuando2]

couldnt make much out from the video at all

[Cuando2]

regarding the prisoners who have escaped, this article (in summary, regarding the relevant topics), while interesting as a whole, states at the end that Coard and his wife were sent to prison, along with other members of his government. It also states that the prison held 300 inmates, all of which I assume have been freed (even though news articles say the number is 17)?

http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/COLDcoard.htm

[bertc]

Rumors and speculations help no one. If all the parents want their kids home, then I'd say find the solution... Venting in this public forum won't solve anything.
I disagree. If we are getting first-hand information from our children or spouses who are experiencing what it's like on the island, PLEASE share it for all of us to hear.

We can get the news. We can read the SGU bulletins. But this place is the only place we can share what we hear directly from the frontlines. If what your son says conflicts with what SGU says, then we can make up our own minds as to where the truth really lies.

I honestly can't wait to hear a parent give us their child's account of how everything SGU is saying is the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

And if you still think it's better to stay silent, read this response:
http://www.valuemd.com/viewtopic.php?p=119564#119564

[dad]

In the last 11 hours I have been trying to get through to various telephone numbers (both land line and cells) including those of SGU and US Embassy, but unfortunately I did not succeed. Considering that I was able to get through during the first 20 or so hours after the hurricane, but not in the last 11 hours, it seems that the situation in Grenada has deteriorated. I would appreciate it if any readers would post information if they succeed establishing telephone (or otherwise) contact with anybody in Grenada.
Thank you.

[dad]

The subject of the previous post is wrong (probably wishful thinking on my part); telephone lines ar NOT working.

[dad]

I am attaching below an update from:

http://www.stormcarib.com/reports/2004/grenada.shtml

**************************

FYI
From: Dave Cason <dcason AT shaw.ca>
Date: Wed, 08 Sep 2004 21:57:05 -0600

HI!!

Just talked to my wife in Grenada .... 7:09PM - 7:28PM - Calagry
9:29 there then - 8 lights only visible over 2 mile around.

AROUND
- looting is huge
- massive damage everywhere
- the shanty town by the fish & chick store - is devastated -
no roofs at all most of walls are gone, looks like twister
hit it Area Name: Montague' ?
- Lance Apuine - OK some houses very bad some OK
- round house shopping plaza - roofs are gone - walls sorta up
- boat yard - the marina is toast
- stewarts resort - half gone - the resort fell in the ocean
- calabash beach - waves half mast 40ft. - uprooted trees
- no roads clear at all anywhere
- island looks more like a tornado sites - not hurricane damage

CAMPUS
- borne lecture hall - no windows
- lower vet lecture hall - no roof
- histo lab - no roof
- white sand beach is gone
- Grande Anse beach - the residence is gone

[azskeptic]

This news item sounds pretty tough:

http://www.cbc.ca/story/world/national/2004/09/08/ivan_jamaica040908.html?email


American students at St. George's University in the capital said they are protecting themselves with knives and pepper spray from machete-carrying looters in the city.

[azskeptic]

http://www.spiceisle.com/nero/

[stephew]

Hi. I spoke late last night with Dean Lambert. I have suggested that they get the UK military involved; remember Grenada is a British commonwealth country and its easier to get them involved than the US military. Any such presence would be good, british or american. I will be in touch as I have more infol.

[stephew]

I have been told the red cross is on the island. There is British military off the coast as well. There has been a communication that a parent has managed to get clearence to land at POint Salinas with a chartered plane but this really is unclear as no one else has been able to get clearence.

[stephew]

to be honest, i personally woudnt care at all about the political prisoners. Its the average thief that I'd worry about.

[stephew]

I am attaching below an update from:

http://www.stormcarib.com/reports/2004/grenada.shtml

**************************

FYI
From: Dave Cason <dcason AT shaw.ca>
Date: Wed, 08 Sep 2004 21:57:05 -0600

HI!!

Just talked to my wife in Grenada .... 7:09PM - 7:28PM - Calagry
9:29 there then - 8 lights only visible over 2 mile around.

AROUND
- looting is huge
- massive damage everywhere
- the shanty town by the fish & chick store - is devastated -
no roofs at all most of walls are gone, looks like twister
hit it Area Name: Montague' ?
- Lance Apuine - OK some houses very bad some OK
- round house shopping plaza - roofs are gone - walls sorta up
- boat yard - the marina is toast
- stewarts resort - half gone - the resort fell in the ocean
- calabash beach - waves half mast 40ft. - uprooted trees
- no roads clear at all anywhere
- island looks more like a tornado sites - not hurricane damage

CAMPUS
- borne lecture hall - no windows
- lower vet lecture hall - no roof
- histo lab - no roof
- white sand beach is gone
- Grande Anse beach - the residence is gone
may i ask how your wife has this info? is she traveling around the island? Is this her first hand view?

[Parent of Daughter]

This is the forum to share - I totally disagree with the person who says this is not the forum - we need to share the good with the bad and sometimes people do not like to hear the bad. My daughter and other students reports are quite different from SGU's stories. And yes - we are trying to get our students out of the country - there are no airplanes and no boat service. If the person who objected to hearing what the students are saying and that person has a connection or any other quality suggestions lets use this forum for positive advise and sharing and not for bashing one another because we might not agree with what is said.

[Parent of Daughter]

The last time I have spoken to my daughter was around 7:00 pm last evening - she found a land line and called - all cells are not working and most land lines are working sometimes - if you e-mail me I hope to hear from her this a.m. and could inquire for you about your loved one.

[stephew]

The last time I have spoken to my daughter was around 7:00 pm last evening - she found a land line and called - all cells are not working and most land lines are working sometimes - if you e-mail me I hope to hear from her this a.m. and could inquire for you about your loved one.very kind thank you. If you happen to have the time to ask her, reports about the campus, and who's there might help (ie faculty, admin, military, noone, etc)

[dad]

I spoke with somebody at the State Department just minutes ago and I was told that:
- consular staff is going to Grenada
- people went to Grenada to see if the airport can be used
- if yes, charter flights may be arranged to evacuate the students

[father]

From MSNBC News:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5927015/

Students arm themselves

Students there, mostly Americans, were arming themselves with knives, sticks and pepper spray against looters, said Sonya Lazarevic, 36, from New York City. "We don't feel safe," she said on a bad telephone line.

When Organ wandered downtown after the hurricane passed, she said she saw bands of men carrying machetes looting a hardware store. She said she saw a bank with a glass facade intact on her way down that was totally smashed when she returned.

While the storm passed, students hid under mattresses or in bathrooms. "The pipes were whistling, the doors were vibrating, gusts were coming underneath the window," Lazarevic said. "It was absolutely terrifying."

Bedaau said every Grenadian police station was damaged, hindering efforts to control looting. He said police were trying to set up a temporary post at St. George's fish market, and that Trinidad and other Caribbean countries were sending troops.

Elsewhere, Ivan pulverized concrete homes into piles of rubble and tore away hundreds of landmark red zinc roofs.

[LearnMed]

http://www.cbc.ca/story/world/national/2004/09/09/newivan_jamaica040909.html

Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Take care

[stephew]

"THIS IS NO JOKE! I just got off the phone with my brother and he has told me that every US citizen needs to be evacuated now! The VIP's have all left and they just 'hear' that USA will be there soon, but action needs to be taken now! He told me to tell EVERYONE to call the US Department of State at (202)647-4384 OR (202)647-5088 now force an evacuation now!

He also told me that there is very little leadership there and people are getting worried about food.

Please call"

There will be a meeting of all the students at noon on campus. The VIPs have not been evacuated if by VIPs you mean school deans- this is as per my conversations at bay shore. They are just off the phone with Dr Pensick, one of the deans who is on campus and will be at this meeting.

There is discussion of the charted plane from sgu to go down. The debate was to allow personal care packages that parents are requesting to be on the plane. As this would likely delay the deparure of the plane, I suggest that this is not a good idea (to delay) I suggest you call the school and request that the plane go WITOUT PERSONAL CARE PACKAGES in order to get a presence down there to be sure things are safe and sound.

[azskeptic]

good work..you are doing an excellent job keeping this group organized.

[stephew]

thanks. trying. Lord knows I dont want to underplay the situation but at the same time I think calm heads need to prevail as even in the best of times, rumor control is virtually impossible. Please post any information you have on this thread rather than start a new one. Please try to stay away from speculation and focus on what you've heard even though we may not be able to confirm these things. Im sure all of us following this have our thoughts with you who have loved ones there.

[zohair]

Spoke to my fiance in Grenada a few minutes back - she lives off-campus with 3 other girls. She was lucky enough to find another student who's phone was working. So far they are living in bad conditions - heat, food shortage, medicine shortage, no water in the taps, no power whatsoever anywhere on the island. They have heard about the looting and are carrying mace with them, but they're generally staying indoors. Theirs is one of the few lucky houses that survived the hurricane almost intact, although one of the girls got cut by broken glass from a window. They did go for a walk near the airport last evening and did not experience any trouble, but were shocked to see the impact of the storm. They spent the whole day yesterday cleaning their home due to the water that came in through the broken windows.

Also spoke to another student earlier this morning - he lives off-campus as well. He said he saw a relief plane land this morning - I believe this is the first plane to land in Grenada apart from the British Navy helicopter. He also said that he saw a computer store being looted completely, but apparently the looting is only around stores and they haven't tried to come near students as far as he knows - he's ofcourse carrying a machete and some other protection devices and doesn't travel alone. His biggest conern was that there was no US army protection there yet, inspite of having more than 1000 American students there - he urged me to call the State Dept and ask them to send security personnel and skilled labour to help rebuild the power grid - the entire power grid is down and the fallen electric poles and cables have been cut to clear the roads, and he was concerned about how the authorities were going to rebuild the power grid since there's a shortage of skilled labour in Grenada.

He could also see the British Navy ship in the sea from his home. Where are the US ships/planes??? We need to help our people NOW!!

Good luck to everyone in Grenada, we're praying for you.

[bertc]

rumor control is virtually impossible.

Rumor control? Rumors are people hearing something through the grapevine and talking about it. These are students communicating to their families the reality of the situation out there. Almost every shocking fact has turned out to be confirmed as true 24 hours later.

The SGU officials are so preoccupied with "rumor control" that they carefully word their bulletins and are now setting up their own message board to control the flow of information and keep everyone calm.

The fact of the matter is that this message board is OUR place to share what we find out from our own loved ones who are out there enduring the pain, yes pain, of this whole disaster - no matter if it conflicts with the official SGU spin.

Perhaps if officials don't want people to spread un-approved facts, they should stop 'encouraging' their own suffering students to use the telephones.

[stephew]

remeber: the us can't send down ships just like that as its not a US territory. The british military are far more likely to get there first and frankly should be welcomed.

"The United States, declared Grenada a disaster area, allowing the immediate release of $50,000 for emergency relief.

"This is just a jump start," said spokesman Jose Fuentes of the U.S. Agency for International Development in Washington D.C., which has four members on the ground in Grenada. "As soon as the initial assessment is done we'll be sending more aid."

Fuentes said at least 13 storm-related deaths had been reported in Grenada. Police officials earlier had reported 12 deaths.

"We are terribly devastated ... It's beyond imagination," Grenada's Prime Minister Keith ******** told his people and the world on Wednesday -- from aboard a British Royal Navy vessel that rushed to the rescue.

British Royal Navy crews from two ships said Thursday they have cleared the damaged and flooded airport runway outside Grenada's capital, St. George's, and that emergency relief flights were starting to arrive in the former colony.

"The air traffic control is still inoperative, so it's not like flight after flight is coming in," Navy spokesman Cmdr. Richard Buckland said from London.
"

[Scott1981]

this is just my opinion.

i feel that the pictures out of grenada are not representative of the campus. the campus was built pretty close to US standards. the majority of the island has buildings constructed VERY poorly.

yes... i do feel that the island itself is collapsing. but as far as the school is concerned..... i think the students are safe. many carib med schools have campuses that are like sub-countries. they are totally different than the country they are based in. secondly, they are also guarded pretty heavily. no looting will take place anywhere in the campus. however, for the students that venture out..... they could be in danger. heck..... at this early in the game after a huge storm, even US officials dont want people in the streets and put out curfews in the US. the students should STAY put.

as far as the official reporting from the school press office..... they are gonna sugar coat it. they are gonna under-report the damage to the campus. the school is a business.... and this is VERY bad advertising. they dont want to scare potential students away.

i think a police force needs to get out on the island ASAP. whether it be foreign or not...... order needs to be established. once that happens, cleanup will go much smoother.

again..... just my opinion

[stephew]

Betrc; as moderator of YOUR board, I hope you'll appreciate no one is trying to stifle your expression of info you've heard. But Im sure you'll agree that if someone speculated a senario that was disasterous but not true, there would be a lot of resentment about that. I find it encouraging that the school is encouraging communications as possible from the students, dont you?

As I've said, your communications are welcome here and no one is trying to stop it. I expect what you want is the truth as it is, not rumors either from the school or from any other source. Frankly Id be thrilled if all the bad news turned out to be untrue and my fear is that it isn't. We all want the safety of the students.

[stephew]

They did go for a walk near the airport last evening and did not experience any trouble, but were shocked to see the impact of the storm. .amazing that students are talking walks around if there is such lawlessness going on. Please urge family and friends to err on the side of safety if in fact things are as bad as reported.

[sheradi]

I just got off the phone with my aunt who called the State Dept. They have said that the USA has arrived and is currently figuring out the process of evacuating those who wish to.

Also, US State Dept. has said that the reason it took so long to get down there is because they had to form teams to go.

[stephew]

great thanks
steph

[Buzza]

EDIT

[azskeptic]

a friend of mine's daughter called him from the school..she appeared safe but like has been said administration didn't seem to have it under control...not strange about that since SGU was in the eye of the storm..took a direct hit...a once in 100 year hit I would guess and survived it. interesting.

and you are right...the problems are bigger than when does school open...things like when is the govt going to get the streets secured is bigger...there are troops moving in from adjoining nations at the request of Grenada..US won't be asked in is my guess...too political......but it will take years to rebuild housing,etc. police stations are missing,etc. there are 800 police on the island but they are probably at home protecting their families. don't blame 'em.

If I had a kid down there I'd get them off the island unless they were an adventurer....it isn't going to be pretty for a while...school eventually will start telling what they intend to do

[KigeziMed]

The Administration and Students of Kigezi International School of Medicine send their thoughts and prayers to the administration and students at SGU who have been affected by the hurricane.


Melisa Esposti,
On behalf of the entire adminstration of Kigezi International School of Medicine

[stephew]

thank you melissa.

[stephew]

11:30AM Thursday, September 9, 2004


The U.S. State Department has a representative on the True Blue Campus who is liaising with the University Administrators. This representative will be a part of the noon meeting with the students today. The mission of the representative is to assist with security and aid with the evacuation of those students who wish to leave.

However, the runway is damaged, according to Air Jamaica and they would not be able to get a jet into Point Salines Airport until it is fixed. Smaller planes are a possibility. Both Air Jamaica and American Airlines are predicting Saturday as the earliest to get a flight in and out.

The University is sending an air freight, Amerijet, into Grenada as Amerijet does not have to wait for clearance to land and has a type of jet that can land on the runway. We are sending food and supplies for the campus, including 160 heavy duty tarps to stem the leaking roofs and clear plastic that can be easily mounted into the windows.

There are a visible number of security personnel from off-island who are patrolling the streets along with the Grenada security forces.

We hope to have our SGU Hurricane Bulletin Board up momentarily.

In the meantime, if you have concerns, please contact our 24-hour hotline:

From the US: (800) 899-6337

From the UK: 08001-699061

Elsewhere in the world: (631) 665-8500

To sum up yesterday’s updates:

· The majority of the students are on the True Blue campus where there is water, food, and shelter, and security guards as well as University administrators. There have been no reports of SGU students being attacked or harmed; no reports of looting or strangers on campus. There are reports of looting and rioting in the city of St. Georges and in some of the supermarkets where people are looting for food.

· University officials were in contact with the U.S. State Department. Late yesterday, they were advised that personnel will be dispatched to Grenada later today, either by boat or plane, to assist in police activities as well as to look after the interests of U.S. citizens in Grenada.

· We are relieved and happy that none of our students have been reported injured considering the fact that Ivan was a category three hurricane which became a category four while over Grenada. (To put this in perspective, Florida was hit with a category two hurricane last weekend).

· There are senior administrators on the campus directing students to suitable places to sleep, making sure that food and water are provided. Planning for immediate shelter, food, water and security is being implemented through the Provost, Dr. Allen Pensick, and the Dean of Students, Dr. C.V. Rao, who are on the campus. Dr. Jeffrey Johnston is guiding students to shelter.

· There is a noon meeting with all students.

· The University’s buildings are seemingly structurally intact except for roof tiles, broken glass and water damage and will be examined by engineers as soon as they can reach the campus.

· It is difficult to move around the island since there are so many trees down and debris from houses and other buildings. However, University buses have been sent from the campus to pick up off campus students and bring them to campus if they want to come.

· The University water tanks are at 80% capacity, which should last for at least two days. We are working with the island’s electric company to aid in the restoration of power on the island. The University hopes to have its generator up and running by tomorrow. Before turning on our generator, a series of checks have to be made with the central electric company and our campuses to ensure that we do not create electrical fires. We will be bringing the campus on line in a measured and safe way with our first goal the necessary infrastructure: First, to get the desalination plant running to ensure a safe water supply; Next - communications, air-conditioning, and lights. We will work building-to-building in a cautious way to ensure that the safe return of power to the campus.

· The University has in stock $20,000 US dollars worth of food which is being cooked and served to the students, and we are in the process of getting more food to the island.

· We plan to have a website bulletin board up on our site by tomorrow. The University felt that it was important to have students contact their parents and loved ones directly by phone and therefore made University phone lines open to the students.

· The administrators had a full meeting with the students today, and plan to hold a meeting tomorrow at noon. They are working hard to find out if there are students who are unaccounted for and sending vehicles to find students.

· We hope to have the University open as soon as possible and are reviewing whether that can be as early as next week. We are examining our options as we begin to dig out from this hurricane, and have the intention to reopen the University as soon as it is possible and safe.

[father]

as far as the official reporting from the school press office..... they are gonna sugar coat it. they are gonna under-report the damage to the campus. the school is a business.... and this is VERY bad advertising. they dont want to scare potential students away.


I've just got from the phone with my child:

" I am disgusting with School office position on this matter. They are lying us and only trying to cover their back. It’s not secure to be there and they MUST evacuate everybody and officially close school until order is restored and school is fixed.”

[stephew]

is it getting easier to get through via phone now?

[ducman]

If you are concerned about the security situation:

The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency (CDERA) has received reports of a serious security situation in Grenada. In response, members of the Regional Security System were deployed and are now on the ground to assist the authorities in maintaining law and order. A second contingent is on its way.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT:
****** Collymore
Coordinator, CDERA
Tel: (246) 425-0386

Donovan Gentles
Preparedness and Response Manager
Tel: (246) 425-0386

Terry Ally
Public Education and Information Specialist
Tel: (246) 425-0386

[nobody]

"The United States, declared Grenada a disaster area, allowing the immediate release of $50,000 for emergency relief.

That's it?

From CNN.com
"The United States, meanwhile, declared Grenada a disaster area, allowing the immediate release of $50,000 for emergency relief.

"This is just a jump start," said spokesman Jose Fuentes of the U.S. Agency for International Development in Washington D.C., which has four members on the ground in Grenada. "As soon as the initial assessment is done we'll be sending more aid."

[father]

is it getting easier to get through via phone now?

...very strange question!!!....not very smart one....Of course it's not easy at all to get through...

[azskeptic]

http://quote.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000103&sid=ag.jsNWLms14&refer=us

Hurricane Ivan Churns Across Caribbean Sea on a Path to Florida
Sept. 9 (Bloomberg) -- Hurricane Ivan, packing winds of 160 mph, moved across the Caribbean Sea toward Jamaica on a path that may make it the third hurricane to hit Florida in a month, prompting authorities to tell residents and tourists in the state's Keys to evacuate the island chain.

Ivan strengthened to a Category 5 storm, the most severe on the five-tier Saffir-Simpson scale. It has destroyed 90 percent of the buildings on Grenada, and has knocked out all of the nation's utilities, the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency said.

``You don't get Category 5 storms very often,'' Richard Pasch, a hurricane specialist with the National Hurricane Center in Miami, said in a telephone interview. ``The last time we had a Category 5 storm in the Caribbean was Mitch in 1998.''

The eye of the hurricane was 430 miles (695 kilometers) east southeast of Kingston, Jamaica, and moving west-northwest at about 15 mph, the hurricane center said in an advisory at 11 a.m. New York time. A hurricane warning was issued for Jamaica. A five-day forecast shows Ivan striking the tip of Florida early Monday and heading up the center of the state.

``If we're lucky, it will head west and go into the gulf, but I wouldn't bet on it,'' Robert Tuleya, an adjunct professor at Old Dominion University who previously worked for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, said in an interview.

Category 5 hurricanes, which have winds greater than 155 mph, cause buildings to collapse, destroy mobile homes and flatten all trees and road signs, according to the Saffir-Simpson scale. The storms are accompanied by a surge of seawater exceeding 18 feet (5.5 meters) and requiring evacuation of low-lying areas within 5 to 10 miles of the shore.

15 Deaths

At least 15 deaths across the southern Caribbean have been blamed on Ivan, the Associated Press reported. Four of the deaths are in Grenada, the Caribbean Disaster agency said.

In St. Georges, Grenada's capital, the only buildings in ``reasonable condition'' are the Grenada General Hospital and the government headquarters, according to the disaster agency. The police headquarters is destroyed as are almost every school.

Florida's Monroe County has asked all tourists and residents who live in mobile homes to begin evacuating the Keys in preparation for Ivan. It would be the third hurricane to hit Florida in a matter of weeks. Charley came ashore on the state's western coast Aug. 13 and Frances hit the eastern coast Sunday before coming ashore again Monday on the panhandle.

Curacao, Aruba, Bonaire

Hurricane warnings were also in effect for Curacao, Aruba and Bonaire. Hurricane watches have been issued for the entire northern Venezuelan coast, the Guajira peninsula of Colombia and parts of Haiti, including the capital, Port-au-Prince, the center said. Cuba issued a hurricane watch for the country's eastern and central regions.

A warning means forecasters expect hurricane conditions in 24 hours. A watch means hurricane force winds are anticipated in 36 hours.

As Ivan advanced, a United Nations team was assembling in Jamaica to coordinate relief operations, while the World Health Organization and the Pan-American Health Organization sent emergency supplies to southern Haiti, the UN said on its Web site.

The scale of devastation on Grenada, which was hit on Tuesday, became apparent only yesterday because the storm cut communications to the island, AP said. Aerial pictures aired by television networks showed destruction of buildings. Foreign medical students on the island, many of them American, armed themselves as protection against looters, AP said.

The costliest hurricane to hit the U.S. was Andrew, a Category 5 storm that struck south of Miami and caused $26.5 billion in damage in 1992.

The only other Category 5 storms to hit the U.S. were Camille, which struck the Mississippi coast in 1969, and a Labor Day hurricane of 1935 that slammed into the Florida Keys, Pasch said.

Venezuela

Venezuela, the world's fifth-largest oil supplier, yesterday said Hurricane Ivan left its petroleum industry unscathed as the storm passed 100 miles off the country's coast.

State-owned Petroleos de Venezuela said it opened idled units at its La Isla refinery in Curacao today. The refinery began closing its most labor intensive units late Tuesday, a spokeswoman said by telephone from the Caribbean island.

GlobalSantaFe Corp., the world's second-largest offshore driller, said it was returning workers today to four oil and gas rigs it had evacuated off the coasts of Trinidad and Venezuela because of the storm, according to spokeswoman Julie Tushingham.

The last time three hurricanes hit Florida in the same year was 1964, according to tropical meteorologist Dave ******* at the hurricane center.

Hurricane Dora struck Mayport, near Jacksonville, ******* Said, while Cleo hit just north of Miami and Isbell landed in the Ft. Meyers area.

``The hurricanes come in cycles and we are just in an active period,'' Tuleya said.



To contact the reporters on this story:
Jesse Westbrook in Washington at jwestbrook1@bloomberg.net and Geoffrey Smith in Princeton at (1) gsmith15@bloomberg.net.

To contact the editor responsible for this story:
Glenn Holdcraft at gholdcraft@bloomberg.net.
Last Updated: September 9, 2004 13:20 EDT

[clinicalso]

Hey now "father", lay off Steph. She's THE helpful person in this forum. I know people are worried and trying to be helpful, spread what they know, and find out what they can... but you're not helping. I hope you didn't join just to get people "riled up"? Yes, something needs to be done, yes, we need to help each other out, but let's lay off the panic mode. There are legitimate relatives on this forum who are being freaked out by your terror posts. I'm sure SGU is sugar coating everything, as they always do, but as the very intelligent person above said, this is a business. I believe they should be legally required to tell all, but we won't know for a while what is not being said. So take their releases with a grain of salt, but please be truthful with everything you hear from those on the island- and don't post unless you're legit. This is not a subject that should be treated lightly as students' physical safety is involved... and you don't want to needlessly give someone a heart attack.

[MushieCookie]

I'm sure we would like to all wish everyone on the isand and their families the best of luck. Hopefully things will get straightened out soon and everyone will be SAFE and healthy.

I know that a majority of the AUC student body is hoping for the best for everyone involved.

[MSIV]

Well said!! If order is going to be restored, calm must prevail.

[zohair]

CDERA states:


INITIAL ASSESSMENT NEEDS

1. There is a dire need for internal communication so that news can be broadcast to the people of Grenada. An attempt by the engineers on board the HMS Richmond to get the transmitter from the Grenada Broadcasting Network functional was unsuccessful.
2. There is also a dire need to re-establish telephone links with the outside world.
3. There remains no power, no water.
4. Airport tower has been damaged.
5. Seaport has been damaged
6. There is need to get Customs and Immigration functional at both ports of entry

[dad]

Just had the opportunity to talk to a student (not my daughter) on True Blue. Her Cable & Wireless cell phone is working and she was recharging it as we spoke (so, at least for now there is power on campus). The land line is out of operation because the telephone cable was accidentally cut when a tree had to be removed. There was a meeting at noon today and there is going to be yet another meeting at 4:00PM today when supposedly options will be presented/discussed. The school is not in a condition to continue operations at the present time; health and sanitary conditions are very bad (no running water, flies everywhere, possibility of getting sick very real). There is NO SECURITY ON CAMPUS Students have been patroling the campus at night. Two professors are on campus but they have to understandably deal with their own problems as well. The St. George's infrastructure does not exist anymore. Apparently two plane loads of soldiers have arrived to help with security and police work on the island (the soldiers origin is unknown). Students are worried and some are scared. It is not clear at this time if evacuation will be via Government (presumably US) arranged planes or commercial airlines. Washington DC seems to take a more significant role in dealing with the evacuation issus (key word "seems).

[stephew]

please remember that everyone posting here is trying to help everyone else. There are no sides. We all want to know how the students are doing and what's happening. I would have thought parents and loved ones would be pleased to know if communications are getting through more reliably now; i know that would be a relief to me.

[SMU_Information]

St. Matthew's University would like to join the other schools, friends, and family in extending our best wishes to all of the SGU students and personnel. We hope that your recovery is swift, and we will be thinking of you.

[FutureDoc2be]

3:30PM EDT Thursday, September 9, 2004



The administration met on campus today at noon with many of the students and two U.S. State Department officials. Options were discussed and the University and the State Department officials are trying to determine just how many students want to leave the island and the timing and possibilities thereof.

Earlier today, the Chancellor of the University, Charles ******, formally requested evacuation aid from the U.S. State Department of all students who wished to be evacuated. Chancellor ****** also requested that the U.S. State Department provide security reinforcements for the Grenada Police.

There will be another meeting with students and administration at 4 PM after which we will have a clearer idea of the needs and desires of students.

The University is moving ahead with assessments of when the campus could reopen for classes and is outlining options for the students. Some may stay put; some may leave and come back in a short time if classes start within a week or ten days; some may leave and decide not to come back to school until next term. These are all possibilities that are being discussed with the students, the University administrators, and the State Department representatives.

The campus generator has been turned on and is at this moment undergoing the necessary checks before powering up the water system. After that is done then the University will begin the process of carefully bringing each building on line.

Some cell phones nets are back on line, particularly the 473-407 system. However, many people have not been able to repower their phones. We anticipate that this will be possible on campus before the end of the day.

The University has reached out to the Canadian High Commission in Barbados who are monitoring the situation and awaiting the U.S. State Department’s assessment of the situation.

Students are still safe on the campus with shelter, food and water. Buses continue into the outlying areas to pick up off campus students and bring them to campus.

The University is sending an air freight, Amerijet, into Grenada as Amerijet does not have to wait for clearance to land and has a type of jet that can land on the runway. We are sending food and supplies for the campus, including 160 heavy duty tarps to stem the leaking roofs and clear plastic that can be easily mounted into the windows.

There are a visible number of security personnel from off-island who are patrolling the streets along with the Grenada security forces.

We hope to have our SGU Hurricane Bulletin Board up momentarily.

In the meantime, if you have concerns, please contact our 24-hour hotline:

From the US: (800) 899-6337

From the UK: 08001-699061

Elsewhere in the world: (631) 665-8500

[zohair]

This was posted on another site. I spoke to a friend in Grenada, and he gave the same information. The only difference between what's written below and what I know is that the generator has been turned on at the True Blue campus, and that there's a lot of flies on campus, making it a possiblly contaminated area. Here's the post from the other site:

Hello Everyone,

I just got off the phone with my wife at their house

15:20PM - Grenada - 1:38 PM now in Calgary

Here's what's happening .....

The Caribbean Military just got there this AM there was massive looting but
it's going to subside. They are out in full force on the streets, automatic
weapons, etc ..... but that's to be expected and a good thing.

The rumor was 400 missing from the prison but again that's a rumor.
Some gangs were forming but that will subside now that the military is
there. There is a curfew in place island wide.

The lagoon in the corinage is full of boats on top of each other.

Both the PM of Grenada and the US govt. have declared the island a disaster.

- No power on campus still
- Half drum BBQ's are out at Glover's feed everyone.
- Food there is OK
- Water there is OK
- Lots of aircraft in sky - all small

Yesterdays meeting was - try to get running by Monday

- Today's meeting of 20Mins
- waste of time - kids whining about possessions (her words)
- you stay if you want to
- they are going to try to arrange a full evacuation probably
- waiting for bill in US congress - pass
- that needs to be confirmed by someone with US govt. connections


Chancellor Modaic called Sandy's roommate Marcos at about 11:30 this morning.
- He asked if they were OK, they are.
- He asked Marcos's opinion and for his thoughts.
- The call was only a few minutes.
- He told him about trying to get a mass evacuation for everyone.


At the meeting there was a difference of opinion about staying or going.
- Dean Ral lost his whole house, it's gone - he wants to leave
- Some students are still panicked a bit, but they are safe.
- Some students lost all possessions, should they stay or go?
- There is a rumor that some students got things stole on campus.
- The is security there and the military is going there as well.

Dean Sis is missing, he is the dean of vet school.

They have put names on list at airport - which will get them out to Barbados
but from there then what? .... We'll see !!

BOTTOM LINE ! (opinion)

Everyone is safe, things are progressing well, if you can't get a hold of
people .... they are OK. Let things get solved, tell your kids not to
worry about their property! (grin) It's just stuff and they are OK!!

Please don’t ask me to try to contact people I can't, but things over all are
OK for as much as can be expected after a hurricane!

Hope this helps! I apologize for the spelling I don't have time to check it,
I want to get this out ASAP!!

Dave Cason
Calgary, AB CANADA

[father]

Yes, something needs to be done, yes, we need to help each other out, but let's lay off the panic mode.

I appreciate your comment, but just have one problem with it. I was not trying to create a "panic mode". All information I passed around I received over the phone talking to my child and her friends.

[zohair]

Just read this in another post from Eric Frembgen:

"I just received a phone call from my wife for the first time since the storm hit, she is a vet student living off campus. It was a brief conversation because her cell phone died. She told me the British navy already came and evacuated all of the British students off of the island. Why the hell can't our navy do the same right now for our loved ones?"

[ducman]

Sadly, the answer to the previous question is POLITICS!

[stephew]

Just read this in another post from Eric Frembgen:

"I just received a phone call from my wife for the first time since the storm hit, she is a vet student living off campus. It was a brief conversation because her cell phone died. She told me the British navy already came and evacuated all of the British students off of the island. Why the hell can't our navy do the same right now for our loved ones?" while it may not be a satisfactory answer, i think it should be kept in mind to remember: the us military needs an invitation down there; a military force going to a contry is essentially (politically) even with friendly intent, an invasion. The british don't need this invitation (for all intents and purposes). So yes its politics but I think you need to realize that this a reality.

Anyway Im glad the last post was a bit more reassuring. This will take some time to play out.

[stephew]

I managed to get through to an answering machine at the US embassy grenada. I left a messege for them to page me and if I get a reply (doubt it) ill pass it on. Meanwhile, the phone is restored enough that the messege got through.

[stephew]

5:30 PM EDT Thursday, September 9, 2004 Brief Update

(To see a static version of this scrolling notice, please click on any text in this notice.)

Chancellor ****** was in contact with the US State Department less than 30 minutes ago. They have not yet determined whether they will mount an evacuation for those students who want to be evacuated. They are still very much considering this and are continuing their talks. They advise that the airport is still very much closed. Those few planes that have arrived have done so with line of sight visuals and most probably no official clearance to land.

We have been in contact with the Department of Foreign Affairs in Ottawa, Canada as well as the Canadian High Commission in Barbados. They have both been contacted by Canadian students and are monitoring the situation along with US and British authorities. Lists of Canadian students have been given to the Office of Foreign Affairs; we will provide them with a list of the Canadian students he can verify having been seen on or off campus since the storm.

[stephew]

another forum for messeges:

http://www.sgu.edu/discussion%5Cpublictalk.nsf/(webview)?openview

[medic]

I managed to get through to an answering machine at the US embassy grenada. I left a messege for them to page me and if I get a reply (doubt it) ill pass it on. Meanwhile, the phone is restored enough that the messege got through.

Not true. A lot of those are voic emails that do not mean that the phones are repaired! All it means is that it gets to Grenada main, not that it arrives anywhere close to the recipient. I have also left numerous messgaes to friends but the only way I can talk to them is through CELL phones that work.

[bertc]

I just spoke to the U.S. State Dept taskforce on the situation and they said that it's NOT likely that there will be any evacuation of U.S. citizens attending SGU. They are focusing on getting the airport operational so that flights can take students out.

I can't imagine anyone wanting to stay there in the meantime especially since professors have made continuing to teach a low priority. (http://www.stormcarib.com/reports/2004/grenada.shtml)

They said that there is a possibility that tomorrow they will have a list of the names of students who were at today's meeting. For those of you who have not heard from your child/spouse, confirming their name on that list would go a long way.

I will let you all know the moment I find out they have that list tomorrow.

Bert

[azskeptic]

http://www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,10723489%255E401,00.html

Hurricane Ivan devastates Grenada
From correspondents in St. George's, Grenada
September 10, 2004

WITH ferocious winds that riled up monstrous waves, Hurricane Ivan is bearing down on Jamaica, where officials urged a half million people to flee coastal homes.

The death toll rose to 23 in five countries.

In its wake it left a devastated Grenada, where police fired tear gas to try to halt a looting frenzy, British Navy medics operated on injured survivors, and tourists and foreigners waited to be evacuated.

US officials were considering flying out the 1000 US citizens in Grenada, most university students.

In the United States, officials told people to evacuate the Florida Keys because Ivan could hit the island chain by Sunday. It was the third evacuation ordered there in a month, following Hurricane Charley and hard on the heels of Hurricane Frances.

[azskeptic]

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/tm_objectid=14624647 (http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/tm_objectid=14624647%26method=full%26siteid=89488% 26headline=brits%2dflee%2divan%2dthe%2dterrible-name_page.html)

BRITS FLEE IVAN THE TERRIBLE Sep 10 2004


STORM KILLS 16 AS IT RIPS THROUGH CARIBBEAN

By Helen Williams



HUNDREDS of British holidaymakers were being evacuated from the Caribbean last night as Hurricane Ivan stormed their way.

Travel firms took emergency action after the storm - dubbed Ivan the Terrible - devastated the island of Grenada, killing 16 people.

Yesterday, the search was on to trace 800 Brits on holiday on the island.

Weathermen warned the hurricane was set to hit Jamaica and the Cayman Islands today before moving to Cuba and Florida.

Last night, 700 holidaymakers with Thomson were being rushed from Jamaica to the Dominican Republic.

A spokeswoman said: 'The hurricane is now heading directly for Jamaica and, given its strength, we have taken the decision to evacuate the island and move all customers out of its path.'

MyTravel, Thomas Cook and Virgin Holidays were yesterday chartering planes to fly Brits out of Jamaica.

The evacuations came after Ivan battered Grenada with 160mph winds, flattening buildings and damaging 90 cent cent of homes on the island.

The hurricane, which strengthened to Category Five - the most powerful of its kind - also caused major flooding.

A stone prison was destroyed, leaving criminals on the loose. Looting erupted all over the island.

Tens of thousands of the volcanic island's 90,000 population have been left homeless and a national disaster was declared.

Virgin Holidays said they were making plans to remove 130 British tourists holed up in Grenada.

BA were trying to get 200 holidaymakers off the island.

Last night, Ivan was about 1000 miles south-east of Miami.

Virgin Atlantic suspended bookings to and from Florida and said they may cancel flights from Sunday, depending on how Ivan develops.

Thomson said they would wait and see what course the storm takes.

[azskeptic]

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/nation/9622963.htm

Posted on Thu, Sep. 09, 2004





Hurricane Ivan devastates Caribbean, barrels toward Jamaica

BY NANCY SAN MARTIN AND JACQUELINE CHARLES

Knight Ridder Newspapers


MIAMI - (KRT) - A monster Hurricane Ivan, the worst hurricane to hit the Caribbean in a decade, was on track to smash into Jamaica Friday after destroying or damaging nine out of 10 homes in tiny Grenada, sparking some looting and claiming at least 18 lives in the region.

``I could see the houses being lifted up and spinning like paper,'' said Brenda Wardally, who survived her Grenada home's destruction by seeking shelter in a car with her three grandchildren.

A Category 5 storm with sustained winds of 160 mph, Ivan left a trail of death across the Caribbean: eight confirmed and as many as 12 people killed in Grenada, four in Venezuela, four in the Dominican Republic, one woman in Barbados and one woman in Tobago.

Rough waters churned up by the hurricane even stopped Venezuelan oil exports for 13 hours Thursday - about a half million barrels - and sank two dozen small seacraft, Venezuelan officials reported.

Ivan now has its sights on Jamaica, a densely populated island of 2.7 million where its seaside capital of Kingston is expected to be walloped by high seas, shrieking winds and driving rains.

But it was in Grenada, a tiny island of 90,000 on the eastern edge of the Caribbean, where Ivan did its worst so far, destroying or damaging 90 percent of all homes. About 60 people were reported hospitalized with injuries.

``Almost all of the island is wrecked,'' Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency (CDERA) spokesman Terry Ally told the Agence France-Presse news agency.

``We have really taken a tremendous hit in every respect,'' Prime Minister Keith ********, whose own home was flattened by Ivan's winds, told BBC radio.

Inmates from the main prison high above the capital city of St. George's escaped following damage to the facility there Wednesday and Thursday. ``There has been a lot of looting,'' said Ally. ``The prison has been destroyed and prisoners are on the loose.''

The mostly American students at an offshore medical school in Grenada were arming themselves with knives, sticks and pepper spray against looters, The Associated Press reported. ``We don't feel safe,'' said Sonya Lazarevic, 36, of New York City.

Some 60 sailors from the British warships HMS Richmond and HMS Wave Ruler went ashore in the former British colony Thursday to provide security, clear the airport runways and deliver medical supplies.

Troops from neighboring Caribbean nations were expected to arrive soon to help restore order in a nation where an estimated 32 percent of the population lives below the poverty line.

The island's famed nutmeg and cocoa crops were wiped out, electricity was out throughout the island and hundreds of people were forced to take refuge in shelters, CDERA reported. And the tourism industry, the economic lifeline for most of the region, was left in tatters.

``Virtually every school and church in the capital ... as well as the police headquarters has been destroyed. The only two buildings in reasonable condition are the Grenada General Hospital and Government Headquarters,'' its reports added.

``Roofs were flying in the wind,'' Wardally, 54, told The Miami Herald in a telephone interview. ``When the roof in my house started to go, the children started to scream. I struggled to open the door to get outside to put everyone into the car before the trees could close us in.''

Humanitarian assistance to Grenada, just twice the size of Washington, D.C., was stalled by debris blocking the airport runways, but shipments of food and other supplies were expected to begin flowing Friday.

After the storm passed, Wardally said, ``People started to come out with flashlights and went to the fallen houses calling names out, checking to see if they were there or gone.''

``There are so many homeless,'' she said. ``It's complete devastation. Everything is laying flat on the ground.''

In Miami, nervous friends and relatives of Grenadians circulated pages-long e-mails with tidbits about whose house was destroyed, which church lost its roof, which parents spent the night huddled in closets.

One e-mail from the island said simply: ``Westmorland School is no longer.''

In Jamaica, banks closed early and gas stations ran out of gasoline Thursday as the government urged the evacuation of 500,000 people living in low-lying coastal communities, flood zones and shantytowns.

``We have done the best we can to prepare for any eventuality, but we remain hopeful that we could be spared the worst,'' said Prime Minister P.J. Patterson.

Barbara Carby, director general of the Office of Disaster Preparedness, said that while there are concerns about the ability of buildings to withstand 160 mph winds, her greatest concern was the 10- to 15-foot storm surges and flooding projected from Ivan in coastal communities.

While some Jamaicans heeded the warnings, stocking up on hurricane supplies, bread and water at local grocery stores, others took a more laid-back attitude, saying what will be, will be.

Gary Stewart, 27, said he was more pressed about getting his locked up cell phone to work than he was about putting up shutters or plywood.

---

(Knight Ridder Newspapers correspondents Pablo Bachelet, Matthew I. Pinzur and Nicole White in Miami contributed to this report. Charles reported from Jamaica.)

[bertc]

These news links you are adding
to the site are stretching the window
too wide.

Please just include the pertinent information.
We can visit the link ourselves. Thanks.

[bertc]

Does anyone know why SGU won't publish a list of confirmed students who have attended the meetings?

(the reply button is all the way to the far right because the messages above are too wide. scroll to the right to post a reply.)

[stephew]

Does anyone know why SGU won't publish a list of confirmed students who have attended the meetings?

(the reply button is all the way to the far right because the messages above are too wide. scroll to the right to post a reply.)why dont you call the school. 1 800 899-6337. If you find out, let us know. Ill try too.

[bertc]

Message:
Mandy
Date/Time: 09/09/2004 10:55 PM
Subject: Just spoke With SGU Student

I just spoke with my sister again. She is at the true blue campus. She said the generator is on but that it is going to be shut off soon and then they will not be able to charge their cell phones. She said that they have no water. and that they flush the toilets by filling buckets from the sea. they are running out of food, the food delievered by the relief workers was distributed to the locals so that they would not feel it necessary to loot the campus. She says that the armed forces were deployed to the city to stop the looting but there is no security on the campus itself, students have taken it upon themselves to patrol the campus. WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING TO HELP THEM, I feel so helpless.

---

What do we do about this?

[bertc]

www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/world (http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/world/ny-listud0910,0,4302643.story?coll=ny-homepage-big-pix)
From the article:
As convicts roamed the streets and looting swept hurricane-ravaged Grenada yesterday, relatives of American students at a medical school there -- many of them from the New York area -- waited eagerly for word that they were safe. "She said she literally had to run from the house because there were looters with machetes who were stealing their TV," said Romeeda Mohammed, of the Bronx, whose daughter, Shakira, is a first-year medical student at St. George's University there...

" Ryan said many of the university's 60 to 70 member uniformed security force did not report for duty, possibly because of the chaos that has gripped the island. He said reports from the island indicate hoarding of food and water, which has led to shortages. "

(more in the article...)

[limabean]

Why is security so lacking?

[dad]

I was finally lucky enough to be able to talk to my daughter earlier today. One of her roommates has a Cable & Wireless cell phone that is being continuously recharged to allow the 7 to 9 people in their group to be called from home (they cannot place calls because this is a pay as you go phone and they ran out of money). For the time being it works; if and when the generators will stop (as somebody mentioned above) then the situation will worsen. That cell phone is the link with the outside world for that small group. They are all huddled in an apartment with an entrance door that has a broken lock, seeking safety in numbers. The three boys are armed with knives and sticks, but they hope there will be nobody coming at night because it is pitch dark outside. Confusion reigns supreme, but one needs to take into account that this is an extreme circumstance. The people who are supposed to help the students locally have also suffered greatly. The Chancellor in not on True Blue, but he has communicated with a number of students, trying however to bring them to his point of view that the campus has only suffered minor damages and that the situation is under control. It is true that the buildings have remained erect, but some did suffer significant damage (Bourne and the Pathology Lab amongst others). The two meetings were held today but the students are not sure what the outcomes were. Nevertheless, lists were started; a set for US students and a different one for Canadian students. My daughter wrote her name on two lists: one listing the students and the other listing those who wish to leave. There have been some inconclusive discussions about leaving. Air Jamaica and American were mentioned as potential providers of charter planes. Although nobody seemed to have mentioned the destination, some students believed that the charters would take the US students to New York City and from there they will have to find their way home. Interestingly enough the school administration, while entertaining the idea of hiring charters to have students evacuated (but nothing has been decided yet), mentioned that they would like to re-open ten or so days from this coming weekend and the students would have the choice of remaning on the island, return to classes when the school will reopen in ten days or return next term. The students my daughter discussed these options with indicated that they would like classes to resume and complete the term this fall. Although the school administration mentioned at the meetings the reopening of the school, nothing was mentioned about the adequacy of the buildings for this purpose or if the professors to teach will still be around (some of them had their houses completely destroyed and indicated privately that they wish to leave the island). Students desire to leave seems to be fuelled by the concern that if they do not leave they will be left alone on the island and this is not something they want to confront. From the administration's point of view the question is simple: will the buildings (labs, halls, residences, etc) be ready in ten days to accomodate the students that would like to return after a short period and will there be teaching personnel available? The answer has not been provided to the students yet. Another, perhaps bigger question that is impossible to answer now is: will Grenada be ready in ten days to support the reopening of the school? Unless the school administration plans a Berlin type airlift. There is still no running water so students hygiene suffers. My daughter and her friends collected the water that was leaking from the roof in their apartment and used it to flush the toilets. They rationed the bottled water that they have. They feel that they are safer on campus as the rioters and looters did not come to the campus yet; a couple of students were however threatened off campus by locals brandishing machetes. Overall, my daughter and her group of friends although unhappy with what happened, was and were able to cope, at least for now, finding support within the group and feeling reasonably safe because of their number. How long this will last only God knows. Probably the best course of action for the school is to make arrangements for all the students to leave as soon as possible and recall them when the school is ready to re-open offering decent class rooms, labs and accomodations, availability of professors and ensuring that the students necessities of life are being met.

[mdatpride]

To All Students, Family, Friends and Alumni: Tonight I had a rather lengthy conversation with several people in the Chancellor's Office in Bay Shore. As an Alumnus who started in Grenada in 1983, I am no stranger how rumors get out of control when there is a major event in Grenada. I have known Charles ****** for over twenty years now. This man has dedicated his life to the success of SGUSOM and has made it possible for thousands of us to become physicians. He has always been a man of integrity and his concern has always been for the safety, security and success of the students. Dr. ****** is working non-stop to ensure the safe evacuation of the faculty and students. He is committed to setting up a temporary campus for the students to continue their studies. We should judge people by their actions and not just words. History has shown us that Dr. ****** has always kept his word to the students. This University has succeeded when no one said it would. When Grenada was invaded in 1983, Dr. ****** promised the students that we would resume classes without disruption. Within 2 weeks, the students were back in the classroom in temporary quarters. When everyone predicted that the University would fold after the invasion in 1983, Dr. ****** proved them wrong. When everyone said that we would never get approval for clinical clerkships in New York in 1986-87, Dr. ****** proved them wrong. This University and its student body are now stronger and more determined than ever. I have been told that the University generator is working and will not be shut down. The University has running water. There is food on campus. There has not been report of any injury to any student. The campus at True Blue is standing however there is window, roof and water damage all of which is repairable.

Dr. ****** has been in constant touch with the people at the State Department regarding an evacuation of the students. The runway at the airport is damaged, as is the air traffic control tower. A large jet from Air Jamaica or an AT-7 from American would not be able to get clearance to land at Point Salines Airport until they are fixed. Smaller planes from LIAT are a possibility with connections in Barbados. Both Air Jamaica and American Airlines do not know when their flight will resume. On Friday, the University is sending an air freight, Amerijet, into Grenada as Amerijet does not have to wait for clearance to land and has a type of jet that can land on the runway. They are sending food and supplies for the campus, including 160 heavy-duty tarps to cover the roofs that were lost.

We all understand that everyone is very anxious about the situation on campus. There is no doubt in my mind that the people at Bayshore have the best interests of the students as their top priority, but as we all know, sometimes it is very difficult to get consistent or clear answers from them. Unfortunately, it’s hard to stop the rumor mill. Some people reading this are family and friends of first semester students and don’t have much experience in dealing with circumstances in Grenada. Twenty years ago it was common to have power outages and water shortages daily. Students who go to SGUSOM are a tough bunch. We are driven by our dreams to become physicians. The learn how to overcome obstacles and end up on top. The Administration of this school including Dr. ******, Peggy Lambert and Jane Sutter have all guided this School through some very tough times. We have always triumphed. This time will be no different. We need to have faith in the people who have successfully guided this School for the last 25 years. Dr. ****** continues to be very committed to the students and faculty and will have the school repaired to perfection as soon as possible. The safety of the students and faculty everyone’s top priority during this unfortunate disaster.

With sincere best wishes to everyone in Grenada,

Lee R. Anisman M.D.
SGUSOM 1988
Medical Director, Pride Medical Inc.
Atlanta, GA
www.pridemedical.com

[Picard]

I spoke with a few friends from my law enforcement days... they have a few interesting suggestions on security on campus...

Yes, it's probably not practical to request US MILITARY assistance because it's hard sending military into a sovereign country without invitation. And, with the history of Operation Urgent Fury, military invitation may not be the politically correct thing to do... However, SGU is a private organization... and here are a few possibilities my former co-workers and I have thought of...

1) As a private organization, SGU can hire and retain private security services. There are many outfits in the US that specializes in foreign asset protections and have teams ready to deploy in short notices. Many of these operators are former military/law enforcement. No, I'm not talking about "soldiers of fortune mercenaries." I'm talking about legitamate international security services that operate legitamately in foreign countries. Details such as their ability to be armed and their involvement outside of private organization that hire them will need to be explored.

2) US Department of State are known to contract with US outfits to provide "international police missions" into troubled regions where significant US interest is at stake. Outfits like DynCorp have international police missions now in Iraq, Afghan, Kosovo... etc. Perhaps SGU can look into this, to be decleared a trouble region with US interest at stake. A few of my former co-workers have taken assignments overseas with Dyncorp. Link below to their website:
http://www.policemission.com/
http://www.dyncorprecruiting.com/

3) May be a long shot, but how about US law enforcement mutual aid? Many large departments have very active reserve units that are frequently loan out to special assignments such as the Olympics, DNC, RNC around the US. Don't know about overseas though. The other thought is Federal law enforcement resources. Many federal agencies such as FBI, DEA, Customs, Secret Services, DSS (Diplomatic Security Services) have field offices in the region. How about asking them to moblize agents in the region for assistance? They are not military. It's a long shot, but it doesn't hurt to ask...

Again, our thoughts and prayers are with all of you who are in Grenada, and those of you with love ones in Grenada.

P

[bertc]

Posted on: http://www.stormcarib.com/reports/2004/grenada.shtml

---------------------
From: Ed Van Ness <evanness_2004 AT mindspring.com>
Date: Thu, 9 Sep 2004 22:28:20 -0400 (GMT-04:00)

Tried to post this, but not sure it made it...

We just got a call from our niece at 10pm. She was at the SGU True Blue Campus during the hurricane and was able to get on a military flight to Trinidad this afternoon. She said there were 35 students on the plane, 25 were citizens of
Trinidad, the other 10 were British, American, and Indian. I believe the criteria to get on the plane was that you had to be a citizen of Trinidad or sick.

Two women who made it on the plane are actually on their way back to the states right now.

There have been no security issues at the school. However, the school only has five security people. As of today the Caribbean military is on the island, but they are not at the school. She said there was a shooting at the hospital today
(in town), but had no details.

Looting has been widespread and gangs armed with machetes have forced off-campus students from their homes and they've taken everything (this from every off-campus student able to make it back to campus).

There is a 24-hour curfew on the island.

The students are doing their own cooking and security. There is a minimum amount of food and no water to drink or in the bathrooms. Again, she said there is NO WATER, this is not the same information the school is putting out.

She said the school and government have done nothing to help to this point, the students are doing everything.

The school is trying to get charter flights to ecvacuate the students. She said the students and school know they can't stay.

[dimipt]

Chancellor ****** posted an update early this morning at the SGU web site: WWW.SGU.EDU with detailed information not only for the efforts for evacuation, but also with a specific deadline when to resume classes (September 28, 2004).

The university is also giving options to the students either to finish their term this Fall or to resume in January 2005.

Chancellor ****** is making arrangements for the evacuation of any students who wish to go home and he has several plans in mind as he describes them in the SGU web site.

We should trust the SGU administration and especially Chancellor ****** since they have the experience and the resources to accomplish the safe reopening of the university.

Dimitrios Kostopoulos
2nd Term

[azskeptic]

http://news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=3477590

[azskeptic]

http://www.trinidadexpress.com/index.pl/article_news?id=37536415

[stephew]

Dave C
Date/Time: 09/10/2004 10:26 AM
Subject: * JUST SPOKE TO A VET STUDENT - 8:24 AM

Message: Hello,

Calgary Time = 8:16AM Grenada @ 10:16AM
Friday - Sept 10/04

I just talked to my wife and it was quite last night with no problems. Unless you count them banging on the roof of the house next door at 6:00 AM this morning in Lance Apine, they are in a large house behind the Castaway Bar. I asked her about people who have NOT made contact and she personally knows of several students who have NOT bothered to phone home yet!! I passed on to her the parents concerns about that and when she sees them again she will "remind" them to get off their butts can call home! When you do speak to them "rip them a new one" for their thoughtlessness.

The airport's tarmac is fine, there is no real damage, however the tower is optional. I have heard via the web that Canada sent in an ATC specialist to get the landing system and communications going again. Until that time there will be NO large planes in or out of the airport. The small aircraft landing now are following VFR rules and procedures.

AS for a mass evacuation the university is still trying but it's a matter of convincing the various governments that it is warranted. Bottom line if you want your kids off sooner, pay someone. That's it.

There are fires starting to pop up around the island it is the locals starting to clean up and burn debris ......

Hope this helps, More later after the vet meeting in about an hour!

Cheers'

Calgary, AB CAN

[stephew]

Usha
Email
Date/Time: 09/10/2004 10:52 AM
Subject: * We TALKED our daughter 2:00a.m for 1/2 hour have food water, elec. coming home soon. not to worry.

-and-

Father
Email
Date/Time: 09/10/2004 10:46 AM
Subject: * ALL NOT TRUE

Message: This is not all true. We have been talking to our daughter every hour or two. It is very safe. They had water and electricity off and on. There is no limit on food. Yes airport is open for cargo planes for supply. SO DO NOT POST INFO IF YOU DO NOT KNOW FOR SURE. PARENTS ARE ALREADY UNDER ENOUGH STRESS.

-and-

Joyce
Email
Date/Time: 09/10/2004 10:55 AM
Subject: * Re: all not true

Message: Apparently everyone has a different story and I respect that. My brother is not one to exaggerate or tell lies. He is located at True Blue campus and this is what is going on. He knew nothing of what is being publicized here and when I told him what news is being said, he was outraged from all the lies. If anyone has any additional/conflicting information please post.


also some others saying yes things really are bad.

[azskeptic]

For those trying to arrange their own charters here are some websites to help you get started

http://www.svgair.com/dominica.html

http://www.fly-bvi.com/

http://www.turq.com/aircaribbean.php

[stephew]

As per bayshore, there is so far no word that any sgu person is hurt, or missing. However until a formal list is up, obviously we wont know for sure. So parents, hang in there, right now everyone who's gotten through to the school says ther eis no one missing. lets go with that until we hear otherwise. They are compiling a list of students/faculty who've signed in at the msot recent meeting. thoguhts to you all.
steph

[stephew]

Jason
Email
Date/Time: 09/10/2004 12:44 PM
Subject: * Phone Update...from Jackie...

Message: I have spoke to my girlfriend, Jackie, who is a 1st term Vet student & located on True Blue campus (she was evacuated from Grande Anse campus). In terms of phones, she said that there aren't any reliable phones working from campus. It sounds like sometimes they are up & sometimes they are down. She contacted me using a friend's cell phone that is from the Cable & Wireless Company. Apparently, Cable & Wireless is the only 1 of the 3 cell carriers that seems to be working sometimes. AT&T cell phones are completely out, along with Digicell's service. The other issue with the cell phones is that many need a "recharge card" to put more minutes on their phones -- those can only be purchased at stores, which we all know is not possible right now. Also, it is sometimes hard to find a outlet where they can re-charge their phone's battery on campus.

That's the update on the phones.

[stephew]

US Task Force 2
Email
Date/Time: 09/10/2004 12:41 PM
Subject: * State Dept.

Message: I contacted the State Department this morning. They said they have set up a task force for the Grenada situation. They called it Task Force 2.
Their direct line is (202)647-7310. I spoke with a Chris Richards. Unfortunaly he had very little to say. His repsponse to my question of when are the AMERICANS going to be evacuated, considering the Canadians, British and students from other countries have already been "rescued", was that they are looking into possibilities. Needless to say that has not left me feeling any better. I will be sure to call again shortly. I urge people to call, maybe if they get enough calls they may actually do something. I also called 2 local news stations, neither of which seemed very interested. In fact the man I spoke with at Channel 13 FOX said they already had alot on their plate and would look into whether or not it was worth investigating. NICE!!!

[bertc]

Looks like the students will have a way to get off the island and leave from Barbados. Here is what just got posted on the official SGU homepage:
----------

the University is pleased to announce that at approximately 12:30 PM LIAT officials informed the Chancellor that they will be able to make a commitment to begin chartered shuttle service between Grenada and Barbados commencing this afternoon and continuing on until necessary. The first flight is scheduled will leave Grenada at today and flights will continue over few days. In the interests of commencing an orderly departure of students from Grenada, the administration in Grenada is working directly with students to determine the order of departures.

[bertc]

Name: Stephanie Ruiz
Email: ruizmath at yaho o
Date/Time: 09/10/2004 02:03 PM
Subject: * Just received word

Message:
My boyfriend just called from a dorm at True Blue. The rumors that the campus is being looted is FALSE. He says that there is a strong show of force by the British officers that are armed with AK47s roaming around the campus. In accordance with the noon update, they are arranging flights for them to be transported off the island, with preference being given to families and women first. He expects to be off the island no later than Sunday. I hope this brings some comfort to those that have heard the rumors of looting and have yet to hear from your loved ones. My prayers are with you all!

[stephew]

Our thanks to our Friends in the UK and the British military for providing comfort for the students and faculty at sgu.

[stephew]

sister of med student
Email
Date/Time: 09/10/2004 02:13 PM
Subject: * 700 students leaving to barbados provided by SGU

Message: 700 students are leaving! School is providing transport to BarbadosBased on the names of who's leaving when and on which flight, we are unsure. Students are pulling from a raffle.

[stephew]

sister of med student
Email
Date/Time: 09/10/2004 02:12 PM
Subject: * RECENT UPDATE...=)

Message: School just called and are taking students 50 at a time to the airport around 4 p.m. in Grenada transporting them to Barbados. Four to five flights will be leaving today and the remainder tomorrow. Also, continental airlines for those students who have round-trip tickets will be honoring students tickets to accomodate them without penalty charges. Will keep you posted!

-and-

09/10/2004 02:12 PM
Subject: * CALM DOWN THEY WILL GET OUT. I JUST DID. Please stop the nonsense, it creates more panic.

-and-

ALL ARE FINE
Email
Date/Time: 09/10/2004 02:10 PM
Subject: * DO NOT LISTEN TO THESE PEOPLE. People are safe. Troops from France, UK and Carribean (the most impressive force) are on the ground. The campus is secure and no there are no differences on the campus, except that there is more water on certain parts. We Have a DESAL plant, which will be up and running, and more water than any ocean could provide. We have the beautiful Caribbean sea from which to desalinate water.

[Picard]

Just heard from one of my old classmates brother who is a first term student. He said that the school charter flights are being finalized and he is expecting to be flown to NY in the next 48 hours... Glad to hear things are looking better. It's very comforting to see how the SGU community comes together in times of crisis... It's simply amazing.

He says that there is a strong show of force by the British officers that are armed with AK47s roaming around the campus.
I hope their commanders don't find out about this... last I look, British soldiers are issued FAL rifles, not AK47's... 8)

[stephew]

well as I said; while we can't be too casual, one always has to remember that rumors fly out of a control on a good day in grenada; and in this situation its easy to confuse what someone is worried about with it actually happening (ie looters on campus etc). So lets keep our fingers crossed, prepare for the worst, and as i think we reasonably can, hope for the best.

[stephew]

unfortunately the sgu forum at sgu.edu is getting out of control with trolls. these folks refuse to identify themselves, are creating panic and basically pointing fingers all over the place. Thanks to everyone here for being so rational in this frightening time. Please continue to do so. Furthermore be away all activity here is logged and IP addresses are very easily tracked. Anyone seeking to create panic for fun or who decides it might be nice to troll here, I can promise you, this will be followed up on. Normally trolls are ignored and or banned on vmd. It will go further than that this time if it happens during this crisis.

Meanwhile it seems all is getting sorted out; the sgu knows of no harm to any students, if there were a problem the family would be contacted first, and students are being offered the chance to leave now; food electrictity and water are available and they seem pretty calm at this point. I know until you speak to your loved one you can't be sure. But for now, its all seeming to move in the right direction.
s

[stephew]

Message: Trinidad express .com has a video link you can find it at the bottom of the wed page under more news OH GRENADA the press on the video link on the right hand side of the page it will give you the present conditions on the ground

[stephew]

Name: * Jarret D
Email @sgu.edu
Date/Time: 09/10/2004 02:51 PM
Subject: * JARRET D

Message: I know we talked and I feel ok with your judgement about staying, but keep your options open for leaving if you need to. The university says they are trying to arrange flights. Keep safe and healthy...and call us when you can. Love, Mom and Dad

[stephew]

Bobby Awadalla
Email
Date/Time: 09/10/2004 02:51 PM
Subject: * HOW TO GET YOUR KIDS OUT OF GRENADA

Message: To all the concerned parents,
I have just arrived from Grenada and want to inform you how to get family or friends out of the country. I flew out of grenada on a chartered plane. They took us as far as Ft. Lauderdale, florida and then we found flights to our respective homes. The contact information for the charter is below. Bill, the president, flew in as a humanitarian flight because that is all that Grenada will allow to land as of yesterday at 1:00pm Eastern time. He flew in with water in order to get us out. You can do the same thing. You can have others charter as well, i know my friends are on a different company. This is just the one i know. If you need anything at all please call me. My information is below.


Bohlke International Airways
William Bohlke Jr.
(340)778-9177
Fax(340)772-5932



I hope this helps,
Bobby Awadalla
714-936-6203

[azskeptic]

Name: * Jarret D
Email @sgu.edu
Date/Time: 09/10/2004 02:51 PM
Subject: * JARRET D

Message: I know we talked and I feel ok with your judgement about staying, but keep your options open for leaving if you need to. The university says they are trying to arrange flights. Keep safe and healthy...and call us when you can. Love, Mom and Dad

To be honest, having worked with the disaster in Veracruz Mexico a few years ago the area doesn't need students in it for a while. Its resources are taxed and even though SGU has its own, the Grenada people need some space while they rebuild their lives. If people stay they might want to consider volunteering at the clinic or with the Red Cross,etc. and help the other people. Obviously the staff, including administration and teachers need some space too....figuring out where you are going to live is probably starting to appear on their agendas. It takes months to recover from these things....in Mexico we had a 30 foot wall of water come through and my inlaws were trapped on top of their house for 10 days...we ended up having friends send food to them and it was delivered by the Rotary Club guy I found on the internet via boat. People are amazing.

[father]

Just want to share with you all. My child were manage to board a plane from Grenada to St Lucia. I do not have details about how they did it, but she called me this afternoon from St. Lucia boarding AA plane to St. Juan and from there to New York.

[stephew]

julie aubin
Email julieaubin@hotmail.com
Date/Time: 09/10/2004 03:22 PM
Subject: * latest info

Message: CBC News World has a report on Grenada Jean Augestine member of parelement here in Canada is erging all students to stay and help

[stephew]

Rex
Email
Date/Time: 09/10/2004 03:26 PM
Subject: * CDERA

Message: The official scoop - see additional links to prior day's reports.

http://www.cdera.org/cunews/publish/article_478.shtml

[stephew]

***** Edelson
Email
Date/Time: 09/10/2004 03:31 PM
Subject: * Lear 60 Charter

Message: I have chartered a Lear 60 from Boca Raton, Fl. tomorrow departing Fl at 7:00am arriving Granada at appro. 10.30am. I have a son at the Vet school. Have located 3 others.
Have room for 3 more students. Total cost $21,000 divided by # of passengers. Respond by 5:30pm if interested. Will need passport #'s and DOB. Must be traveling with US passport.
My phone # is 561-637-7344.

[stephew]

TRUTH..2....AS I SAID A SHORT WHILE AGO I JUST GOT OF THE PHONE WITH A STUDENT...THEY ARE ALL SAFE NO STUDENT DEATHS..I WILL MAKE MY MESSAGE TO ALL OF YOU VERY DIRECT...AS WE ALL KNOW 90% OF THE ISLAND IS DEVASTATED..NO GAS FOR CARS..FOOD NOT ENOUGH...BEACH WATER IS NO GOOD..THE SCHOOL IS THE SAFEST PLACE ON THE ISLAND...THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE IS..HEALTH RESULTING FROM FLOODS... LACK OF SHOWERS DUE TO NOT ENOUGH WATER SUPPLY I WILL STOP THERE..AS FOR CRIME THE LOOTING IS NO DIFFERRENT THEN ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE WORLD AFTER A STORM OR POWER OUTAGE..IF YOU WANT TO REALLY HELP OUT DEMAND U.S.A HELP FROM THESE (2) PRESIDENT CANIDADTES GIVE THEM SOMETHING TO REALLY DO. THIS WHOLE ISLAND NEEDS MAJOR MAJOR MAJOR HELP..PERIOD
Email
Date/Time: 09/10/2004 03:42 PM

[stephew]

Concerned
Email
Date/Time: 09/10/2004 03:23 PM
Subject: * LIAT TO EVACUATE STUDENTS BEGINNING AT 4 PM

[stephew]

Maki Becker
Email mbecker@nydailynews.com
Date/Time: 09/10/2004 04:13 PM
Subject: * NYC students?

Message: I'm a reporter with the New York Daily News looking to talk to any NYC parents of students at SGU. I'm sure you're very concerned and we'd very much be interested in hearing about your concerns, if you've been able to contact your children, if you've heard anything about the charter planes. I'm at 212-210-2118. I can also be reached at this email: mbecker@nydailynews.com.

[stephew]

RecentGrad
Email
Date/Time: 09/10/2004 04:24 PM
Subject: * Everyone needs to take a deep breath

Message: It hasn't been that long since I left Grenada. I've been watching the news and reading some of the postings. I'm sadened by what I read of accusations being tossed around between people on the forum.

First, I want to say that my prayers and my heart is with all the Grenadian people who are suffering now, with all the children who are sleeping tonight without a roof to cover them. My prayers and my family's prayers is with those who did not make it, to those who lost loved ones, who lost their livelihood, and their homes.

My prayers are also with all the stud