Seatrade Cruise News is part of the Informa Markets Division of Informa PLC

This site is operated by a business or businesses owned by Informa PLC and all copyright resides with them. Informa PLC's registered office is 5 Howick Place, London SW1P 1WG. Registered in England and Wales. Number 8860726.

Dominica leader calls Maria damage 'mind-boggling'

(Photo: Office of the Prime Minister, Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica)
Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit said his greatest fear is serious injuries and possible deaths as a result of likely landslides. The minister is pictured at a news conference last week, four days before Maria hit Dominica
Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit said Dominica sustained 'widespread devastation' from Hurricane Maria, which landed as a Category 5 storm.

In his initial remarks early Tuesday, the minister said his greatest fear is news of serious injuries and possible deaths as a result of likely landslides triggered by persistent rains on his mountainous island nation.

Skerrit said Maria's winds had swept away many roofs, including that on his own residence. According to the National Hurricane Center in Miami, Maria made landfall in Dominica packing 160 mph/260 km/h winds.

'I am honestly not preoccupied with physical damage at this time, because it is devastating ... indeed, mind-boggling,' Skerrit said in a Facebook post. 'My focus now is in rescuing the trapped and securing medical assistance for the injured.'

The minister expects airports and seaports to be inoperable for a few days and asked for help to secure helicopter services so he could get around the country to see what's needed.

'We will need help, my friend, we will need help of all kinds,' Skerrit wrote.