Tropical Storm Debby developed from a tropical wave which moved into the Lesser Antilles on September 9th, 1994. As the center moved into the Caribbean Sea, the system spread across the Windward Islands bringing intense rainfall, thunderstorms and strong winds while rapidly intensifying to tropical storm strength on September 10. Scattered moderate showers over St. Lucia on the 9th gave way to continuous and more intense rainfall and thunderstorms from about 0700 UTC on Saturday September 10 and lasted for about six hours. St. Lucia experienced severe flooding, landslides and strong winds causing widespread destruction and death. The effect of Debby was most evident along river banks and low-lying areas where flood waters inflicted the heaviest damage especially to the banana crop, but damage along sloping lands including forested as well as areas under cultivation was also significant. The effect of Debby could more be described as island wide devastation
Flooding swept away bridges and chunks of roadway, leaving some roads impassable. In the coastal fishing village of Anse LaRaye, power boats plied streets chest-high in water to rescue residents stranded on roofs. In the confusion caused by the storm, nine prisoners escaped from the jail in the capital city of Castries. Police reported scattered looting. Thousands were left without power and running water.
Damage assessment was as follows
Debby’s winds damages banana plantations in St.Lucia. Banana acreage affected – 50 %
Deaths : 4
Significant disruption to utlilties especially the water supply
Total loss to the economy : approximately EC $ 230 million
A total of four people were killed ( in two landslides ) and 24 injured in St.Lucia. The associated Press indicated that the worsr damage occurred in St.Lucia where rains caused landslides that blocked main roads and dovered the town of Pont St.Jacques. Two inches of silt covered the runays at the main internatonal airport. The rains caused floods that washed away hillside shacks, eight bridges, and portions of some roadways.
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