Floods 2013 Saint Vincent and Grenadines Rapid Damage and Loss Assessment

On 24 and 25 December 2013, a tropical trough system produced heavy rains in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), which resulted in intense flooding across the island. The ensuing rapid and intense flash flooding resulted in widespread damage to road infrastructure, electricity and water infrastructure, housing as well as public and private buildings.

According to the summary of the data reported from each affected sector, the 2013 flood event resulted in total damages and losses of US$108.4million (EC$291.4 million), equivalent to 15% of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). Most of the flood damage was sustained in the infrastructure sector (97 percent).

This report provides a rapid damage and loss assessment of the sectors affected – with a particular focus on infrastructure damage in order to inform the Government’s recovery, reconstruction and financial planning. It also includes short- and medium-term recommendations designed to further incorporate disaster risk reduction and management into land use and physical planning decision-making processes so that Saint Vincent and the Grenadines become more resilient to natural disasters and climate change.