Saint Lucia Flood Event of December 24-25, 2013, Joint Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment

On December 24 and 25, 2013, a tropical trough system produced excessively heavy rains in Saint Lucia—at a time normally considered outside of the hurricane season. The extreme rainfall led to rapid and intense flash flooding as well as numerous landslides, and caused severe damage to transport, water supply, and drainage infrastructures as well as significant damage and loss in the agriculture, tourism, and housing sectors.

Transport infrastructure sustained the majority of damages (72 percent), followed by infrastructure for agriculture (13 percent), water and sanitation (6 percent), and housing (4 percent). Out of a total population of 180,870,1 six persons were confirmed dead, over 550 were displaced, and approximately 19,984 were directly impacted by the event.

This analysis provides an initial foundation for identifying and developing post-disaster recovery and reconstruction activities for Saint Lucia. The report evaluates required efforts—from relief to recovery—and includes short-, medium-, and long-term recommendations for reducing Saint Lucia’s physical, socioeconomic, and fiscal vulnerabilities to disaster.