The Aftermath Of Georges

As news trickles in from the Caribbean, the reports on the human toll and the long-range effects of Hurricane Georges on the region are getting grimmer.

The number of confirmed dead in the Caribbean is now more than 300, and it could go much higher.

Strong winds in Puerto Rico.

Puerto Rico also took a major hit, although some power is coming back on and water restored. After touring some neighborhoods, U.S. Housing Secretary Andrew Cuomo said, "House after house is in terrible shape." He said that "the federal government must help meet the basic needs of the people of Puerto Rico."

Puerto Rico will get $39 million in new grants to repair public housing and will be allowed to use for disaster relief more than $300 million in HUD aid previously awarded for longer term development.

The island's Electric Energy Authority gradually began restoring power to some neighborhoods. Water service in parts of San Juan resumed Friday. Thousands lined up to buy ice while others waited in the hot sun to fill jugs with water from government tanker trucks.

In Haiti, the U.N. Development Program donated $100,000 for disaster relief and the U.S. donated water, food, blankets, sheets, and clothing. France sent a 60-member security team to help with water purification and to treat the injured.

Some places in Cite Soleil, a seaside slum in Port-au-Prince that is home to 200,000 people, remained chin-deep in water. The number of tin-and-cardboard shacks lost was unknown.

The latest damage reports for the Caribbean, as of midday Friday:

• Haiti: The official death toll rose in Haiti to 87 people, and at least 34 more were still missing on Friday. Georges brought violent winds and extreme flooding to much of the island nation. Flooding in Port-au-Prince, north coast Cap-Haitien, with dozens of homes destroyed.
• Dominican Republic: At least 300 people dead; hundreds more missing. 100,000 homeless. Heavy wind damage and flooding in Santo Domingo. Ninety percent of banana and other plantations destroyed.
• Puerto Rico: At week's end, 28,000 people were still in shelters. Hundreds of homes lost, near-total blackout, most water service lost. At least 11 deathwere reported. Homes were damaged in southeastern Puerto Rico and in small eastern islands of the U.S. territory. Damages were estimated at $2 billion.

• Antigua: Two dead. Roofs ripped off hundreds of

  Damaged homes on Antigua.

  
  homes and businesses. Heavy damage and flooding along south coast towns of Old Road, Crab Hill, and Urlins. Island's main marinas damaged. Government-built homes in Cedar Grove Gardens split open by winds. Power outages throughout the island.

• Guadeloupe: Flooding in northern towns, especially Anse-Bertrand. Moderate damage to homes.

• St. Kitts and Nevis: Three dead, two missing; 2,500 homeless. As many as 85 percent of homes damaged. Winds tore roof off St. Kitts' main hospital. Police stations and schools damaged. Severe damage at airport. Both islands are without electricity. Estimated $445 million in damage. Half the crucial sugar crop was lost.
• Anguilla: Minor damage, some power outages.
• British Virgin Islands: Power outages throughout the islands. Flooding has closed some roads and damaged homes.
• U.S. Virgin Islands: Several injured. Wind ripped roofs off homes. Widespread damage in St. Croix to hotels, shops, piers, and homes. Flooding and power outages. Waves drove pleasure boats aground, while dozens of boats were sunk.
• Cuba: Two people were electrocuted by downed power wires, the Mexican news agency Notimex said. Coffee, cacao and banana crops also were damaged and nearly 20,000 homes were flooded in eastern Holguin province. Twenty inches of rain fell in some areas as Hurricane Georges swept from the eastern tip toward Havana. Some 200,000 residents were evacuated from their homes in eastern Cuba, and 70,000 schoolchildren were sent away from mountainous areas.
• Guadeloupe: Flooding in northern towns, especially Anse-Bertrand. Moderate damage to homes. Thousands without electricity.