GRENADA-Damage caused by unexpected bad weather is still being assessed.

ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada– The Grenada government is still assessing the damage caused by unexpected hurricane-force winds on Sunday that destroyed towers belonging to the telecommunication companies and other infrastructure.

“Assessments on the extent of the damages continue. However, initial surveys of this exceptional weather event reinforce how vital it is to strengthen our climate resilience mechanisms,” Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell said in a message posted on his Facebook page.

“Our hearts go out to everyone who has suffered losses due to this adverse weather. Our emergency teams have contacted several of the most affected persons. We have provided tarpaulins and other necessary items for short-term protection from the elements,” he said.

“We are also grateful to the neighbors and friends who are pitching in and sacrificing to help those in need right now. This is the true spirit of who we are as a people. As we progress into the hurricane season, all citizens are asked to remain vigilant and stay tuned to official channels of information,” said Prime Minister Mitchell. He also chairs the National Emergency Advisory Council.

Forecasters at the Meteorological Office at the Maurice Bishop International Airport said that the thunderstorm occurred when cloudiness associated with Tropical Wave number 24 developed unexpectedly to bring Category 1 hurricane force winds to Grenada and other Caribbean countries.

Forecaster Finbar Frank said the event which unfolded indicated there was rapid cloud development to the immediate east of Grenada and that the mass of clouds continued to develop as it moved overhead for four hours.

“The weather expert explained that the unfamiliar weather events which unfolded were challenging to predict and as a result, no advisories were issued before,” according to a release from the National Disaster Management Agency.

The unexpected weather caused an electricity blackout affecting thousands of consumers, and the loss of roofs to residential prop-properties damaged the top of the national stadium.