First contact

Michelle called early this morning. Here is what I recall from the conversation:

1. The hurricane experience in Bourne Hall.
The noise was horribly deafening. The windows shattered, the doors shattered, glass and debris were flying everywhere. Students had to take cover and try to avoid getting hit or impaled by falling and flying chunks. One student was knocked unconscious but didn't seem to be seriously injured.

2. Campus has taken serious damage.
They are making phone calls using school telephones that are accesssible because campus admin facilities and buildings have been blown open. There has been no physical contact with school officials. Students are basically on their own. They have been exposed to the elements for 48 hours now with no relief in sight.

3. They're trying to stay alive.
They are now banding together to find food and supplies throughout the campus. There has been no relief from any sources so they the students as a group are taking their survival into their own hands.

4. The island is devastated.
They have heard of widespread destruction of buildings and looting going on right now. St. George's and much of the island is severely damaged and students fear for their safety.

She seriously sounded like she had been through a major major natural disaster, which obviously is the case. I'm sure the news reports will be coming in today about the condition of the island. This is the latest report, but it doesn't have much information - mostly a compliation of limited old news from yesterday,

Here is the current 'spin' from the school:

SPECIAL STATEMENT FROM CHANCELLOR CHARLES R. MODICA
Hurricane Ivan passed through Grenada late yesterday (Tuesday, September 7, 2004) causing significant damage to many parts of the island. After speaking to students and administrators, I am pleased to announce that no reports of injuries have been made to students, faculty or staff at SGU. We will begin the process of reaching out to all off-campus students this morning. They will be asked to call parents and friends with phones provided by the university. The True Blue campus appears to have provided adequate shelter for all those who stayed during the storm although many buildings had roof and window damage. We will begin surveying all structures on campus in order to determine what repairs must be made before they can become operational again. We are preparing to activate an emergency generator as soon as we are able to get permission to safely do so. A number of students I spoke to asked when classes would resume. I feel we cannot make a definitive announcement until we have a better assessment of damages, etc. Therefore, classes will not resume until at least Monday, September 13th. This does not include the St. Vincent campus which has only minor damages reported as of last night.