Operation FLUTE

International Operation Name: not applicable

International Operation Dates: not applicable  

Mandating Organization: Government of Canada

Region Name:  Caribbean

Location:   Antigua and Barbuda

Canadian Operation Name: Operation FLUTE

Canadian Operation Dates:  1995/09/08 – 1995/10/04

Mission Mandate:

To assist in the restoration of critical infrastructure on Antigua and Barbuda after a hurricane

 

Mission Notes:

On 5 September 1995, hurricane Luis passed directly over Barbuda while the island of Antigua was hit by the eyewall of the storm.  As a Category 4 hurricane with sustained winds of 200 km/h, Luis caused severe damage to Antigua.  Electrical power and water supplies were severed.  Luckily, because of adequate warning and disaster management planning, only three people died in Antigua and Barbuda, but the number of people left homeless exceeded 3,000.

On 8 September 1995, a CIDA team, including one CF officer visited Antigua and called for CF support in coordinating the efforts to restore power and water.  A team of six military engineers was dispatched to the island on 18 September.

The “CF Det to the Antigua-Barbuda Defence Force (ABDF) TSU”, as the Canadian team was known, met with ABDF members on 19 September 1995.  They quickly conducted a tour of the island to survey the extent of the damage.  The team then began to assist in coordinating incoming relief supplies with priority taskings.  The reports sent back to Canada also provided a useful guide as to what equipment and supplies Canada could provide.

Members of the TSU also made a trip to Barbuda on a Coast Guard cutter on 25 September 1995.  With its smaller population and size, the inspection and assessment of damage took less time. 

By 5 October 1995, the work of the TSU had been completed.  The decision to return to Canada was made in consultation with CIDA and the High Commission staff.  On 8 October 1995 the six TSU members departed Antigua for Toronto.

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