Hurricane Dennis struck the Caribbean on Friday, killing at least 21 people. The storm caused extensive damage in several provinces in Cuba, flooding in Jamaica, and damaged crops and homes in the southern coastal sections of Haiti, where 11 deaths were reported.
In the United States, Hurricane Dennis came ashore on Sunday afternoon on Santa Rosa Island in the Florida Panhandle. The Category 4 storm pounded areas in the Gulf of Mexico with 120 mph winds and storm surges higher than 10 feet.
The storm hit the Florida Panhandle causing flooding and spawning tornadoes. Strong winds downed trees and tore roofs off. About 400,000 people in Florida and 194,000 people in Alabama are without electricity. President George Bush declared Florida, Alabama, and Mississippi disaster areas. The storm is now a tropical depression and is moving through the Ohio Valley and expected to bring heavy rainfall to parts of Tennessee, Kentucky, and Indiana.
Hurricane Dennis followed a path similar to Hurricane Ivan which struck the Panhandle region in September 2004. Episcopal Relief and Development has contacted the Dioceses of Jamaica, Haiti, Southwest Florida, Southeast Florida, Central Florida, Central Gulf Coast, and Louisiana. We pray for families affected by the hurricane and will provide emergency assistance as needs are identified.
