Note: The following message was received from the Embassy of Dominica in the United States.

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Dear Fellow Nationals,

As you are aware, the Commonwealth of Dominica suffered severe damage from the passage of Hurricane Maria on Monday September 18, 2017. At this moment, the telecommunication network on the island is completely down and we have no contact with the island.  Below is the latest update from the Honourable Prime Minister’s post  on Facebook on Monday night :

Initial reports are of widespread devastation. So far we have lost all what money can buy and replace. My greatest fear for the morning is that we will wake to news of serious physical injury and possible deaths as a result of likely landslides triggered by persistent rains.

So, far the winds have swept away the roofs of almost every person I have spoken to or otherwise made contact with. The roof to my own official residence was among the first to go and this apparently triggered an avalanche of torn away roofs in the city and the countryside.

Come tomorrow morning we will hit the road, as soon as the all clear is given, in search of the injured and those trapped in the rubble.

I am honestly not preoccupied with physical damage at this time, because it is devastating… indeed, mind boggling. My focus now is in rescuing the trapped and securing medical assistance for the injured.

We will need help, my friend, we will need help of all kinds.

It is too early to speak of the condition of the air and seaports, but I suspect both will be inoperable for a few days. That is why I am eager now to solicit the support of friendly nations and organisations with helicopter services, for I personally am eager to get up and get around the country to see and determine what’s needed.

The Embassy of the Commonwealth of Dominica to the United States of America will continue to keep you updated on the status of the situation in the Commonwealth of Dominica as soon as we can establish communication with the country again.