Sept. 2, 2010 -- My fellow Antiguans and Barbudans, we have just experienced the passage of Hurricane Earl, which quickly developed from a tropical storm to a category two hurricane in a matter of a few hours yesterday.

Throughout the ordeal, the National Office of Disaster Services has kept the nation informed and on Sunday morning, briefed all the key essential services and stakeholders.

At 4 pm on Sunday the National Emergency Operations Centre was partially activated to monitor the storm.

Information was relayed to the public via the radio and television media with the help of frequent Met office updates and reports from NODS' community disaster coordinators.

Communication lines were established and maintained with police mobile patrols and shelter managers.

As I had advised Antiguans and Barbudans in a national broadcast several weeks ago, the National Office of Disaster Services had established and publicised a list of hurricane shelters in the country.

So far, I am advised that 259 persons were occupying shelters up to this morning, although this number could change over time. A total of 110 persons were occupying shelters in my own constituency of St. John's Rural West. Fifty (50) persons in St. Mary's North were in shelters up to this morning. In St. John's Rural South, 42 persons were in shelters.

I commend those individuals and families, especially from low lying and flood prone areas, who heeded early warnings, and took the precaution to move to designated shelters, in order to avert personal danger.

Most of us are now without the convenience of piped water and electricity as APUA was forced to turn off supplies in keeping with the corporation's hurricane operational procedures.

APUA has advised that it is in a position to restore water supplies as soon as the hurricane has passed.

Electricity supplies will take longer to be restored as there are reports of downed power lines and poles. APUA personnel will be working hard to restore power as quickly as possible.

We are thankful that so far there has been no report of loss of life and minimal reports of damage to houses and other property. Assessment of damage across Antigua and Barbuda will continue. Unfortunately, one family of three lost their home to fire in Johnson's Point. Fire tenders from the Bolans station responded to that situation.

All the relevant agencies have been instructed to be fully mobilised to clear roads, unclog blocked drains and render necessary assistance to those in need.

In the meantime, the National Emergency Operations Centre has recommended that schools and work places remain closed today as the nation recovers from this trauma.

We are thankful to God for sparing fair Antigua and Barbuda from greater damage.

The Government and people of Antigua and Barbuda use this opportunity to convey our heartfelt sympathies to our neighbours in the Leeward Islands who might have suffered any damage, loss of life or injuries during the passage of Hurricane Earl. We wish for them a speedy and full recovery.

I also want to commend all members of the National Emergency Response system, stakeholders and the media for their hard work and cooperation.

During the ordeal, several Antiguans and Barbudans came to the assistance of their neighbours and friends. I applaud you and urge you all to continue to assist and support each other in any way possible over the coming days as the nation recovers.

The Cabinet will continue to assess the situation and to mobilise the resources necessary to ensure a full and speedy recovery.

The nation is also urged to monitor the development of Tropical Storm Fiona which was formed this afternoon east of the Northern Leeward islands as it may become necessary for the islands to be placed under a tropical storm watch.

May God bless us all and continue to bless our country of Antigua and Barbuda at this time.