Hurricane David was the fourth named tropical cyclone, second hurricane, and first major hurricane of the 1979 Atlantic hurricane season. A Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale, David was among the deadliest hurricanes in the latter half of the 20th century, killing over 2,000 people in its path, mostly in the Dominican Republic. David was a Cape Verde-type hurricane, traversing through the Lesser Antilles, Greater Antilles, and East Coast of the US during late August and early September. With winds of 175 mph (280 km/h), Hurricane David was the strongest hurricane to strike the Dominican Republic in recorded history, (we are on Dominica not to be confused with the Dominican Republic) and the deadliest since the 1930 Dominican Republic Hurricane. Also, the hurricane was the strongest to hit Dominica in the 20th century, and was the deadliest Dominican tropical cyclone since a hurricane killed over 200 in September of the 1834 season. David was the second male name for a tropical storm since 1952, first to reach Category 5 intensity and the first to be retired. The name David was retired following this storm because of its devastation, death tolls and incredible strength and will never be used again for an Atlantic hurricane, it was replaced with Danny for the 1985 season.

Formed on the 25^th August 1979

Dissipated on the 8^th September 1979.

Highest Winds 175 mph or 280 km/h (one minute sustained)

Lowest pressure 924 mbar (hPa; 27.29 inHg)

Fatalities 2068+

Direct Damage $1.54 billion

In the days prior to hitting Dominica, forecasters thought David would spare Dominica and hit Barbados instead. However, a turn in the hours before moving through the area caused the 150 mph (240 km/h) hurricane to make a direct hit on the southern part of Dominica. During the storm's onslaught, David dropped up to 10 inches (250 mm) of rain, causing numerous landslides on the mountainous island. Hours of hurricane force winds severely eroded the coastlines and washed out coastal roads. Damage was greatest in the southwest portion of the island, especially in the capital city, Roseau, which resembled an air raid target after the storm's passage. David's strong winds destroyed or damaged 80% of the homes on the island, leaving 75% of the population homeless, with many others temporarily homeless in the immediate aftermath. In addition, the rainfall turned rivers into torrents, sweeping away everything in their path to the sea. Power lines were completely ripped out, causing the water system to stop as well.

HMS Fife, a Royal Navy County Class Destroyer was on its way back to the UK when the hurricane struck and was turned back to provide emergency aid to the island. Sailing through mountainous seas. The Fife docked in the main harbour at Roseau without assistance and was the only out side help for several days. The crew provided work details and medical parties to offer assistance to the Island and concentrated on the Hospital Buildings, the airstrip and restoring power and water while the ships helicopter (called Humphrey) took medical aid into the hills to assist people who were cut off from getting to other help by fallen trees. The ship also used its radio systems to broadcast news and music to the island to inform the population of what was being done and how to get assistance, this was the first time a Royal Navy ship had provided a public broadcast news service. The ships doctor and helicopter pilot were awarded medals for their work.

Most severely damaged was the agricultural industry. About 75% of the nation's banana and coconut crop was destroyed. Banana fields were completely destroyed, and in the southern portion of the island most coconut trees were blown down. Citrus trees fared better, due to the small yet sturdy nature of the tree. In addition, David's winds uprooted many trees on the tops of mountains, leaving them bare and damaging the ecosystem by disrupting the water levels.

In all, 56 people died in Dominica and 180 were injured. Damage figures are not known.

The picture of devastation

Immediately after the storm, lack of power prevented communications and the outside world had little knowledge of the extent of the damage in Dominica. A citizen named Fred White ended that by using a battery-operated ham radio to contact the world. In response to the severe agricultural damage, the government initiated a food ration. By two months after the storm, assistance pledges amounted to over $37 million (1979 USD) from various groups around the world. Similar to the aftermath of other natural disasters, the distribution of the aid raised concerns and accusations over the amount of food and material, or lack thereof, for the affected citizens. Another occurrence less typical of the aftermath of other natural disasters was the looting. In supermarkets, seaports, and homes, what was not destroyed by the hurricane was stolen in the weeks after the storm. This kind of lawlessness is occasionally seen, particularly in economically poor areas, in the aftermath of catastrophes such as Hurricanes Hugo, Jeanne and Katrina.

ALL IN ALL amazing more lives were not lost.