of agriculture on the island due to animals previously in the forest eating the crops for food. The passage of the hurricane reduced the height of the rainforest canopy above by half. Twenty-five years passed before the canopy reached its previous height. In the Dominican Republic, damage reports were largely unknown by a month after the hurricane passed the island, primarily in the western provinces. There, roads were still impassable, large areas remained without electricity, and helicopters could not land in remote areas due to mud, silt, and up to of water in all landing fields. One official estimated several months would pass before survey teams could obtain information on loss of life and overall damages. The government of Cuba implemented further restrictions on ongoing rations, including adding rations on sugar for the first time in the country's history. Amidst a political crisis between Cuba and the United States, the Cuban Red Cross refused aid from the American Red Cross, referring to the offer of aid as hypocritical "by a country [the United States] that is trying to destroy us [Cuba] with economic blockades and other measures." The Soviet Union delivered large quantities of food, medicine, and other supplies vital to recovery, while the other satellite states in Europe promised aid. China sent medicine and powdered milk totaling about $200,000 in value while also contributing the same amount in cash. Due to its impact on the Caribbean nations, the name Flora was retired after this year and was replaced by Fern. See also List of Atlantic hurricanes List of wettest tropical cyclones List of wettest tropical cyclones in Cuba since 1963 List of Cuba hurricanes List of South America tropical cyclones References Flora Flora Flora Flora Flora Flora Flora Flora Flora Flora Flora 1963 in the Dominican Republic History of British Grenada 1963 in Cuba