Hurricane Dean: Situation report from CDERA
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| Published on Saturday, August 18, 2007 |
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BRIDGETOWN, Barbados ( CDERA): Hurricane Dean, a Category two hurricane on the Saffir/Simpson scale began affecting islands in the Lesser Antilles from the evening of Thursday August 16. Hurricane warnings were issued on for St Lucia and Dominica and Tropical Storm warnings for Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Grenada and its dependencies, Montserrat, St Kitts/Nevis and St Vincent and the Grenadines.
During the passage of Dean early August 17, maximum sustained winds were near 100 mph with higher gusts. Stronger winds were likely over elevated terrain near the path of the centre. Hurricane force winds extended outward up to 25 miles from the centre and tropical storm force winds extended outward up to 140 miles and Dean was moving towards the west near 23mph.
Tropical Storm warnings were discontinued for Barbados and St Vincent and the Grenadines
Initial reports from the national disaster offices of the impacted islands generally indicated minimal damage. The picture in St Lucia and Dominica is still emerging.
PRELIMINARY REPORTS FROM THE NATIONAL DISASTER OFFICES:
Note that full damage assessment has not been undertaken.
BARBADOS
Barbados continues to be affected by rain. The flood watch was upgraded to a Flood Warning.
ST LUCIA
Deaths:
One death has been reported
Shelters:
• Homeless persons are housed in two shelters that were opened on Thursday
• 22 persons are housed in a shelter that was opened in Dennery on Friday.
Utilities:
Power shut down as a precautionary measure has not been restored due to a number of power lines being down. Due to the power outage there is no water in the north of the island
Damage:
• Four corner shops have been washed out to sea
• Several reports received of Roofs blown off houses. The Paediatric Ward of the Hospital lost its roof
• Several trees have fallen
• Storm Surge damage has been reported in the areas of Gros Islet, Dennery and the Castries Waterfront.
Roads
The road to Vieux Fort has been blocked by fallen trees and utility poles. These are in the process of being cleared.
DOMINICA
Deaths
2 persons lost their lives when their house was swept away in a landslide
Shelters
An estimated 1000 person are in approximately 100 shelters
Utilities
• Power has been restored to the capital Roseau but the rest of the island is without electricity
• The Potable Water supply has been interrupted
• Telephone Service in some of the rural areas is not functioning
Damage
• Island wide reports of roof damage received
• Approximately twelve reports of landslides reported including one that caused the death of two persons
• Roseau River flooded its banks and homes in the Bach Estate are threatened.
Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines have reported minimal damage.
JAMAICA
Jamaica continues to monitor the approach of Dean very closely. The National Emergency Operations Centre at the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management is activated and issuing public information to residents. The Parish Disaster Coordinators have all been contacted and advised to maintain watch.
Regional Response:
The CDERA Coordinating Unit has contacted the Director General at ODPEM in Jamaica and is working to confirm regional technical support teams to assist the NEOC as necessary.
A second meeting of the Eastern Caribbean Donor Group (ECDG) was convened on Friday morning. Given the preliminary reports received from Dominica and St Lucia, it anticipates a Level One or Level two response. As a result the Rapid Needs Assessment Teams (RNAT) will not be deployed at this time.
The ECDG also considered the emerging threat to Jamaica and looked at options of providing support to the North Western Donor Group (NWCDG). .
The Regional Response Mechanism remains on STANDBY.
The Coordinating Unit continues to monitor the impact and threat of Hurricane Dean and stands ready to provide assistance if required.
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