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Hurricane Dorian - Aug 2019

Statut
Passé
Pays
Bahamas
+ 12
Types de catastrophes
Cyclone tropical

As of 9:30am (EST), TS Dorian is moving west-northwest near 20 km/h and is expected to turn northwest on 28 August. On the forecast track, Dorian will move across the eastern and northeastern Caribbean Sea during the next few days, passing near Puerto Rico and then eastern Hispaniola on 28 August and north of Hispaniola on 29 August. (OCHA, 27 Aug 2019)

Tropical Cyclone DORIAN passed over the Abaco islands (northern Bahamas) on 1 September as a Category 5 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 295 km/h. On 2 September at 3.00 UTC, its centre was over Grand Bahama Island with maximum sustained winds of 285 km/h. Parts of Marsh Harbour are flooded, and power and water outages reported. (ECHO, 2 Sep 2019)

Unconfirmed media reports from Abaco indicate badly damaged roofing and downed power lines, with some roads all but impassable. Flooding in Abaco is believed to have contaminated wells with saltwater. Data from the Pacific Disaster Center shows a potential need of 222,000 liters of water per day. North Abaco Minister of Parliament Darren Henfield reports that Abaco has suffered catastrophic damage and that there are casualties which have yet to be confirmed. Unconfirmed media reports also say that the Power and Light office in Abaco was flattened. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) indicates that there are reports of massive flooding in Grand Bahama as well. The Grand Bahama International Airport is said to be underwater. The Bahamian Defense Force was dispatched to rescue people in East Grand Bahama. (OCHA, 2 Sep 2019)

Dorian cleared Grand Bahama on 3 September, allowing teams in Bahamas to perform aerial reconnaissance and begin assessing the scope of the damage. Initial reports show severe widespread damage to housing and infrastructure across both Abaco and Grand Bahama. Bahamas is reporting at least seven deaths so far and are expecting this number to rise. Preliminary information on needs suggests that more than 60,000 people may need water and food assistance – further assessments are still pending. International organizations are making additional deployments of personnel and resources to support the Government and [NEMA]. (OCHA, 4 Sep 2019)

DORIAN passed 140-150 km east of Florida on 4 September as a Category 2 hurricane. On 5 September at 3.00 UTC, its centre was 155 km east of Georgia's central coast, with maximum sustained winds of 185 km/h (Category 3 hurricane). Heavy rain, strong winds and storm surge are affecting the coast of central Florida, north and central South Carolina. At least 20 fatalities have been reported in the Bahamas, 17 in the Abacos and 3 in Grand Bahama. According to [WFP], more than 76,000 people were affected and are in need of immediate humanitarian relief. Power outages have been reported across Florida's east coast. (ECHO, 5 Sep 2019)

The number of fatalities following Tropical Cyclone DORIAN's passage in The Bahamas has reached 45, including 37 in Abaco and 8 in Grand Bahama. Most Abaco residents have evacuated to New Providence Island, while shelters in Nassau City are at maximum capacity, as reported by U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance. Various government authorities and humanitarian partners are assisting the affected population with food and relief kits. The EU Civil Protection Mechanism was activated on 4 September following a request from the Bahamian government and relief, logistics and communications support are being sent by The Netherlands and Luxembourg. (ECHO, 10 Sep 2019)

One week after initial landfall, the official death toll from Hurricane Dorian stands at 50 in Abaco and Grand Bahama Islands. Thousands still remain missing. An estimated 90 percent of housing and infrastructure on Abaco Island is damaged or destroyed, with many homes still without power.An estimated 5,000 people have been evacuated by government, military, and private boats and aircraft. An estimated 6,000-7,000 people remain on the affected islands; however, evacuations are ongoing. (WFP, 10 Sep 2019)

In the affected areas there is a public-private sector coordination for the delivery of food, water and supplies for the remaining families. Large scale debris removal has not commenced and is scheduled to being shortly after search and rescue efforts have been completed. (IOM, 14 Sep 2019)