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CDEMA Situation Report #1 - Tropical Storm Harvey - as of 4:00pm on August 18th, 2017

Countries
Barbados
+ 3 more
Sources
CDEMA
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Origin
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SUMMARY

Tropical Storm (TS) Harvey, the eighth named Storm for the 2017 Atlantic Hurricane Season formed near the Windward Islands on August 17, 2017. TS Harvey impacted Barbados, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Lucia, Martinique and Dominica on Thursday night, August 17, 2017 into Friday morning, August 18, 2017. TS Harvey accelerated westward as it approached Barbados around 8:00 pm at a speed of 18 mph (30km/h) and brought maximum sustained winds near 40 mph (65km/h) with higher gusts. TS Harvey poses a potential threat to Belize as it moves in a westward direction across the Caribbean Sea.

THE SITUATION

The Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology (CIMH) 1:30 pm (EDT) brief to the RRM partners interpreted the National Hurricane Center (NHC) 11:00 EDT Tropical Atlantic weather update for August 18, 2017 as follows:

  • At 1100 PM (EDT), TS Harvey was located near latitude 13.1North, longitude 61.3West.
  • TS Harvey remained a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65km/h) and minimum central pressure 1005 mb.
  • Tropical-storm-force winds extended outward up to 60 miles (95 km) to the north of the center.
  • TS Harvey is expected to maintain its westward course, and is likely to increase in forward speed over the next couple of days. It is advised that slow-strengthening is possible within the coming 48 hours.

CIMH reported rainfall observations during the passage of Tropical Storm Harvey were consistent with the CIMH Model projections of maximum totals of 2-8 inches in Barbados. CIMH also reported rainfall ranging from 1-3 inches recorded in Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and as far north as Dominica. Water levels of up to 1 meter were reported in Dennery St. Lucia and in northern areas of Barbados .

UPDATES FROM PARTICIPATING STATES

The CDEMA Coordinating Unit has been in contact with the National Disaster Coordinators (NDCs) of the impacted States. The following provides an update based on the initial reports of the impact sustained in the affected Participating States.

BARBADOS

The following update was provided by the Department of Emergency Management (DEM):

  • The entire island was affected by power outages with the majority of cases being reported in the Parishes of St. Michael, St. Joseph, St. Lucy and Christ Church.
  • The North of the island was severely affected by flooding, with St. Peter being hit the hardest.
  • Minimal damage to houses was reported; one house was completely washed off its foundation, some houses were flooded and persons were relocated, and an annex to a church lost its roof.
  • Bridges in St. Joseph and St. Andrew sustained some damage and the Transport Board’s fuel depot in Speightstown was flooded.
  • The GAIA Inc. was closed temporarily.
  • Government officers were officially reopened at 12:00 p.m.
  • At approximately 11:20 p.m. the Minister of Home Affairs joined the NEOC. Following an NEOC brief, the Minister and some of the NEOC representatives conducted site visits of the areas worst affected.
    -The NEOC was stood down at 1300 hours.

ST VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES

The National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO) provided the following update:

  • There are reports of flooding in the Grenadines on Mustique and Bequia; and on mainland St Vincent in Owia, Fancy and Sandy Bay in North Windward.
  • Damage to two (2) houses was reported in Edinboro and Calliaqua.
  • Landslides were reported in Carapan, Belomont and South Wood.
  • No causalities were reported.
  • The Argyle International Airport was scheduled to re-open at 4:00 pm, August 18, 2017.
  • Preliminary assessments are to be carried out this afternoon by teams from the Ministries of Education and Housing, as well as NEMO.
  • The Ministry of Transportation and Works will deploy teams to North Windward and Beqia tomorrow, August 19, 2017 to conduct full damage assessments.
  • A small craft warning remains in effect as seas may be rough in open water with swells of up to 3 meters (10ft)

NEMO is cautioning individuals that soils are waterlogged and there is further potential for landslides to occur.

SAINT LUCIA

The National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO) provided the following update:

  • The Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) was partially activated,
  • Public advisories were issued through multiple channels,
  • Shelters were opened in the areas of concern,
  • One inch of precipitation was recorded in Dennery
  • No reports of damage received thus far.
  • The All Clear was issued at 1:00 pm (EDT). _ The EOC was deactivated at 3:00 pm (EDT).

DOMINICA

The Office of Disaster Management (ODM) has provided the following update:

  • The NEOC was partially activated from 6:00 pm on August 17, 2017.
  • Minor incidents of flooding were reported.
  • A small landslide was reported in Aux Delice on the eastern coast. The Ministry of Public Works mobilized operators to clear it.
  • The Tropical Storm Watch was discontinued at 2:00 pm

A statement was issued for persons close to waterways, rivers, ravines and persons traversing roads and vulnerable bridges to exercise caution as soils are saturated and some precipitation is expected.

GRENADA

The National Disaster Management Agency (NaDMA) provided the following update:

  • No Tropical Storm Watch or Warning was issued for Grenada.
  • The islands experienced rain and wind gusts, particularly on the islands of Carriacou and Petite - Martinique in the early morning of August 18, 2017, which lessened as the day progressed,
  • The NEOC was not stood up, but NaDMA continued to closely monitor along with the Meteorological Service.

REGIONAL READINESS ACTIONS – CDEMA COORDINATING UNIT

The Regional Coordination Plan (RCP) remains activated and the Regional Response Mechanism (RRM) remains on alert. CDEMA is in contact with all the impacted Participating States, and communication has been established with the threatened states. No request for regional assistance has been received at this time. CDEMA will continue to monitor Tropical Storm Harvey as it moves towards Belize, and the two disturbances in the Tropical Atlantic as they move towards the northern Caribbean.

CONTACT DETAILS: The CDEMA CU 24-hour contact number 1(246) 434-4880

The public is advised to…

  • Monitor radio or television and other official sources of information for progress reports
  • Update your personal family preparedness plan and action items according to that plan
  • The website www.weready.org provides additional information