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CDEMA Situation Report #3 - Hurricane Earl

Countries
Antigua and Barbuda
Sources
CDEMA
Publication date
Origin
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MESSAGE:

Warnings lifted for CDEMA Participating States; Damage Assessments being finalised

THE SITUATION:

Tropical Storm Warnings have been lifted for Turks and Caicos Islands, south eastern Bahamas and San Salvador Island in the Bahamas

Hurricane Earl is now a Category 3 on the Saffir-Simpson wind scale. Maximum winds are 125 mph (205 km/hr) with higher gusts. Some strengthening of this system is possible.

At 2 p.m., the Centre of Hurricane Earl was located at Latitude 25.7 North, Longitude 72.7 West. Hurricane Earl is moving toward the northwest near 17 mph (28 km/hr).

Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 90 miles (150 km) from the centre, and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 200 miles (325 km).

Rainfall accumulations of 1 to 2 inches with isolated maximum amounts of 4 inches are expected over the Bahamas. Large swells from Earl should also affect the Bahamas. These swells will likely cause dangerous surf conditions and rip currents.

PROGNOSIS

On the forecast track the core of Hurricane Earl will move well east and northeast of the Bahamas tonight.

NATIONAL ACTIONS

CDEMA states impacted by Hurricane are in the process of finalizing their damage assessment reports - Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Montserrat and St. Kitts-Nevis and for Virgin Islands.

The National Disaster Offices of CDEMA Participating States have provided the following updates to Sitrep #2.

Anguilla

The detailed Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis (DANA) is still ongoing. It is anticipated that this will be available later tonight September 1, 2010.

The Emergency Management Group (EMG) and the Disaster Executive Group (DEG) has convened daily to review the situation and advance the response action plans.

There is evidence of an active community clean-up programme in areas.

Four (4) persons are currently being provided with shelter.

The Government water supply is down awaiting the restoration of electricity. This has been prioritized for restoration. The desalination plant will be evaluated once online.

Overall the majority of buildings received no damage. Two (2) to three (3) houses have been destroyed and over twenty-five (25) damaged. Impacts were mainly due to flooding, water damage, and to roofs. Some damage to hotels and restaurants has also been reported.

Government offices generally were opened as usual though they remain shuttered. Flooding of some government buildings has also been reported.

The Princess Alexandra Hospital has experienced some flooding of wards and other areas including offices, trees and signage was downed. A small electric fire also occurred.

The Government transmitter is operational. Most radio broadcast stations are also operational but some continuing repairs will be required.

Major roads have all been cleared. Some minor roads are blocked by downed utility poles and clearing of these have already started.

The water level of the salt pond is extremely high and there is some flooding on the road.

As of last night August 31, 2010, the airport remained closed. The seaport was also closed due to rough sea conditions.

Telephone services through LIME And DIGICEL are operational although circuits are very busy, hence making access difficult.

Electricity has been restored to 30% of the island. Other areas will remain off until after the passage of Tropical Storm Fiona. Work on is on restoration of electricity to critical services such as the hospital, desalination plant, ports and government secretariat continues.

Schools remain closed to students today September 1, 2010. Teachers were asked to report for duty. Water damage was reported for the Alwyn Allison Primary School (West End), Morris Vanterpool Primary Scholl (east End), and Valley Primary School .Damages to the roof five classrooms has been reported for the Adrian T Hazell Primary School (South Road).

The hydroponic farm roof has been damaged, all plants lost and the garden centre damaged. Seven (7) boats ran aground.

Anguilla is now looking to rapidly restock the National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC), shelter kits and response resources as they monitor the progress of Tropical Storm Fiona.

Antigua and Barbuda

The detailed Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis (DANA) is still ongoing. It is anticipated that the report will be available by Thursday September 2, 1010.

Electricity has been restored in Antigua.

One (1) death has been reported. A lineman was electrocuted whilst restoring electricity.

Antigua and Barbuda is still monitoring Tropical Storm Fiona and putting in place contingency preparations for this storm.

Montserrat

The detailed Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis (DANA) is still ongoing. It is anticipated that the report will be available by Thursday September 2, 1010. An initial estimate of damage is EC $10M based on initial assessments of infrastructural damage.

Tropical Storm Fiona is still being monitored by Montserrat and contingency arrangements being put in place

St. Kitts and Nevis

The detailed Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis (DANA) is still ongoing. It is anticipated that the report will be available by Thursday September 2, 2010.

Currently, the disaster management offices on St. Kitts and on Nevis are coordinating the submission of sector reports, for the preparation of the Damage Assessment Report.

Restoration of electricity continued throughout today on St. Kitts and all major areas should be completed by this evening, September 1, 2010. However, pockets of disruption in some areas will be addressed tomorrow.

Requests for tarpaulin were being addressed today on both islands.

Tree cutting and debris clean up are being undertaken in several communities.

St. Kitts and Nevis is also monitoring Tropical Storm Fiona and putting in place contingency preparations for this system.

Virgin Islands

The detailed Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis (DANA) continues in the Virgin Islands. The report will be available on Thursday September 2, 2010.

Turks and Caicos Islands

Turks and Caicos Islands has stood down operations for Hurricane Earl which passed east of Turks and Caicos Islands earlier. Some rain and minor gusts were experienced.

Bahamas

The National Emergency Operations Center was partially activated for the passage of Hurricane Earl and has now been stood down.

REGIONAL RESPONSE ACTIONS:

The CDEMA Coordinating Unit (CU) has maintained communication with threatened states and continues to monitor the situation including Tropical Storm Fiona. The CDEMA CU stands ready to provide response support should this become necessary.

Email notification updates have been sent to Participating States and response partners.

The CDEMA Sitrep #2 was prepared and issued on Tropical Storm Earl yesterday August 31, 2010.

The Caribbean Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology continues to provide analysis on the development of tropical systems and probable effects on the islands for response scenario planning.

Based on initial assessment reports being shared by our Participating States so far, there is no requirement for the deployment of the Regional Response Mechanism (RRM) at this stage. There may however be opportunities for specialized response support in specific areas. These will be informed by the Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis (DANA) which is still being undertaken in the affected states.

The Regional Response Mechanism is requested to monitor the development of Tropical Storm Fiona.

CONTACT DETAILS: The CDEMA CU 24-hour contact number 1(246) 425 0386