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Students, staff and supporters of the St. Winifred’s School in Pine Hill, St. Michael Barbados donate a cheque in the sum of BDS $5000.00 towards the ongoing relief and reconstruction efforts in the impacted islands of The Bahamas. The cheque was presented by students Hayley Croney and Aerin Hill to Ronald Jackson, Executive Director, CDEMA during general assembly at the school on Monday October 14, 2019. Both students were applauded for their initiative and kind contribution in designing custom bracelets, which were sold to the school community in efforts to raise funds for those impacted by Major Hurricane Dorian in The Bahamas.

CARIBBEAN DISASTER EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY (CDEMA) ACTIONS (as at September 27, 2019)

  • The CDEMA Team Lead continues to provide coordination support to the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) in Nassau. The Team Lead is providing advice to the various Emergency Support Functions (ESF) and to the NEOC Directors and will re-deployed (returned to home base) on October 5, 2019.
  • CDEMA has partnered with the World Food Programme (WFP) to provide logistical support with the ongoing relief management operations in The Bahamas. CDEMA's two (2) Logisticians are currently working with the WFP to manage incoming relief, temporary warehouse storage and distribution of items to the impacted population. They will be joined next week (September 30 to October 5, 2019) by an additional four (4) Logisticians from the CDEMA Sub-regional Focal Points (SRFPs) of Jamaica, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago as part of a training programme aimed at building the capacity and experience of regional logisticians in relief management.

SUMMARY OF UPDATES

BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS: DEPARTMENT OF DISASTER MANAGEMENT

  • The National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) was deactivated on Wednesday 25 September 2019 at 0500 hours.
  • The NEOC’s reconnaissance and reports received from heads of essential services and critical public service providers, have confirmed little to no damage to the Territory and as such it is within our capacity to address the minor impacts.
  • Water and Power – Electricity was restored with minimal impact to a few communities; there was no disruption to the water supply.
  • Telecommunications – Telecom providers continued to provide service without interruption.
  • Road Networks – The entire main road network was cleared, making all roads accessible; minor damages have been addressed.
  • Debris Management – No special arrangements are required at this time.
  • Health/Medical – No surge in injuries or persons seeking medical assistance were observed.
  • Airports – Resumed normal operations on Wednesday 25th September 2019.
  • Airport & Sea Ports – Resumed international flights at the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport and domestic ferry transport between the islands. Resumption of additional international service will depend on the reopening of the ports in the US Virgin Islands.
  • Schools – Schools have been reopened on Wednesday 25 September since there were no reported damages.
  • Private Sector – resumed operations on Wednesday 25 September 2019 as per usual. No damages were reported in this sector.

For full situation report please click here.

Lidra Remacka, regional consultant on Education in Emergencies for UNICEF shares key messaging on the importance of a participatory approach that includes children in the policy development process. She delivered remarks at the training on the Model Safe School Programme Toolkit and National Safe School Policy Consultation.

Danielle Nembhard, Project Manager with Environmental Solutions Limited, the consulting firm selected to deliver training on the Model Safe School Programme Toolkit, engages representatives from the education and planning sector during the training at the Public Service Union Conference Room in Roseau Dominica.

SITUATION

Major Hurricane Dorian, the fourth named storm of the 2019 Atlantic Hurricane Season, impacted the Northern islands of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas from Sunday September 1 to Tuesday September 3, 2019 for approximately 68 hours. Hurricane Dorian devastated Abaco, Grand Bahama and the surrounding Cays, with the southern eye-wall remaining “stationary” for approximately 36 hours over Grand Bahama. At the peak of strength, sustained winds increased to 185 mph and gusts up to 220 mph. The estimated rainfall was 12-15 inches and storm surge, 18-23 feet above sea level.

For full situation report please click here.

National Hurricane Center (NHC) Update

According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami, Florida, as at 2:00 PM AST, the center of Tropical Storm Karen was located near latitude 12.7 North, longitude 62.3 West. Karen is moving toward the west-northwest near 13 mph (20 km/h) and this general motion is expected to continue today. A turn toward the northwest is forecast to occur on Monday, followed by a turn toward the north on Tuesday. On the forecast track, the center of Karen will move away from the Windward Islands later today, and then across the eastern Caribbean Sea tonight and Monday. On Tuesday, Karen is expected to approach.

SITUATION

Major Hurricane Dorian, the fourth named storm of the 2019 Atlantic Hurricane Season, impacted the Northern islands of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas from Sunday September 1 to Tuesday September 3, 2019 for approximately 68 hours. Hurricane Dorian devastated Abaco, Grand Bahama and the surrounding Cays, with the southern eye-wall remaining “stationary” for approximately 36 hours over Grand Bahama. At the peak of strength, sustained winds increased to 185 mph and gusts up to 220 mph. The estimated rainfall was 12-15 inches and storm surge, 18-23 feet above sea level.

National Hurricane Center (NHC) Update

According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami, Florida, as at 5:00 PM AST, the eye of Hurricane Jerry was located near latitude 23.0 N 65.8 W. Jerry is moving toward the northwest near 14 mph (22km/h), and this general motion is expected to continue today. Jerry is forecast to turn northward on Sunday and then gradually accelerate northeastward early next week. Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 65 mph (100 km/h) with higher gusts. Little overall change in strength is forecast for the next several days, but short-term fluctuations in intensity are possible. Tropical-stormforce winds extend outward up to 80miles (130 km) from the center.

  1. CDEMA Information Note #1 - Hurricane Jerry as of 5:00PM (AST) on September 19th, 2019
  2. CDEMA Situation Report #15 - Major Hurricane Dorian as of 6:00PM (AST) on September 19th, 2019
  3. CDEMA and UNOCHA collaborate to deliver Information and Data Management Training in Antigua and Barbuda
  4. CDEMA Situation Report #14 - Major Hurricane Dorian as of 10:00PM (AST) on September 16th, 2019
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