Message: Tropical Storm Chantal continues its path across the Caribbean islands. Tropical Storm Warnings are in effect for the CDEMA Participating States of Haiti, Turks and Caicos Islands and Bahamas

Event:

Tropical Storm Chantal formed over the central tropical Atlantic on Sunday night, July 7, 2013. At 11.00 p.m on Sunday night the Storm was located at latitude 9.8 North longitude 47.2 West or about 865 miles (1390 km) East South East of Barbados. This triggered Tropical Storm Warnings for Barbados, Saint Lucia and Dominica, and Tropical Storm Watch for St Vincent and the Grenadines. Moving at steady pace of near 26 mph (45km/h) the centre of Chantal reached Barbados around 8.00 a.m on Tuesday morning and continued on its forecasted path to Saint Lucia and Dominica. Watches and warnings have since been discontinued for St Vincent and the Grenadines, Barbados, Dominica, Saint Lucia. At 5.00 p.m., the center of Tropical Storm Chantal was located near latitude 16.2 north and longitude 63.7 west or about 470 miles (755 km) east south east of Santo Domingo , Dominican Republic Maximum sustained winds are near 65 mph (100 km) with higher gusts. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 90 miles.(150 km) to the west of the centre Tropical Storm warnings remain in effect for the entire coast of Haiti, Turks and Caicos Islands and the southeastern Bahamas.

Prognosis:

Chantal is moving towards the west- near 26 mph (43km/h). A west north westward track at about the same forward speed is expected over the next couple of days with a gradual decrease in the forward speed. On this forecast track the center of Tropical Storm Chantal is expected to move away from the lesser Antilles tonight and to be near or over the Dominican Republic by Wednesday afternoon. Chantal is expected to be near hurricane strength before reaching Hispaniola. Tropical storm conditions are expected in Haiti by late Wednesday and is expected to be over the southeastern and central Bahamas on Thursday. The system is expected to produce a total of 3-6 inches of rainfall over Haiti with possible rainfall amounts of 8 inches.

Dominica Impact:

Dominica reported experiencing extremely strong winds and torrential rain in the south of the island earlier today and weather conditions continued to deteriorate throughout the day affecting other parts of the island. Preliminary reports from the Office of Disaster Management have indicated the following: Impact of Chantal has been more to the Southern parts of the island Power and telephone lines are down Lost roofs in the area of Scottshead, Soufriere and Dubuc Landslides and fallen trees

National Actions

Dominica held a pre-strike meeting yesterday (July 8) with key emergency management personnel and discussed the status of readiness of the various departments and agencies. A number of preparedness measures were initiated including activation of shelter managers and the prepositioning of heavy duty equipment in areas known to be vulnerable to landslides. The NEOC remains partially activated.

Barbados:

The all clear for Barbados was issued at 11.35 a.m today (July 9). Preliminary reports from the Department of Emergency Management have indicated minimal damage.

Saint Lucia:

Saint Lucia experienced rains and gusty winds during the passage of Chantal. The all clear was issued at 2.00p.m. and the NEOC was deactivated as of 5.00p.m today. The National Emergency Management Organisation has reported that generally, except for the two small landslides, Chantal’s passage was relatively uneventful over the island. No major damage was reported.

Bahamas:

A Pre-Strike meeting was held at 5.00p.m today and the NEOC has been partially activated.

Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI):

A Pre-strike was held at 12.30p.m and a press briefing at 2.00p.m. today. Relief items have been prepositioned and shelter managers and emergency responders are on standby.

Haiti:

Haiti is on Orange Alert which means that the risk of impact expected is of moderate to severe intensity. Residents have been alerted and urged to take the necessary precautions.

Regional Response

• The CDEMA Coordinating Unit has been in contact with the impacted and threatened Participating States. Preliminary reports have been received from the impacted states.
• The CDEMA Coordinating Unit stands ready to provide response support should this become necessary.
• The Caribbean Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology (CIMH) continues to provide analysis on the storm’s development and probable effects on the region for CDEMA’s response scenario planning.
• CIMH has been placed on standby to provide geotechnical assistance.
• Damage assessment and Emergency Operations Teams are also on standy
• The Regional Response Mechanism is requested to remain on alert as we continue to monitor the system.
• CDEMA will continue to monitor the situation and issue updates accordingly.

CONTACT DETAILS: The CDEMA CU 24hr contact number is 1 (246) 425-0386. HF Radio contact 7.453.50 and 14.415.00