Message: Sandy approaching the Central Bahamas. Damage Assessment Teams out in Haiti and Jamaica Sandy

THE SITUATION:
At 11.00a.m the center of Sandy, a Category Two Hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane wind scale, was located near latitude 22.4 degrees North and longitude 75.5 West or about 65 miles South SouthWest of Long Island and 85 miles South SouthEast of Great Exuma Island , Bahamas . Maximum sustained winds are near 105 mph with higher gusts. Hurricane force winds extend outwards up to 30 miles and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 140 miles from the center.

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for the Ragged Islands in the SouthEastern Bahamas , the Central Bahamas and the NorthWestern Bahamas. A Tropical Storm Warning remains in effect for the remainder of the SouthEastern Bahamas.

A Hurricane Warning means that hurricane conditions are expected somewhere in the warning area.

A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area.

PROGNOSIS:
According to the National Hurricane Center in Miami, Sandy is expectedto remain a hurricane as it moves through the Bahamas with some weakening forecasted during the next 48 hours. Hurricane conditions are therefore expected to spread across the Central and NorhtWestern Bahamas today.

The system is moving towards the north near 16 mph and this motion is expected to continue today. A turn toward the North-Northwest and a decrease in forward speed are expected tonight. On the forecast track the center of Sandy will move through the Central Bahamas later today and tonight and move near the Northwestern Bahamas on Friday.

Heavy Rains and gusty winds are expected to continue over Haiti today. Sandy is expected to produce total rainfall amounts of six (6) to twelve inches in Haiti with isolated maximum amounts of 20 inches possible. These rains may produce life threatening flash floods and mud slides, especially in areas of mountainous terrain.

In the Bahamas, three to six inches of rainfall are expected with isolated maximum amounts of 12 inches possible over some areas.. Within the hurricane warning areas of the Bahamas storms surges will raise water levels by as much as five to eight feet above normal tide levels. The surge will be accompanied by large and dangerous waves.

NATIONAL SITUATION:

Jamaica

Impact

• Hurricane Sandy made landfall on Wednesday October 24, 2012 at approximately 2.00pm some five (50 miles east of Kingston. Up to late yesterday afternoon, the island continued to experienced 80mph storm force winds mainly in the central and eastern parishes.
• The eastern half of the island has been severely impacted. Initial reports have indicated wind damage, impassable roads, damaged housing and flooding in many communities.
• The Parish of St. Thomas was severely impacted.
• Low lying areas in the St. Mary and Portland and St Ann’s suffered flooding . One community was totally marooned by floods but the water is receding now
• The Parishes on the western end of the island have suffered little or no effects from Hurricane Sandy
• The all clear was given and normal operations are expected to resume today. Schools and businesses on the western side have resumed normal operations.
• Damage Assessment is currently ongoing to determine the extent of impact across the island

Shelters

• There were 120 shelters opened housing 1496 persons including 80 homeless persons at 6.30pm yesterday.

Deaths

• One male person has been confirmed dead

Airports

• All international airports have been reopened.

Communications

• Cell phone communication has been down but some landlines are functional

Electricty

• Reportedly some 70% of customers were without power in the areas affected by high winds and torrential rains.

Health Facilities

• A few health facilities in St. Mary Parish reported damage.

Immediate needs

• The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) has indicated that no assistance is required at this time. An analysis of the situation would be provided once damage assessments have been completed.

Haiti

Impact

Damage assessment is ongoing following the passage of Hurricane Sandy.

In the Southern Department, the following has been reported:

• Flooding of the General Hospital (Cayes)
• Landslide - Morne St Georges.
• Floods - Camp Perrin

Deaths

• Two persons

Bahamas

• The National Emergency Operations Centre have been fully activated since yesterday. The Emergency Operations Centres of Ministries and Family Islands Administrators have also been activated.
• The NEOC is in contact with most of the islands in the southern and central Bahamas
• At 10.05 today, there have been reports of rain and heavy winds in some portions of the Bahamas. Three (3 )islands, Atklins, Exuma and San Salvador have reported flooding in low lying areas.
• There have been no reports of damage as of 10.05 a.m today.
• The NEOC is continuing to monitor and as soon as it is safe to do so will conduct early assessments.
• Bahamas is not in need of any assistance at this time

REGIONAL ACTIONS:

The Caribbean Disaster and Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) continues to be in contacted with the affected/threatened states and stands ready to provide assistance as is required.

CDEMA will continue to monitor the system and provide updates as necessary.

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