Caribbean - Hurricane MARIA Update

Tue, 26 Sep 2017 06:22:00 +02:00

On 26 September at 6.00 UTC, hurricane MARIA was located 360 km southeast of Hatteras (North Carolina, USA) as a category 1 hurricane. Tropical storm warnings are in effect for parts of North Carolina.
In Dominica, 27 deaths and another 27 confirmed missing people are reported so far. 100% of the population is impacted, of which 56 000 people are in urgent need of food, water and shelter. 100% of agriculture is destroyed. It is estimated that 20 000 children under 18 in Dominica are affected by MARIA. All 53 health facilities are affected. Road access is improving and more resources are being oriented to support the distribution of relief on the island.
In Guadeloupe, COGIC reported that four people died and 19 000 people remain without power. In Saint Kitts and Nevis, the northern part of the island was affected with around 12 830 people living in the area. In Turks and Caicos, 20% of houses on the islands of Providenciales and Grand Turk were severely damaged. In the Dominican Republic, 19 844 people are displaced. In Haiti, three deaths were confirmed and flooding was reported in several departments. In Puerto Rico, local media reports six deaths and lack of electricity in parts of the island.
The EU is providing EUR 250 000 in emergency aid to Dominica. In addition, France, Belgium and the United Kingdom have offered in-kind assistance to Dominica through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. One DG ECHO humanitarian expert is on the island and an EU Civil Protection Team (5 pax) is also underway. Copernicus satellite maps are being produced.

Caribbean - Hurricane MARIA Update

Thu, 21 Sep 2017 05:19:00 +02:00

Hurricane MARIA continued moving west-northwest over the Caribbean Sea, strengthening. It made lanfall near Yabucoa (Puerto Rico) on 20 September at around 10.30 UTC as a category 4 hurricane. On 21 September at 6.00 UTC, it was located 90 km away from the Dominican Republic as a category 3 hurricane.
Over the next 48 hours, its centre could pass near the Dominican Republic and Turks and Caicos Islands, possibly as a category 3 hurricane. Heavy rain, strong winds and storm surge could still affect Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Turks and Caicos Island and the Bahamas.
Local media reported, as of 21 September at 6.00 UTC, that at least nine people were killed, of which two in Guadeloupe island and seven in Dominica. Official reports from COGIC (France) mentioned that over 1 400 people were evacuated, thousands of homes were left without power or drinking water in the Caribbean islands of Guadeloupe, Dominica and Martinique and Puerto Rico.

Caribbean - Hurricane MARIA-17

Tue, 19 Sep 2017 06:29:00 +02:00

Hurricane MARIA-17 continued moving west-northwest, strengthening. It made landfall over Dominica island on 19 September at 1.15 UTC with maximum sustained winds of 260 km/h (category 5 hurricane).
Over the next 24 hours, MARIA-17 will continue moving west-northwest toward Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands as a category 4 or 5 hurricane. Its center could pass south of Guadeloupe on 19 September morning (UTC), near Saint Croix (US Virgin Islands) and Puerto Rico on 20 September. Heavy rain, strong winds and storm surge could affect the Leeward Islands, Windward Islands, Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic on 19-22 September.
As of 19 September, hurricane warnings are in effect for Guadeloupe, Dominica, St. Kitts, Nevis, Montserrat, US Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Culebra and Vieques. Tropical storm warnings are in effect for Antigua and Barbuda, Saba and St. Eustatius and St. Maarten, Anguilla, St. Lucia and Martinique.
Media reported, as of 19 September at 6.00 UTC, that hundreds of people have been evacuated in Guadeloupe, Dominica and Martinique islands. Mandatory evacuation orders have been issued for more than 11 900 people in Puerto Rico.

Caribbean - Tropical Cyclone MARIA Update

Mon, 18 Sep 2017 06:07:00 +02:00

Tropical cyclone MARIA continued moving west-northwest, strengthening. On 18 September at 6.00 UTC, its centre was located 145 km of Barbados and 270 km of Dominica. It had maximum sustained wind speed of 150 km/h (category 1 hurricane).
The centre of MARIA may move across the Leeward islands in the evening of 18 September, strengthening further. It may then reach the coast of Dominica as a category 2 hurricane, before moving toward Puerto Rico. Heavy rain, strong winds and storm surge could affect the Leeward Islands, Windward Islands and Puerto Rico on 18-20 September.
As of 18 September at 8.00 UTC, a hurricane warning is in effect for Guadeloupe, Dominica, St. Kitts, Nevis, Montserrat and Martinique. A tropical storm warning is also in effect for Antigua and Barbuda, Saba and St. Eustatius and St. Lucia.
Tropical cyclone MARIA constitutes a potential threat to the areas previously affected by hurricane IRMA over 6-13 September.