Message: A tropical disturbance with heavy showers and thundershowers is producing severe weather conditions over the Central-Eastern Caribbean islands since Monday November 28th 2016. The islands of Barbados, Dominica and Saint Lucia have experienced some flooding while Saint Vincent and the Grenadines has experienced flooding and landslides.
Situation:
On Monday 28th November 2016, The Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology (CIMH) alerted CDEMA of a tropical disturbance moving east from the Caribbean Sea, with the potential to produce heavy showers and thundershowers and rainfall in the range of 100 to 350mm over the islands from Dominica south to Grenada. This was followed by a report of an alarm from the Alba Bridge (Dennery Area), Dominica at 10:30 local time with a reported water level of 1.81m.
A further alert was sent to CDEMA at 7:30 am on November 29th warning of heavy rainfall and possible flooding over St. Vincent in the early morning. This was followed by another brief at 1100 am of severe weather floods and potential landslides expected over Barbados, St. Vincent and Saint Lucia. Rainfall amounts were again projected to 100 mm to 350 mm.
In preparation for the event the CDEMA Coordinating Unit alerted the Participating States and has been in contact with the National Disaster Coordinators (NDCs) of each impacted State. The following is an update provided by the NDCs on the status of the situation in their respective territory.
Barbados:
The Barbados Meteorological Service discontinued the flood warning for the island at 8:00PM, Tuesday November 29, 2016.
- All schools were closed as at 1:00PM Tuesday 29 November, 2016
- 8 houses reported damaged as result of flooding
- 2 downed power poles
- A number of roads were declared impassable
- 4 fallen trees
- The Emergency Services have responded to five (5) reports of persons in distress and requiring assistance
Dominica:
- Some flooding occurred but no major damage reported.
- The National Meteorological Office and the Office of Disaster Management (ODM) issued advisories and PSAs.
- Government engineers will conduct assessment of critical infrastructure.
Grenada:
- There were reports of flooding in Carriacou and heavy rains in the northern part of the main island
- The MET Service has issued an advisory warning of possible flooding and landslides.
Saint Lucia:
- There was minor flooding reported in certain parts of the island.
- Few fallen trees and some debris inclusive of rocks were also reported. These have since been cleared by Public Works.
- Schools were suspended 29 November, 2016
- Several public information announcements were issued by NEMO
- NEMO together with the MET Service will continue to monitor and issue advisories as needed
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines:
The National Emergency Operations Centre remains partially activated and the housing and infrastructure damage assessment is expected to commence on Wednesday November 30, 2016. The latest Situation Report issued by the National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO) (6:00AM, Wednesday November 30, 2016) provided the following updates:
- A Flood-Warning remains in effect for St. Vincent and the Grenadines until 6:00PM Wednesday 30th November, 2016
- Schools will remain closed on Wednesday, 30th November 2016
- 177 persons are in shelters
- 15 houses reported destroyed, 20 houses damaged and 6 flooded
- 15 reported cases of landslides
- 8 reported damaged bridges
- 8 reported damaged roads (The Roads Bridges and General Services Authority are conducting assessment and clean-up operations)
- Reported extensive damage to water systems and downed power poles/lines due to landslides
Needs Identified:
No needs have been identified at this time.
CDEMA remains in regular contact with the National Disaster Coordinators and will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as necessary.
CONTACT DETAILS: The CDEMA CU 24-hour contact number 1 (246) 434-4880