SUMMARY
Tropical Storm (TS) Don, the fourth named Storm for the 2017 Atlantic Hurricane Season formed near the Windward Islands on July 17, 2017. TS Don impacted Grenada, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and sections of Trinidad and Tobago during Tuesday night, July 18, 2017. TS Don accelerated westward as it approached Grenada around 8:00pm at a speed of 23 mph (37km/h) and brought maximum sustained winds near 40 mph (65km/h) with higher gusts.
THE SITUATION
According to the National Hurricane Center, Miami Florida, as at 11:00pm (AST) Tuesday July 18, 2017, TS Don degenerated to an open wave over the far southeastern Caribbean Sea.
Data from an Air Force Reserve reconnaissance aircraft indicated that Don no longer has a center of circulation. At 1100 PM AST (0300 UTC), the remnants of Don were located near latitude 11.9 North, longitude 62.5 West. The remnants are moving quickly toward the west near 25 mph (41 km/h), and this motion is expected to continue during the next couple of days.
The aircraft data indicate that maximum sustained winds are near 40 mph (65 km/h) with higher gusts. These winds are occurring over the waters of the far southeastern Caribbean Sea. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 45 miles (75 km) to the north of the center.
The CDEMA Coordinating Unit has been in contact with the National Disaster Coordinators (NDCs) of the impacted States. The following provides an update based on the initial reports of the impact sustained in the affected Participating States.
GRENADA
The National Disaster Management Agency (NaDMA) provided the following updates:
- At 11:00pm, Tuesday July 18, 2017, activities were scaled down as the system dissipated and the TS Warning was discontinued
- Preliminary assessments shows no significant impact as a result of the passage of TS Don
- Twenty four (24) shelters were opened (21 on mainland, 2 on Carriacou and 1 on Petite Martinique)
- One hundred and forty (140) persons were checked into shelters
- No health issues or special needs case were reported
- The NEOC was deactivated at 6:00am on Wednesday 19th July 2017
- The All Clear was formally announced at 6:30 a.m.
- Schools and work return to normal on July 19, 2017
ST VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES
The National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO) provided the following update:
- Operations were scaled down at 11:00 pm, Tuesday July 18, 2017
- Shelters were opened on the evening of July 18, 2017 (6 families moved into 3 shelters)
- No significant damage reported
- The EOC was deactivated at 6:00 am July 19, 2017
- Schools and work return to normal on July 19, 2017
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
The following update was provided by the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM) Trinidad and Tobago, summarizing their operations in preparation and response to TS Don:
- The 14 Disaster Management Units (DMUs) and Tobago Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) were all contacted by the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM)
- Flooding incidents were reported in parts of Port of Spain City, Chaguanas, Windsor Park , Couva/ Tabaquite/ Talparo and Calcutta
- Mudslides were reported in communities in the Diego Martin and San Juan/ Laventille DMU.
- TEMA EOC was activated from 6:00 pm on July 18, 2017 and was stood-down at 6:00 am July 19, 2017. No significant damages were reported.
REGIONAL READINESS ACTIONS – CDEMA COORDINATING UNIT
Reports from the impacted Participating States indicate that there is no significant damage and no request for regional assistance at this time. The Regional Response Mechanism (RRM) including the regional response specialised teams have been stood-down as at 10:00am, Wednesday July 19, 2017.
Please note there will be no further Situation Reports on this event.
CDEMA will continue to monitor the system and provide updates as is necessary.
CONTACT DETAILS: The CDEMA CU 24-hour contact number 1(246) 434-4880