90L - Ex ERIKA:Obs,Preps,BAH,Fla Peninsula / Fla Panhandle

[Gustywind]

good evening
I am so saddened by the terrible news out of Dominica.
Gusty, it could have been like that in Guadeloupe so easily. We are all vulnerable to events like this.
St Maarten received almost no rain from Erika...just light rain showers.
We did receive high winds. And the seas are raging.
The airport at 7 PM was reporting winds from the ESE (120 degrees) at 26 MPH (23 KT) gusting to 39 MPH (34 KT)

Hoping PR gets some much-needed rain but no flash flooding. Cycloneye, be careful!
Report in when you can

Right Barbara! Agree 100% with you VULNERABLE is the wording, Guadeloupe were surely close from that. Waouw, just light rain showers, that's insane Pretty windy at your airport!

[Gustywind]

More pics from that disaster...

BREAKING NEWS: Dominica under water: at least four dead

http://www.microsofttranslator.com/bv.a ... 336973.php

[northjaxpro]

Yeah, terrible news from Dominica.

[Gustywind]

Just hearing the radio, seems that the island is in a total blackout! Very worrying situation.

[Gustywind]

TS Erika Kills 4 in Dominica; Takes Aim at Puerto Rico


By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSAUG. 27, 2015, 8:13 P.M. E.D.T.

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2015/08 ... world&_r=0


ROSEAU, Dominica — Rescue crews fanned across Dominica late Thursday to search for missing and injured people after Tropical Storm Erika pummeled the eastern Caribbean island, unleashing landslides and killing at least four people.

The storm, which forecasters said could reach Florida as a hurricane on Monday, dumped 15 inches (38 centimeters) of rain on the small island as it spun west toward Puerto Rico.

An elderly blind man and two children were killed when a mudslide crashed into their home in the southeast of the island, said Police Chief Daniel Carbon. Another man was found dead near his home in the capital of Roseau after a mudslide, but the cause of death could not be immediately determined, Carbon told The Associated Press.

Police said another 20 people have been reported missing.

"Erika has really, really visited us with a vengeance," Assistance Police Superintendent Claude Weekes said in a phone interview. "There are many fallen rocks and trees, and water. It's really chaotic."

He said crews are trying to reach isolated communities via the ocean because many roads and bridges are impassable.

"We're going to work throughout the night to see if we can get to the areas," he said. "There are people missing in different parts of the island."

Erika was centered about 145 miles (235 kilometers) southeast of San Juan, Puerto Rico, and was moving west at 12 mph (19 kph) with maximum sustained winds of to 45 mph (75 kph), according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami.

Erika was expected to move near Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands on Thursday and be near or just north of the Dominican Republic on Friday as it heads toward Florida early next week, possibly as a hurricane.

Chris Landsea, a meteorologist at the hurricane center, said the storm could dissipate if it passed over Hispaniola or Puerto Rico or it could strengthen and pose a potential threat to Florida next week. "The uncertainties are very high," he said.

As the storm entered the Caribbean, it did the heaviest damage to Dominica, an island of about 72,000 people of lush forests and steep terrain. Authorities were still conducting a full damage assessment after rivers surged over their banks and walls of mud surged into homes.

About 80 percent of the island was without electricity, and water supply was cut off, authorities said. Trees and light poles were strewn across streets as water rushed over parked cars and ripped the scaffolding off some buildings. The main airport was closed due to flooding, with water rushing over at least one small plane.

The main river that cuts through the capital overflowed its banks and surging water crashed into the principal bridge that leads into Roseau.

"The capital city is a wreck," policewoman Teesha Alfred said. "It is a sight to behold. It's a disaster."

Erika was likely to hit the island of Hispaniola, which is shared by Haiti and the Dominican Republic, said chief forecaster James Franklin at the National Hurricane Center.

"That would certainly not be good news for Hispaniola," he said. "They're very vulnerable to flooding. And even if Erika is a weak system that could be very bad there."


Officials shuttered schools, government offices and businesses across the region and warned of flash flooding because of dry conditions caused by the worst drought to hit the Caribbean in recent years. Authorities warned power and water service might be temporarily cut off.

Puerto Rico Gov. Alejandro Garcia Padilla said the storm could bring badly needed rains to the parched U.S. territory.

"We're happy given the dry conditions, but it does highlight the need to be on alert," he said, adding that heavy downpours could lead to flash floods. He activated the National Guard as a precaution.

The storm is expected to hit Puerto Rico's southern region overnight and exit through the island's northwest. The storm's outer bands have already downed several trees and power lines across the island, and small landslides were reported. Garcia said schools and government offices would remain closed on Friday.

Erika is expected to dump between 4 to 8 inches (10 to 20 centimeters) of rain across the region, with up to 12 inches (31 centimeters) in some areas.

Dozens of flights were canceled in the region, and the U.S. Coast Guard closed all ports in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Meanwhile in the Pacific, Ignacio strengthened into a hurricane. The storm's maximum sustained winds increased Thursday morning to 90 mph (150 kph).

Hurricane Ignacio was centered about 1,055 miles (1,700 kilometers) east-southeast of Hilo, Hawaii, and was moving west-northwest near 13 mph (20 kph).

Also in the Pacific, a new tropical storm formed Thursday morning. Tropical Storm Jimena had maximum sustained winds near 60 mph (95 kph) and was expected to strengthen to a hurricane by Friday. Jimena was centered about 925 miles (1,490 kilometers) southwest of the southern tip of Mexico's Baja California peninsula.

___

Coto reported from San Juan, Puerto Rico. Associated Press reporters Ben Fox and Tony Winton in Miami contributed to this report

[galaxy401]

Do we have any users from Dominica? Very scary over there.

[Gustywind]

Here is a recap from TS ERIKA on Guadeloupe

http://www.meteofrance.gp/integration/s ... eloupe.pdf

Monitoring Bulletin # 10 for Guadeloupe
of Thursday, August 27, 2015 at 633PM OR 1033 PM)
Episode No. 5-GD
Vigilance Level: Yellow
Hazard: Thunderstorms and heavy rain
Event Start: ongoing
Estimated end event: Friday, 08/28/2015 at 6 pm
Current situation :
At 5 PM this afternoon, the center of Tropical Storm Erika is located over 250 km
west of Guadeloupe. Tropical storm continues to move away to the west at 26 km / h.
Forecast:
Heavy rains associated with ERIKA are located in the rear part of the system. Guadeloupe and
the southern islands have been affected since late last night by very intense showers and
thundery in places. This afternoon, the rains were still widespread, but their intensity
sharply. The improvement will continue during the night of Thursday to Friday.
The southern sector of wind blew strong in the sea all morning and early afternoon, at a speed
average of 60 to 70 km / h. This wind has caused strong waves on exposed shores.
Wind will return to more normal speeds of about 40 km / h the next night and the waves
will dampen ..
Observed data:
Rainfall amounts measured today between 0h and 3 PM this afternoon
Basse Terre 123 mm (50 mm between 10h and 12h)
Capesterre Neufchateau: 95 mm
Grand Bourg Marie Galante: 64 mm
Pointe Noire Bellevue: 86 mm
Moule: 53 mm

Maximum recorded wind gusts:
Désirade: 98 km / h
Le Raizet 71 km / h
Leeold: 76 km / h
Grand Bourg: 72 km / h
Next issue: Friday, 08/28/2015 at 6PM

[vbhoutex]

Do we have any users from Dominica? Very scary over there.

We do have at least one member from Dominica if I remember correctly. I can't remember who it is though. If I am correct I hope they report in as soon as they are able.

[abajan]

This disaster in Dominica is a stark reminder that disorganized tropical storms (or even just tropical depressions) can pack a punch rain wise. I remember a similar occurrence in St. Lucia some years ago with TS Debby and there was TS Allison which dumped several inches of rain in Texas in 2001.

[Alyono]

This disaster in Dominica is a stark reminder that disorganized tropical storms (or even just tropical depressions) can pack a punch rain wise. I remember a similar occurrence in St. Lucia some years ago with TS Debby and there was TS Allison which dumped several inches of rain in Texas in 2001.

I think it was the same Debby in 1994 that NHC had at 35 kts, when Martinique reported a 10 minute sustained winds of 56 kts and gusts to 85 kts. To be fair to NHC, those obs were not available to them in real time

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_w ... elim02.gif

[Gustywind]

Bye Bye Erika GREEN CODE IS UP
http://www.meteofrance.gp/integration/s ... eloupe.pdf
translation https://translate.google.fr/?hl=fr

Here is the latest datas related to ERIKA when she hits Guadeloupe. Interresting datas for sure, read them carefully.

Looks like this episode could be compared to mini or even a rainmarker and that's the excellent news.
-3 areas received rainfall with at least 100 millimiters!
Also strong gustywinds were reported! meaning that Guadeloupe faced the assaults of a weak TS.
Whereas the main convective activity to the South of the presumed center slightly north of Guadeloupe bring very strong rains in Guadeloupe while torrentials rains were swept Dominica in a hurry.

In a nutshell, never underestimate a weak system like a poor TS, TD or even an open twave!!! Sometimes the more weaker they are, the more nasty they are!

These things showed us how vulnerable the EC is and how the prevention is the best to protect life! Anyway, let's continue to monitor closely the twaves coming to our east, September is coming fast and is usually full of surprises. Time to have a little rest for many of us now Whereas, i hope sincerely that my others neighbours to the North dear Msbee and Superman Cycloneye will get some rains during the next, because the drought situation is becoming very critical. Keeping our fingers crossed
Be in shape all my carib friends
You dear friend Gustywind.
Regards.


Monitoring Bulletin # 11 for Guadeloupe
of Friday, August 28, 2015 at 554 AM or 954 UTC
Episode No. 5-GD
Event finished
Vigilance level: back to GREEN
Current situation : TS Erika is now away to Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. Conditions improved significantly last night in Guadeloupe, which do not justifies any particular greater vigilance.
Observed data during the episode:
Rainfall amounts measured over 12 hours at the peak f the episode Thursday between 02AM and 2PM:
Basse Terre: 122 mm (50 mm between 10AM and 12AM)
Saint-Claude Tanker: 112 mm,
Capesterre Neufchateau: 103 mm,
Gros Morne Gourbeyre Dole: 93 mm,
Pointe-Noire Bellevue: 80 mm,
Grand Bourg Marie Galante: 64 mm,
Moule 51 mm,
Les Abymes Raizet: 46 mm.

Thursday night on the North Basse-Terre between 4 PM and 10 PM:
Pointe-Noire Udders: 39 mm
Sainte-Rose Clugny: 27 mm.

Maximum gusts recorded Thursday morning:
Petite-Terre: 101 km / h between 09AM and 10AM,
Désirade: 98 km / h between 06AM and 07AM,
Moule: 76 km / h between 10AM and 11AM
Grand Bourg: 72 km / h between 11AM and 12AM
Le Raizet airport station: 71 km / h between 05AM and 06AM

[Gustywind]

Minors damages in Martinica...

Strong waves in Schoelcher , grounded boats

Photos Hdb Thursday, August 27, 2015 - 2PM

http://www.microsofttranslator.com/bv.aspx

[cycloneye]

Hi folks.I thought I was not going to be able to post this morning because of no power but in my area it has stayed so here I am but some towns are without power Some branches and trees fell but that has been it.Puerto Rico in general has escaped the most rain and strongest winds although there have been many reports of tropical storm force winds between 25-40 mph with some higher gusts.Rain so far has been below what it was forecast as between 4-8 inches and isolated areas were going to get 12 inches but so far only between 1-3 inches have fallen but we can get some more this morning.The bad thing is that the drought will not end.Yes the lakes have risen but not sufficient.Overall,Puerto Rico has fared well as most of the system remained to the south.

[Gustywind]

Hi folks.I thought I was not going to be able to post this morning because of no power but in my area it has stayed so here I am but some towns are without power Some branches and trees fell but that has been it.Puerto Rico in general has escaped the most rain and strongest winds although there have been many reports of tropical storm force winds between 25-40 mph with some higher gusts.Rain so far has been below what it was forecast as between 4-8 inches and isolated areas were going to get 12 inches but so far only between 1-3 inches have fallen but we can get some more this morning.The bad thing is that the drought will not end.Yes the lakes have risen but not sufficient.Overall,Puerto Rico has fared well as most of the system remained to the south.

Nice report. Cycloneye is there !
blessed PR. Good news Cycloneye, very glad for you and all the citizens de la isla del encanto We have to wait a bit to erase the catastrophic drought. Keeping our fingers crossed

[Gustywind]

More on ERIKA, pics from Guadeloupe.

Erika rinses Guadeloupe and devastates Dominica

Boris CHISHTI Friday, August 28, 2015

http://www.microsofttranslator.com/bv.a ... 337041.php


Sustained rain, heavy seas and large gusts of wind... Apart from a few stranded boats, several floods, some trees lying on roads and power cuts, the archipelago did not suffered big damage, yesterday. This is unfortunately not the case of Dominica where four victims are to be deplored.



Tropical storm did not go unnoticed, yesterday. Stormy rainfall began to fall on the mould around 4 o'clock in the morning and Basse-Terre woke up two hours later under the deafening din of Thunder and a multitude of lightning streaking the sky. The suite? Precipitation more intense during a good part of the morning, accompanied by strong gusts of wind.

According to weather-France, it is also the capital of region which suffered the heaviest rainstorm, with a little more than 100 mm of rain recorded in the space of 24 hours. About La Désirade, she recorded her side of the gusts blowing to 100 km/h. The passage of Erika has generated some disruption and caused a series of small damage on a good part of the archipelago. But nothing compares, however, with the situation encountered by Dominica which, with several of its doors nationals missing, a destroyed school and houses washed away and landslides and torrential rains, has been very harshly impacted (read further).

[Gustywind]

Sad pics of Dominica... showing how this island have been pounded

http://www.dominicavibes.dm/news-179008/
Tropical Storm Erika’s impact on Dominica
by: - August 27, 2015

[Gustywind]

TS Erika damages on CNN

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxybuNhPers

79% of the citizens have not electricity...

[knotimpaired]

Good morning from Vieques,

Terrible news coming out of Dominica. Here are the last posts coming out of Dominica: These are starting from the earliest.

Date: Thu, 27 Aug 2015 07:38:32 +0000 (UTC)


It has Begun in earnest... With Erika just east-North east of Guadeloupe from the 2a.m. NHC center of circulation fix- we in Dominica are entering into the southern ring of the storm's CDO- Central dense overcast.

On the North East coast Bright flashes of Lightning are illuminating the skies every few seconds and the rain has begun to pour in sheets. Erika on radar appears to be forming an inner eye wall of some sorts. It will be interesting to see how Guadeloupe fares from this.

Not too much wind as of yet though I suspect its picking up on the West coast which is normal for the easterly approaching system before the 'back' of the system hits with full force. Here in Dominica we hope that the customary slippages which may occur as a result of such weather conditions will not be too bad...the ocean continues to roar. Right now its a cacophony of sounds not to mention the thunder!

We'll see what late morning brings.


Date: Thu, 27 Aug 2015 07:44:27 +0000 (UTC)


*(Rain is really Pouring in sheets now)...

White out conditions for the most Part...


Date: Thu, 27 Aug 2015 09:06:15 +0000 (UTC)


I had to stop earlier from additional posting due to the intensity and frequency of the sheet lightning which is continuing, however, amazingly thus far the power has held (with a few flickers...Kudos to the company)- so I'm taking a chance to post...

Winds have now picked up and are gusting to just about T. storm strength out of the ESE TO SSE it seems.

Lightning activity keeps up -so for safety reasons I'm going to disconnect. Erika is definitely one mean storm thus far -so a word of caution to those still in her path.

Keep safe everyone and God Bless!


Date: Thu, 27 Aug 2015 09:45:20 +0000 (UTC)

Its regrettable- there should have definitely been a warning or at least a Tropical storm watch issued for Dominica along with Guadeloupe. An unfortunate failure on the part of the authorities and respective Meteorological services and powers that be.

If any folks got caught off-guard I hope the effects will not be too bad altogether when Erika finally moves out of our area.

Adverse weather condition persist at the moment...however the power still holds which is fantastic.

Blessings!

I just went into the archives on the NHC and indeed it seems he is right. I started with the 2am on the 25th and indeed there were no watches or warnings for Dominica at all. What a shame...

[msbee]

more sad news from Dominica.
they have reached the cut off village of Petite Savanne and found death and destruction.

http://www.thedominican.net/2015/08/twe ... inica.html

Glad all is OK in PR, cycloneye

[Gustywind]

more sad news from Dominica.
they have reached the cut off village of Petite Savanne and found death and destruction.

http://www.thedominican.net/2015/08/twe ... inica.html

Glad all is OK in PR, cycloneye

That's insane!!!!