Caribbean - Central America Weather

[Gustywind]

Hour by hour, Guadeloupe discover the first damages of Rafael . The situation is more worrying than predicted. Hearing the radio, another muslide has occured at Gourbeyre.

[Gustywind]

This article is from the site of Guadeloupe1ere.
http://www.microsofttranslator.com/bv.a ... 08051.html

The Guadeloupe archipelago is now on red vigilance for dangerous phenomenon.

All traffic is now strongly discouraged to switch to orange.
Since 48 hours now the rain falls, rain sometimes heavy, sometimes lower, but does not cease. Result: land sips of water that sometimes collapse. As for the wind, he accompanied the phenomenon with impressive bursts that leave no respite. Gusts sometimes point to 80 km/h. Given Weather France Guadeloupe, during 12 h, it feels between 100 to 200 m on half South of Basse-Terre. On the East of Grande Terre, accumulations reached between 50 and 100 mm. During the night from Saturday to Sunday, many power outages accompanied the passage of the storm. Injuries, disappearances, damage. Basse-Terre has particularly affected by Rafael. At Vieux-Habitants, a fire in a house, two people are seriously injured, but their lives are not in danger. Are also reported the disappearance of a company car to Goyage, to know whether or not it has occupants. Research undertaken by the relief, by way of a helicopter since this morning.Roads are closed to traffic, because of debris washed away by the storm. This is the case of the seafront of Basse-Terre, where there is the presence of stones in the middle of the road; Vieux-Habitants, Gerry level also, there is a blocking point; idem in Trois-Rivières. Rafael will remain on Guadeloupe heaven at least until Sunday night.

[Gustywind]

Hey Cycloneye, any news from Msbee?

Off topic, I'm a bit suprised that Meteo-France Guadeloupe let them in orange alert for strong showers, strong thundertorms, strong winds and rough sea... while Rafael is closer to the Northern Leewards. In thise case, a orange or even red alert Storm seems better appropriate... but Meteo-France is so special with all these colors and i'm not a pro met so hoping that Msbee is prepared and continue to be vigilant. Be safe and dry in the Northern Leewards.

[expat2carib]

Here in St. Maarten we have power outages. I've been on the generator for the last 3 hours. No water as well. It's quiet and the sun is showing. No reports what the damage is until now.The sea has been wild and noisy but is getting better by the minute. My wife just left for a bicycle ride to the airport to meet a friend.

[abajan]

@Gustywind
Sorry to hear of these reports out of Guadeloupe. Please continue to keep us informed.

[cycloneye]

Hey Cycloneye, any news from Msbee?

Off topic, I'm a bit suprised that Meteo-France Guadeloupe let them in orange alert for strong showers, strong thundertorms, strong winds and rough sea... while Rafael is closer to the Northern Leewards. In thise case, a orange or even red alert Storm seems better appropriate... but Meteo-France is so special with all these colors and i'm not a pro met so hoping that Msbee is prepared and continue to be vigilant. Be safe and dry in the Northern Leewards.

I haven't heard from her so far today. Hopefully she is fine but without power. Gusty,I am sorry for all of what has occured in Guadeloupe.Keep us informed.

[Gustywind]

Hey Cycloneye, any news from Msbee?

Off topic, I'm a bit suprised that Meteo-France Guadeloupe let them in orange alert for strong showers, strong thundertorms, strong winds and rough sea... while Rafael is closer to the Northern Leewards. In thise case, a orange or even red alert Storm seems better appropriate... but Meteo-France is so special with all these colors and i'm not a pro met so hoping that Msbee is prepared and continue to be vigilant. Be safe and dry in the Northern Leewards.

I haven't heard from her so far today. Hopefully she is fine but without power. Gusty,I am sorry for all of what has occured in Guadeloupe.Keep us informed.

Thanks to you my friend i appreciate all these nice winks. Hopefully we have a lull since this morning 8AM even if more rain should come later but looks like things are very slighlty improving.

[Gustywind]

@Gustywind
Sorry to hear of these reports out of Guadeloupe. Please continue to keep us informed.

Ok thanks to you. I will continue to keep your informed as many damages have occured in others localities. No report of deathtoll for now...

[msbee]

good afternoon everyone
I'm here and everything is OK/

Gusty, so sorry to hear about the problems in Guadeloupe. Please keep us informed.

So far I have not heard any reports of serous damage here although we do have localized flooding.
I was out this morning and you have to be careful driving on the roads. There are large pools of water when you least expect it.
We have had on and off electricity overnight and this morning. Currently it is on.
The skies are cloudy, and we still have winds, and light rain squalls coming in.
It's looking pretty dark right now and heavy rain has started again.

The latest new release from the government at noon is as follows:

News Release – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST MEDIA ADVISORY

Department of Communication (DCOMM), Ennia Bldg., Longwall Rd., Philipsburg, Sint Maarten W.I. Tel. +1 721 543-1162, 542-4119, Fax: 543-1169; Email: gis at sintmaarten.net; Website: http://www.sintmaartengov.org

For Immediate Release: Sunday, October 14, 2012/N324-Advisory #7 – FINAL MEDIA ADVISORY on TS RAFAEL

Flash Flood Watch in Effect until Tonight;

Tropical Storm Warning Discontinued;

GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (DCOMM) – Tropical Storm (TS) Rafael, passed very close to the country last night bringing gale force to tropical storm force winds during heavy rain showers.

TS Rafael at 11.00am was located approximately 170 miles Northeast of Puerto Rico with maximum sustained winds of 60 miles per hour. The storm continues to move away from our area.
The country is under a Flash Flood Watch due to possible thunderstorms that can still be expected from the tail section of the system. The tropical storm warning has been discontinued.

Strong gusts of winds to near gale force can still be expected according to the Meteorological Department of Curacao (MDC).
Seas are moderate to rough at six to 10 feet; light to moderate periods of rainfall are still expected with a couple thunderstorms is still possible accumulating in amounts of one to three inches, therefore street flooding in low lying areas is still possible due to saturated grounds.

Motorists are advised to exercise caution while driving in low lying areas; exercise caution when driving in along hilly areas with respect to possible rock falls.

Roddy Heyliger (Email/Blackberry: roddyheyliger at gmail.com; roddy.heyliger at sintmaartengov.org; Cells: +1 721 520-4217, 581-6323)
Department of Communication (DCOMM), Sint Maarten

[Gustywind]

Here is a pretty complete report of the situation in Guadeloupe. Important damages have been reported, maybe much more is to come.

Stay tuned.

Southern Basse-Terre very impacted by Tropical Storm Rafael

franceantilles.fr 14.10.2012
http://www.microsofttranslator.com/bv.a ... 190195.php

Tropical storm Rafael strongly affected southern Basse-Terre. Property damage is important. Some roads are impassable. Three vehicles were swept away by the waters, that night. Two drivers are still sought. Roads of Guadeloupe advises Guadeloupe's 'stay at home '. The point in the current state of our information.



The prefect of Guadeloupe, Amaury de Saint-Quentin spoke live on RCI (Radio Caribbean International). He said that the red alert will be maintained at least until the end of the morning as a resurgence of activity is announced. For the moment, no human loss is reported. Three vehicles were however washed away by the waters. A driver has been found, the other two are still read below). Property damage is important, especially on southern Basse-Terre. At the time of the outbreak of Red vigilance at 4 o'clock in the morning, doc (departmental operations centre) has been activated.

Cars washed away by the waters, their owners still sought

Around 2 o'clock in the morning, a 4 x 4 fell into the great river at guava. He was spotted in this same river estuary by the helicopter of the gendarmerie, about 5: 30, empty of any occupant. The police have found the ignition keys and papers of the owner. They continue the investigations to find.Another car was swept away by the waters to Qadir / Saint-Claude. The gendarmes currently check if the occupants are safe and sound.

Roads closed or hardly passable

-The river of "Rivières-Sens"road is closed, and all the maritime facade of Basse-Terre to Vieux-Fort. The road of "The Mamelles "is closed until further notice. The portion of the road between Dolé and Valkaners at Gourbeyre is difficult beacause of the landslides.
- Traffic is difficult on the RN2, Basse-Terre and Pointe-à-Pitre, passing through the Leeward side, especially at Marigot and Gery Vieux-Habitants. Interventions are underway. The return to normal is close.

Telephone network

The telephone network is very disturbed over southern Basse-Terre.

Interrupted maritime shuttles

The rotation of the Express des Iles this Sunday Pointe-a-pitre/roseau/fort-de-france/castries/fort-de-france is cancelled. The departure by Pointe-à-Pitre is postponed to tomorrow 8 hours, if weather conditions permit. Links between Pointe-à-Pitre and Marie-Galante are suspended since yesterday Saturday at 930 AM and expected to resume Sunday at 4PM of Grand-Bourg, subject that the Prefecture throws the red alert.

[Gustywind]

The Councils of prefecture

franceantilles.fr 14.10.2012
http://www.microsofttranslator.com/bv.a ... 190205.php

Prefecture recommends people redouble their prudence and vigilance, especially in areas usually floodplains and concerned by this climatic event.


Rain still expected this Sunday may be strong and could touch side of already saturated or water-logged soils and cause flooding or landslides.

Under these conditions, the prefecture invites residents to exercise caution and vigilance and recommends:
− to avoid travel on the roads without necessity, because the road network can be slippery in places and strewn debris (Earth, rocks, trees or branches),
− avoid crossing flooded colleagues even in all-terrain vehicle,
− to obey the injunctions of rescuers or municipal authorities including evacuations,
− to monitor the rise of water if you are in a usually flood zone preparing to evacuate if necessary.
− comply with deviations and bans in place, signs
− do not stay on the coast
− stay tuned in to the various media that will relay information from prefecture and weather-France,
− to avoid thunderstorms,
. to use the mobile
. you hide in a wooded area, close to Tower or power pole

The Prefecture remains attentive to the evolution of the situation, in close relationship with weather-France services

[knotimpaired]

Still nothing here. No wind, no rain.

[Macrocane]

As it' typical in October we have had the first cold surge this weekend, weak and dry northerly winds have been blowing since yesterday and the minimum temperatures today have been 1 to 2°C cooler than in previous days. This is an indication that dry season is getting closer but the models still show 2 or 3 weeks more with rains. Look how the highest rainfall amounts have evolved in the last few days:

October 9-El Pacayal 66.2 mm/2.6 inches
October 10- Tepezontes 100.0 mm/3.94 inches (Pre Paul over Central America)
October 11- Santa Tecla 40.8 mm/1.61 inches
October 12- La Quesera 45.4 mm/1.79 inches
October 13- Chirilagua 4.7 mm/0.19 inches (Start of the cold surge)

[cycloneye]

Good afternoon. Nothing bad in terms of rain causing massive flooding is expected in PR.


AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAN JUAN PR
321 PM AST SUN OCT 14 2012

.SYNOPSIS...TROPICAL STORM RAFAEL WILL CONTINUE TO MOVE AWAY FROM
THE REGION TONIGHT AND MONDAY. UPPER LEVEL RIDGE WILL PERSIST
ACROSS THE REGION THROUGHOUT THE WEEK.

&&

.DISCUSSION...WEAK BANDS ASSOCIATED WITH THE CIRCULATION OF
TROPICAL STORM RAFAEL HAS BEEN AFFECTING THE NORTHERN HALF OF
PUERTO RICO...CULEBRA...VIEQUES AND THE NORTHERN U.S. VIRGIN
ISLANDS TODAY. RAINFALL ACCUMULATIONS HAVE BEEN LESS THAN ONE
INCH. LIMITING FACTOR WAS THE CLOUD COVERAGE PRODUCED BY
RAFAEL...WHICH DIDN`T ALLOW STRONG DAYTIME HEATING TO DEVELOP THIS
AFTERNOON.

ALTHOUGH TROPICAL STORM RAFAEL WILL CONTINUE TO MOVE AWAY FROM THE
LOCAL AREA...ITS CIRCULATION WILL DOMINATE THE LOCAL WEATHER
PATTERN THROUGH AT LEAST MID WEEK. THIS WILL RESULT IN A UNUSUAL
WIND FLOW PATTERN ACROSS THE AREA...WITH MAINLY SOUTH TO SOUTHWEST
WINDS AT THE SURFACE...BECOMING VERY LIGHT BY WEDNESDAY. LATEST
12Z TJSJ SOUNDING INDICATED A MOIST ENVIRONMENT AT LOW LEVEL OF
THE ATMOSPHERE...BUT VERY DRY AT UPPER LEVEL. THIS...IN
COMBINATION WITH A MID TO UPPER LEVEL RIDGE...WHICH IS FORECAST TO
ESTABLISH ACROSS THE REGION...WILL LIMIT THE SHOWER ACTIVITY OVER
PUERTO RICO NEXT FEW DAYS. HOWEVER...LINGERING MOISTURE ASSOCIATED
WITH THE TROPICAL STORM WILL BE ENOUGH TO TRIGGER SOME SHOWER AND
THUNDERSTORM DEVELOPMENT EACH AFTERNOON...MAINLY ALONG THE
CORDILLERA CENTRAL OF PUERTO RICO.

&&

.AVIATION...PASSING SHRA WILL CONTINUE TO MOVE INTO THE LOCAL TAF
SITES FROM THE NORTH NORTHWEST THIS EVENING. PERIODS OF MVFR
CONDS ARE POSSIBLE AS THE SHOWERS BRIEFLY AFFECT THE SITES. TSRA
EXPECTED TO CONTINUE AFFECTING TNCM AND TKPK THROUGH THE EVENING AS
TROPICAL STORM RAFAEL CONTINUES TO MOVE NORTH NORTHWEST. LLVL WINDS
WILL BE MAINLY NORTH NORTHWESTERLY...AT 10-20 KTS WITH HIGHER GUSTS
NEAR SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.

&&

.MARINE...MARINE CONDITIONS WILL GRADUALLY IMPROVE FROM SOUTH TO
NORTH TONIGHT THROUGH MONDAY. REFER TO LATEST OFFICIAL PRODUCTS
FOR LATEST INFORMATION.


&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
SJU 77 88 77 89 / 40 40 10 30
STT 78 87 79 88 / 70 70 40 40

[Gustywind]

First pics of Rafael's assaults in Guadeloupe .

See link below

http://www.microsofttranslator.com/bv.a ... #diaporama

Southern Basse-Terre. And it was only a tail of storm kick...!

Text and Photos: Fl. B franceantilles.fr 14.10.2012

To say that it was only the back of the tropical storm Rafael! Speculations are, from the perspective of a passage of a cyclonic phenomenon of force majeure. But precipitation was of rare intensity, and it especially Southern Basse-Terre which suffered the agony of the back of the storm.

[knotimpaired]

Gusty,

The link did not open.

Can you re-send it?

K

[Gustywind]

Here are some videos showing how Rafael spread on Guadeloupe. Muslides and floodings .


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LaI_kG91zlM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y40ZixLByyw

[Gustywind]

Gusty,

The link did not open.

Can you re-send it?

K

http://www.guadeloupe.franceantilles.fr ... #diaporama

[Gustywind]

It's not official but given our journalists of RCI (Radio Caribbean International), Meteo-France Guadeloupe should back off the red alert and lowered it to orange alert . Stay tuned

[caribepr]

Good afternoon. Nothing bad in terms of rain causing massive flooding is expected in PR.


AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAN JUAN PR
321 PM AST SUN OCT 14 2012

.SYNOPSIS...TROPICAL STORM RAFAEL WILL CONTINUE TO MOVE AWAY FROM
THE REGION TONIGHT AND MONDAY. UPPER LEVEL RIDGE WILL PERSIST
ACROSS THE REGION THROUGHOUT THE WEEK.

&&

.DISCUSSION...WEAK BANDS ASSOCIATED WITH THE CIRCULATION OF
TROPICAL STORM RAFAEL HAS BEEN AFFECTING THE NORTHERN HALF OF
PUERTO RICO...CULEBRA...VIEQUES AND THE NORTHERN U.S. VIRGIN
ISLANDS TODAY. RAINFALL ACCUMULATIONS HAVE BEEN LESS THAN ONE
INCH. LIMITING FACTOR WAS THE CLOUD COVERAGE PRODUCED BY
RAFAEL...WHICH DIDN`T ALLOW STRONG DAYTIME HEATING TO DEVELOP THIS
AFTERNOON.

ALTHOUGH TROPICAL STORM RAFAEL WILL CONTINUE TO MOVE AWAY FROM THE
LOCAL AREA...ITS CIRCULATION WILL DOMINATE THE LOCAL WEATHER
PATTERN THROUGH AT LEAST MID WEEK. THIS WILL RESULT IN A UNUSUAL
WIND FLOW PATTERN ACROSS THE AREA...WITH MAINLY SOUTH TO SOUTHWEST
WINDS AT THE SURFACE...BECOMING VERY LIGHT BY WEDNESDAY. LATEST
12Z TJSJ SOUNDING INDICATED A MOIST ENVIRONMENT AT LOW LEVEL OF
THE ATMOSPHERE...BUT VERY DRY AT UPPER LEVEL. THIS...IN
COMBINATION WITH A MID TO UPPER LEVEL RIDGE...WHICH IS FORECAST TO
ESTABLISH ACROSS THE REGION...WILL LIMIT THE SHOWER ACTIVITY OVER
PUERTO RICO NEXT FEW DAYS. HOWEVER...LINGERING MOISTURE ASSOCIATED
WITH THE TROPICAL STORM WILL BE ENOUGH TO TRIGGER SOME SHOWER AND
THUNDERSTORM DEVELOPMENT EACH AFTERNOON...MAINLY ALONG THE
CORDILLERA CENTRAL OF PUERTO RICO.

&&

.AVIATION...PASSING SHRA WILL CONTINUE TO MOVE INTO THE LOCAL TAF
SITES FROM THE NORTH NORTHWEST THIS EVENING. PERIODS OF MVFR
CONDS ARE POSSIBLE AS THE SHOWERS BRIEFLY AFFECT THE SITES. TSRA
EXPECTED TO CONTINUE AFFECTING TNCM AND TKPK THROUGH THE EVENING AS
TROPICAL STORM RAFAEL CONTINUES TO MOVE NORTH NORTHWEST. LLVL WINDS
WILL BE MAINLY NORTH NORTHWESTERLY...AT 10-20 KTS WITH HIGHER GUSTS
NEAR SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.

&&

.MARINE...MARINE CONDITIONS WILL GRADUALLY IMPROVE FROM SOUTH TO
NORTH TONIGHT THROUGH MONDAY. REFER TO LATEST OFFICIAL PRODUCTS
FOR LATEST INFORMATION.


&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
SJU 77 88 77 89 / 40 40 10 30
STT 78 87 79 88 / 70 70 40 40

We've had some perfect and much, much needed rains this afternoon, thankfully blessed.