The Event
At 8:00 am July 15, 2005 Eastern Caribbean Time, the center of Hurricane Emily was located near latitude 14.1 north, longitude 70.0 west or about 525 miles ESE of Kingston, Jamaica. Emily is now a Category 4 Hurricane on the Saffir Simpson Scale and is moving WNW near 20 mph, with maximum sustained winds of 135 mph. A Hurricane Warning is in effect for all of Jamaica. The Cayman Islands is currently under a Hurricane WATCH.
The Prognosis: Hurricane Emily continues to pose a significant threat to the North Western Caribbean Islands. The island of Jamaica is expected to come under the influence of Hurricane Emily by late Friday night into Saturday morning. All preparations should be rushed to completion.
THE SITUATION
Grenada & Dependencies
The National Disaster Management Agency (NaDMA) has provided the following information;
Grenada
A meeting of the National Emergency Advisory Council (NEAC) was held yesterday at 4:00 p.m. which was attended by all the District Disaster Coordinators and key stakeholders. A detailed Damage Assessment Report was submitted for each district. It was reported that one casualty occurred in St. Patrick North as a result of Hurricane Emily.
Carriacou
This island was severely impacted. Approximately 200 houses were damaged, of which 60 were severely damaged. Many outhouses were destroyed. The local Red Cross will assist with the provision of tarpaulins, hygiene kits and water containers. The Prime Minister visited Carriacou July 14, 2005 to assess damage. Critical facilities are currently being restored; these include water, electricity and main transport routes. Banks to be opened today.
The 1,660 persons in shelters in Grenada and Carriacou have started returning home.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines
St Vincent
- The National Disaster Coordinator in St. Vincent and the Grenadines reported that Emily impacted the country between 1 am to 5 am July 14, 2005. One injury to a child was reported but no deaths.
- 544 persons sought shelter during the height of the storm. They are now returning to their homes.
- Mainland St Vincent assessment continues. Several houses with roof and structural damage in the southern part of the island.
- Damage to banana crop being assessed but appears minimal.
- The International Airport was reopened at 9:00 am.
- No damage has been reported to the telephone system. Floods/landslides and road blockages reported. Rock falls damaged two houses.
Union Island
Preliminary damage reports indicate that 21 houses received damages with four losing their entire roof structure and 17 with significant damage. The island's main water storage tank was toppled during the storm.
Canouan Island
Four houses with roofs blown off and three with major damage. Airport remains operational though there is some roof damage.
Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad
Structural damage to homes.
Thus far there have been 2 reports of roof damage to homes in Trinidad.
Floods
Many areas in central Trinidad are currently under floodwaters. These include Frederick Settlement, St. Helena, Las Lomas, Tumpuna /Guanapo and Caroni with as much as 3 ft in water level with anticipated increases later today with predicted rainfall.
Landslides
The Blanchisseuse Road, including areas from Matelot to Toco suffered landslides. This is currently being addressed by the Regional Corporations and the Ministry of Works.
The Damage Assessment teams from the Municipalities and the Trinidad and Tobago Regiment are mobilized and will be deployed into the impacted zones in Trinidad and Tobago.
Tobago
The areas affected in Tobago are Pembroke, Mt. St. George, Speyside, Goodwood, Parlatuvier, Moriah, Plymouth/Bethesda, Roxborough, Betsy's hope, Lambeau, Rose Hill Scarborough and Studly Park.
Two houses have been reportedly destroyed with 30 having roof damages. 21 Shelters were open during the event.
The Hotels were not impacted and the island is open for business.
Two regiment teams from Trinidad were deployed. Approximately 21 houses lost their roofs, two were demolished and flooding is occurring in areas around Roxborough, Bethel, and Louis Dor.
Trinidad and Tobago has indicated that they can handle the restoration with their own resources.
Jamaica
The ODPEM has provided the following information:
Jamaica has initiated increased readiness for Hurricane Emily. The planning process included the possible evacuation of approximately 10,000 residents from the coastline.
Logistics planning commenced yesterday after a meeting with the Prime Minister and the National Disaster Committee. This includes the pre positioning of heavy duty equipment and the "drop off" of the food supplies for the victims in the areas cut off by Hurricane Dennis.
Belize
The National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO) has provided the following information;
Yesterday, July 14, 2005, the operational chairperson of the National Committee met to discuss the state of preparedness of the different committees.
NEMO has scheduled a flight today to San Pedro, Caye Caulker and the outlying cayes to check the level of preparedness in those vulnerable areas.
The Cabinet Secretary will host a meeting of the National Emergency Committee today. A national communications check will be conducted by NEMO today. Additional operations will be informed by the latest forecast.
NEEDS LIST
Galvanize sheets and tarpaulins for 200 houses in Grenada and Dependencies
Regional
Status of RRM - Activated at Level 2
OXFAM
Presently in Grenada and assisting in Carriacou with the constructing of Pit Latrines,
PAHO
PAHO technical coordinator will arrive in Grenada today.
CDERA CU ACTIONS IN SUPPORT OF GRENADA
1. The Preparedness & Response Manager of CDERA is currently in Grenada viewing the damage from Emily firsthand and meeting with local officials on response and relief requirements
2. Information is being collated and SITREPS being prepared for dissemination
A public version of this SITREP is available at www.cdera.org.
Contact Details: The CDERA CU 24hr contact number is 246 425 0386
HF Radio: 14.415MHz USB and 7.850MHz USB