Hurricane Hanna Situation Report #2
As of 2.00pm September 3, 2008 a Hurricane Warning remains in effect for the central Bahamas, southeastern Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos islands. A hurricane watch is in effect for the northwestern Bahamas
The centre of Tropical Storm Hanna was located near latitude 21.4 north and longitude 72.0 west or just south of the Turks and Caicos.
Maximum sustained winds are near 60 mph (95 km/hr) with higher gusts. Hanna is a large tropical cyclone with Tropical Storm force winds extending outward up to 290miles (465km) mainly to the north of the centre.
Rains and strong winds continue to affect the Turks and Caicos Islands and the southeastern Bahamas.
Hanna is moving towards north-northwest near 10mph. A turn to the northwest with an increase in forward speed is expected over the next 24 hours. However, the On this track the centre of Hanna should be moving through or just east of the central and northwestern Bahamas over the next 48 hours. Hanna is expected to produce 4 to 8 inches of rain with isolated amounts of up to 12 inches over the southeastern Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos islands. Storm surge of 1 to 3 feet above normal tide levels can be expected in areas of onshore flows within the hurricane warning areas.
TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS (TCI)
Tropical Storm Hanna continues to affect the islands in the Turks and Caicos with strong winds and heavy rainfall. Preliminary assessments were conducted and flooding has been reported throughout the islands especially in Five Cays, Providenciales.
All schools, government offices, business community and private sector establishments remain closed.
The National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) which serves as the coordinating centre for all the islands of the TCI remains activated. Yesterday, September 2, the Governor met with the NEOC of the Emergency Policy Group to get an update of the impact and to consider critical next steps.
The Engineering and Maintenance Services (EMS) began pumping the flood waters from the land into the sea with the aid of one (1) of their new portable salt water pumps. The canal gates are also opened at low tide to allow the ponds to drain into the sea and subsequently closed at high tide to prevent seawater from filling the ponds and Salinas.
All airports remain closed and non operational due to the adverse weather conditions which include flooding, debris on runway and damaged fence.
No deaths have been reported. All missing persons have been accounted for.
Shelters remain open, however it was noted that shelter population was greatest at night. Most shelterees left at first light. Of the shelters activated Providenciales had approximately 800 shelterees.
Preliminary damage assessments were conducted and flooding has been reported throughout the islands especially in Five Cays, Providenciales. There was evidence that part of the perimeter fencing at the Providenciales Airport was destroyed by a three (3) foot storm surge.
Minor damage to roofs reported.
Electricity has been restored to most of the islands. Telephone service remains functional and the internet service continues to be a reliable form of communication except for a very brief period when there was an apparent loss in the service.
However, the water supply provided by City Water in Grand Turk is still not operational and the majority of residents are relying on their cisterns
Most roads have suffered damage due to storm surge and flooding. The recently constructed Causeway linking North and Middle Caicos has suffered what appears to be major damage and may even have been destroyed.
There were reports of boats washed ashore, damaged or sunken.
There is a requirement for Environmental Health Department to monitor the operation of the sewage systems especially in the areas that are experiencing flooding.
A structural engineer will be required to assess the level of damage to the causeway linking North and Middle Caicos.
Hanna continues to affect the southeastern Bahamas primarily the islands of Inagua and Mayaguana.
The National Emergency Operations Centre remains activated and continues to provide advice to the public.
All communication equipment including Satellite phones and radios were checked by the police communications centre and found to be operational
All national medical facilities were checked and found to be ready with the necessary supplies and equipment in place.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has received the following updates on the situation from the family of islands.
No causalities have been reported so far.
Shelters are either operational or ready to be activated with the necessary supplies. There are approximately 139 persons in shelters on Acklins and 20 persons on Long Cay.
Electricity has been restored to most of the islands.
Reports so far are minimal with minor roof damage and fallen trees.
The CDERA Coordinating Unit remains in regular contact with the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos to provide support and advice.
The Regional Response Mechanism (RRM) remains on standby.
CDERA has been collaborating with the Caribbean Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology for reviewing and analyzing the progress and development of tropical systems in the Atlantic.
In this regard the CDERA CU is also monitoring the development two other tropical systems, Tropical Storm Ike and Josephine.
As at 11.00a.m. September 3, 2008, the centre of Tropical Storm Ike was located near latitude 20.8 north and longitude 51.2 west.
As at 11.00a.m. September 3, 2008, the centre of Tropical Storm Josephine was located near latitude 13.8 north and longitude 28.8 west
CDERA will continue to monitor the situation and provide advisories as necessary.