Published: August 27,2015
Tropical Storm Erika brought deadly flooding
and mudslides to parts of Dominica in the Lesser Antilles, prompting
search and rescue crews to scour the island for people who may be
missing in isolated communties.
"Erika
has really, really visited us with a vengeance," Claude Weeks,
assistance police superintendent, told The Associated Press during a
phone interview. Because many roads and bridges are impassable, crews are trying to reach isolated communities via the ocean, he added.
"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."
The
Associated Press said four people have been killed in the flooding and
mudslides created by Erika's torrential rain. A blind elderly man and
two children were killed in southeastern Dominica, and another man was
killed in the country's capital of Roseau, the report said.
(BLOG: Tricky Forecast Ahead for Erika)
Several others remain missing and at least 20 homes have been destroyed in the storm, the AP also reported.
"The situation is grim. It is dangerous," Ian Pinard, Dominica's communications minister, told the AP.
About
80 percent of the island was without electricity and water supply was
cut off. Trees and light poles were strewn across streets, and several
building ssutained damage, including torn off scaffolding. AP also
reports the main airport was closed because of flooding, with water
rushing over at least one small plane.
"The
capital city is a wreck. It is a sight to behold. It's a disaster,"
policewoman Teesha Alfred told The Associated Press about Rouseau. The
city's main river overflowed and crashed into a main bridge.
Social
media users posted images and video of a raging Roseau River Thursday
morning as several bands of heavy rain pounded the small island nation.
On Thursday, 12.64 inches of rain
fell in a 12-hour period from 2 a.m. EDT to 2 p.m. at the Canefield
Airport near Roseau, Dominica, according to local storm reports.
The
Associated Press reports that governments in San Juan, Puerto Rico,
have ordered schools, airports and even casinos to close as they begin
to prepare shelters.
Schools and government offices in
St. Maarten will be closed Thursday, and officials asked casinos,
restaurants and other businesses to close by midnight on Wednesday. They
warned that they may temporarily suspend power and water service as the
storm continues to approach.
Government offices in the
U.S. Virgin Islands will be closed and all airports in the U.S. Virgin
Islands will be closed until Friday, Gov. Kenneth Map told the AP.
Boats
docked at Shell Beach Marina on Antigua's north coast have been removed
from the water since Saturday, with people not taking chances as Erika
approaches, marina employee Caroline Davy told the Associated Press.
Seaborne
Airlines and LIAT, based in Puerto Rico and Antigua respectively, have
canceled more than two dozen flights through Friday due to the storm.
Officials in Puerto Rico said they will suspend ferry transportation
between the main island and the sister islands of Culebra and Vieques on
Thursday.
(WATCH: Erika May Help Puerto Rican Drought)
Cruise
line Carnival was forced to cancel its St. Maarten and St. Kitts stops
due to the storm. The itinerary has been adjusted to have the ship spend
two days in San Juan before continuing to Grand Turk and the addition
of Nassau.
Tropical storm warnings have been issued for the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and the Leeward Islands.
Florida Prepares
The
State of Florida Emergency Operations Center has activated to level two
in preparation for possible impacts from Tropical Storm Erika.
"We
are preparing the protective and responsive measures we will need if
the storm continues to develop out of an abundance of caution," said
FDEM Director Bryan W. Koon.
(MORE: What America Was Like the Last Time a Hurricane Hit Florida)
Boat owners and area marinas in South Florida have begun to make their own preparations. Sailfish Marina dock master Austin
Peters told WPTV that a handful of captains have already moved their
boats to safer areas. According to him, if there is a hurricane warning,
all boats are required to leave the marina, which can be difficult
because many of the boat owners live out of state.
"Usually
some people will go south or north to avoid the storm, or they will go
to a dry dock where they will be lifted out of the water," said Peters.
Boaters
will be encouraged to add lines to their boats to make sure they’re
secured. The marina also plans to shut down gas and water lines if the
storm begins to pose a larger threat.
FEMA recommends that, in addition to having a hurricane kit, residents should stock up a three-day supply of food and water.
#FL hasn't had landfalling hurricane in 10yrs. In #CoralSprings water can't stay on the shelf. #Erika @AMHQ
A properly stocked hurricane kit should consist of:
- Non-perishable food, such as energy bars
- Batteries
- Radio, battery operated or hand cranked
- Cellphone charger
- LED flashlight for each member of the family
- Lighter
- First aid kit
- 1 gallon of water for every member of the family
weather.com associate editor Ada Carr also contributed to this report.
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