SITUATION
• Tropical Storm ERIKA moved through Lesser Antilles on 27 August, causing heavy rainfall. Dominica was especially affected by floods and landslides. As of 28 August, there were five dead, 21 missing and several homes destroyed. Afterwards it started moving over the Caribbean Sea towards the Dominican Republic, as a Tropical Storm. On 28 August afternoon (UTC), it is approaching the south-eastern coast. At 12.00 UTC its center was located approx. 50 km southeast of Saona Island and it had max. sustained winds of 85 km/h.
• ERIKA’s center is forecast to reach Saona Island (Dominican Republic) in the afternoon of 28 August, as a Tropical Storm, with max. sustained winds of 75-85 km/h (gusts: 100-110 km/h). Afterwards it will move over Dominican Republic and the northern tip of Haiti on 28 August afternoon / 29 August early morning and near the Turks and Caicos Islands and southeastern Bahamas on 29 August. It may then reach southern Florida (USA) on 31 August.
• Over the next 48 h heavy rains (100-200 mm, locally up to 300 mm), strong winds (Tropical Storm force) and storm surge may affect the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Turks and Caicos islands and south-eastern Bahamas. Heavy rains may cause life-threatening flash floods and landslides in parts of these areas. As of 28 August (NOAA),
Tropical Storm Warnings and Watches are in effect (see table).
• Only a few days ago Tropical Depression DANNY affected some areas of Lesser Antilles with heavy rains and winds (see ECHO Daily Map of 26 Aug).
