HAITI - WEATHER: UPDATE ON THE SITUATION IN HAITI THIS FRIDAY
(Haiti Libre) -
The former Tropical Storm Emily has spared Port-au-Prince, but several regions have been hit hard and suffered much damage...
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) indicate that the remnants of the former Tropical Storm Emily, has become a tropical depression. It is
disorganized and is producing rain and thunderstorms from the North East of Jamaica to the east of Cuba, Haiti, Dominican Republic, Southeast of the Bahamas and the Atlantic of a few hundred kilometers.
NOAA estimated that there are currently no signs of a closed circulation and upper-level winds are expected to be only marginally conducive for re-development today. The probability that this climate system becomes again a tropical storm within the next 48 hours is 60%. The climate system is currently moving on a trajectory northwest at nearly 15 mi/h.
Ronald Sémelfort, Director of the National Meteorological Centre of Haiti (CNM) indicated that despite these better weather conditions, damages are still possible in Haiti; considering the risks of flash floods and dangerous landslides. For these reasons the Haitian authorities maintained the level of red alert.
Gary Shaye, Director of the NGO "Save the Children" in Haiti, said that children are particularly vulnerable to landslides and urged the parents to supervise their children and to find safe places for the duration of the red alert.
On the Champ de Mars, many refugees said they had lost their tents in the wind gusts and required a rapid response of the authorities to help them.
Paul Antoine Bien-Aimé, the Haitian Minister of the Interior and Territorial Collectivity declared that "Teams of the civil protection that are throughout the country are working with authorities to continue to assist the people who are in flooded areas."
Max Obed Désir, , the government spokesman said that the Artibonite Valley, in the center of Haiti, was affected by floods. According to him, dozens of homes are threatened by the rising waters of the river, but most residents refuse to leave their homes because they want to protect their property.
Deputy Gracia Delva reported that two sections of the town of Marchand Dessalines were flooded.
Marie Alta Jean-Baptiste, head of the Civil Protection reported that the evacuation operations of population took place in areas at risk in Tabarre and Thomazeau and around the capital, Léogâne and the Department of Nippes. She is asking the public to remain vigilant and urges them to apply the recommendations of the authorities to limit the damage in case of future flooding.
Deputy Joseph Joël Louis, reported that in the Central Plateau the heavy rainfall that fell, have caused a landslide... livestock were swept away and plantations destroyed.
Jacques Gabriel, the Minister of Public Works, Transport and Communications informs that all human and material resources of the Ministry are at the disposal of the Directorate of Civil Protection and the various departmental offices in order to rescue the people.
Hilary Jackson, the representative of the general direction of the police stressed that the Police Nationale d'Haiti (PNH) are mobilized for the population of the areas at risk.
Paul Antoine Bien-Aimé, indicated that all domestic flights and boats should be able to resume [in principle] their activities this Friday.
No loss of life have been reported so far, and the balance sheet of material damages will be established in the coming days.
On Friday, in some regions of Haiti, heavy rains continue to fall.
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