Four killed in Dominica as tropical storm Erika hits island
Tropical Storm Erika has pounded the eastern Caribbean island of Dominica, unleashing flooding and mudslides that killed at least four people and knocked out power and water supplies.
The storm, which was forecast to reach Florida as a hurricane by Monday, dumped 9in (23cm) of rain on Dominica late on Wednesday, followed by another 6in (15cm) early today, according to the weather service in the nearby island of Antigua.
Police Superintendent Daniel Carbon said three of the deaths occurred during a mudslide in the south east of the island. Authorities recovered the bodies of an elderly blind man and two children from the home.
Reports now coming out of Dominica which confirms Erica is much worse than forcasted.... pic.twitter.com/eIxcuYRqH5
— Bahamas Press (@Bahamaspress) August 27, 2015
A fourth death occurred in the capital of Roseau. The man was found near his home following a mudslide but the cause of death has not yet been determined.
Even though the eye had passed, heavy wind and rain were still buffeting the island known for its lush forests and steep terrain, and authorities had yet to do a full damage assessment.
“We’re advising people to stay put,” Mr Carbon said, adding that they have received reports of several injuries but that he had no details.
About 80% of the island was without electricity, and water supply was cut off, authorities said. The main airport was closed due to flooding, with water rushing over cars and at least one small plane, and the scaffolding of some buildings collapsed.
Tropical Storm Erika causes devastating flooding in Dominica: Tropical Storm Erika may be weak, with sustained... http://t.co/kllfvPVkNj
— Mr.Technology (@tech4share) August 27, 2015
The main river that cuts through the capital overflowed its banks and surging water crashed into the principal bridge that leads into Roseau, whose roads were littered with fallen trees. Some streets were turned into fast-flowing rivers.
Praying for the people from #Dominica. This storm Erika is causing problems pic.twitter.com/Mgho5f2RC9
— James (@NJamesMack) August 27, 2015
“The situation is grim. It is dangerous,” said Ian Pinard, Dominica’s communications minister.
Erika was centred about 160 miles west of Guadeloupe, and was moving west at 16mph with maximum sustained winds that had slipped slightly to 45mph.
Erika was expected to move near Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands later and be near or just north of the Dominican Republic on Friday as it heads towards South Florida early next week. The storm was not expected to gain strength in the next two days.
Erika is now more likely to hit the island of Hispaniola, which is shared by Haiti and the Dominican Republic, said chief forecaster James Franklin at the National Hurricane Centre.
“That would certainly not be good news for Hispaniola,” he said. “They’re very vulnerable to flooding. And even if Erika is a weak system, that could be very bad there.”
Officials shut schools, government offices and businesses across the region and warned of flash flooding because of dry conditions caused by the worst drought to hit the Caribbean in recent years. Authorities warned power and water service might be temporarily cut off.
Puerto Rico Governor Alejandro Garcia Padilla said the storm could bring badly needed rains to the parched US territory.
“We’re happy given the dry conditions, but it does highlight the need to be on alert,” he said, adding that heavy downpours could lead to flash floods.
