HTH -- Haiti Earthquake

August 4, 2011. Tropical Storm Emily nears Hispanola

SOURCE: Altegrity Risk International

Tropical Storm Emily spun slowly to the south of the Dominican Republic and Haiti early on August 4th, with strong winds already threatening tens of thousands of earthquake victims living in makeshift shelters and tents. The storm is forecast to make landfall on Haiti's southern peninsula later in the day and dump torrential rains across the island of Hispanola. The storm stalled off the coast of the Dominican Republic earlier but appeared set to skirt the country's southern tip. It has maximum sustained winds of 85kps (50 mph).

Dominican authorities dropped a tropical storm warning from the Cabo Francis Viejo southeastward to Cabo Engano. A warning remains in effect along the southwestern coast. Officials, nonetheless, have warned of flooding and heavy rainfall. At least fourteen commercial and cargo flights into Santo Domingo and many families have been evacuated from high-risk areas.

Haiti is at risk for up to 50cm (20 inches) of rain in high-elevation areas. Officials are concerned that the storm will prompt a new outbreak of cholera in Haiti, where a UN aid group distributed cholera prevention kits to help fight the waterborne disease.

Earlier in the week, Tropical Storm Emily dropped some 250mm (10 inches) of rain on parts of Puerto Rico, even though the center never got within 160km (100 miles) of the island.