As if to make up for the late start, three storm are now churning in the region. Ana appears to heading for Dominica. A storm watch has been issued. My wife is at Sir Grantley International Airport, Barbados waiting for her flight home. All scheduled flight for this afternoon are still on. Flights for Monday have been cancelled.
As I write it appears that the rains have begun but they are not Ana's rains just yet. Heavier rains, flooding, landslides and mudslides for which Dominica is known is expected. The rugged mountainous terrain amplifies the orographic lifting effects and results in torrential rains. The two death from last hurricane season was the result of a landslide that buried a mother and her son. Interestingly, these two were in a shelter and went back home to collect some stuff and met with their demise.
One needs to assess one's surroundings to ascertain that there is little threat from slides and floods and swelling rives. Dominica has 365 rivers and so during storms and hurricanes every stream becomes a raging threatening weapon. Fortunately, the same mountainous terrain aids drainage. Usually, DOWASCO shuts off the water supply to reduce the effect of turbidity or sedimentation. Please ensure there is enough drinking water for three to four days. Electrical power may be out, so please ensure that you have alternative light sources - avoid open flames. Be sure you have cooking gas, and petrol in your vehicle. If you feel unsafe go to a shelter - a list of shelters are in the newspapers and have been included in the newspapers for the past few weeks. Call the weather hotline 447 5555 for a shelter near you. if necessary, leave for a shelter before the storm wind and rain begin
Stay on high alert. Never underestimate the power and propensity of a storm to inflict damage. Take very precaution.
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