REPORT ON THE ASSESSMENT OF THE DAMAGE CAUSED BY HURRICANES

Transcription

1 WORLD METEOROLOGICAL ORGANIZATION COORDINATION MEETING ON THE EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE FOR NMHSS IN CENTRAL AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN SAN JOSÉ, JANUARY 1999 CM/EA(99)/Doc. 2 (1 4/01 /99) ITEM 3.2 Original: English WMO REPORT ON THE ASSESSMENT OF THE DAMAGE CAUSED BY HURRICANES MITCH AND GEORGES TO NMHSs OF COUNTRIES IN CENTRAL AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN

2 WORLD METEOROLOGICAL ORGANIZATION REPORT ON THE ASSESSMENT OF THE DAMAGE CAUSED BY HURRICANES MITCH AND GEORGES TO NMHSs OF COUNTRIES IN CENTRAL AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN San Jose, Costa Rica, January 1999

3 TABLE OF CONTENTS I. INTRODUCTION 11. SUMMARY OF AFFECTED HYDROMETEOROLOGICAL INFRASTRUCTURE IN CENTRAL AMERICA 111. SUMMARY OF AFFECTED HYDROMETEOROLOGICAL MRASTRUCTURE IN THE CARIBBEAN IV. MEDlUM TERM REQUTREMENTS APPENDICES APPENDIX 1 APPENDIX 2 APPENDIX 3 APPENDIX 4 APPENDIX 5 APPENDIX 6 APPENDIX 7 Maps Regional losses Photographs Mission report to El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras List of meteorological stations damaged by hurricane Mitch in Nicaragua Mission report to Cuba, Dominican Republic and Jamaica Damage assessment for Jamaica

4 REPORT ON THE ASSESSMENT OF THE DAMAGE CAUSED BY HURRICANES MITCH AND GEORGES TO NMHSs IN COUNTRIES IN CENTRAL AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN I. INTRODUCTION 1. The Central American and the Caribbean regions were still recovering from the economic impacts of the El Niño where floods, forest fires and drought had weakened the productive systems of many countries, when hurricanes Georges and Mitch hit these regions. 2. Hurricane Mitch swept across Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Guatemala, Belize and Costa Rica in late October (see Appendix 1 - Maps), resulting in torrential rains, floodins and landslides. At its height on 26 and 27 October, the hurricane had sustained winds of over 300 km per hour. Although the region is often affected by tropical storms, Hurricane Mitch reached category V (the highest) and was one of only four hurricanes this century to reach this level in Central America. Besides the significant number of human losses, the impact on production and on the infrastructure, imply a severe setback to the development processes of the region, as n-ell as high dependency on external aid and financing. Depending on the affected country, it is said that the setback represents from 30 to 50 years. 3. The loss of life, devastation and ruin resulting from the effects of Hurricane Mitch in Central America, were considerable and never before registered in the region (see Appendix 2 - Regional Losses and Appendix 3 - Photos). The hurricane laid bare the extreme vulnerability of large parts of the population and revealed the pressing need for sustainable, environmentally responsible policies along with the need for accurate, timely and precise information to allow potentially affected areas to take preventive measures. 4. The depression that generated Hurricane Mitch generated heavy rainfall in the Costa Rican Pacific coast, which entailed severe flooding and landslides. According to official figures, approximately persons are homeless, four died and seven are missing. Preliminary estimates indicate losses. in agriculture and communications infrastructure amounting to approximately C'SS 47 million reported by the National Emergency Committee and authorities from the agriculture and livestock sector. The Government has requested international aid for and reconstruction. 5. In Nicaragua, intense rainfall originated by Hurricane Mitch affected the entire country, but in particular, the departments of Estelí, León, Matagalpa, Jinotega. Mud from a massive landslide from the Casitas volcano, covered an area of approximately 20 km long and 2-3 km wide and literally buried several villages close to it killing hundreds of people Initial estimates of direct economic losses are in the millions of dollars range. The highnay infrastructure has been seriously damaged; rivers have affected more than 60 bridges and the Inter-.herican HigliLvay between Honduras-El Salvador and Nicaragua has been torn down in several sections There is an estimated kilometers of damaged highways 1

5 6. Honduras is so far, the country most severely affected by Hurricane Mitch. Following heavy rainfall in the northeastern coast, which persisted for more than two days, the storm follolved its course inland on October 30 and 3 1. Mitch affected approximately 90% of Honduras. Besides from the losses indicated in Appendix 2, approximately 70% of the country's agricultural production has been lost, mainly coffee, banana, melon, watermelon and basic grains. The highway infrastructure has been severely affected and, as a result of which, the main cities have been isolated and left without water or electricity. Only 20% of the telephone system is operating. According to President Flores : "Honduras is experiencing the worst moment of its history". 7. In El Salvador, the areas most severely affected by Mitch are located on the eastern part of the country, bordering Honduras. The most seriously affected departments were La Unión; San Miguel, San Vicente, Usulután, Sonsonate, La Libertad and La Paz. Also affected were the islands of the Gulf of Fonseca and most of the losses were related to floods and landslides. There is an estimated 75% loss of production and two important bridges have collapsed. The Government has declared a National Emergency and has requested international assistance. 8. Continuins its northeastern course, Mitch hit Guatemalan territory on November 1, causing heavy rainfall and severe flooding. The National Government declared the state of Public Calamity for 32 days and the crisis was considered the worst in 50 years. Preliminary estimates of damages amount to 200 million Quetzales. 9. Although Hurricane Mitch did not directly impact Belize, severe rainfall flooded the coastal areas, particularly in Belize City. The Government of Belize established an Emergency Operations Center in Belize City to evacuate over persons from that city and the coastal islands to temporary shelters in Belmopan. 10. In the Caribbean, countries were affected' by both hurricane Georges and by hurricane Xíitch. However, the most affected ones were Antigua and Barbuda, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, St. Kitts and Virgin Islands In Jamaica, indirect effects of the hurricane Mitch, produced heavy rainfall, mudslides and floods that affected several economical sectors as shown in the Appendix 7 - Damage Assessment for Jamaica. Roads/infrastructure and fisheries were the most affected. 12. Hurricane Georges formed in the far Atlantic from a tropical wave on the 1jth of September. By late afternoon on the 17'h it has become a hurricane. Georges first of many landfalls occurred at lli Antigua on the 20th. After moving near or over other islands it then hit Puerto Rico on the 21 with estimated maximum winds of 115 mph. Georges became category 3 over the Dominican Republic, with maximum wind velocities reaching 120 mph, during landfall on September Wd. It weakened after crossing the mountainous terrain of Hispaniola and made landfall in eastern Cuba on the 23' with maximum estimated winds of 75 mph. Georges produced important damages in the Greater Antilles, because of the strong winds and heavy rainfall which in turn produced flooding and landslides. 13. Besides the significant number of human losses, the impact on production and on the infrastructure, imply a severe setback to the development processes of the region, as well as his11 dependency on external aid and finance.

6 14. The situation in the Dominican Republic seems to be back to normal or at least in some remaining aspects going back to normal rapidly, but there is still plenty of visible and livable evidence of what happened a few months ago when hurricane Georges hit. 15. Recovery fiom the hurricane continues to be a main priority for many in the Dominican Republic. The hard task of aiding the thousands who lost their homes and all their belongings is one of the most difficult. Some smaller and insulated towns in the southern part of the island continue to struggle to regain normalcy, particularly those affected by flood and mudslides and where most of the fatalities occurred. The official count of deaths is 249 and the count of homeless has risen to over II. SUILIRíARY OF AFFECTED HYDROMETEOROLOGICAL NFRASTRUCTURE IN CENTRAL AMERICA 16. Hurricane Mitch had a direct impact on the meteorological and hydrological infrastructures of Nicaragua, El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala and Belize. In Costa Rica, even thoush the hurricane had a deep impact in the different economic sectors of the country, the above mentioned infrastructures were not affected. 17. In Nicaragua, 122 meteorological stations suffered partial damases and, in some instances, total destruction. With respect to the hydrological network, 3 1 stations were severely affected. The list of the stations and equipment (conventional) necessary to reestablish operations is included in Appendix In El Salvador, 5 climatological stations (3 principal and 2 ordinary), 13 pluviometric stations and 15 hydrological stations were affected (see details in Appendix 4). 19. In Honduras, a total of 7 meteorological stations were affected (4 damaged and 3 destroyed) and approximately 80% of the hydroclimatological network was damaged by the effects of hurricane Mitch (see Appendix 4 for details). 20. In Guatemala, eight meteorological stations were affected as well as 18 hydrolosical stations 21. In Belize, reported damages were that the VSAT/STAR4 system was hit by lightning and stopped operating. Also, two automatic weather stations were totally destroyed on the islands east of Belize. n1. SUNXRIARY OF AFFECTED HYDROMETEOROLOGICAL INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE CARIBBEAN 22. Dominican Republic and Cuba, some of the countries in the Caribbean most affected by hurricnne Georges, and Jamaica, affected by indirect effects of hurricane Zrlitch, were visited for evaluation of damages on the meteorological and hydrological infrastructure.

7 23. According to NMS of Dominican Republic, 45 meteorological stations were completely ad 34 partially damaged by the hurricane. The M S needs to start operating- in the near future, at least 5 synoptic stations, strategically distributed all over the country, in order to be able to pro\.ide a minimum basic weather information to the civil population and national authorities. 24. Dominican Republic s NMS has conventional and automatic weather stations in storage or not operating adequately. This equipment should be evaluated to see if it is possible to be used operationally. There is a WEFAX station that is not being used because of software and harhvare problems. Existing computers could be evaluated to be used as back ups. 25. Dominican Republic s NbíS personnel need training in the maintenance of the WEFA.. and traditional and automatic weather stations, use of software of WEFLY and automatic \\:eather stations. The availability of their radar information in the Internet should be studied. 26. In Cuba, 8 meteoro!ogical stations were completely and 5 partially damaged by the hurricane. Of this total of 13 stations, it is necessary to rehabilitate at least 5. Cuba has 7 radars, of which 2 \vere converted to digital with great national effort. Imagery from George obtained with the two digital radars were available on the Internet during the emergency. Due to the dimensions of the island, it would be desirable to implement at least 2 more digital radars, one on the south east end (Santiaso de Cuba) and other on the west end (Isla de la Juventud). 27. Cuba has national telecommunications appropriate to be able to release radar imagery through the Internet in real time, and the technology to convert their radars into digital. The assistance required to digitize two additional radars and make their output available nationally and internationally through Internet is really small. 28. Cuba also needs assistance to calibrate its primary and secondary barometers in order to be able to provide reliable synoptic information, both for national and international use. 29. In Jamaica, 10 meteorological stations were partially damaged by the hurricane Mitch. the estimated damage in hydrological equipment is US$ In the short term, accordin2 to the NMS, it will be necessary to rehabilitate 3 synoptic stations: Morant Point (southern end), Pedro Bank (south small island, near of central Jamaica coast) and Negril Point (western extreme). and also to replace at least four rainfall intensity raingauges and the hydrological equipment damaged by the storm. These actions will prevent the deterioration of.the national and international information service. 30. In a middle term, it would be advisable to assist Jamaica to put their real time radar imagery into the Internet. lb. RIEDIUM TER\] REQUIREMENTS.:. In general, it \vas observed that all affected countries shared, to some degree, the same problenis as follows:

8 3 1. No real time information is available for disaster prevention purposes (except the information available through the VSAT/STAR4 system). There is an urgent need to begin automation of some basic stations in each country to provide a somewhat adequate geographical coverage and means to provide the public with more accurate and timely information. Every country has submitted for consideration proposals to implement automatic stations with real time transmission via satellite. 32. A high percentage of stations of both the meteorological and hydrological networks is equipped with very old and out of date conventional instruments. This problem is even worse if it is taken into account that there is a wide variety of brands and types of instruments beins used (homogeneity would be advantageous). 33. Maintenance activities are also affected by the lack of adequate means to carry them out such as tools, spare parts, vehicles, personnel, etc. In cases such as Guatemala, the network has come almost to a total stop due mainly to'lack of maintenance for the previously mentioned reasons Basic infrastmcture to carry out daily routine activities such as communications means (telephone lines, computers, Internet connectivity, etc.) needs to be improved or in several cases completely implemented. 35. Given the need to implement new technologies and the need to provide better and specialized information to increasingly demanding users, training becomes an outstanding issue that must be taken into account in the near future. 36. Budgetary constraints for the operation and maintenance of both the meteorological and hydrological networks in the affected countries, is an important issue that requires feasible options for its solution in the medium and Ion, 0 term. 5