1. IMPACT REPORT: HURRICANE IRMA
September 08, 2017
IMPACT REPORT: HURRICANE IRMA
(U) Hurricane IRMA-17 continues to have a high humanitarian impact based on the storm strength and the affected population in the past and forecasted path.
(U) OVERVIEW:
On 08 Sep 2017 Hurricane Irma has currently impacted the following countries: Jamaica, Haiti, Bahamas, Barbadis, Antigua, Cuba, Turks and Caicos Islands, Dominican Republic, United States, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, Anguilla, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda. Current Red alert for wind impact in Bahamas, Cuba, Turks and Caicos Islands, Dominican Republic, United States, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, U.S., Virgin Islands, British, Anguilla, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda as of 08 Sep :00:00 UTC.
There are deaths reports throughout the Leeward Islands, a vulnerable, isolated chain arcing southeast from Puerto Rico, which reported at least three deaths of its own. Officials throughout the Caribbean expect the body count to rise. After first making landfall in Barbuda, then barraging several other Leeward Islands, Irma skirted the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, leaving nearly 1 million people without electricity. The Dominican Republic, Haiti and the Turks and Caicos Islands are next in its path. Closer to Florida's southern tip, the Bahamas remains in danger, and mass evacuations are underway. Ghastly images from St. Martin and St. Barthelemy (also known as St. Barts) showed cars and trucks almost completely submerged in the storm surge, and several buildings in ruins.
(U) INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE:
The emergency and disaster response is coordinated by the Barbados-based CDEMA. Under this umbrella, the United Nations and donor agencies in the Caribbean, including USAID/OFDA, ECHO, DFID, Global Affairs Canada and others, are mobilizing resources in light of the impact of Hurricane Irma and in readiness for the approaching Tropical Storm Jose. OCHA ROLAC convened an ad-hoc meeting with regional humanitarian partners (RedLac) to share information on the situation and any preparedness actions taken or planned.
(U) POINT OF CONTACTS FOR FURTHER INFO:
The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) is holding daily partner briefings in Barbados and via WebEx. The CDEMA 24-hour contact number 1(246) and CDEMA is organizing assessment teams using Barbados as staging ground to two sub-regional hubs: Antigua (for eastern Caribbean) and Jamaica (for Bahamas and Turks and Caicos as needed).