Tropical Storm Erika Affects Caribbean, Florida
Although it looks like Bermuda will be spared the wrath of Tropical Storm Erika, all jurisdictions are not so lucky with reports that 12 people have been killed in Dominica, and Florida Governor Rick Scott declaring a state of emergency for the entire state today [Aug 28].
Heavy rain from Tropical Storm Erika has caused devastation on the Caribbean island of Dominica, leaving at least 12 people dead and more than 20 missing, according to CNN.
Florida Governor Rick Scott’s emergency order [PDF] says Erika “poses a severe threat to the entire state,” and the order calls for the activation of the National Guard and gives authorities the ability to waive tolls and rules to allow emergency crews and vehicles to move throughout the state.
NOAA’s GOES-East satellite captured this image of Erika earlier this week:
The U.S. National Hurricane Center said, “Erika is moving toward the west-northwest near 18 mph [30 km/h] and this general motion is expected to continue for the next 48 hours.
“On the forecast track, the center of Erika will move over the Dominican Republic this afternoon, move near the Turks and Caicos Islands tonight, and move near the central and northwestern Bahamas Saturday and Saturday night.
“Reports from an Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicate that maximum sustained winds are near 50 mph [85 km/h] with higher gusts. Some weakening is forecast this afternoon and tonight as Erika moves over land, followed by little change in strength through Saturday night.”
The Bermuda Weather Service said Tropical Storm Erika — the 5th named storm of the 2015 Atlantic hurricane season — is not a threat to Bermuda at this time, and its closest point of approach to Bermuda within 72 hrs is forecast to be 855 nautical miles to the south-south-west at 11pm this evening.
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