Haiti and Dominican Republic are preparing to face tropical Storm Emily that is continuing its course in the Caribbean Sea and expected to land in Hispaniola Island during Wednesday, 4 August. Tropical storm comes with winds up to 85 km/h with gushes that can be more violent. Emily is expected to produce 100 to 150 mm of rain in Hispaniola.
2. Impact : Tropical storm related effects include loss and injured of human lives, damage to or destruction of houses due to strong winds, damage to or destruction of infrastructures such as bridges, roads, public building as well as water sources and irrigation systems due to violent rains and flooding, loss of crops and livestock and loss of livelihood related equipment (tools, stock for sales etc.). Large displacement due to flooding is often a result, leading to family splitting and increased vulnerability.
Haiti is particularly vulnerable to these effects because of the deforestation, high density of population in urban context and especially the earthquake affected displaced people living in the makeshift camps. In addition the risks include poor quality of constructions and infrastructure, settlement in flood prone areas with poor drainage system and lack of suitable shelter for the population to evacuate.
3. National and international response : The national authorities have set up the National Emergency Operation Center and declared the red alert in accordance to the national plan of risk and disaster management with an estimated risk for a violent to extreme impact. The storm is expected to impact the whole national territory. UN entities that follow a common national plan with the government are prepared and the cluster system is alerted.