Emily Inundating Hispaniola; Cuba, Bahamas Up Next
High waves crashed into the Santo Domingo waterfront as Tropical Storm Emily approached the shores of the Dominican Republic on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Manuel Diaz)
"Life-threatening flooding and mudslides are sure to result..."
A dangerous situation is unfolding across Hispaniola as Tropical Storm Emily unleashes torrential rain. The inundation from Emily will next spread to eastern Cuba and the Bahamas.
The center of Emily is only expected to make contact with the southwestern peninsula of Haiti today, but heavy rain has and will continue to drench the entire island of Hispaniola -- home to Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
Flooding and mudslides are forecast and will threaten lives as Emily unleashes a total of 4 to 8 inches before tonight. Mountainous locations could become inundated with excessively higher totals of 12 to 20 inches.
"Deforestation on the island nation will compound the problem, increasing the rate of runoff and the risk of flash flooding and mudslides," stated AccuWeather.com Expert Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski.
"The center of the storm is of much less importance when compared to the slow movement of heavy rain that will extend over much of Hispaniola," Sosnowski said.
Worsening the situation is the fact that Haiti has yet to recover from the devastating earthquake from January 2010.
"A number of [the over 600,000 people living in settlement camps] still have no roof, or canvas, over their heads and are sleeping on parking lots," Sosnowski reported.
CNN reports that nearly 12,000 United Nations peacekeepers are on standby with food, medical kits and other supplies in anticipation of a possible disaster that may result.
Conditions should improve across Hispaniola Friday into Saturday as Emily's torrential rain focuses farther to the northwest. However, part of Cuba may then be dealing with the danger of flash flooding and mudslides.
Heavy rain will spread northwestward, in conjunction with Emily's movement, across the rest of the Bahamas Friday into Saturday.
Rainfall totals across the Bahamas will generally average 2 to 4 inches with localized higher amounts. AccuWeather.com Tropical Weather and Hurricane Expert Dan Kottlowski also warns of a "storm surge of 1 to 3 feet above normal."
Emily is expected to strengthen as it moves away from Hispaniola and Cuba and drifts over part of the Bahamas, leading to strong wind gusts of 40 to 60 mph.
The worst conditions across the Bahamas will be experienced on its western islands, which lie in the direct path of Emily's track.
Even if Emily tracks farther westward and makes landfall along Florida's southeast coast, its tropical storm-force winds and heavy rain will still encompass Andros Island and should at least graze Grand Bahama Island.
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| Precip | 3.25" | Buffalo, MN |
WeatherWhys®
People need to pay close attention to the UV index during this time of year. On a sunny day late in the spring and into the summer, the UV is usually at least an 8, which is very high. Readings over 11 are considered extreme values in which only 10 minutes of full exposure to the sun will produce a sunburn.
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