Dominica rushing to complete preparations for Hurricane Tammy

Public officers in Dominica were allowed to go home at 1 pm to complete preparations at home and in their communities as the island braces for the passage of Hurricane Tammy.  

In an emergency media briefing, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, says Dominica is under a hurricane watch and a heightened state of preparedness.  

The private sector is being urged to allow staff to go home before 4 pm so they too can prepare for the incoming weather system.  

The prime minister says it is important that at all levels people are prepared and take action.  

Persons living in vulnerable areas have been urged to voluntarily move into emergency shelters if needed. The shelters were open since 7 pm on Thursday.  

Citizens are being urged not to become complacent with talk of the hurricane moving away or not looking too close as the prime minister reminded that Hurricane Lenny in 1999 passed Dominica and came back and did serious destruction on the west coast.  

The Prime Minister says unless Dominica gets the complete all clear the public cannot let its guard down.  

“We have to pray the storm does not affect us but we also have to prepare. Let us help each other manage our anxieties and fears by engaging in planning.” 

He says people who feel unsafe in their homes should move.  

Senior Meteorological Officer Itoma James says at 11 am Tammy was 203 miles southeast of Dominica. 

Dominica is expecting up to 55 to 100 millimetres of rain or 2 to 4 inches. 

There could be possible flooding and landslides from this event. The met office also expects continued deterioration in sea conditions with waves peaking near 4 metres or 12 feet in height.  

Tammy is expected to pass around 35 to 55 miles to the northeast of Dominica at its closest point.  

Residents in areas prone to flooding, landslides and rockfalls should stay vigilant.  

Marine conditions are expected to get worse on the west coast as the storm moves further to the north of Dominica and persons should have already moved their vessels.  

Fitzroy Pascal, National Disaster Coordinator says all preparedness should be rushed to completion and persons should make decisions where necessary to ride out the system whether at home or in emergency shelters.