Rain, Rain, Go Away

It not only rained from Sunday, but it also poured. Then rivers, streams, gutters, and ravines overflowed their banks and flooded surrounding areas; there were landslides due to intense rainfall as well as rock falls from overhanging cliffs; seas became dangerous for sea-bathers and small-craft operators because of gusty winds.

That's what the Dominica Meteorological Service (DMS) warned about and generally, it was correct. The DMS issued a flood warning from 9 am October 10th, 2021 due to a trough system that affected the area. A flash flood warning was also issued for Dominica until 6 am Monday, October 11th, 2021.

"Over 100mm/ 4in of rainfall has been recorded in some areas such as Salisbury. An additional 50mm to 100mm is possible across the island, during the period with higher amounts in elevated areas," the DMS said in a bulletin. "People in areas that are prone to flooding, landslide and falling rocks should be vigilant and take all precautionary measures to protect life and property. Stay away from flooded bridges and vulnerable roadways".

Acting Prime Minister Reginald Austrie said on Sunday that the system produced heavy rain resulting in flooding and "drain and stream overtopping as well as landslides and rockfall".

He added that there were no reports of major slides.

Floods and rock-fall occurred in the Sibolie Ravine in Pointe Michel that deposited silt on the road; there was flooding from Pichelin to Marinatha Square, Loubiere and Ravine Cocque; an access road in Castle Comfort was washed away; there was flooding in Salisbury and Coulibistrie as well as rockfall on the E.O. LeBlanc Highway and Dos Dane.

"An aggressive cleaning operation is underway," Austrie said. "All major roadways are accessible."

Social media reported extensive flooding at the COVID-19 centre in Portsmouth but Austrie said that flooding was due to a damaged pipe on the ground floor of the building.

"Patients are safe, they are in high spirits and are receiving the best medical care," Austrie said.

Meanwhile, on Sunday a tropical wave located about 500 miles east- southeast of the Windward Islands continued to produce a large area of disorganized cloudiness and thunderstorms. Environmental conditions were forecasted to be marginally conducive, and some limited development could have occurred during Monday while the system moves west-northwestward at about 15 mph.

The disturbance was forecasted to approach the central and northern Lesser Antilles by late Monday and early Tuesday and would produce locally heavy rainfall and gusty winds across portions of the central and northern Lesser Antilles on Tuesday, forecasters said.