Today June 1st, marks the official start of the hurricane season in the Dominican Republic. Over the last few days we have seem several downpours throughout the country – which could be part of the “active” hurricane season that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration – NOAA- have predicted in the Atlantic for this year.
For the six-month hurricane season, NOAA says there is a 70 percent likelihood of 13 to 20 named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher), of which 7 to 11 could become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including 3 to 6 major hurricanes (Category 3, 4 or 5; with winds of 111 mph or higher).
These ranges are well above the seasonal average of 12 named storms, 6 hurricanes and 3 major hurricanes.
Other forecasts:
The Weather Channel released its first forecast on April 8, indicating 16 named storms, 9 of which will become hurricanes and 5 major hurricanes (Category 3 or higher on the cyclone scale Saffir-Simpson).
Colorado State University released its forecast for the 2013 season on April 10, indicating 18 named storms, nine hurricanes and 4 with great intensity.
“This year, oceanic and atmospheric conditions in the Atlantic basin are expected to produce more and stronger hurricanes,” said Gerry Bell, Ph.D., lead seasonal hurricane forecaster with NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center. “These conditions include weaker wind shear, warmer Atlantic waters and conducive winds patterns coming from Africa”, he added.
Hurricane Storm names for the 2013 Hurricane Season:
1- Andrea
2- Barry
3- Chantal
4- Dorian
5- Erin
6- Fernand
7- Gabrielle
8- Humberto
9- Ingrid
10- Jerry
11- Karen
12- Lorenzo
13- Melissa
14- Nestor
15- Olga
16- Pablo
17- Rebekah
18- Sebastien
19- Tanya
20- Van
21- Wendy
We at Casa de Campo Living will do our best to keep you informed, but we recommend the following links for keeping extra-informed:
• www.nhc.noaa.gov – The National Hurricane Centre
• www.weather.com – The Weather Channel
• ONAMET.gov.do – the Dominican Republic’s official weather warning people (this one is in Spanish)
• Twitter: We recommend following NHC_Atlantic – for regular tweets on hurricanes, tropical storms etc
Get ready NOW: Hurricane / storm prepardedness tips!
A few things you should do/get ready now (just in case)…..
1. Prune your garden
It is always safe and a good idea to trim branches from any trees (especially palm trees) near your Casa de Campo villa. Making sure any “dead” or precarious branches are cut down will prevent them blowing off in high winds and causing damage.
2. Keep informed! Its important to keep up to date with news concerning the weather forecast! Whilst we at Casa de Campo Living will do our best to keep you informed, we recommend the following for keeping extra-informed:
• www.nhc.noaa.gov – The National Hurricane Centre • www.weather.com – The Weather Channel • ONAMET.gov.do – the Dominican Republic’s official weather warning people (this one is in Spanish) • Twitter: We recommend following NHC_Atlantic – for regular tweets on hurricanes, tropical storms etc • Facebook: Follow –http://www.facebook.com/US.NOAA.NationalHurricaneCenter.gov
3. Towels etc. for flooding With so much rain even the nicest, newest Casa de Campo villa is at risk of flooding/leaks – so it’s a good idea to make sure you have a supply of old towels to lay around leaking windows/doors and around any “indoor” gardens/landscaping your home may have.
4. Prepare a “hurricane kit”
You never know how long a storm/hurricane will take to go away. A good idea is to go to a nearby supermarket and buy some food for at least 3 days (canned food, bottled water, cokes, juices, crackers), as well as medicines normally included in a first aid kit (bandages, cotton, iodine, pain killers, alcohol, batteries, lanterns, candles, matches etc). If a hurricane is coming you don’t want to get to the supermarket and found that they’ve sold out of water! Click here for a full list of everything you will need.
5. Stock up on strong electrical tape If a storm is coming it is typical to protect windows/patio doors by putting tape in a “x” across the glass – so it’s a good idea to have some in your house!
6. Where will you go? What will you do? Odds are it won’t happen, but if a hurricane is coming – you will need somewhere to wait out the storm. It’s a good idea to choose in advance which room will be your “safe room” – select an interior room with no windows, usually a bathroom.
7. If you are NOT at your Casa de Campo villa for hurricane season – make sure in advance that you home is safe.
If you have a villa manager – make sure they know how to prepare your villa for a hurricane or if you don’t it would be a good idea to prepare in advance by bringing all outdoor furniture indoors (including hanging light fixtures), closing shutters/boarding up if you feel it is necessary.
That is everything you should do NOW to make sure you and your family will be safe and prepared in case of a hurricane. In fact, most of those tips are useful in case of heavy rain / a normal thunder storm – especially the one about the towels…..
What to do in case of storm and hurricane alerts
If a storm/hurricane is on it’s way and if you cannot leave the country/area, this is what you should do:
1. Trim a few branches from trees nearby Take advantage of your gardener before he goes home – and chop off the biggest and most dangerous looking branches of any trees near your home.
2. Put away any objects or furniture outside your villa
Any and all furniture, decorations and hanging/loose light fightings outside your Casa de Campo villa should be brought inside.
3. Keep informed! The news/your neighbours and even Facebook told you a storm was coming – but regardless keep yourself informed – refer to the websites above. You may also like to contact the Casa de Campo Villa Owners Club for the latest Casa de Campo related advice, Tel: (809) 523-2161
4. Protect glass windows and doors
We recomend villa owners protect windows/patio doors by placing strong electrical tape diagonally to form an X. This reduces the likelihood of broken windows or doors and if they do break will prevent the pieces from damaging people or objects inside your home.
5. Prevent flooding with sandbags and towels
Create a barrier around your exterior windows/doors using sandbags and on the inside, towels.
6. Gather your family (and pets) as well as your “hurricane kit” – and go to your “safe room” As soon as your villa is as prepared as possible (or winds start to pick up) – gather all your family, including all your pets and go to your “safe room” (an interior room with no windows) and take your “hurricane kit” with you! Do not be tempted to look out of windows and doors – that is extremely dangerous! Click here for a full list of everything you will need in your “hurricane kit”
These are only tips for your safety, there is no need to panic!!! Fortunately for us living in the Dominican Republic, whilst we are invariably affected by some bad weather associated with hurricanes passing typically to the North they do not normally make landfall.
Photo credits:NOAA/NASA (Hurricane Sandy as seen from NOAA’s GOES-13 satellite on October 28, 2012).
Hurricane Issac in Casa de Campo
On Friday the 24th of August 2012, the center of Tropical Storm Isaac passed approximately 150 miles to the south of the Dominican Republic, causing a storm surge of up to 5ft along the eastern coast of the country, which in Casa de Campo brought huge waves crashing into oceanside properties, the Teeth of the Dog golf course, Minitas Beach and the Marina Casa de Campo.
Spanish
