With Tropical Storm Chantal now located less than 500 miles from Santo Domingo and headed directly towards the Dominican Republic, the possibility of a direct hit is now almost a certainty. The only thing uncertain is whether or not Tropical Storm Chantal will become Hurricane Chantal before she reaches us. So what should you do?
First of all try not to panic. Fortunately, even if Tropical Storm Chantal does become Hurricane Chantal, she will be a “minimal hurricane”, meaning that damage should be limited. Regardless you do need to be prepared.
Tropical Storm Chantal is due to hit the Dominican Republic with near hurricane force winds of 70mph tomorrow (Wednesday) morning. As well as strong winds, the storm is also expected to cause a storm surge of 2 to 6 foot and bring between 3 and 6 inches of rainfall. The damage level associated with a strong tropical storm is (fortunately) classified as “minimal” and can include: flooding, flash floods, landslides and limited damage to wooden and/or fragile buildings and roads.
So what should you do?
We recommend you take the following precautions NOW:
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!
The Casa de Campo security services are available 24 hours to attend to whatever emergency may arise.
Ambulance and firebrigade: ext. 5555
Emergency: 911
Casa de Campo security hotline: ext.5193 or ext. 5194
Costasur hotline: ext.5115
What can we really expect in Casa de Campo?
Fortunately here in Casa de Campo, many unpleasant side-effects such as landslides do not occur. Over the last few years we have seen the following side-effects from passing hurricanes:
• During any kind of tropical weather, services of the Casa de Campo hotel are limited – although it has not been announced, we can expect that tomorrow (Wednesday) the golf courses and all other sports facilities will be closed, as well as Minitas Beach. All shops and other services will also be closed.
• Storm surges have caused damage to oceanfront properties, as well as the Teeth of the Dog golf course.
• The Chavón river has flooded – although this is something we have just seen from Altos de Chavón or the Marina Casa de Campo.
• Flooding from heavy rainfall – although this is managed well and most excess water typically accumulates on roads and the golf courses.
KEEP INFORMED!
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
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.
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