The National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, called a press conference Tuesday, August25, 2015 to update the public on the projected path of Tropical Storm Erika and its impact on the islands. Pictured are members from the National Disaster Preparedness Committee assembled at NEMA, on NEMA's Way and Gladstone Road; and seen right is Captain Stephen Russell, Director of NEMA. (Photo/NEMA)
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NASSAU, The Bahamas – The National Emergency Management
Agency, NEMA, called a press conference Tuesday, to assure the public that the
National Disaster Preparedness Committee is prepared for the path of Tropical
Storm Erika, predicted to become a hurricane over the next several days.
At the time of the
press conference, which got underway around 4:30pm on August 25, the centre of
Tropical Storm Erika was 1,120 miles east south east of Antigua or about 1,130
miles east south east of Grand Turk Island or about 1,245 miles east south east
of Mayaguana, or 1,255 miles east south east of Inagua.
Moving towards the west near 20mph and a west north west
motion at a slightly slower forward speed expected over the next two days.
However, on its present track, the Bahamas Department of Meteorology forecast
Erika to be affecting the SE Bahamas Bahamas and Turks and Caicos Islands by
Friday afternoon – August 28, 2015 – and is expected to develop into a Category
1 Hurricane before it exists The Bahamas.
Director of NEMA Captain Stephen Russell said he is
satisfied with the state of readiness of the disaster preparedness committee.
He also cautioned and advised the public that they should have already been
prepared from the start of the 2015 Atlantic Hurricane Season, June 1.
Representatives reporting on their areas were: the Royal
Bahamas Defence Force, the Ministry of Works and Urban Development, the
Ministry of Local Government (Family Islands), the Department of Social
Services, Bahamas Telecommunications Company and the Public Hospitals
Authority. These areas include deployment of disaster supplies, readiness of
designated hurricane shelters, communications, drainage systems, public health
services, and related assistance.
Capt Russell says NEMA will fully activate the National
Emergency Operations Centre once the Met Department advises the expected impact
of the storm.
The Atlantic Hurricane Season runs from June 1 to November
30. And just prior to the 2015 season the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NOAA, predicted a below
normal season; a 70 percent likelihood of 6 - 11 names storms (winds of 39 mph
or higher) of which 3 - 6 could become hurricanes with winds of 74 mph or
higher, including zero - 2 major hurricanes; Category 3, 4 or 5 with winds of
111 mph or higher.
However NOAA updated its forecast based on current and
expected conditions combined with model forecasts, estimating a 70 percent
probability for each of the ranges of activity during the 2015 hurricane
season. It predicts 6 -10 Names Storms, which includes; 1-4 Hurricanes; and 0-1
Major Hurricanes.
The Named Storms for the season are Ana, Bill, Claudette,
Danny, Erika, Fred, Grace, Henri, Ida, Joaquin, Kate, Larry, Mindy, Nicholas,
Odette, Peter, Rose, Sam, Teresa, Victor and Wanda.