TFJM01 --SITREP ONE: EFFECTS OF HURRICANE DEAN

UNCLAS SANTO DOMINGO 001964 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AEMR ASEC CASC KFLO MARR PREL PINR AMGT DR MX JM, XL, XK SUBJECT: TFJM01 --SITREP ONE: EFFECTS OF HURRICANE DEAN IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC REF: STATE 116204 ¶1. Summary: On August 18, Hurricane Dean passed south of the Dominican Republic causing minor damage and some flooding in low lying areas. The Malecon road fronting the Caribbean was closed for 36 hours due to high seas, and three people died while watching the waves break along the seawalls. There were some reports of flooding along river banks and roads washing out but nothing the GODR can not handle internally. End Summary ¶2. Post EAC met on August 16 for a two hour hurricane simulation exercise to review hurricane preparation. The comprehensive simulation covered all phases of Post involvement in a potential disaster. The simulation touched on the following: a) Reviewed roles in coordinating USG relief and rehabilitation activities. b) Discussed the degree and types of hurricane assistance would the host country allow. c) Reviewed the current status of the REACT teams to ensure that they were up to date and that a current F- 77 was available. d) Ensured Post has current listings of local medical resources capable of handling mass casualties in emergency including transport, emergency room and major surgery, and reviewed what medical support Post could provide (manpower and supplies). e) Reviewed the list of primary local government hurricane relief and medical contacts. f) Confirmed that the Embassy assigned reaction teams to specific areas of responsibility and have sufficient 4 wheel drive vehicles and the equipment needed is in the response kits (communications, medical, consular forms, etc)and has emergency kits in warden residences and/or offices with lighting, excavation tools, communications, foodstuffs, water, etc. g) Confirmed response personnel are trained in the use of the equipment they are assigned. h) Reviewed notification trees and options in the event telephones are out of order. i) Tested alternate means of communications the EAC has to maintain contact with response teams. j) Reviewed which members of the EAC were responsible for drafting reporting telegram. k) Discussed how Post will respond to inquiries from the public. l) Confirmed designations of key LES and US personnel. m) Reviewed tripwires for Authorizied/Ordered Departure and confirmed that the evacuation packages are ready. n) Reviewed plans for the deployment of the ACS teams to resort areas including where should they set up shop, communications, flyaway kits, and designated members for the flyaway teams. o) Discussed the PAO and ACS roles in informing the public. p) Discussed the effect the hurricane would have on the Peace Corps volunteers. Note: All 150 Peace Corps - Dominican Republic volunteers had been put on alert Wednesday August 15, to make preparations for the arrival of the potential hurricane. ¶3. At 11 am Friday the EAC met again to review the track of hurricane Dean. Given the projected track well to the south, the EAC decided no further action was needed at this time, but all members were told to remain available should the track or other situations change. Post also deployed a two person team to the Punta Cana area to test alternate locations for future deployments. The Peace Corps moved to consolidate all volunteers due the intensification of the storm and its upgrade to Hurricane status. The USAID/OFDA disaster response specialist arrived and was immediately imbedded in the GODR Emergency Operations Center (COE). ¶4. The acting Charg and the RSO, the Mission Disaster Relief Officer and Management Counselor met on Saturday, August 18 to discuss the need for another EAC. Since there was little change in the track of the storm and only light showers, they decided an additional meeting was not necessary but that they would remain on alert should conditions deteriorate. The GODR closed the Malecon road which fronts the Caribbean due to high waves. Embassy personnel noted seeing many Dominican Civilians standing dangerously close to the waterQs edge watching the 15-20 foot swells hitting the coast line. Tragically, three people drowned when they were pulled into the sea while venturing too close to the edge of the seawalls. The peace corps requested all volunteers threatened regions which were in particular danger of landslides and flooding to move to secure locations. ¶5. As of 11:00 Sunday August 18 the sun is shining and there are no reports of serious flooding or landslides, though some low-lying areas near riverbeds were flooded as is normal here during heavy rains. A few roads in the Barahona and Pedrenales areas were washed out in some areas, but again the damage was minor. Winds were gusty in pockets during passing storm bands and some trees were blown down but all in all damage was minimal and well within the GODRQs ability to respond. The USAID/OFDA disaster response specialist remains imbedded in the GODR Emergency Operations Center (COE). The Peace Corps is slowly returning volunteers to their sites today. GOUGHNER