RA IV/HC-37/Doc. 4.2(3), P. 6
SYNOPSIS
During the 2014 Tropical Cyclone Season eight named storm formed out of which six became hurricanes and two reached major hurricane status. Despite being below average in terms of named storms the Southeast Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands were brushed by two tropical storms and a third tropical storm triggered unsettled weather across parts of the northwest Bahamas.
Tropical Storm Arthur near the Northwest Bahamas 30th June to 3rd July, 2014
Introduction
Arthur began as a non-tropical area of low pressure over the southeastern United States and became a tropical depression at 11pm EDT 30th June while approximately 80 miles north-northwest of Freeport, Grand Bahama. The depression drifted westward and later became a tropical storm around 11am EDT on the 1st July, with maximum sustained winds of about 40 mph. The storm then meandered north of Grand Bahama until early on 2nd July.
On the 3rd Arthur turned north-northeastward and increased in forward speed thus diminishing its threat to The Bahamas.
Warning system
No Watches or Warnings were issued for the Bahamas. However, residents in the Northwest Bahamas were advised to exercise caution due to the potential for flooding in low-lying areas from 12:00am EDT 1st July to noon EDT on the 2nd July.
Rainfall
The weather station at Freeport International Airport recorded 6.69 inches of rainfall on the 1st July and 0.69 inches on the 2nd July.
Impact
Although Arthur did not make landfall in the Bahamas its outer rain bands produced strong gusty winds, scattered showers and thunderstorms with occasional heavy downpours across the northern Bahamas.
Subsequently, The National Emergency Management Agency assessed more than 20 homes in Grand Cay, Grand Bahama and reported flooding in Hawksbill Creek, Regency Park Subdivision and some streets in Freeport, Grand Bahama.
Tropical Storm Bertha near the Southeast Bahamas 1st to 3rd august, 2014
Introduction
On the 31st July Tropical Storm Bertha developed east of the southern Lesser Antilles with maximum sustained winds of about 45 miles per hour and a generally west-northwest movement around 20 mph.
Bertha intensified on the 1st August around 11am to 50mph and this intensity was maintained through 2nd August at about 2pm. Later in the day Bertha winds decreased to 45 mph and it maintained this intensity until all warnings were dropped around 5pm Sunday 3rd August.
The Warning System
A total of 15 Watches were issued for the Central and Southeast Bahamas including the Turks and Caicos Islands and 13 Warnings were issued for the Southeast Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Impact
Apart from some light rains over parts of the Southeast Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands there were no reports of death injuries damage or flooding.
Tropical Storm Cristobal in the Bahamas 23rd to 25th August, 2014
Introduction
Tropical Storm Cristobal moved within 15 miles of the island of Mayaguana on Sunday, 24th August. The storm dumped heavy rains over Mayaguana and the Turks and Caicos Islands resulting in some flooding, which were more extensive in low-lying areas of the Turks and Caicos Islands. Some minor roof damages were also experienced in Mayaguana.
Formation and Track
Tropical Depression number four formed over the Turks and Caicos Islands around 5:00pm EDT on Saturday, 23rd August and moved northwestward and slowly decreasing in forward speed to near 9 mph.
On the Sunday, 24th around 8am EDT tropical depression number four intensified and became tropical storm Cristobal, the third tropical storm for the 2014 season with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph, and while about 40 miles north of Mayaguana. The sustained winds were maintained for the remainder of the day.
The following day around 2am EDT Cristobal increased in strength to about 50 mph and became stationary for a few hours. At around 8am EDT Cristobal began to move away from the Bahamas and all warnings were discontinued for the Central Bahamas at 11am EDT.
Winds in the Bahamas
The terms “tropical storm” and “gale” are by definition the same.
Winds of gale force or tropical storm force range from 39 to 73 mph (35 to 63 knots).
Winds of hurricane force range from 74 mph and greater and are categorized by numbers based on the Saffir-Simpson Intensity Scale.
Sustained Tropical Storm Force Winds
During the passage of Tropical Storm Cristobal, the sustained winds remained below tropical storm force.
The Warning System
Tropical Storm Warnings were issued at 5pm EDT Saturday 23rd for Acklins and Crooked Island, Long Cay, Inagua, Mayaguana, Ragged Island and The Turks and Caicos Islands, Cat Island, Exuma, Lond Island, Rum Cay and San Salvador.
On Sunday, 24th Tropical Storm Warnings were discontinued at 5pm EDT for the Southeast Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Tropical Storm Warnings were discontinued at 11am EDT, Monday 25th August for the Central Bahamas.
Storm Surge
The islands did not experience any impact from storm surge.
Tornadoes
During the passage of Tropical Storm Cristobal, there were no reports of tonadic activity around the Bahamas.
Rainfall
On Friday, 22nd August, 1.00 inches of rainfall was measured at Great Inagua, 1.60 inches on the 23rd, 2.15 inches on the 24th and 0.52 inches on the 25th August.
The Turks and Caicos Disaster Management Agency also reported 6.2 inches of rainfall at the Providencials International Airport 0n the 22nd August and 10.9 inches on the 23rd August.
Flooding
Heavy rains caused extensive flooding in low-lying areas of the Turks and Caicos Islands. Flood water of up to 72 inches was measured in Witby, Bottle Creeks and the Kew Communities. A house in the Kew community was also partially submerged in some 15 feet of water.
Damage
The National Emergency Management Agency reported that thirteen homes in Abrahams Bay and eight homes in Betsy Bay, Mayaguana were affected by flood water and the main road in Pirates Well was also flooded. Minor roof damages were also reported.
DAMAGE ASSESSMENT TEAM IN MAYAGUANA
References
1. National Hurricane Center (Miami, Florida: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). “2014 Hurricane Tracks”
2. AccuWeather. “Tropical storms Arthur, Bertha and Cristobal Track”
3. National Emergency Management Agency (Nassau, Bahamas, Freeport Grand Bahama and The Turks and Caicos Islands). “Damage and Flood Information”
4. Morton Salt Company. “rainfall totals”