The Category 1 storm was approximately 110 miles (175 km) east-southeast Isla Beata in Dominican Republic. It was moving west-northwest with a speed of 31 mph (50 Kph). According to the National Hurricane Center, Miami, the hurricane had sustained winds of 75 mph (120 km/h). The hurricane was expected to hit Cuba and become a tropical storm.
It was forecast to move towards Florida as a tropical hurricane by Tuesday morning. However, some models predicted it would make it into the Gulf and up the Atlantic Coast.
Authorities in Haiti used social media to notify people of the hurricane and to urge them to evacuate if they were near water or mountains flanks.
The Civil Protection Agency stated that the hurricane is threatening “the whole country,” in a statement. “Do everything you can to flee before it’s too late.”
Haiti is particularly vulnerable to flooding and landslides due to its extensive erosion and deforestation. A recent rise in gang violence has forced thousands to flee their homes. The civil protection agency is therefore running short of basic supplies including water and food, according to director Jerry Chandler, The Associated Press.
He said, “It’s been three week that we’ve been supporting family members who are fleeing gang violence.” “We are working to renew our stocks, but logistics is the greatest problem.”
He stated that officials are still working out how to get supplies to Haiti’s south region, which is anticipating Elsa’s arrival.
People were still buying food and water as the storm approached.
“I am protecting myself as best I can. Darlene Jean Pierre, 35, said that civil protection will not be able to help her. She bought six jugs filled with water, vegetables, and fruit. “I also have concerns about the streets… I worry about gang fighting. We also have a hurricane. It’s not clear what kind of disaster this will cause.
A hurricane warning was issued in Jamaica, from Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s capital, to Punta Palenque (Dominican Republic). The Cuban provinces Camaguey and Granma were under hurricane watch. There have been reports from some of these provinces of high COVID-19 infection rates, which raises concerns about the possibility that large numbers of people could be forced to seek shelter together during the storm.
“Anticipating” is the key word,” stated Miguel Diaz-Canel of Cuba, adding that vaccination efforts will continue. Let’s look after our property and lives.
Authorities in the Dominican Republic, which shares Hispaniola Island with Haiti, opened over 2,400 shelters after forecasters predicted heavy rains beginning Saturday morning.
Elsa is expected to pass the southernmost point in Hispaniola on Saturday afternoon, and then strike at southern Haitian communities.
On Friday, the storm had already ripped down roofs and damaged crops, and also cut power lines and trees in the eastern Caribbean. There was also damage in Barbados and St. Lucia, as well as in St. Vincent & the Grenadines which were hit by massive volcanic eruptions that started in April.
According to Ralph Gonsalves, St. Vincent Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves, at least 43 homes were destroyed and three stations were broken into by police officers.
He said that he expected the number to rise as more reports come in. “We have some damage but it could have been much worse.”
After blowing off the siding and roof, the wind caused damage to a secondary school in St. Lucia. It pounded desks, overturned chairs, and sent papers flying.
Elsa is the Atlantic’s first hurricane and the fifth-earliest named storm. It is expected to drop between 4 and 8 inches (10 to20 centimeters), with maximum rainfall of 15 inches (38 cm) in parts of southern Hispaniola, Jamaica.
