The latest information on Erika shows sustained winds of 50 mph and moving on a westerly course at 21 mph. The storm will face an uphill climb as it hits the Dominican Republic, having to cross over mountains that range on up to 10,000 feet in elevation.
Another negative influence on Erika is the continuing westerly to southwesterly wind shear which has stayed consistently strong this year. Depending on the will of the powers that guide these storms, wind shear and high mountains could spell the end of Erika.
Floods, death and destruction left behind in Dominica
Roosevelt Skerrit, the prime minister of the Caribbean island of Dominica, tweeted NBC News that it was confirmed that 12 people had died due to the heavy flooding brought on by tropical storm Erika, but added, the count could go higher. He appealed for fresh food and supplies.
Petite Savanne was the hardest hit area of Dominica, and the prime minister said in a tweet that he was headed there. He had not heard of the number of injured or dead yet. Over a foot of rain fell in 12 hours, inundating the streets and washing away cars, houses and anything that wasn’t tied down.
As of just 30 minutes ago, while writing this update, it was reported by Bay News 9 that Erika has hit the Dominican Republic, with heavy rains and gusty winds, but the circulation has become badly defined, and is now barely closed. Right now, it is possible that we may be seeing the demise of this storm.
Erika is expected to slowly make its way toward the Bahamas and Eastern Cuba on Saturday. With continued weakening, Erika could be downgraded to a tropical depression by Saturday. Rainfall amounts are expected to be 3 to 6 inches with maximum amounts up to 10 inches in some locations.
