Message: Tropical Storm Harvey has been downgraded to a Tropical Depression as it leaves Belize and moves across southern Yucatan. Tropical Storm Irene passes south of Saint Kitts and Nevis, threatens the Lesser Antilles as it moves towards Haiti (Hispaniola).

Event
Tropical Storm Harvey:

Tropical Storm Harvey passed over Southern Belize between 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. EST on Saturday August 20, 2011 with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph with higher gusts. Minimal damage to crops and homes has been reported so far. Harvey crossed through Guatemala and entered southern Yucatan, Mexico on Sunday, August 21, 2011.

Tropical Storm Irene:
Tropical Storm Irene formed east of the Lesser Antilles on Saturday August 20, 2011 and moved overnight in a westerly direction prompting Antigua & Barbuda, Montserrat, Anguilla, British Virgin Islands and Saint Kitts and Nevis to declare Tropical Storm Warning.

Prognosis
At 5:00 p.m. EST today, August 21, 2011, the centre of Tropical Storm Irene was located near Latitude 17.7 north; Longitude 64.4 west or about 25 miles east of St Croix, US Virgin Islands and about 120 miles east-south-east of Puerto Rico. Irene is moving west-north-west at 17 mph with a minimum central pressure of 29.50 inches. The west-northwestward motion is likely to continue for 1 to 2 days which would bring the center near or over Puerto Rico and Hispaniola.
If Irene follows this projected path, it will take the storm over Hispaniola where it will weaken to a Tropical Depression as it crosses high terrain and impacts Haiti in just over two days.

Impact
Tropical Depression Harvey:
The only additional information to CDEMA SITREP 1 yesterday (20/08/11) is that some minor damage to crops was reported. The extent of damages will be released as soon as the Damage Assessment Report is completed.

National Actions
Belize:
The National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) has deactivated the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) after declaring the All Clear last night at 8:00 p.m. The District Emergency Operations Centers were also ordered to be deactivated at the same time and shelters were closed.
NEMO informed that the Damage Assessment operation is now being executed and the report will be submitted to CDEMA when it is completed.

Impact
Tropical Storm Irene:
Antigua and Barbuda has been experiencing rains intermittently with a heavy downpour early Sunday morning resulting in a Flood warning being declared.
Saint Kitts and Nevis reported strong winds, heavy rains and rough seas throughout the day. The island of Saint Kitts is extremely overcast. Nevis was experiencing strong winds of up to 60 mph throughout the day.

National Actions
Tropical Storm Irene has prompted actions in a number of CDEMA Participating States since Saturday August 20, 2011 when it was upgraded to a Tropical Storm at about 8:30 p.m.

1.  Antigua & Barbuda:
Antigua and Barbuda is the Eastern Sub-Regional Focal Point (SRFP) for CDEMA and as such was activated on Saturday (20/08/11) to monitor the passage of Tropical Storm Irene. As a precautionary measure, three shelters were opened to accommodate residents in three flood prone areas. The SRFP has made contact with the Participating States within its sub-region (Anguilla, Montserrat, St. Kitts/Nevis, and Virgin Islands).

2.  Anguilla:
The Acting National Disaster Coordinator for Anguilla informed CDEMA that all the disaster committees were alerted and the public continues to be fully updated on Tropical Storm Irene with Bulletins and Advisories. Anguilla has kept in contact with the Eastern Sub-Region Focal Point. The same communication arrangement was established between the National Meteorological Services in Anguilla and Antigua. A flood warning is also in effect.

3.  Dominica:
The National Disaster Coordinator informed that the National Emergency Operations Centre was partially activated on Saturday night but was deactivated at 6:00 a.m. this morning (21/08/11).

4.  Haiti:
Haiti has activated its National Emergency Operations Centre and will conduct a meeting of the Executive Committee at 5:30 p.m. today, Sunday August 21, 2011. The ten (10) Regional Disaster Committees were also activated. The Director informed that the public is being kept informed via the mass media.

5.  Montserrat:
The National Disaster Coordinator for Montserrat has been in contact with CDEMA and the Eastern Sub-Regional Focal Point in Antigua throughout Friday, Saturday and Sunday (19, 20 & 21 August). The island has not experienced any increase in wind or rain and the NDC reported everything calm.

6. St.  Kitts and Nevis:
The Government of Saint Kitts and Nevis has closed the Airport until further notice. The National Disaster Office has been providing media advisories to the general public; mainly advising them to stay indoors and away from low lying areas. The NDC has also maintained contact with the Eastern Sub-regional Focal Point (Antigua) and the CDEMA Coordinating Unit over the weekend. No casualties or damage reported.

7.  Virgin Islands:
The Virgin Islands has been experiencing some rains but nothing significant. The storm projected path is to the south (about 100 miles from VI). However, the rain associated with the storm (to the north) is expected to cause flash floods.
At 3:00 p.m. the Governor addressed the nation and advised on the likelihood of an impact from Tropical Storm Irena and the need to be prepared for over 8 inches of rainfall which is associated to the storm.

Regional Response
The CDEMA Coordinating Unit established and maintained contact with the National Emergency Operations Centers in Belize, Antigua, Anguilla, Dominica, Haiti, Saint Kitts & Nevis, and Virgin Islands and will continue to monitor the situation.

Contact Details: The CDEMA CU 24hr contact number is 1 246 425 0386