FEWS NET is a USAID-funded activity whose purpose is to provide objective information about food security conditions. Its views are not necessarily reflective of those of USAID or the U.S. Government. The FEWS NET weather hazards outlook process and products include participation by FEWS NET field and home offices, NOAA-CPC, USGS, USDA, NASA, and a number of other national and regional organizations in the countries concerned. Questions or comments about this product may be directed to Wassila.Thiaw@noaa.gov or 1-301-763-8000 x7566. Questions about the USAID FEWSNET activity may be directed to Gary Eilerts, USAID Program Manager for FEWSNET, 1-202- 219-0500 or geilerts@usaid.gov.
Climate Prediction Center’s Hispaniola Hazards Outlook For USAID / FEWS-NET
August 23 – August 29, 2012
Heavy amounts of precipitation and high winds from the passage of Hurricane Isaac are expected over Hispaniola during the next week.
During the last seven days, moderate to heavy amounts of rainfall were received throughout Hispaniola. In Haiti, the highest weekly accumulations (>75mm) were observed in the Gulf region, with more moderate totals in the central and northern departments of the country. This increase in rainfall and moisture during the middle of August is expected to help mitigate local moisture deficits and benefit the development of local crops; however 30-day moisture deficits still range between 75 to 90 percent of normal for the Artibonite, Nord and Nord-Est departments of Haiti since the middle of July. Model forecasts show the development of Tropical Storm Issac in the Caribbean which is expected to strengthen into a Hurricane prior to making landfall over southern Hispaniola during the earlier portion of the outlook period. The passage of Hurricane Issac is expected to produce heavy amounts of precipitation and high sustained winds over many local areas along the coasts and further inland of Hispaniola. Some of these heavy rainfall amounts may trigger flooding, costal storm surges, damages to infrastructure, and possibly landslides in the higher elevations of the island.
