May 2004 Caribbean floods

May 2004 Caribbean floods

Satellite image of convection affecting Hispaniola
Date May 18 25, 2004
Location Greater Antilles, mostly Hispaniola
Deaths About 2,000

The May 2004 Caribbean floods were a flood event that took place in the Caribbean Islands, mainly Hispaniola and some parts of Northern Puerto Rico from May 18, 2004 to May 25, 2004.[1]The storm caused significant rainfall, with over 9.7 inches of rain falling at the most in Haiti, and 10 inches falling at the most in the Dominican Republic.[2] These floods were caused by over two weeks of persistent rain in the Caribbean area, which eventually caused the landslides that killed many people.[3] The floods caused much damage in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, with over 1,300 homes being destroyed and about 2,000 people being killed.[2]Due to this destruction, nearly 15,000 people were displaced with nowhere to live.[4] The area that felt the worst of the flooding was the town of Jimani, near the border of Haiti and the Dominican Republic.[5]In fact, the destruction present at Jimani was so bad that Dominican president Hipolito Mejia declared a national day of mourning after seeing the effects of the storm.[4]

Meteorological history

A broad low pressure area developed over Central America on May 19, accompanied by heavy rainfall.[6] The system drifted eastward into the Caribbean Sea,[7] and by May 23 was located in the central Caribbean, producing rainfall across Jamaica, eastern Cuba, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico. Upper-level winds prevented tropical cyclogenesis of the system.[8] However, the low had characteristics of a subtropical cyclone, with a closed atmospheric circulation and extensive convection extending to the northeast of the system. The interaction between the low and a high pressure area over the southwestern Atlantic Ocean produced winds of around 25 mph (40 km/h) across the region.[7]

The system moved slowly across the Greater Antilles.[7] By early on May 24, the low was located south of Haiti and was interacting with a tropical wave.[9] Later that day, the system moved over southwestern Haiti,[10] crossing into the Bahamas by May 25.[11] Later that day, the National Hurricane Center briefly noted the possibility of the system developing into a tropical cyclone, noting its well-defined circulation. Although there was a lack of convection near the center, there was a potential for the shear to diminish.[12] However, by late on May 26, the system no longer had a chance for development after it began moving quickly to the northeast.[13] By May 27, the system was located about 190 mi (305 km) east of Bermuda, connected to a trough that extended to Hispaniola.[14]

See also

References

  1. "2004 Flood Archive". Dartmouth College. Retrieved 2008-05-16.
  2. 1 2 "Global Hazards and Significant Events: May 2004". NOAA. Retrieved 2008-05-16.
  3. "Hundreds dead in Caribbean floods". BBC News. May 26, 2004. Retrieved 2008-05-16.
  4. 1 2 "At least 900 dead in Caribbean flooding". CNN. May 28, 2004. Retrieved March 30, 2016.
  5. "Severe Floods Sweep Across Haiti and the Dominican Republic". Earth Observatory. NASA.
  6. Jarvinen/Avila (2004-05-19). Special Tropical Disturbance Statement (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2012-04-14.
  7. 1 2 3 Gary Padgett. "Monthly Global Tropical Cyclone Summary May 2004". Retrieved 2012-04-14.
  8. James Franklin (2004-05-23). Special Tropical Disturbance Statement (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2012-04-14.
  9. Mike Wallace (2004-05-24). Tropical Weather Discussion (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2012-04-14.
  10. Pralgo (2004-05-24). Tropical Weather Discussion (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2012-04-14.
  11. MT (2004-05-25). Tropical Weather Discussion (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2012-04-14.
  12. Blake (2004-05-25). Tropical Weather Discussion (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2012-04-14.
  13. Blake (2004-05-26). Tropical Weather Discussion (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2012-04-14.
  14. MT (2004-05-27). Tropical Weather Discussion (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2012-04-14.
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