Summary: Due to the passage of Tropical Storm Erika on 27 August 2015. A band of torrential rain caused by the system resulted in 12.64 inches of rainfall in less than twelve hours and triggered massive flooding and several landslides. Regional governments and the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) stepped in to help Dominica after recording the loss of lives. According to a CDEMA report, 1,070 users lost electricity and all 44 of the water systems in the country were affected by the storm, cutting off the water supply for the majority of the population. Telecommunication services were restored quickly and the three hospitals and 43 health centres remained operational. The main airport was closed as it suffered damages, but was operational two weeks following the event. The Canefield airport, a secondary facility, remained operational for helicopter and small aircraft use. All seaports remained functional and open.
The government of Dominica declared nine special disaster areas: Petite Savanne, Pichelin, Good Hope, Bath Estate (Paradise Valley), Dubique, Campbell, Coulibistrie, San Sauveur and Petite Soufriere. Fourteen people were reported dead, 16 missing, 574 rendered homeless and 1,034 people evacuated due to the unsafe conditions in their communities. Damage and losses were estimated at $1.3 billion East Caribbean dollars (XCD) (US$481 million) or 90 per cent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).
Coordination and partnerships
The IFRC Pan American Disaster Response Unit (PADRU) through the disaster management coordinator for the Englishspeaking Caribbean region were in contact with the National Society prior to Tropical Storm Erika’s arrival. Within 72 hours after the storm hit Dominica, the IFRC disaster management regional coordinator and the emergency shelter officer were deployed to Dominica on 28 August along with the Regional Intervention Platform for the Americas and the Caribbean (PIRAC) officer was deployed on 3 September and arrived in Dominica on 5 September. Currently, there is an IFRC operations manager in country supporting the ongoing implementation of the operation.
At the onset of the operation, the Office of Disaster Management was coordinating the National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC), where various government agencies deployed representatives. The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) was also active and held meetings to share information and coordinate activities. PADRU was also part of these meetings and collaborated with the IFRC team in country. delegate of the French Red Cross. An IFRC operational information, monitoring and reporting senior