Report On Heavy Rainfall In The SSS Islands

1. Ministry of
Traffic, Transport and Urban Planning
Meteorological Department Curaçao
PRESS RELEASE
HEAVY RAINFALL IN THE SSS ISLANDS
With regards to the locally heavy rainfall which fell over the SSS Islands
during parts of especially yesterday, the Meteorological Department
Curaçao (MDC) informed yesterday during the morning hours that the
weather situation over the islands would deteriorate and that some
flooding was possible over a few sections.
For weather situations like these, the MDC developed an Early Warning
System (EWS).
In this context several phases have been introduced indicating the
severity and probability of expected weather events that cannot
adequately be described in a regular weather forecast (code green). A
precautionary statement (code yellow) will be issued when there is a
potential (less than 30%) for the occurrence of weather events, sea
conditions or geological phenomena that can cause general inconvenience
or public concern (requiring the attention and action of fire department
and police authorities). This precautionary statement will be part of the
regular public forecast bulletin.
Special Bulletins will be issued to describe where severe weather or
hazardous sea conditions are expected to occur or are already occurring
(chance of 30-50% for watches and more than 50% for advisories or
warnings). These bulletins are updated (upgraded, downgraded or
canceled) as needed.
Phase Definition:
No danger.
Precaution Possible occurrence (≤ 30%) of a certain natural
--- Be Alert --- hazard within 8 to 24 hours.
Watch Conditions of a natural hazard are possible
---Prepare Yourself- (30-50%) within next 3 to 12 hours.
--
Advisory Conditions of a natural hazard are imminent
--- Protect Yourself- (higher than 50%), within 1 to 2 hours.
-
Warning Conditions of a natural hazard are imminent
--- Protect Yourself- (higher than 50%), within 1 to 2 hours and pose
-- a larger threat.
During late Thursday morning, the regular public weather forecast bulletin
mentioned only a chance of a local shower. A previous Small Craft
Advisory was also canceled at that time. The late morning forecast was
updated at about 1:30 P.M. with a precautionary statement (code yellow)
mentioning the “potential for localized flooding.” A precautionary
statement will be issued when the potential for a certain significant
Seru Mahuma z/n CURAÇAO.Tel:+599 9 8393366.Fax:+599 9 8683999.E-mail: admin-cur@meteo.an

2. weather phenomenon is 30% or less. During the late afternoon (5:30
P.M.), a Heavy Rainfall Watch (code orange) was issued for the SSS
Islands and it would be valid until late Friday afternoon. A heavy rainfall
watch is issued when the MDC expects rainfall amounts in excess of 25
mm (1 inch) an hour. The French weather service also issued a heavy
rainfall watch at about that time for Saint Martin and Saint Barth. After
weather conditions improved early Friday morning, the Heavy Rainfall
Watch was canceled later in the morning.
As is usually the case, the MDC will continue to monitor weather
conditions over its areas of responsibility closely and, if necessary, it will
issue special bulletins for the population and authorities, according to the
guidelines of its EWS.
Curaçao, May 4, 2012
Seru Mahuma z/n CURAÇAO.Tel:+599 9 8393366.Fax:+599 9 8683999.E-mail: admin-cur@meteo.an