Tropical Storm Bret (2017)

Tropical Storm Bret
Tropical storm (SSHWS/NWS)

Tropical Storm Bret approaching the island of Trinidad early on June 20
Formed June 19, 2017
Dissipated June 20, 2017
Highest winds 1-minute sustained: 45 mph (75 km/h)
Lowest pressure 1007 mbar (hPa); 29.74 inHg
Fatalities 1 direct, 1 indirect
Damage ≥ $3 million (2017 USD)
Areas affected Grenada, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela, Windward Islands
Part of the 2017 Atlantic hurricane season

Tropical Storm Bret was the earliest named storm to develop in the Main Development Region of the Atlantic basin on record. Bret formed from a low-latitude tropical wave that had moved off the coast of Africa on June 12. The disturbance moved swiftly across the Atlantic for several days, steadily organizing despite its low latitude. On June 18, the organization increased enough for the National Hurricane Center (NHC) to begin issuing warnings disturbance while it was located southeast of the Windward Islands. The system continued to organize, and by the next day, it had developed into a tropical storm, the second of the 2017 Atlantic hurricane season. Bret continued moving swiftly to the west and struck Trinidad and Tobago early on June 20, before entering the Caribbean Sea, dissipating shortly afterwards.

Starting in the 2017 season, the NHC changed its policy to allow tropical storm watches and warnings to be issued for tropical disturbances that do not yet satisfy the definition of a tropical cyclone, but are expected to in short order while posing the threat of tropical storm-force winds to landmasses. Thus, on June 18, although the vigorous tropical wave—the precursor to Bret—did not meet formal classification standards, the NHC began issuing advisories on what was considered a potential tropical cyclone.

Meteorological history

Map plotting the track and intensity of the storm according to the Saffir–Simpson scale

On June 12, the NHC analyzed a tropical wave just offshore the western coast of Africa, with scattered shower and thunderstorm activity mainly embedded in the monsoon trough to its south.[1] This system was introduced as a potential contender for development while located well south of Cabo Verde two days later, though any organization was expected to be slow as the wave tracked swiftly westward.[2] On June 16, cloudiness associated with the feature began to show signs of organization,[3] and this trend continued into June 18, prompting the NHC to issue their first-ever advisory on a potential tropical cyclone.[4] Despite winds of tropical storm-force, it was inconclusive whether the system possessed a closed low-level circulation.[5] A reconnaissance aircraft investigating the storm around 21:00 UTC on June 19 was indeed able to find a closed low, and the NHC named the disturbance Tropical Storm Bret as a result, located about 125 mi (200 km) southeast of Trinidad.[6] Upon its formation, Bret became the earliest named storm on record in the Atlantic basins's main development region, surpassing a record held by 1979's Tropical Storm Ana.[7]

Bret continued to move swiftly westward towards Trinidad and Tobago at speeds of near 30 mph (48 km/h),[6] an unusually fast pace for a tropical cyclone. The storm was expected to not last long due to it being forecasted to enter the southeastern Caribbean Sea – termed the "graveyard" by meteorologists due to southerly wind shear that normally causes tropical cyclones in the region to rapidly dissipate. Later that night, a small central dense overcast formed near the center of Bret along with an improved satellite presentation.[8] It then passed through the island of Trinidad in the early morning hours of June 20, eventually entering the southeastern Caribbean Sea shortly afterwards. The effects of the hostile environment the cyclone was entering soon began to take its toll on the system, with the cloud pattern of the system becoming elongated.[9] However, as Bret passed south of Grenada around 15:00 UTC, it produced winds of up to 45 mph (75 km/h) – this was the storm's peak intensity. However, the storm later degenerated into an open trough six hours later.[10]

Preparations, impact, and aftermath

Southeastern Caribbean and Venezuela

Tropical Storm Bret north of Venezuela late on June 20, shortly before degenerating into a tropical wave

On June 18, a tropical storm warning was raised for portions of the Windward Islands. This marked the first time a tropical storm warning was issued prior to becoming a tropical cyclone, following a change in NHC policy that enabled them to issue warnings on tropical disturbances if they posted a threat to land within 48 hours.[11] These were expanded to include portions of Venezuela and the ABC islands the following afternoon.[12] In anticipation of the storm, schools in Nueva Esparta suspended classes. Seafaring vessels were prohibited from leaving port.[13]

Heavy rainfall in Venezuela caused flooding along coastal areas of the country; schools were temporarily closed on Margarita Island.[14] Winds in excess of 45 mph (75 km/h) uprooted trees and caused structural damage across Margarita Island. Two people suffered storm-related injuries when a wall collapsed. Rough seas floundered boats, driving several onshore in Pampatar.[15] Large mudslides damaged or destroyed many homes. Approximately 800 families were significantly affected in Miranda state, of whom 400 lost their homes.[16] Across the country, 14,075 people were directly affected by the storm.[17] Following the storm, President Nicolas Maduro approved US$19 million in emergency funds for relief efforts.[14] In Nueva Esparta, 250 families were provided support to rebuild their homes,[18] and the multipurpose ship Tango 94 was dispatched to provide relief materials to Margarita Island.[17]

Trinidad and Tobago

In preparation for the storm, businesses across Trinand and Tobago advised employees not involved in essential services to remain home, and schools were closed.[19] Community centers, schools, and churches were transformed into emergency shelters, with 72 shelters opened on Tobago alone.[20][21] Caribbean Airline canceled its afternoon services, resulting in hundreds of stranded passengers.[19] Meanwhile, Port Authority canceled all ferry services.[22] The Health Ministries canceled all elective surgeries.[19]

Trees were downed, roofs were blown off homes and businesses, and power lines were toppled as the storm approached the island.[20] Heavy rainfall from Bret flooded portions of South Trunk Road, an under-construction roadway in Mosquito Creek, Trinidad.[23] Gusty winds also impacted Trinidad, with a gust of 41 mph (66 km/h) being observed at the Piarco International Airport, where 2.63 inches (6.7 cm) of rainfall had also been recorded through the overnight hours of June 19–20.[24] One man died in Trinidad after slipping off a makeshift bridge and hitting his head on June 20, which was slippery after rainfall from the tropical storm; thus it is classified as an indirect death.[25][26] In Tobago, a man died of his injuries a week after his house collapsed on him during June 21.[27] Damage from flooding in Barrackpore alone was reported to reach millions of dollars.[28] Hundreds of homes were affected by flooding, with some inundated by 3 to 4 ft (0.91 to 1.22 m) of water.[29] The medical records department of the Port-of-Spain General Hospital was temporarily closed after rainwater leaked into the structure.[30] Five schools suffered damage, with two remaining closed a week after the storm.[31] Total damage exceeded TT$20 million (US$3 million).[32]

On June 24, four days after the passage of Bret, the chairman of the San Juan-Laventille Regional Corporation announced that residents as well as farmers in Aranguez would be receiving assistance through the region's relief fund beginning by the end of the current week.[33] A TT$25 million (US$3.7 million) fund was established; however, this was later criticized as inadequate.[34] Eventually, on June 30, the local government began to distribute approximately TT$10 million (US$1.5 million) in cheques to flood victims.[35] A soup kitchen was opened for affected residents on July 1, and served approximately 500 bowls on its first day.[36]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Evelyn Rivera-Acevedo (June 12, 2017). Tropical Weather Discussion (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved June 19, 2017.
  2. ↑ Eric S. Blake (June 14, 2017). "Graphical Tropical Weather Outlook". Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved June 19, 2017.
  3. ↑ Lixion A. Avila (June 16, 2017). "Graphical Tropical Weather Outlook". Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved June 19, 2017.
  4. ↑ Michael J. Brennan (June 18, 2017). Potential Tropical Cyclone Two Advisory Number 1 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved June 19, 2017.
  5. ↑ Stacy R. Stewart (June 18, 2017). Potential Tropical Cyclone Two Discussion Number 2 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved June 19, 2017.
  6. 1 2 Christopher W. Landsea (June 19, 2017). Tropical Storm Bret Advisory Number 5 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved June 19, 2017.
  7. ↑ Phillip Klotzbach (June 19, 2017). "Tropical Storm #Bret has formed - earliest Atlantic MDR (<20°N, E of 70°W) named storm on record - prior record was Ana on 6/22/1979.". Twitter. Retrieved June 19, 2017.
  8. ↑ Dave Roberts (June 19, 2017). Tropical Storm Bret Discussion Number 6 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved June 19, 2017.
  9. ↑ Lixion A. Avila (June 20, 2017). Tropical Storm Bret Discussion Number 8 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved June 20, 2017.
  10. ↑ Dave Roberts (June 19, 2017). Remnants of Bret Discussion Number 10 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved June 19, 2017.
  11. ↑ Michael J. Brennan (June 18, 2017). Potential Tropical Cyclone Two Discussion Number 1 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved June 19, 2017.
  12. ↑ Christopher W. Landsea (June 19, 2017). Potential Tropical Cyclone Two Public Advisory Number 4 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved June 19, 2017.
  13. ↑ "Suspendidas las clases en Nueva Esparta ante tormenta Bret" (in Spanish). Globovision. June 19, 2017. Retrieved July 8, 2017.
  14. 1 2 Ryan Mallett-Outtrim (June 22, 2017). "Venezuela’s Maduro Approves Nearly $19 Million for Storm Clean-up". venezuelaanalysis.com. Retrieved July 8, 2017.
  15. ↑ "Los daños causados por Bret en Margarita". El Nacional (in Spanish). June 20, 2017. Retrieved July 8, 2017.
  16. ↑ "Gobierno atiende a 800 familias en Miranda afectadas por tormenta Bret". El Universal (in Spanish). June 26, 2017. Retrieved July 8, 2017.
  17. 1 2 "Más de 14 mil personas afectadas dejó la tormenta Bret en Venezuela" (in Spanish). Efecto Cocuyo. June 21, 2017. Retrieved July 8, 2017.
  18. ↑ "Gmbnbt atendió a 250 familias afectadas por tormenta Bret en Nueva Esparta" (in Spanish). Radio Nacional de Venezuela. June 30, 2017. Retrieved July 8, 2017.
  19. 1 2 3 "Bad Bret - Tropical storm forms". Trinidad Express Newspapers. June 19, 2017. Retrieved June 19, 2017.
  20. 1 2 Rhondor Dowlat (June 19, 2017). "Roofs torn off, trees crash as Bret flexes muscle". Trinidad and Tobago Guardian. Retrieved June 19, 2017.
  21. ↑ Elizabeth Williams (June 19, 2017). "Tobago shuts down; THA budget pushed back". Daily Express. Retrieved June 20, 2017.
  22. ↑ Derek Achong (June 19, 2017). "Passengers stranded at airport, sea port". Trinidad and Tobago Guardian. Retrieved June 19, 2017.
  23. ↑ Carolyn Kissoon (June 20, 2017). "Flood Chaos on the Mosquito Creek". Daily Express. Retrieved June 20, 2017.
  24. ↑ Bob Henson (June 20, 2017). "Downpours Sweep into Southeast Ahead of Tropical Storm Cindy". Weather Underground. Retrieved June 20, 2017.
  25. ↑ "Tropical Storm Bret blamed for at least one death". RJR News. June 21, 2017. Retrieved June 21, 2017.
  26. ↑ Gyasi Gonzales (June 20, 2017). "Man dies after slipping off makeshift bridge*". Daily Express. Retrieved June 22, 2017.
  27. ↑ Williams, Elizabeth (June 30, 2017). "Man injured when Bret destroyed home, has died". Trinidad Express. Retrieved July 1, 2017.
  28. ↑ Carolyn Kissoon (June 20, 2017). "Barrackpore after Bret: $millions in damage". Daily Express. Retrieved June 23, 2017.
  29. ↑ Carol Matroo (June 27, 2017). "TT still cleaning after Bad Bret". Trinidad and Tobago Newsday. Retrieved June 30, 2017.
  30. ↑ "Medical dept reopens today". Trinidad and Tobago Newsday. June 29, 2017. Retrieved June 30, 2017.
  31. ↑ "3 schools reopen, but 2 still closed". Trinidad and Tobago Newsday. June 27, 2017. Retrieved June 30, 2017.
  32. ↑ Gail Alexander (June 24, 2017). "Bret Tests for T&T". Trinidad & Tobago Guardian. Retrieved August 2, 2017. (subscription required)
  33. ↑ Corey Connelly (June 25, 2017). "Aranguez farmers count losses". Trinidad and Tobago Newsday.
  34. ↑ Arnold Gopeesingh (June 25, 2017). "$25M will not do the job". Trinidad and Tobago Newsday. Retrieved June 30, 2017.
  35. ↑ Lord, Richard (July 1, 2017). "Govt pays out disaster relief". Trinidad and Tobago Guardian. Retrieved July 1, 2017.
  36. ↑ "Soup kitchen for Bret victims". Trinidad and Tobago Newsday. July 3, 2017. Retrieved July 3, 2017.
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