Watching the weather to protect life and property Disaster Risk Management and the role of the Meteorological Department Curaçao Watching the weather to protect life and property Albert Martis Director

Mission & Vision MDC To protect life and property through the issuance of appropriate weather forecasts and warnings for the Dutch Caribbean, adjacent waters and air space, and to provide meteorological and climate related services to specific sectors, in order to sustain social-economic development. Deliver service of high quality, timely and accurate Mission Vision

Natural Disasters Natural hazards become natural disasters when people’s lives and livelihoods are destroyed. Natural disaster is the consequence of a natural hazard, which moves from potential into an active phase and as a result affects human activity.

WMO Disaster Risk Management Program Input to Emergency Plans Education and Public outreach Programs

Early Warning System 1. Detection and Monitoring Hazards and Risks 2. Production of Bulletins 3. Dissemination Response or Action 4. Monitoring Hazards, Impact and information 5. Updating the Bulletins

1. Detection and Monitoring Land stations Weather Radar Upper air stations Satellite imagery Numerical models Flood Guidance Systems US NHC (WMO RSMC)

Key Costumers of MDC Public Weather Services (WMO) (24%) Aeronautical Services (ICAO) (65%) Airports Hato International, Flamingo, Saba and St. Eus Airlines and airports operators Curacao Flight Information Region through NAATC Search and Rescue, Militarily operations Public Weather Services (WMO) (24%) Authorities, Emergency Organizations, Media and General Public Police Investigations and Insurance Companies Research consultants and Universities Marine Services (WMO and IMO) (11%) Port Authorities, ships, Coast Guard Small craft, Tour Operators

Hurricane Felix 2007 Curacao radar Hurricane Felix 2007

2. Categories of Hazards Severe Weather Seas Tropical Cyclone Seismic event Tsunami

2. Types of Bulletins Daily Forecasts Information Bulletins Special Bulletins Tropical Cyclone Bulletins Reports

3. Dissemination System Aviation Sector Real time Met data Text: Reports, Bulletins, Warnings Graphics: Radar, Satellite SWC Alarm: Sound, Pop-up window

Sutron Display

3. Dissemination System for General Public Radio and TV interviews emails www.meteo.cw Weather App Wathsapp Facebook Mobile

EWS Tropical Storm Tomas Local Hazards and Impacts Winds : no Tropical storm force Winds Seas: Small craft advisory /high surf advisory Rainfall: heavy rainfall (50 -80 mm local flooding)

Impact Tropical Storm Tomas 250-300 mm in 7h Impact Tropical Storm Tomas

Communication Error Tomas Heavy rainfall 75mm Media General Public Dry 19:00 20:00 02:00 Time (hours)

EWS Tropical Storm Omar Local Hazards and Impacts Winds : no Tropical storm force Winds Seas: Small craft advisory /high surf advisory Rainfall: heavy rainfall (50 -80 mm local flooding)

Impact Omar

Tropical Storm Matthew Local Hazards and Impacts Winds : no Tropical storm force Winds Seas: Small craft advisory /high surf advisory Rainfall: heavy rainfall (50 -150 mm local flooding) https://youtu.be/vMGzDmlGV7g

Warwaru (landspouts) Landspouts 1976: Curaçao 2004: Aruba 2008: Aruba Curacao (2x) Bonaire

Effectiveness EWS Understandable Reliable Timely Good coverage Mobile telephone (> 100%) Emergency radio TV and website Receiver can take responsible actions

Special Bulletin SB are issued for weather events, sea conditions or geological phenomena that can cause general inconvenience or public concern and cannot adequately be described in a weather forecast. SB will be issued to describe when and where severe weather or hazardous sea conditions are expected to occur or are already occurring.

Type of Hazards

Color Code Special Bulletins

Ch

Ch

Tropical Cyclone Bulletin

Dissemination of Bulletins

Challenges and Opportunities EWS Production Different languages (English, Papiamentu, Dutch, Spanish, French), Understandable (“plane” language, new Production engine ) Dissemination Good Coverage Monitoring Communications Radio Emergency, TV (breaking news), Radio Alarm system SMS (text) Meteo App Website Facebook/twitter