Tropical Storm Franklin’s Wrath Looms Large over the Dominican Republic and Haiti

Tropical Storm Franklin Threatens Haiti and Dominican Republic

Tropical Storm Franklin‘s Impact on Hispaniola

Tropical Storm Franklin is currently threatening the Dominican Republic and Haiti, bringing heavy rainfall and potential flash flooding to the shared island of Hispaniola. The storm, which is the fourth tropical storm to form in the Atlantic in the past two days, is expected to bring up to 15 inches of rain to some parts of the island.

As of Tuesday evening, Franklin was located about 175 miles southwest of Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic. It had sustained winds of approximately 40 miles per hour and was slowly moving to the north at a speed of 9 mph. The storm’s center was predicted to reach the southern coast of Hispaniola on Tuesday evening and cross the island on Wednesday, before emerging over the southwestern Atlantic waters by Wednesday evening.

Tropical storm warnings have been issued for the southern and northern coasts of the Dominican Republic, as well as the southern coast of Haiti. The tourism office of the Dominican Republic has announced the closure of three international airports from 10 p.m. local time until 6 a.m. on Wednesday, with two other airports ceasing operations at midnight. Meanwhile, the Turks and Caicos Islands are under a tropical storm watch.

Potential Impacts and Forecasted Path

Parts of Hispaniola are expected to receive between five and 10 inches of rainfall, with isolated areas potentially seeing as much as 15 inches. Additionally, Puerto Rico could receive up to six inches of rain through the middle of the week. Such heavy rainfall has the potential to cause flash flooding, urban flooding, river rises, and mudslides.

Currently, Franklin is being hindered from strengthening into a hurricane due to strong and variable winds at higher altitudes. However, forecasters predict that the storm will likely strengthen once it crosses Hispaniola and re-emerges over the Atlantic. It is expected to become a hurricane over the weekend.

The Atlantic Hurricane Season and Storm Names

Franklin is the seventh tropical cyclone to reach tropical storm strength this year. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. In May, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicted a “near-normal” amount of 12 to 17 named storms for this year. On August 10, NOAA increased its estimate to 14 to 21 storms. Last year had 14 named storms, following two extremely active hurricane seasons.

As for storm names, hurricanes in the Atlantic are named according to six rotating alphabetical lists. This year’s list includes names such as Arlene, Bret, Cindy, Don, Emily, Franklin, and Gert. If all the names on the list are used, a supplemental list will be employed. Four names from the 2017 list, including Harvey, Irma, Maria, and Nate, have been retired due to the destruction and loss of life they caused.

Discussion of Climate Change and Hurricane Intensity

There is a consensus among scientists that hurricanes are becoming more powerful due to climate change. While the number of named storms may not necessarily increase, the likelihood of major hurricanes is growing. Climate change is also impacting the amount of rainfall that storms can produce. Warmer air holds more moisture, which results in named storms being able to hold and produce more rainfall, as evidenced by Hurricane Harvey’s devastating impact on Texas in 2017.

Furthermore, researchers have observed that storms have been moving slower over the past few decades, leading to prolonged periods of rainfall. This phenomenon increases the amount of moisture a storm can absorb over water or the amount of rain that falls over a single location when the storm is over land. For instance, Hurricane Dorian’s slow movement over the northwestern Bahamas in 2019 resulted in significant rainfall accumulation.

Other potential effects of climate change on hurricanes include greater storm surges, rapid intensification, and a broader reach of tropical systems. These changes in hurricane behavior and intensity have made storm predictions more challenging for meteorologists and researchers.

Editorial and Advice

The threat of Tropical Storm Franklin to the Caribbean islands of Hispaniola underscores the importance of preparedness and resilience in the face of increasing hurricane activity. Caribbean nations, including Haiti and the Dominican Republic, need to prioritize disaster prevention and response strategies to mitigate the impacts of these intense storms.

At the same time, it is essential for governments and communities worldwide to recognize and address the underlying causes of hurricane intensification. Climate change mitigation efforts must be intensified to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and limit global warming. Additionally, adaptation measures should be implemented to protect vulnerable coastal communities, improve infrastructure resilience, and enhance early warning systems.

International cooperation is also crucial in supporting countries affected by hurricanes. Wealthier nations should provide financial and technical assistance to help vulnerable countries build their resilience and develop effective disaster management strategies. It is essential to recognize that climate change is a global problem that requires collective action.

In conclusion, Tropical Storm Franklin serves as a reminder of the increasing risks posed by climate change to coastal communities. The intensification of hurricanes necessitates urgent action and international collaboration to mitigate the impacts and protect vulnerable populations. The response to this threat should be multifaceted, encompassing both climate change mitigation and adaptation measures, as well as support for affected nations. Only through concerted efforts can we build a more resilient future in the face of worsening storms.