Hurricane Tomas

Category 2 hurricane (SSHWS/NWS)
Tomas shortly after intensifying into a hurricane near Barbados
Formed	October 29, 2010
Dissipated	November 14, 2010 (Extratropical after November 7)
Highest winds	1-minute sustained: 100 mph (155 km/h)
Lowest pressure	982 mbar (hPa); 29 inHg
Fatalities	71 total
Damage	$741 million (2010 USD)
Areas affected	Windward Islands, ABC Islands, Jamaica, Hispaniola, Cuba and Bahamas
Part of the 2010 Atlantic hurricane season

Hurricane Tomas was the latest recorded tropical cyclone on a calendar year to strike the Windward Islands. The nineteenth named storm and twelfth hurricane of the 2010 Atlantic hurricane season, Tomas developed from a tropical wave east of the Windward Islands on October 29. Quickly intensifying into a hurricane, it moved through the Windward Islands and passed very near Saint Lucia. After reaching Category 2 status on the Saffir-Simpson scale, Tomas quickly weakened to a tropical storm in the central Caribbean Sea, due to strong wind shear and dry air. Tomas later regained hurricane status as it reorganized near the Windward passage.

Throughout the hurricane's path, 71 people are known to have been killed, 14 of whom were in Saint Lucia. Monetary losses throughout the Windward Islands were estimated at US$588 million, mainly in Saint Lucia. In the wake of the storm in Haiti, flooding intensified an ongoing cholera outbreak indirectly causing more fatalities. According to a report released in December 2010, 55 people were killed in Cuba and Hispanola^{[citation needed]}, though the distribution of these fatalities are unknown. Overall damage from the storm was at least $741 million.

Meteorological history[edit]

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

A tropical wave, or elongated low-pressure area, exited the western coast of Africa on October 24.^[1] It moved hastily westward across the tropical Atlantic at a relatively low latitude, becoming embedded within the Intertropical Convergence Zone.^[2][3] During this time the structure retained a vigorous appearance;^[1] the western portion contained scattered strong convection, or thunderstorms, as well as a broad area of rotating winds.^[3] On October 27, when the system was about 1,200 miles (1,940 km) east-southeast of the Windward Islands, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) noted favorable atmospheric conditions for tropical cyclogenesis, with light wind shear.^[4] The wave and its expansive convection amplified over the next two days, featuring hints of spiraling rainbands;^[1][5] a Hurricane Hunters aircraft investigating the disturbance on October 29 observed a circulation with storm-force winds forming at sea level.^[6] In light of these features, the NHC estimates that the system became a tropical depression—a weak tropical cyclone—by 06:00 UTC that day, about 460 mi (740 km) southeast of Barbados, and further upgraded it to Tropical Storm Tomas six hours later.^[1][7]

On its inception, Tomas turned toward the northwest and decelerated^[1] within a region of low wind shear and high tropical moisture—two of the prime prerequisites to rapid intensification. A misalignment of the cyclone's low- and upper-level circulations was expected to retard this strengthening potential, however, and at this point the NHC did not expect Tomas to attain hurricane status until 36 to 48 hours later.^[7] Steered along high pressure to its north, Tomas retraced slightly west-northwestward on its approach to the Windward Islands.^[1][8] Despite the forecasts of moderated strengthening, its winds increased to 60 mph (95 km/h) by late October 29;^[9] the outflow aloft became well established in all quadrants as the convection consolidated into a prominent rain band.^[10] The center of the intensifying storm crossed southern Barbados the next morning, around 09:00 UTC.^[1] Radar images from Martinique soon indicated an eye was forming;^[8] Tomas attained hurricane status a couple of hours later, about 35 miles (55 km) east of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, after Hurricane Hunters recorded surface winds of 75 mph (120 km/h). At the time, the eye was 35–46 mi (56–74 km) in diameter.^[11]

A weakening Tropical Storm Tomas over the Atlantic

Tomas continued to strengthen through October 30 while moving generally west- to west-northwestward. Around 20:00 UTC, its eye traversed the northern shores of Saint Vincent; the northernmost ring of the severest winds skirted Saint Lucia.^[1] Subsequent reports from Hurricane Hunters and post-storm reanalysis indicated that Tomas had reached a peak intensity with wind speeds of 100 mph (155 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 982 mbar (hPa; 29.00 inHg) during its trek through the islands, making it a Category 2 on the Saffir–Simpson hurricane scale.^[1][12] Although the NHC noted a potential for Tomas to become a major hurricane, the agency also observed that the hurricane began suffering from unfavorable southwesterly wind shear, which computer models forecast to increase in the long term.^[13] On October 31, a combination of the shear and dry air pockets dispersed the convection surrounding the eye, initiating a weakening trend.^[14] Tomas diminished to a tropical storm early on November 1, after the strongest thunderstorms had become dislocated from the low-level wind vortex by more than 115 mi (185 km).^[1][15] Tomas briefly meandered slightly south of west, passing north of the ABC Islands overnight.^[1][16] Although the upper wind regime relaxed into the next day, with an area of deep convection briefly reblossoming near the center,^[16] the shear appeared to have already taken its toll on the storm. With an increasingly diffuse and elongated structure, Tomas further weakened to a tropical depression at 00:00 UTC, November 3, about 325 miles (520 km) southeast of Kingston, Jamaica.^[1][17]

Upon weakening to tropical depression status, Tomas maintained a poorly defined and elongated circulation, with little convective organization near the center. The NHC described the weakening as "difficult to explain", due to generally favorable conditions.^[17] The circulation lost further definition, becoming part of an elongated area of low pressure across the western Caribbean, and the NHC sent a Hurricane Hunters plane to determine whether Tomas was still a tropical cyclone.^[18] The flight determined that the circulation reformed to the northeast, and Tomas re-intensified into a tropical storm late on November 3.^[19] Gradual intensification occurred as it tracked north-northwestward, although initially the low-level and mid-level centers were non-aligned.^[20] By late on November 4, the circulation was still dislocated from the deepest convection, indicative of the presence of wind shear. Around that time, Tomas was turning northward as it passed around the western periphery of the subtropical ridge.^[21] Over a six hour period, there was an increase in organization of the cyclone's core thunderstorm activity, with a corresponding quick drop in central pressure.^[22] As it turned northeastward through the Windward Passage, Tomas regained hurricane status by 0900 UTC on November 5, just 36 miles (58 km) west-southwest of the western tip of Haiti.^[23]

After re-attaining hurricane status, Tomas accelerated to the northeast due to an approaching trough, passing between eastern Cuba and western Haiti. Due to land interaction, the convection became slightly ragged-looking near the center, although atmospheric conditions favored continued intensification. During the afternoon of November 7, strong wind shear caused by the approaching upper level trough caused Tomas to weaken back to a tropical depression status. Late on November 7, the National Hurricane Center issued its last advisory on Tomas as it became an extratropical cyclone.^[24] Early on November 10, the extratropical remnants of Hurricane Tomas whisked northeastward by another extratropical storm, just off the coast of the northeast United States. The system subsequently raced off into the north Atlantic ocean, until they it was absorbed by another extratropical system east of the British Isles on November 14.^{[citation needed]}

Preparations[edit]

Prior to the development of Tomas, the NHC noted the potential for heavy rainfall and strong wind gusts to spread across the Windward Islands, Venezuela, and northern Guyana, due to the tropical wave of which later developed into Hurricane Tomas.^[25] Upon development of Tropical Storm Tomas, most of the Windward Islands were put under a tropical storm warning, issued by their respective Governments; a tropical storm watch was also issued for Dominica.^[26] Six hours later as Tomas was nearly a hurricane, the tropical storm warning was replaced by a hurricane warning in Barbados, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Lucia, and Martinique; the tropical storm watch in Dominica was also upgraded to a tropical storm warning.^[27]

In Barbados, people evacuated to schools and shelters for safety during the storm.^[28] On St. Lucia, the government closed the island's two airports and ordered the closure of all businesses. Additionally, a large Creole festival was canceled due to the storm.^[29] Officials in Trinidad and Tobago closed beaches across the country.^[30] In St. Vincent, the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) issued advisories that a tropical system was approaching the country. The rapid intensification of Tomas caught many citizens in St. Vincent off guard. Early on October 30, the Prime Minister addressed the nation and informed the country of the situation it was facing.

Following the west-southwesterly motion of the storm, swells generated by Tomas produced breaking waves on coastal sections of the ABC islands during the morning of November 1. Consequently, a small craft advisory was issued at 1415 UTC for all three islands.^[31] In addition, a state of severe weather was declared for Bonaire and Curaçao during the passage of Tomas.^[32] In Haiti, the country which was devastated earlier in the year from a deadly January 12 earthquake, government officials began preparing for possible impact from Tomas by October 30. One United Nations spokesperson remarked that a hurricane strike would be "the last thing Haiti needs".^[28] The Haitian government issued an orange storm alert, one level short of the highest state of alert, and warned for the possibility of winds, thunderstorms, and flooding.^[29]

Impact[edit]

Barbados and the Windward Islands[edit]

Flood damage along the Cul de Sac River in Saint Lucia

As Tomas passed 20 miles (32 km) to the south of Barbados, it produced a wind gust of 63 mph (100 km/h), which damaged homes and power lines on the island.^[33] There were also reports of blown off roofs, impassable roads and uprooted trees.^[34] Later, a station on Saint Lucia recorded sustained winds of 48 mph (77 km/h), with gusts to 69 mph (110 km/h).^[35] There was widespread damage to homes and power lines.^[36] The winds destroyed the roof of a hospital and a school, with several trees and power lines blown down.^[29] Additionally, a station on Martinique reported sustained winds of 72 mph (115 km/h), with gusts to 108 mph (173 km/h). ^[37]

On Saint Vincent, there were no deaths but two persons sustained serious injuries while trying to effect repairs to house roofs and two persons were reported missing. The two persons reported missing were found on November 1, off the island of Balliceaux. The National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) declared all areas from Park Hill to Owia on the eastern side and all areas from Belle Isle to Fitz Hughes on the western side disaster zones. It was also reported that the agriculture sector sustained over US$25 million(EC$67 million) worth of damage. Over 1200 people were forced to seek refuge in hurricane shelters across St. Vincent. About 600 houses lost their roofs. A lot of downed power lines, trees and landslides made some roads impassable but NEMO, the Bridges Roads and General Services Authority (BRAGSA) and the St. Vincent Electricity Services Company (VINLEC) were able to clear the main road by the November 1.

Saint Lucia arguably had sustained the worst damage from the storm overall. Throughout Saint Lucia, severe flooding and mudslides resulted in at least 7 fatalities confirmed by the Chief Medical Officer. According to a government minister, several other people were missing and buried in landslides.^[38] By the morning of November 2, two more fatalities were confirmed on the island.^[39]

Leeward Antilles[edit]

While passing the Windward Islands into the Caribbean Sea, Tomas produced strong winds and heavy rainfall on Isla Aves, located off the northern coast of Venezuela.^[28]

Although the storm did not directly strike the ABC islands, one of its outer rainbands stalled over the region and intensified during the night of November 1 to November 2. Curaçao experienced its most extreme rain event in 40 years; as many as 10.4 inches (265 mm) were recorded over a 24-hour period in the eastern part of the island.^[40] The majority of the rain fell overnight in a heavy downpour, accompanied by a severe thunderstorm that triggered large-scale power, TV and radio outages.^[41][42] Lightning strikes sparked three large fires in a major oil refinery in Willemstad. The fires inflicted severe damage to several tanks, estimated at US$10 million.^[43] Flights from Curaçao International Airport were delayed due to the hazardous conditions.^[44]

Following hours of heavy rainfall, widespread floods made most roads in the region impassable, with dozens of cars swept away or stranded.^[41] The rains filled dams and overwhelmed drains, causing them to overflow and exacerbating the flooding.^[45] The towns of Saliña, Brievengat and Mahaai were among the hardest hit; hundreds of homes, gardens and businesses were inundated.^[46][41] At the height of the rainstorm, a rescue worker assisting in the evacuation of a hospital was killed by the collapse of a wall. An elderly man suffering a heart attack drowned while unable to exit his flooded car.^[47] Overall, Curacao suffered some of its worst flooding in history; insured losses across the island exceeded NAƒ110 million (US$63 million), though total damage costs from Tomas were estimated at NAƒ200 million (US$115 million).^[48]

Damage on the other two islands was much more limited. Parts of Bonaire experienced heavy but brief periods of rain, with a maximum of 3 inches (75 mm) at Flamingo International Airport, causing localized flooding of property. On Aruba, some thunder and moderate rainfall occurred, without significant consequences.^[40] All schools across the islands were closed on November 2 and 3 as a result of the storm.^[49]

Greater Antilles[edit]

Flooding from Tomas in Port-Au-Prince, Haiti, on November 6

After days of anticipation, Tomas arrived just offshore in Haiti on the morning of November 5. The storm intensified while brushing the disaster-weary nation, reattaining hurricane strength near the westernmost tip of Haiti. Torrential rains and tropical storm force winds buffeted the entire region. Within hours of the storm's arrival, flooding began to occur. In earthquake-ravaged Port-au-Prince, one of the largest refugee camps set up near the ruins of the capitol building was flooded following heavy rains.^[50] By the evening of November 8, 20 people had been confirmed dead, 7 others were listed as missing and more than 30 000 people were in shelters.^[51] Health workers also feared damage related to Tomas on the island could exacerbate the ongoing cholera outbreak.^[52][53][54]

Tomas passed just to the east of Cuba hours later, but no significant damage was reported on the island.^[55] As the outer bands of Hurricane Tomas began to impact Cuba, Aero Caribbean Flight 883, an ATR-72-212 aircraft, crashed near the town of Guasimal in Sancti Spíritus province. All 68 people on board the plane were killed on impact. Although the plane was the last to leave the airport in Santiago de Cuba before it closed due to Tomas, it is unknown what role, if any, the storm played in the crash.^[56][57] Following a review of the crash, it was determined that severe ice accumulation, at an altitude of 20,000 ft (6,100 m), along with errors by the crew caused the incident.^[58]

Elsewhere[edit]

Hurricane Tomas narrowly missed the Turks and Caicos, sparing the islands a direct hit and causing only minor flooding.^[59]

Aftermath[edit]

Estimates place the cost of damage in Barbados at BDS$17 million (~US$8.5 million).^[60] Throughout the northern part of St. Vincent, the entire banana crop was lost. Press reports from the Prime Minister revealed that nearly every banana tree had been downed during the storm. The country's banana crop is a major source of income and jobs, accounting for roughly 60% of the workforce and 50% of the merchandise exported.^[61]

Damage from the storm on Trinidad and Tobago amounted to TT$4 million (US$629,000).^[62] Losses in Barbados reached Bds$17 million (US$8.4 million).^[63] The Government of St. Lucia stated that damage from the storm could exceed US$100 million.^[64] By November 5, the Prime Minister stated that damage from Tomas was roughly EC$1.3 billion ($500 million USD), five times higher than initially stated.^[65]

Retirement[edit]

Due to the extent of damage across the Caribbean, the name Tomas was retired on March 16, 2011 by the World Meteorological Organization during their 33rd Hurricane Committee and will never again be used for an Atlantic hurricane. It was replaced with Tobias for the 2016 hurricane season. It was the first T name to be retired.^[66]

See also[edit]

Tropical cyclones portal

• 2010 Atlantic hurricane season
• List of retired Atlantic hurricane names

References[edit]

Tropical cyclones of the 2010 Atlantic hurricane season 2 Alex TD Two TS Bonnie TS Colin TD Five 4 Danielle 4 Earl TS Fiona TS Gaston TS Hermine 4 Igor 4 Julia 3 Karl 1 Lisa TS Matthew TS Nicole 1 Otto 2 Paula 2 Richard 1 Shary 2 Tomas Book Category Portal WikiProject Commons