red vigilance triggered for storm Philippe

Guadeloupe was placed on Monday evening, October 2, on red alert for heavy rain and thunderstorms, due to the passage of storm Philippe near the archipelago, Météo France announced in its latest alert bulletin.

Schools in Guadeloupe will remain closed on Tuesday October 3, we learned from the prefecture, which announced in a press release that the departmental operational center (COD) – that is to say the crisis unit – has been put in place.

The storm, which is expected to pass as close as possible to the coast during the night and Tuesday morning according to Météo France, is causing very heavy rain and currently localized flooding on the archipelago, paralyzing certain roads.

🔴⛈️ @meteofrance places Guadeloupe in #VigilanceRouge for strong #rains et #thunderstorms.

🏠 Avoid all travel and stay at home
🔑 Protect your property from rising waters
🌴 Do not shelter in a wooded area

📲 Stay informed on @Prefet971pic.twitter.com/csjDLPmA6E

— Ministry of the Interior – Alerte (@Beauvau_Alerte) October 3, 2023

“Heavy rains are currently setting in across the entire archipelago,” also note the meteorologists who recommend the greatest caution. Accumulations of around 200 to 300 mm over 24 hours are expected.

Landslides and falling trees

“The wind blows south-south west between 40 and 50 km/h especially along the sea and on the heights” further warns the weather organization, which warns of stronger gusts of up to 70 km/h which could occur under the showers.

The rain, which is now falling continuously accompanied by lightning and thunder, has already cut off certain roads according to Routes de Guadeloupe, which announced landslides and falling trees in particular.

Numerous videos are circulating on social networks, showing different places in Guadeloupe, particularly in South Basse-Terre, completely flooded, recalling storm Fiona which submerged the area on the night of September 15 to 16, 2022, causing one death.

Source