Tropical Storm Ernesto

Tropical Storm Ernesto was a tropical cyclone that formed in the Atlantic Ocean during the 2006 Atlantic hurricane season. The storm developed on August 24, 2006, from a tropical wave that had moved off the coast of Africa. Initially, the system was designated as Tropical Depression Six, but it quickly strengthened into a tropical storm, earning the name Ernesto.

Formation and Track

Ernesto formed in the eastern Atlantic, approximately 435 miles southwest of the Cape Verde Islands. The storm moved westward, influenced by a subtropical high-pressure system to its north. As it traversed the Atlantic, Ernesto encountered favorable conditions, including warm sea surface temperatures and low wind shear, which allowed it to intensify. On August 26, the storm reached its peak intensity, with maximum sustained winds of 69 mph and a minimum central pressure of 994 mbar.

Land Interaction and Weakening

After reaching its peak intensity, Ernesto began to encounter less favorable conditions, including cooler sea surface temperatures and increased wind shear. The storm started to weaken, and on August 28, it made landfall in Haiti as a tropical storm, bringing heavy rainfall and strong winds to the island. The interaction with the mountainous terrain of Haiti caused significant disruption to the storm’s circulation, leading to further weakening. Ernesto then moved over the Caribbean Sea, passing south of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, before making a second landfall in Cuba on August 30.

Impact and Aftermath

Ernesto brought significant rainfall and strong winds to several Caribbean islands, including Haiti, Jamaica, and Cuba. The storm caused widespread flooding, landslides, and power outages, resulting in at least 12 deaths and $500 million in damages. In Haiti, the storm exacerbated the existing humanitarian crisis, with thousands of people left without access to basic necessities like food, water, and shelter.

Response and Relief Efforts

The international community responded to the disaster with relief efforts, including the deployment of emergency teams, provision of food and water, and distribution of shelter materials. The United States, in particular, provided significant assistance, including $10 million in emergency funding and the deployment of military personnel and equipment to support relief efforts.

• The United Nations launched an appeal for $15 million to support relief efforts in Haiti.
• The American Red Cross deployed a team of disaster responders to Haiti to provide assistance with shelter, food, and emotional support.
• The European Union provided €10 million in humanitarian aid to affected communities in the Caribbean.