On 5 October 2016 the International Charter Space and Major Disasters was activated in the Dominican Republic. Floods, evacuated people, and four deaths are among the reasons for the activation.
The activation of the Charter was requested by the National Emergency Commission of that country and the nominated Project Manager was the German Aerospace Center (DLR).
On 5 October 2016 the International Charter Space and Major disasters was also activated in Cuba. The storm's heavy rains and powerful winds might provoke floods and landslides, although its effects in this country have not been yet felt.
The activation of the Charter was requested by the Operational Satellite Applications Programme (UNOSAT) of the United Nations Institue for Training and Reasearch (UNITAR) on behalf of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), being the European Space Agency (ESA) the nominated Project Manager.
On 6 October 2016 the International Charter Space and Major Disasters was activated in the Bahamas at request of the United States Geological Survey (USGS) on behalf of the Pacific disaster Center and the Bahamas Environment, Science and Technology Commission (BEST) Ministry of Housing and Environment.
The storm most devastating effects were felt in Haiti and the Dominican Republic; however it weakened after passing through Cuba and reaching the Bahamas.
On 6 October 2016 the International Charter Space and Major disaster was also activated in the United States at the request of the United States Geological Survey on behalf of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
According to CNN, three states in the Atlantic Coast issued mandatory evacuations, as it is expected that the center of the storm pass very close although it is not yet confirmed that it will landfall in Florida. After passing by the Bahamas, Matthew might return to a Category 4 hurricane. More information from CNN here.
Additional information on the efforts conducted by the Pacific Disaster Center regarding Hurricane Matthew can be found here.
