Update, 9am GMT Friday: Hurricane Tomas has now passed Jamaica and is heading to Haiti within the next few hours. Winds have increased to 80mph and Tomas is once again hurricane Tomas. The forecast track for Tomas now takes it right between Haiti and Cuba meaning both will be impacted (Haiti more so) but also that Tomas may be able to strengthen further than previously thought by the time it reaches the Turks & Caicos islands. At the least it now looks likely that the Turks & Caicos will also experience hurricane force winds.
Tropical storm Tomas continues its path through the Caribbean. A large and still disorganised storm, Tomas should not though be taken lightly. Currently carrying winds of 50mph Tomas is forecast to strengthen and could be at or near hurricane strength when it reaches Haiti and Cuba.
Whether it becomes a hurricane or not Tomas is a large storm with strong rain bands to the north and east of the centre. It is forecast to skirt past the east coast of Jamaica tonight (which could still experience rain up to 3 inches) then pass Haiti tomorrow who will get the brunt of its winds and rain. Haiti (and parts of the Dominican Republic) could receive between 5 to 10 inches of rainfall, this is concerning given the flood and landslide risk in this area. Then Tomas is forecast to cross over the Guantanamo area of Cuba and head on to southeastern Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos islands.
Tomas is likely to cause significant damage and some losses. The Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility could be looking at more than one payout for damage cause by Tomas.
Tomas’ latest forecast track is below.
View all of our Artemis Live video interviews and subscribe to our podcast.
All of our Artemis Live insurance-linked securities (ILS), catastrophe bonds and reinsurance video content and video interviews can be accessed online.
Our Artemis Live podcast can be subscribed to using the typical podcast services providers, including Apple, Google, Spotify and more.
Tropical Storm Tomas
