Wednesday August 23, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. the center of storm Franklin was located at 19.9° North, 70.9° West, inland in the Dominican Republic, ie 152km northeast of Port-au-Prince, 97km north-west of Belladère, 125km south-east of Fort-Liberté.

Franklin is moving north at nearly 13 mph (20 km/h). A north-northeast turn is expected later in the day, followed by a northeast to east-northeast movement with a decrease in forward speed on Thursday and Friday. According to the forecast track, the center of Franklin will move off the northern coast of the Dominican Republic later today and then move over the southwest Atlantic over the weekend.

Maximum sustained winds decreased to nearly 40 mph (65 km/h) with stronger gusts. Little change in strength is expected tonight, but gradual strengthening could begin by Thursday. Franklin could be near or have hurricane strength over the southwest Atlantic by Saturday.

Tropical storm-force winds extend outward up to 105 miles (165 km) east of the center.

According to the information provided by the Directorate of Civil Protection (DPC), the areas at risk of high impacts (heavy rains and strong winds with risks of landslides, strong swells, landslides and floods) are : the South-East department, the central and eastern part of the West department, the eastern part of the Center department, the eastern part of the North-East department.

Prime Minister Ariel Henry, present at the National Emergency Operations Center (COUN) informed that an action plan has been put in place involving State agencies, local authorities and partner organizations to support the population to deal with any damage that may result from the passage of Tropical Storm Franklin. While calling on the population to respect the safety instructions of the competent authorities and to show solidarity with the most vulnerable.

HL/ HaitiLibre