Tropical Storm Helene, was formed south of Cape Verde on September 12.

Helene developed into a hurricane on September 16, becoming category three hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 204 km/h two days later. On September 24 it became extratropical at about 595 miles west-northwest of the Azores.

During the entire period it remained out to sea causing no threat to land.

Gordon, the sevenths tropical storm of the 2006 Caribbean Hurricane Season, developed from a tropical depression and became a tropical storm on September 11 at about 550 miles north-northeast of the Leeward Islands, moving north-northeast. It strengthened into a category three hurricane on September 14 with maximum sustained winds of 194 kmh.

Gordon became extra tropical on September 20 after passing close to the Azores Islands and headed towards Spain and Portugal. Gordon never represented a threat to land in the Caribbean. In the northern province of Galicia, Spain, Gordon caused heavy rains and minor damage to infrastructure.

Hurricane Florence passed close to Bermuda as a category 1 hurrincane but cause minimal damage.

According to reports from the Bermuda Overseas Branch of the British Red Cross, the airport, ports, Longbird Bridge (one of the connectors from east to west) and the inlands ferry system, were closed as preparation measures took effect. Government offices, schools and businesses were also instructed to remain closed.

No personnel injuries or loss of life has been reported, but there were reports of minor flooding, and damage to trees and a few roof-tops.

During the emergency, staff at the Bermuda Red Cross were in close communication and coordination with the Bermuda Emergency Management Organization, the Police Service and other non-governmental organisations.

The Federation’s Sub Regional Office and PADRU’s Disaster Management Delegate based in Port of Spain, Trinidad, closely monitored the progress of Hurricane Florence. They kept in regular contact with the Bermuda Red Cross to assess their needs and provide support as required.

In 2003 Hurricane Fabian left four people dead in Bermuda.

Ernesto, the first hurricane of the Caribbean hurricane season 2006, was active from 24 August to September 1.

DOWNLOAD tracking map of August 28 (161k pdf) >>

In its path through the Caribbean, Ernesto affected to various degrees the territories of Jamaica, Haiti, Cuba and the United States. At its peak, it reached maximum sustained winds of 120 km (category 1) as it passed close to Haiti.

The International Federation – through its Panama Regional Delegation, its Pan American Disaster Response Unit (PADRU) based in Panama, and supported by its country Delegation in Haiti, as well as its Sub Regional Office in Trinidad – remained in close contact with the National Societies in the Bahamas, Cuba, Haiti, Jamaica and the Overseas Branch of British Red Cross in the Cayman Islands, as well as with the American Red Cross, to coordinate actions and exchange information, as tropical storm Ernesto progressed through the region.

In Jamaica, Red Cross volunteers were activated in preparation for Ernesto. Relief items were dispatched to the St. Elizabeth Branch as a preparedness measure. Items included rubber boots, hygiene kits, sheets sets, tarpaulins, bleach, soft drinks and clothing. Tropical Storm Ernesto passed close to the north of Jamaica, resulting in heavy rainfall but no flooding or damage of note.

In Cuba, 5,100 Cuban Red Cross volunteers participated in evacuation, search and rescue, water safety and shelter management activities. 371,334 persons were evacuated in the south-eastern provinces of Cuba, from Camaguey to Guantanamo, and other high risk areas. No major flooding was reported.

In Haiti, the Haitian Red Cross branches in the South were on full alert as hurricane Ernesto caused heavy rainfall. Radio communications were maintained between branches on a regular basis.

First aid kits were pre-positioned in the departments of the South and South-East. Red Cross volunteers also provided assistance to people in shelters, particularly the elderly and children. Some flooding was reported.

The American Red Cross activated all the volunteers in the area and implemented its contingency plan, which included: activating its Disaster Operations Centre, pre-positioned relief stock including cots, hygiene kits and blankets; identifying leadership teams and support staff to be sent to Florida and Alabama and coordinating with authorities.

Ernesto eventually petered out into a tropical depression as it headed deeper inland in North Carolina, United States.

Debby developed as a tropical wave from 21 to 27 August in the far eastern Atlantic, reaching maximum sustained winds of 50 mph.

This tropical storm never represented a threat to communities in the Caribbean.

From July 31, tropical storm Chris had the region on alert as it moved through the Lesser Antilles and north of Puerto Rico on a projected path towards Hispaniola and Cuba.

By August 5, it had been downgraded to a tropical depression, and finally dissipated in the Cuban province of Camaguey.

Despite its low intensity, heavy rain associated with Chris led to extensive flooding July 30-31 in the Haitian area of Bas Artibonite, Saint-Marc Commune. The floods affected some 938 families. Many areas in Haiti, where even minor storms can send water gushing down denuded hills, are particularly prone to flooding.

Assessments done by the Haitian Red Cross Society has identified the need for non-food relief items to assist 1,000 families.

No further damages were reported in the region.