Tropical Storm Erika and the Commonwealth of Dominica

Tropical storm Erika passed through the Lesser Antilles in late August of 2015. Tropical storm watches and warnings were issued to islands north of the Commonwealth of Dominica in the Caribbean, but no warnings of any sort were issued for Dominica itself, which ultimately bore the brunt of the destruction. Two rain gauges at high elevation measured almost 20 inches of rain in 12 hours. Analysis of radar data shows the development of a secondary center which passes right over Dominica, located south of the primary low pressure center. Here we investigate the storm impacts, the effects of Dominica's orography, and other factors that played a role in the extreme precipitation.