BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - AS Kittitians and Nevisians ready themselves for the passage of Hurricane Earl, the Traffic Department is advising persons to remove their vehicles from flood-prone areas to safer areas.
In a notice issued yesterday (Aug. 28), the Traffic Department urged “owners of motor vehicles to remove all vehicles including broken down vehicles from College Street and Westbourne Ghauts and other water courses around the island…”
Head of the Traffic Department Inspector Cromwell Henry explained to SKNVibes that should vehicles left in these areas be removed by the flood, they could lead to damage of other areas.
“When vehicles are washed down the ghauts, they block the flow of water to the sea and cause the water to flow laterally, thereby causing damage to areas that otherwise would not have been affected.”
Over the past years, College Street Ghaut, Westbourne Ghaut and other areas have been prone to flooding resulting in vehicles and even individuals being caught in the tide and swept out into the sea.
The notice advises that to reduce the likelihood of such an occurrence, the removal of vehicles from the “watercourses” should be done before the arrival of the storm.
“There is the risk of personal injury or death if vehicles are swept away in flood waters with their occupants…Motorists are also asked to avoid crossing these water courses when they are active, as there is an increased risk of your vehicle stalling or being washed away. Motorists are further advised not to go sightseeing after the storm, particularly in affected areas where cleanup crews are operating. Your full cooperation is anticipated.”
According to a posting on www.cuopm.com, as at 2:00 this afternoon, a hurricane warning is in effect for Antigua and Barbuda, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, Anguilla, St. Martin, St. Barthelemy, St. Maarten, Saba and St. Eustatius.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration www.noaa.com advises that Earl has the strength of a Category One hurricane with maximum sustained winds “near 75 mph…120km/HR…with higher gusts”.
“Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 30 miles…45 KM…from the center…and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 160 miles…260 KM.”
St. Kitts and Nevis is expected to begin feeling the effects of this system sometime this evening.
