BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - WITH Tropical Storm Maria upgraded to a hurricane and a number of islands are under Watch and Warning, three of them have shutdown to allow its passage.
Government officials in Barbados, St. Lucia and Dominica have allowed citizens and residents to stay home as the storm draws closer to the Caribbean.
In St. Lucia, the Government has given a mandate for schools and businesses to be closed as the island is under a Tropical Storm Warning.
According to a statement from the Government, the island was placed under the watch at 11:00 a.m. yesterday (Sept. 17).
“In accordance with the guidelines for a national systematic shutdown and having consulted the MET Office, NEMO, the Ministry of Education and the St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce, I have ordered that all schools, businesses and government offices be closed on Monday, September 18, 2017 and remain closed until the ALL CLEAR is given,” the statement quoted the island’s Prime Minister as saying.
Residents and motorists in areas prone to flooding and landslides are advised to be vigilant and exercise extreme caution.
Additionally, the Government has urged persons not to venture out, until the “ALL CLEAR” has been declared.
In Dominica, the Government has closed all schools and government offices until the Hurricane Maria passes.
The announcement was made at a press conference last evening by Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerritt.
Disaster Risk Management and Communications Specialist, Cecil Shillingford has urged residents in several areas to be on alert for possible flooding and landslide.
“We would like all people living in vulnerable areas, and that could be the waterfront coastal communities, anybody living close to rivers, ravines or waterways, to monitor activities and take a decision early if you need to move. We are talking about areas like Coulibistrie; Colihaut; Dublanc; Bioche; Pichlen; Paradise Valley; Bath Estate; Calibishie, which is a very low-lying area on the east coast; Campbell; and we are not actually asking people to move out of these communities. What we are saying is to monitor the situation if you live close to a ravine. Of course, monitor the height and at some time make a decision early to move into a safe area. It could be a public shelter, it could be friends and family, whatever is the best option you want to use.”
Barbados is currently being pounded with heavy winds and rainfall as the hurricane draws closer to the Lesser Antilles.
Information coming out of Bridgetown points to bleak conditions as the doors to several businesses are closed.
SKNVibes has confirmed that both public and private schools have been ordered closed, as sections of the island have been flooded.
It is reported that beaches in Bridgetown have seen storm swells of 20 feet in some areas.
Despite the closure of some business establishments, the majority is still open to the public as the island remains under a Tropical Storm Watch.
