BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – TODAY (Sept. 19) marks 34 years since the twin-island Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis gained independence from Britain, but all scheduled celebratory activities for this day were postponed due to the effects of Hurricane Maria.
Since late last night citizens and residents were feeling the effects of Hurricane Maria. However, from as early this morning there was a regular downpour of rain and extremely strong winds.
Early reports indicated that power lines were down in some communities and it is not known if they are live; there, residents in those affected areas are asked not to venture outside.
In an 11:00 a.m. National Emergency Management Agency’s (NEMA) report, Senior Met Officer Elmo Burke had given an update on Hurricane Maria and warned that everyone should remain indoors.
“Hurricane Maria, the center of it at 8 o’clock, was about 75 miles just out of St. Kitts. However, we started feeling the impact in terms of the winds and the rainfall from Hurricane Maria. We are expecting this to continue for most of the day, probably into the evening. So persons can recognise that conditions are going to be pretty much basically the same where you are going to have high winds, gusting at times near to hurricane force. You are going to have heavy showers at times and even thunderstorms.
“So persons need to exercise extreme caution and remain indoors until the All Clear is given by the competent authority - in this case, NEMA, in conjunction with the Met Office.”
When asked by NEMA’s PRO, Vesta Southwell, if there would be a worsening of conditions, Burke responded in the positive.
“We are anticipating an uptake; a slight uptake in the winds as the system gets a little closer to us. However, we are uncertain at this moment whether or not how massive the increase would be. Because, recognising most persons if you are already baton down in your property right now, you won’t be able to tell the difference if the winds increase by 10 knots or a knot. But, the winds are going to be sustained like this – gusting at times to hurricane force and some violent.”
With regards to the conditions at sea, the Senior Met Officer declared that although the Met Office did not receive any report on that, he is certain that “the seas are going to respond from the winds. So the seas are going to get extremely rough over the next few hours, if they haven’t already as yet”.
He reiterated his warning that citizens and residents should remain indoors.
“Stay indoors until we here at the NEOC give the All Clear. Whenever we do give the All Clear, we will communicate it via all the media houses so that persons can know that it is safe to venture. “
Meanwhile, reports coming out of Dominica have indicated that the island was devastated by Hurricane Maria.
In a release from Charles Jong’s ‘Disseminateit’, last evening Dominica’s Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerritt issued a statement about the conditions on that island.
“Initial reports are of widespread devastation. So far we have lost all what money can buy and replace. My greatest fear for the morning is that we will wake to news of serious physical injury and possible deaths as a result of likely landslides triggered by persistent rains.
“So, far the winds have swept away the roofs of almost every person I have spoken to or otherwise made contact with. The roof to my own official residence was among the first to go and this apparently triggered an avalanche of torn away roofs in the city and the countryside.
“Come tomorrow morning we will hit the road, as soon as the all clear is given, in search of the injured and those trapped in the rubble.
“I am honestly not preoccupied with physical damage at this time, because it is devastating...indeed, mind boggling. My focus now is in rescuing the trapped and securing medical assistance for the injured.
“We will need help, my friend, we will need help of all kinds.
“It is too early to speak of the condition of the air and seaports, but I suspect both will be inoperable for a few days. That is why I am eager now to solicit the support of friendly nations and organisations with helicopter services, for I personally am eager to get up and get around the country to see and determine what's needed.”
