Tropical Storm Isaac Update
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – WITH the effects of Tropical Storm Isaac expected to be felt by St. Kitts-Nevis within a matter of hours, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) is recommending that businesses close their operations for the day (Aug. 22) at 1:00 p.m.
“In keeping with the expected deterioration of local weather conditions about 2:00pm today, as Tropical Storm Isaac gets closer to St. Kitts and Nevis and in the interest of public safety, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) encourages all business establishments to close by 1:00pm,” a statement issued by the National Disaster Coordinator Carl Herbert reads.
Since the release of NEMA’s statement, the Federal Government has indicated its compliance and that its offices and departments would be closed from 1:00 p.m.
“This is being done in the interest of the safety of all Public Servants and the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis takes this opportunity to encourage all persons to take the necessary precautionary measures to ensure the safety of all during the passage of the storm.”
The St. Kitts Meteorological Office reports that a tropical storm warning remains in effect for the Federation with Tropical Storm Isaac expected to pass approximately 60 miles to the its south sometime during this evening.
With effects expected to be felt before then, the Met Office has advised that preparations for the approaching storm should be completed by noon today.
As at 8:00 this morning, Tropical Storm Isaac’s centre was located some 265 miles to the east-south-east of St. Kitts-Nevis, is travelling at 19 miles per hour and has maximum sustained winds or close to 45 miles per hour.
With Tropical Storm Isaac predicted to become a hurricane by tomorrow, the Federation is asked to closely monitor the weather system.
