BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE St. Kitts Meteorological Services (SKMS) and its counterpart in Antigua & Barbuda are closely monitoring a disturbance in the Atlantic Ocean.
According to a statement issued today (Aug. 29), the SKMS and the Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Services are monitoring a tropical wave and associated area of low pressure just off the coast of Africa.
The statement pointed out that as of 2:00 a.m. today the National Hurricane Center “is suggesting that it has an 80% chance of developing into a cyclone through the next 5 days, as it moves across the Atlantic Ocean in a westerly direction at 15-20 mph”.
The Met Office is reminding residents that the season calls for an above average level of activity, stressing that the region is now in the peak months of the hurricane season.
“As such, residents are encouraged to ensure that their hurricane preparedness is completed and to continue listening for updates from the local Met Services and Disaster offices through the various media houses,” the statement said.
St. Kitts and Nevis has been hit with torrential rainfall from several tropical waves that had pass over the islands.
Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Harvey continues to cause major damage in the southern state of Texas in America.
Since being downgraded, the storm is expected to make a second landfall later this week and brings with it more torrential rainfall.
Already, the state which has a large Caribbean presence, including Dominicans and Kittitian and Nevisians, has received in excess of 30 inches of rainfall.
According to PIX 11 News, 15 storm-related deaths have been confirmed.
Imagines from the states show homes flooded to the roof, while highways and bypass roads are also underwater.
With nowhere to release the water, SKNVibes has learnt that the authorities are undertaken controlled flooding in areas that have not been hit, as dams are expected to crest feet above normal.
Tropical Storm Harvey developed several weeks ago passing through the Windward Islands before heading north to the United States.
While in the southern Caribbean, Harvey dumped heavy rainfall on Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados and a number of other islands in its path and had caused a series of flight disruptions.
