BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, Mar.06.2018 – SEVERAL islands in the Caribbean were over the weekend battered by high winds and seas, including sister island Nevis.
Videos circulating via social media out of Nevis, showed sections of Charlestown underwater, as high tides breached the sea defenses at the pier.
Contacted for a comment, Public Infrastructure Minister in the NIA, Spencer Brand could not speak to the incident, pointing out that he did not have any information and does not want to provide incorrect details.
He told SKNVibes that he was expecting a full report on the extent of the damage from the overtopping, stating that he will return a call when that was in his possession.
However, the Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Services on Saturday issued a statement urging persons to be mindful of high surfs.
They pointed out that Antigua and Barbuda, Anguilla and the Leeward Islands were under the watch from March 4, 2018 until Friday, 9 March 2018.
Officials stated that northerly swells will cause hazardous breaking waves (high surfs), life-threatening rip currents and potential flooding of some low-lying coastal areas.
High surf (sea-bather) warning is in effect, especially for exposed and shallow coastal areas.
“High surfs (breaking swells): Seas of 2.5 to 4.5 metres or 8 to 15 feet and occasionally higher, with breaking waves up to 5.5 metres or 18 feet, mainly on northern shorelines of the British Virgin Islands, Anguilla and Barbuda.”
In the South, high tides hammered several sections of Guyana, leaving in its wake widespread flooding.
SKNVibes has learned that overtopping occurred on the West Bank of Demerara, where a number of families were forced to find refuge at makeshift shelters.
Government Ministers visited those displaced by the flooding taking with them food and other supplies.
Fire service and police officers assisted with clean up and distribution of food supplies.
In the North, the Bahamas was also pounded by high waves forcing several roads to be closed.
Residents on the island confirmed that they are still under small craft and other advisories, as extremely dangerous ocean swells are expected to continue.
Residents in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Barbados and Grenada are also under similar advisories.
