BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – A tropical storm in the Atlantic Ocean is said to be just over 700 miles east of St. Kitts and Nevis, and residents, especially those residing along the Cayon and Dieppe Bay areas, are asked to take all necessary precautionary measures in event of an impact.
According to a communiqué from the National Emergency Management Agency, the tropical storm, nicknamed Katia, is currently being monitored by the agency in collaboration with the St. Kitts-Nevis Meteorological Services.
The communiqué states that yesterday afternoon (Sept. 1), Katia had weakened to a tropical storm in the Atlantic Ocean but could regain hurricane strength in time to affect the Lesser Antilles tonight.
“At 5:00 a.m. today, the centre of Tropical Storm Katia was located just over 700 miles east of St. Kitts-Nevis, with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph,” the communiqué reads.
The St. Kitts Meteorological Office stated that rough seas are expected, primarily along the Atlantic side of the island, “with likely impact along Cayon into Dieppe Bay areas, beginning tonight.
“Conditions may begin to deteriorate as early as this evening, and persons residing in that region of the island are asked to monitor the local media for further updates and to take necessary precautions to secure lives and properties. Rain is also in the forecast for that period”.
National Disaster Coordinator Carl Herbert has however noted that although a direct impact on the Federation is not predicted, “persons are advised to be diligent as predicting weather patterns is not an exact science and systems can change suddenly while en route”.
The communiqué further states that computer models suggest that Katia would pass to the north of the federation, prompting alerts for boat operators and other persons with interests along the coastline to pay close attention to sea conditions and advisories from the St. Kitts-Nevis Meteorological Services.
