BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE St. Kitts Meteorological Office is counting as “untrue” information that has been circulating via Blackberry Messenger (BBM) about the inclement weather.
Throughout the course of this afternoon (July 30), a broadcast (BC) message has been disseminated by Blackberry users indicating that a “tropical storm” is affecting the area and a “flash flood watch” is in effect.
The BC states, “A tropical storm is moving over the local islands of St. Maarten, Saba, Statia, St. Barths, St. Kitts and Anguilla. Please remain off the roads as flooding can occur. There has been heavy rain so far and the islands can expect more.
“The islands are under a Flash flood watch so we advise that you stay off the beaches as swells increases in the seas. Please forward this message so that your friends and family can be aware. Have a safe day!”
Delver Martin – a Met Officer stationed at the St. Kitts Meteorological Office – advised this publication that these messages contain falsities.
“The Met Office understands that there is a Blackberry broadcast being circulated stating that there is a tropical storm affecting the area. That information is incorrect! It is only a tropical wave that is affecting the islands.”
He further explained that “The information which is being circulated about there being a flashflood watch, that is also false. There is neither a flashflood warning nor a flashflood watch in effect”.
Martin advised that persons should rely only on official and credible information including that which emanates from the St. Kitts Meteorological Office and media houses – which get their information therefrom.
He informed that the St. Kitts Met Office would provide the relevant and necessary updates for public consumption should there be any tropical cyclone development.
