BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – RESIDENTS across the twin-island Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis are being asked to keep their ears to the ground and prepare themselves as a tropical cyclone eyes the Caribbean.
The system – identified as Tropical Depression Seven – was at 11:00 today (Aug. 10), located approximately 750 miles to the east of the Windward Islands, and is making its way westward at about 23 miles per hour.
With this general pattern expected to continue, the system will be heading towards the Windward Islands and it is possible that the Leeward Islands would experience some deterioration of weather as it passes.
The NOAA National Hurricane Center’s 11:00 a.m. advisory for today informed that “At the moment it is not certain of the full effect that the depression will have on the Leeward and British Virgin Islands.
However, based on the forward speed and path, the latest models are placing the system at a position where the first signs of showers and fresh breeze could reach the Windward Islands on Saturday night. The Leeward Islands could experience moderate to strong winds...with localised higher gust on Sunday. The BVI could experience deteriorating weather some time on Monday as the system enters the east Caribbean Sea.”
It indicates that strengthening of the system prior to it reaching the Lesser Antilleson late Saturday or early Sunday is possible.
The Federation’s National Disaster Coordinator – Carl Herbert – has therefore advised and reminded that persons “refrain from parking vehicles or congregating within or close to ghauts and known waterways, as flood waters can move swiftly becoming fatal at times with little or no warning.
The official advisory suggests that rainfall may exceed one inch as this system traverses St. Kitts-Nevis. Therefore, persons are cautioned to do whatever is necessary to protect family and property, particularly in areas that are prone to flooding.
Herbert further advised mariners to secure their vessels while he is cautioning sea bathers against venturing into the sea once deterioration of the weather begins.
He said it is important for persons to keep themselves informed about the system and encouraged the use of the local media for that purpose.
