Home Blog Page 30

Hurricane Dorian in The Bahamas

CARICOM Chairman Message - Hurricane Dorian

Message from CARICOM Chairman Honourable Allen M. Chastanet on the Situation in The Bahamas regarding Hurricane Dorian.

Today, the hearts of the people of the Caribbean are heavy.  Once again one of our Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Member States has been devastated by a dangerous hurricane as our Region continues to experience the effects of climate change.

Initial reports from The Bahamas indicate that the country has taken a severe battering from Hurricane Dorian with five deaths reported thus far in what Prime Minister Hubert Minnis has described as “a historic tragedy”. 

As Chairman of CARICOM, I am saddened by the early reports coming out of The Bahamas which are reminiscent of the severe devastation experienced by a number of CARICOM states just two years ago when Hurricanes Irma and Maria hit us. On behalf of the Community, I extend deepest condolences to all who have lost loved ones to this devastating storm. 

The Caribbean Community expresses its full solidarity with the Government and People of The Bahamas at this time and stands ready to give whatever assistance is required to deal with the effects of this tragedy.

At the last CARICOM summit held in Saint Lucia in July 2019 under my chairmanship, Heads of Government considered options for financing Member States’ actions to build resilience to the effects of climate change, including the establishment of a Resilience Foundation. 

It is my fervent hope that this matter will be given new impetus in the coming months.

Immediately, the emphasis must be on assisting our brothers and sisters in The Bahamas in getting back on their feet in the quickest possible time. 

In advance of Hurricane Dorian, the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) took the lead to coordinate the Regional Response Mechanism and deployed two Rapid Needs Assessment teams to The Bahamas.  These teams will assist the Government to assess the situation and facilitate the provision of immediate relief in the aftermath of the hurricane. 

As soon as we have a needs list prepared we will share this information with the public and the wider Caribbean family. I urge all our citizens – here in the Region and throughout the Diaspora – to lend support to the recovery effort.  I also appeal to the international community, governments and institutions, to come forward and partner with us in helping The Bahamas through the difficult days and months ahead.

I call on all the people of the Caribbean to continue to keep The Bahamas and all countries affected by or currently in the path of Hurricane Dorian in our thoughts and prayers.

Banks remain closed

Banks Closed

Kindly take note that All Banks on the Island will remain closed today, August 27, 2019.

Please note that ATM services will be available, along with Mobile Banking and Online Banking services to access your account and facilitate transactions. Normal Banking hours will resume tomorrow, Wednesday August 28th, 2019. We thank you for your understanding at this time. Please heed all advisories from NEMO and stay safe.

This is a message from the Bankers Association of Saint. Lucia

ALL CLEAR statement from NEMO

Tropical Storm Dorian continues to move away from Saint Lucia and the threats from the hazards associated with this system has diminished considerably.

The Met Services has discontinued Tropical Storm Warnings from Saint Lucia from 8am today. As a result, the Saint Lucia Meteorological Services will issue no more advisories on Tropical Storm Dorian. However, small craft operators are advised to remain in port and residents of areas prone to flooding and landslides should continue to exercise caution. The Saint Lucia Meteorological Services will issue additional statements if need arises.

As a consequence the Prime Minister has approved that the ALL CLEAR for Saint Lucia effective 10am. In that regard employers are advised to determine time of reopening for their businesses. Additionally it is recommended that employees verify with their employers regarding reporting time for work. The public is further advised to contact business places regarding opening hours.
The Government of Saint Lucia’s public service will be opened from 12pm today.

LUCELEC CUSTOMER ADVISORY

LUCELEC

St. Lucia Electricity Services Limited (LUCELEC) advises its Customer Service Offices in Rodney Bay and Vieux-Fort will be closed at 2 p.m. today, Monday, August 26, 2019 until further notice. The closure is due to the Tropical Storm Warning in effect for Saint Lucia from Tropical Storm Dorian.

LUCELEC deeply regrets any inconvenience caused to its customers.

Hurricane Watch in effect for St. Lucia

Hurricane Watch in effect for St. Lucia

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for…

  • St. Lucia

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for…

  • Barbados
  • Martinique
  • St. Lucia
  • St. Vincent and the Grenadines

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for…

  • Dominica
  • Grenada and its dependencies
  • Saba and St. Eustatius
  • Puerto Rico

A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area, in this case, within the next 24 hours.

A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours.

A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours.

Interests in the Virgin Islands and Hispaniola should monitor the progress of Dorian as watches for these areas could be required tonight or Tuesday.

For storm information specific to your area in the United States, including possible inland watches and warnings, please monitor products issued by your local National Weather Service forecast office. For storm information specific to your area outside the United States, please monitor products issued by your national meteorological service.

DISCUSSION AND OUTLOOK

At 500 PM AST (2100 UTC), August 26th, 2019 the center of Tropical Storm Dorian was located by satellite and Martinique radar near latitude 12.7 North, longitude 58.8 West. Dorian is moving toward the west-northwest near 14 mph (22 km/h) and this motion is expected to continue through Tuesday night, followed by a turn toward the northwest on Wednesday. On the forecast track, the center of Dorian is expected to move near the Windward Islands this evening and tonight and move into the eastern Caribbean Sea on Tuesday. Dorian is forecast to pass near or south of Puerto Rico on Wednesday and approach eastern Hispaniola Wednesday night.

Maximum sustained winds are near 60 mph (95 km/h) with higher gusts. Some strengthening is forecast during the next few days, and Dorian could be near hurricane strength when it passes through the northern Windward Islands on Tuesday, and it is expected to be a hurricane when it moves near Puerto Rico and eastern Hispaniola.

Satellite-derived surface wind data indicate that Dorian remains a compact tropical cyclone. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 45 miles (75 km) from the center.

The estimated minimum central pressure is 1002 mb (29.59 inches).

HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND

Rainfall: Dorian is expected to produce total rain accumulations of 3 to 8 inches in the Windward Islands from Martinique south to St. Vincent, including Barbados. Isolated maximum totals of 10 inches are possible across the northern Windward Islands. Rainfall totals of 1 to 3 inches are expected from the Grenadines, south to Grenada and across Dominica. Rainfall totals of 2 to 4 inches with maximum totals of 6 inches are possible across Puerto Rico and St. Croix.

WIND: Hurricane conditions are possible tonight and early Tuesday within the Hurricane Watch area. Tropical storm conditions are likely in the warning area by late today. Tropical storm conditions are possible within the tropical storm watch area in the Lesser Antilles tonight or Tuesday and in Puerto Rico on Wednesday.

SURF: Swells generated by Dorian will begin affecting portions of the Lesser Antilles tonight and continue into Tuesday. These swells could cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. Please consult products from your local weather office.

Massy Stores Closure as TS Dorian Approaches

Massy Stores Closure for Tropical Storm Dorian

Saint Lucia

Due to the approach of Tropical Storm Dorian, all Massy Stores Supermarkets, Mega, Home and Gourmet will be closing at 5:30pm today, half an hour before the official shut down time of 6pm as stated by NEMO.

This is to allow the stores to process customers on a timely basis and to facilitatethe safety of our team members thereafter.

Kindly tune into The Wave, RCI and Helen 100 for further updates.

National Shutdown at 6 P.M.

Nemo - St. Lucia

Castries, Saint Lucia, August 26, 2019, (NEMO) – The Government of Saint Lucia has declared a mandatory national shutdown effective 6 p.m. today.

The decision was made at a pre-strike meeting of the National Emergency Management Advisory Committee (NEMAC), in preparation for Tropical Storm Dorian.

Tropical Storm Dorian has intensified with maximum sustained winds near 60 mph or 95 km/h, and higher gusts. The island is expecting as much as 10 inches of rain in some areas, and hurricane force winds. The eye of the storm is predicted to pass south of the island at 2 a.m. on Tuesday.   It is expected that the island will begin to feel the effects of the storm early this evening. Saint Lucia was placed under a hurricane watch as of 11 a.m. today.

By Wednesday, the storm system will move into the Caribbean Sea with areas or cloudiness and thunderstorms still affecting Saint Lucia.

Saint Lucia will remain under national shutdown until the ALL CLEAR has been given by NEMO, following assessments of first responders.

The public is reminded that the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) is the ONLY official source for all communication. The public is also asked to listen for official announcements for further information on the resumption of business following the storm.

Dorian to produce over 6 inches of rainfall

Tropical Storm Dorian #8

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for…

  • Barbados
  • St. Lucia
  • St. Vincent and the Grenadines

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for…

  • Dominica
  • Martinique
  • Grenada and its dependencies

A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours.

A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours.

Interests in Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Hispaniola should monitor the progress of Dorian as watches could be required as early as later today.

For storm information specific to your area, please monitor products issued by your national meteorological service.

At 500 AM AST (0900 UTC), the center of Tropical Storm Dorian was located near latitude 11.9 North, longitude 56.4 West. Dorian is moving toward the west near 14 mph (22 km/h). A turn toward the west-northwest is expected later today, with this motion continuing through Tuesday night. On the forecast track, the center of Dorian is expected to be near the Windward Islands late today and tonight and move into the eastern Caribbean Sea on Tuesday.

Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 60 mph (95 km/h) with higher gusts. Slow strengthening is forecast during the next few days, and Dorian could be near hurricane strength on Tuesday and and Wednesday while it is over the eastern Caribbean Sea.

Dorian is a small tropical cyclone. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 45 miles (75 km) from the center.

The estimated minimum central pressure is 1002 mb (29.59 inches).

RAINFALL: Dorian is expected to produce total rain accumulations of
2 to 4 inches in Barbados, the Windward Islands, and Dominica
through Tuesday. Isolated maximum amounts of 6 inches are possible
in Barbados and the Windward Islands.

WIND: Tropical storm conditions are likely in the warning area by
late today. Tropical storm conditions are possible within the
watch area by tonight or Tuesday.

SURF: Swells generated by Dorian will be affecting portions of the
Lesser Antilles by late today. These swells could cause life-
threatening surf and rip current conditions. Please consult
products from your local weather office.

Tropical Storm Watch for St. Lucia & SVG

Tropical Storm Dorian Advisory #5

At 1100 AM AST (1500 UTC), the center of Tropical Storm Dorian was located near latitude 11.2 North, longitude 52.9 West.

Dorian is moving toward the west near 14 mph (22 km/h), and this motion should continue through tonight. A turn toward the west-northwest is expected on Monday, with this motion continuing through Tuesday night. On the forecast track, the center of Dorian is expected to be near the Windward Islands late Monday or early Tuesday and move into the eastern Caribbean Sea on Tuesday.

Maximum sustained winds are near 40 mph (65 km/h) with higher gusts. Some strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours, and Dorian could be near hurricane strength by Tuesday over the eastern Caribbean Sea.

Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 25 miles (35 km) from the center.

The estimated minimum central pressure is 1008 mb (29.77 inches).

WATCHES AND WARNINGS

CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY:

The Government of Barbados has issued a Tropical Storm Warning for
Barbados and a Tropical Storm Watch for St. Vincent and the
Grenadines.

The Government of St. Lucia has issued a Tropical Storm Watch for
St. Lucia.

SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for…

  • Barbados

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for…

  • St. Lucia
  • St. Vincent and the Grenadines

A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours.

A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours.

Additional watches could be issued later today for portions of the Windward and Leeward Islands. Elsewhere, interests in Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Hispaniola should monitor the progress of Dorian.

Residents Urged To Monitor Tropical Storm

Tropical Storm Watch

Residents across Barbados have been urged to closely monitor the approach of Tropical Storm Dorian as a tropical storm watch has been issued for the island.

That means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours.

As the Barbados Meteorological Services (BMS) issued the first advisory on the system just after 5:00 a.m. today, Sunday, August 25, Director of the Department of Emergency Management (DEM), Kerry Hinds, reminded residents to listen to advisories issued through the Met Office, DEM and the Barbados Government Information Service.

As a result, Ms. Hind is urging the public to ensure that they have their emergency kits, batteries, water, canned goods, and other emergency supplies on hand. Persons should also have emergency plans and important documents close by.

Meanwhile, the public is also encouraged to visit the DEM’s website the DEM Facebook page or visit the Department’s Instagram page for hurricane preparedness tips.

They may also sign-up to receive alerts through the Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) by visiting the DEM website and signing up for email notifications. Alternatively, persons with iPhones may visit the Apple Store, while those with android devices may go to the Google Play Store to download the application.

The Director further stressed that persons should also ensure the safety of their elderly relatives and be aware of the emergency shelters closest to them. “Don’t wait until it is too late to take precautions. Please remember, it only takes one system to cause disruption,” Ms. Hinds stressed.

In the first tropical storm advisory on the system issued at 5:00 a.m. today, Meteorologist 1, Wayne McGeary, explained that Tropical Storm Dorian was centered near 11.0 degrees north, 51.6 degrees west, or about 555 miles or 890 kilometers east-southeast of Barbados.

The system has maximum sustained winds of near 40 miles per hour or 65 kilometers per hour, with tropical-storm-force winds extending outward up to 25 miles or 40 kilometers from the center. The minimum central pressure is 1008 milibars.

Mr. McGeary further explained that the system continues to move towards the west at 13 miles per hour, and on its present track, the center of Tropical Storm Dorian is expected to pass over or near Barbados late Monday, August 26, early Tuesday, August 27.

He added that sustained surface winds between 25 to 35 miles per hour with gusts to storm force are expected to spread across Barbados on Monday afternoon and persist into Tuesday. In addition, pockets of moderate to heavy showers, periods of rain and scattered thunderstorms are expected.

The Meteorologist further noted that rainfall accumulations of at least two to four inches are possible late Monday into Tuesday with isolated higher amounts. As a result, some flash-flooding is likely in low-lying areas. Residents are therefore urged to be on the alert and take all necessary precautions.

Mr. McGeary also cautioned that large easterly to south-easterly swells of 2.5 to 3.5 meters or between eight to 12 feet are also forecast to accompany the system. Low-lying coastlines around the island will be particularly vulnerable at times of high tide. Large waves and dangerous rip-tides can be expected.

He warned that these conditions will create unsafe conditions for small-craft operators and fishermen. Sea-bathers and other users of the sea are also advised to stay out of the water. A  High-Surf Advisory and Small-Craft Warning will be in effect from noon on Monday, August 26 until 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 27.

A small-craft warning means that wind-speeds of 25 to 33 knots or 47 to 62 kilometers per hour, and or seas equal to or greater than three meters or 10 feet, will be affecting the marine area.

A High-Surf Advisory is issued when breaking wave action poses a threat to life and property within the surf zone.

The next intermediate advisory will be at 8:00 a.m. and the next complete advisory at 11:00 a.m.

Further information on the system may be obtained by dialling 976 2376 or by visiting www.barbadosweather.org; www.agriculture.gov.bb; or www.facebook.com/BarbadosMeteorologicalService/. For a full list of shelters, persons may also visit www.dem.gov.bb or click here to download the hurricane shelter list

julia.rawlins-bentham@barbados.gov.bb

1...293031...269Page 30 of 269
Audio Theme