CDEMA Information Note #1 - Tropical Storm Bret - as of 8:00 PM on June 18th, 2017

 

On Sunday 18th June 2017, The Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology provided an updated brief on a tropical wave about 800 miles east-southeast of the southern Windward Islands. This system is forecast to move to the west-northwest at near 20 mph towards the Windward Islands and northeastern South America during the next two days. Heavy rains and gusty winds associated with this system are likely to spread over portions of the Windward Islands Monday night and Tuesday.

* Formation chance through 48 hours...medium...60 percent.
* Formation chance through 5 days...medium...60 percent.

The CIMH weather briefing also advised of surface observations and satellite data indicating that a broad low pressure area is centered near the east coast of the Yucatan Peninsula. This system is producing a large area of showers and thunderstorms along with winds to gale force several hundred miles to the east and northeast of the center. However, the low lacks a well-defined center of circulation. Gradual development is expected while the low moves slowly north-northwestward across the Yucatan Peninsula through tonight, and then over the southern or central Gulf of Mexico on Monday and Tuesday, where a tropical or subtropical cyclone is likely to form. Regardless of development, heavy rains are expected over portions of Central America, the Yucatan Peninsula, Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, and western Cuba during the next several days.

* Formation chance through 48 hours...high...70 percent.
* Formation chance through 5 days...high...90 percent.

Tropical Storm Warnings

The Barbados Meteorological Services (BMS) has issued a Tropical Storm Warning for Barbados as of 6:00pm today, June 18, 2017. According to the BMS, the strong Tropical Wave east-southeast of Barbados has been upgraded to Tropical Cyclone #2.

The Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service (TTMS) has also placed Trinidad and Tobago under a Tropical Storm Warning as of 6:00pm today, Sunday June 18, 2017. Simultaneously, the TTMS on the advice of the Government of Grenada has also placed Grenada and its Dependencies under a Tropical Storm Warning.

A Tropical Storm Warning means that Barbados, Grenada and its Dependencies and Trinidad and Tobago can expect Tropical Storm conditions within 36 hours. Deteriorating conditions with pockets of moderate to heavy showers, thunderstorms and gusty winds are expected to spread across the threatened States.

NOTE: The Barbados Meteorological Service has advised that the National Hurricane Center now has the option to issue advisories on disturbances that are not yet tropical cyclones, but which pose the threat of bringing tropical storm or hurricane conditions to land areas within 48 hours.

Severe Weather Warning
The Hydrometeorological Service, Ministry of Agriculture Guyana has issued a Severe Weather Warning for Regions 7 and 8 and South Regions 6 and 9. According to the Hydrometeorogical Service, water accumulation or flooding is likely in low lying areas and those with poor drainage. Hilly areas are also likely to experience possible landslides.

Flash Flood Watch
The Metereological Service of Jamaica has discontinued the Flash Flood Warning for All Parishes and has now issued a Flash Flood Watch for the following parishes until 5:00am tomorrow June 19, 2017:

  • Clarendon
  • Manchester
  • St. Elizabeth
  • Westmoreland

The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) reports:

  • Conditions for today (Sunday 18, June 2017) has remained fair for most parishes with light to moderate showers in sections of some parishes. The Parish Welfare Teams will begin assessments and welfare assistance tomorrow June 19, 2017.
  • All response entities and Municipal Corporation especially for the four (4) parishes mentioned above are encouraged to monitor and be alert to release from the met Service and ODPEM as they continue to monitor throughout the next 12hours.

NATIONAL ACTIONS:

The national systems in the threatened States are on alert and monitoring.

REGIONAL ACTIONS

The CDEMA Coordinating Unit is in contact with the National Disaster Coordinators (NDCs) in Barbados, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago. The Regional Coordination Plan has been activated and and the Regional Response Mechanism has been placed on standby. The CARICOM Disaster and Assessment Coordination (CDAC) Team as well as the CARICOM Operational Support Team (COST) have been placed on alert. CDEMA will continue to monitor the system and provide updates as is necessary.

CONTACT DETAILS: The CDEMA CU 24-hour contact number 1(246) 434-4880

The public is advised to…

  • Monitor radio or television and other official sources of information for progress reports
  • Update your personal family preparedness plan and action items according to that plan
  • The website www.weready.org provides additional information

Please click here for Tropical Storm & Hurricane Safety tips.

Follow Us

Search