At 5:00p.m. the center of Tropical Storm Tomas was located near latitude 11.1 N and longitude 57.5 W. Maximum sustained winds are near 40 mph with higher gusts. Tropical Storm winds extend outward up to 45 miles from the center.
Tropical Storm warnings have been issued for the following countries: Barbados, Grenada, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Trinidad and Tobago. Dominica is under Tropical Storm watch.
A tropical storm warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours but in this instance within 24 hours.
A tropical storm watch means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within 48 hours but in this instance within 24 hours.
Prognosis:
Tomas is moving towards the west-northwest near 17 mph. On this forecast track the center of Tropical Storm Tomas is expected to pass through the Central Windward Islands Saturday, October 30, 2010.
Tomas is expected to strengthen over the next 48 hours and is forecasted to become a hurricane by Sunday, October 31, 2010. The system is expected to produce a total of 3-5 inches of rainfall with isolated amounts of 8 inches across portions of the Windward and Southern Leeward islands. Localized coastal flooding within areas could be expected from storm surge. The surge can be accompanied by large and potentially dangerous waves.
National Actions:
The National Emergency Operation Centres have been activated for Barbados, Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
The National Disaster Management Agency (NaDMA) of Grenada has reported that they have begun prepositioning of relief supplies to Districts.
Saint Lucia has activated National District Committees, Cadet Corps and the National Auxiliary Corps. The National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) issued a public advisory by text message through LIME and Digicel services. NEMO has also reported that a pre-strike meeting is scheduled for 5:30p.m. to confirm arrangements and accelerate preparedness actions.
Regional Response:
The CDEMA Coordinating Unit has been in contact with threatened Participating States and will continue to monitor the situation.
The CDEMA Coordinating Unit stands ready to provide response support should this become necessary.
The Caribbean Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology continues to provide analysis on the storm’s development and probable effects on the region for CDEMA’s response scenario planning.
The Regional Response Mechanism is requested to be on alert as we monitor the development of the system.
Contact Details: The CDEMA CU 24hr contact number is 1 246 425 0386