MESSAGE:
Tropical Storm warnings are in effect for Dominica, St.Kitts/Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda, Montserrat and Anguilla and the Virgin Islands as of 8.00pm Wednesday, August 22, 2012. A Hurricane Watch is also in effect for the Virgin Islands.
THE SITUATION:
At 8.00a.m the center of Tropical Storm Isaac was located near latitude 15.7 North and longitude 58.4 West. Maximum sustained winds are near 45 mph (75 km/h) with higher gusts. Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 45 miles(75 km)from the center. The system is moving toward the west near 19 mph(31 km/h) and this general motion is expected to continue for the for the next couple of days.
Tropical Storm warnings are in effect for Dominica, St.Kitts/Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda, Montserrat and Anguilla and the Virgin Islands. A Hurricane Watch is also in effect for the Virgin Islands as the system is forecasted to strengthen and become a hurricane by Thursday. A tropical storm warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours. A hurricane watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area within the 48 hours.
PROGNOSIS:
According to the National Hurricane Center in Miami, on the forecast track, Tropical Storm conditions should reach the Leeward Islands by this afternoon or evening and the Virgin Islands by Thursday. Haiti and Jamaica are urged to monitor the storm. Total rainfall accumulations of four (4) to eight (8) inches are possible over the Northern Windward Islands and the Leeward Islands and with possible one (1) to three (3) inches with maximum amounts of six (6) inches over the Virgin Islands. Flash floods and Landslides are possible. Storm surge will raise water levels by as much as one (1) to three (3) feet above normal tide levels in the Northern Leeward Islands near the coast. The surge will be accompanied by dangerous waves. Dangerous surf and rip current conditions will affect the Windward and Leeward Islands during the next couple of days.
NATIONAL ACTIONS:
ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA
• The National Office of Disaster Services (NODS) held a meeting yesterday (Tuesday, August 20) with its partners to address operational issues and agreed on possible actions to be taken.
• The district disaster coordinators were advised to open a Shelter in each of the areas with a history of flooding.
• Contact and emergency communication checks have been made with the Eastern Sub-Region members by HF radio and telephone. (Antigua and Barbuda is the focal point for the Eastern Sub-Region states of Anguilla, Montserrat, St. Kitts/Nevis and the Virgin Islands).
• All key stake holders are on standby.
• The general public has been advised on possible course of action and urged to make the necessary preparations
ST KITTS /NEVIS
• The disaster management offices on St. Kitts-Nevis met with key stakeholders yesterday and mechanisms have been placed on standby.
• Relevant entities have been requested to clean drains that have the potential for flooding and blockage.
VIRGIN ISLANDS
• The Department of Disaster Management briefed the Governor and the Premier of the Virgin Islands on Tuesday on the preparations taking place on the ground and the status of the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC). Officials in London participated during the briefing of the Governor via conference call.
• All necessary checks to the NEOC have been done in accordance with the internal disaster management plan
• The general public has been advised and encouraged to activate their disaster management plan.
• Updated shelter list has been distributed and shelter managers have been placed on standby
All threatened states have commenced preparatory actions and monitoring of Tropical Storm Isaac.
REGIONAL RESPONSE ACTIONS:
The CDEMA CU has made contact with the National Disaster Offices that are in the projected track of Tropical Storm Isaac and will contiue to monitor and provide updates as necessary.
CONTACT DETAILS: The CDEMA CU 24-hour contact number 1(246) 425 0386