Message: Tropical Storm Warning remains in effect for Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Montserrat and St Kitts/Nevis. Danny is expected to pass near or over portions of the warning area by late tonight or early Monday.

THE SITUATION:

At 2.00 p.m, Sunday, August 23, 2015 the center of Tropical Storm Danny, was located near latitude 18.8 North and longitude 58.1 West or about 260 miles East Southeast of Antigua and 215 miles East of Gaudeloupe.

Maximum sustained winds are near 50 mph with higher gusts. Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 60 miles from the center. The system is forecast to weaken further over the next 48 hours.

Danny is moving toward the west at 15 mph and a west-northwestward movement is expected over the next 48 hours. On the forecast track, the center of Danny will move near or over portions of the Leeward Islands tonight or early Monday.

PROGNOSIS:

A Tropical Storm Warning remains in effect for Antigua and Barbuda, Montserrat, St. Kitts, Nevis, and Anguilla.

A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected and in this case within the next 12 to 24 hours.

Tropical force winds are expected over portions of the warning area by late tonight. Tropical Storm conditions are also possible over other areas of the Leeward Islands, from Gaudeloupe and northwards.

Danny is expected to produce two (2) to four (4) inches of rain over the Leeward Islands and the British Virgin Islands through to Tuesday.

Further weakening of the system is forecast which will result in Danny becoming a Tropical Depression by late Monday (August 24 or early Tuesday (August 24).

NATIONAL ACTIONS:

The CDEMA Coordinating Unit continues to be in close contact with the National Disaster Offices (NDOs) of the threatened States. The National Disaster Offices of Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Montserrat, St. Kitts/Nevis have reported that all readiness measures according to national hurricane plans have been taken. The general public has been advised through print, television, radio and social media to ensure that they have taken the necessary precautions to safeguard their families and properties. Governments have also been encouraging the private sector to put their disaster plans into effect to minimize any fallout from the storm.

Anguilla
Anguilla has reported that the National Emergency Operations Centre has been activated and one shelter will be opened in the event that anyone needs to evacuate. All emergency resources have been placed on standby.

Antigua and Barbuda
The National Emergency Operations Centre will be partially activated.Some Shelters will be opened at 6:00 pm this evening (Sunday, August 23) in anticipation of evacuation from flash flooding in low lying areas. The National Office of Disaster Services (NODS) has also partnered with the telephone providers for sending out of Text Messages with Public Information to their customers.

British Virgin Islands
The Acting Governor of the British Virgin Islands (BVI), Mrs. Inez Archibald, CBE, authorised the activation of the National Emergency Operations Centre at Level 2. This will remain in effect until the all clear is given following the passage of Danny.

Montserrat
The National Emergency Operations Centre will be partially activated from today. The Shelter Plan has also been activated. The Airport will be closed this evening (Sunday, August 23,) and will reopen on Tuesday or before depending on the state of impact from the passage of Danny.

St Kitts/Nevis
The National Disaster Coordinator has reported that the Government has indicated that the Public Sector will be shutdown on Monday (August24). The Private Sector is encouraged to do the same.

REGIONAL ACTIONS:
The Regional Response Mechanism remains on alert. The CDEMA CU Contingency Plan is activated. The CARICOM Operational Support Team (COST), CARICOM Disaster and Assessment Coordination Team (CDAC), the CARICOM Disaster Response Unit (CDRU) through the Regional Security System (RSS), and also partners and donors in the Eastern Caribbean and Disaster Management Partners Donor Group (ECDMPDG) are all on standby.

The CDEMA CU has issued an Operational Plan for the Regional Response Mechanism. An emergency meeting of the Eastern Caribbean Donors Group is scheduled for Monday.

The Regional Security System (RSS) is on standby and collaborating with security personnel, police forces and fire services across the region.

Countries in the Southern and Central sub regions stand ready to support those in the North Western and North Eastern sub regions of the CDEMA System that are in the direct path of Danny.

CDEMA will continue to monitor the system and provide updates as necessary.

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

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