MESSAGE: Tropical Storm Warnings remain in effect for Barbados, Dominica and Saint Lucia.

THE SITUATION:
At 5.00 p.m. today the center of Tropical Storm Chantal was located near latitude 11.8 north and longitude 53.9 west or about 390 miles (630 km) east south east of Barbados Maximum sustained winds are near 45 mph (75km) with higher gusts. Tropical Storm winds extend outward up to 60 m (95km) miles from the center.

Tropical Storm Warnings remain in effect for the following countries: Barbados, Dominica and, Saint Lucia.

A tropical storm warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours but in this instance within 36 to 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:
Chantal is moving towards the west- near 26 mph (43km/h) and a west north westward motion at about the same forward speed is expected over the next couple of days. On this forecast track the center of Tropical Storm Chantal is expected to reach the Lesser Antilles early Tuesday, July 9, 2013 and move into the Eastern Caribbean Sea later the same day. Some strengthening of Chantal is expected over the next 48 hours

The system is expected to produce a total of 2-4 inches of rainfall over the Leeward and Windward islands with possible amounts of 6 inches.

NATIONAL: ACTIONS:

Barbados: A press briefing was held earlier today at the Department of Emergency Management (DEM). Both the Barbados Meteorological Office and the DEM provided updates on the situation and actions being taken to prepare for the storm. DEM has advised that the NEOC will be activated at 9:30 p.m. tonight. Residents have been advised that Category 1 shelters will be open from 6.00 p.m. this evening and the last bus would leave the terminal at 9:00p.m.

Saint Lucia: A Pre-Strike Meeting was held at 10.00 a.m. today, July 8, 2013 and priority actions were determined. Various National and District Committees have also held briefings. The National Emergency Operations Centre has been partially activated. All schools were closed from 12 noon on 8th July and will remain closed all day on 9th July.

The Ministry of the Public Service has advised that the government service will be shut down on 9th July until 1:30pm after which regular service shall resume.

Dominica: Dominica held a pre-strike meeting at 2.30 p.m. and the various departments reported their status of readiness and priority actions.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines: The National Emergency Management Office of St. Vincent and the Grenadines has indicated that the National Emergency Operations Centre has been partially activated and that they are monitoring the situation.

REGIONAL RESPONSE:
The CDEMA Coordinating Unit has been in contact with threatened Participating States and has received updates on national preparatory actions.

CDEMA has also carried out communications checks to ensure that the systems are functional.

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 remain on alert as we continue to monitor the system.

CDEMA will continue to monitor the situation and issue updates accordingly.

CONTACT DETAILS: The CDEMA CU 24hr contact number is 1 246 425 0386. HF Radio contact 7.453.50 and 14.415.00