The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) is urging residents of the Leeward Islands to get ready for Tropical Storm Erika’s passing, as the system is within hours of passing over or close by.
At 2 p.m. Erika was 245 miles east southeast of Antigua and continuing on a track that will take it near or over portions of the Leeward Islands tonight, near the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico tomorrow, and near or just north of the north coast of the Dominican Republic on Friday.
The northern Leeward Islands may feel tropical storm-force winds by late tonight, the National Hurricane Centre (NHC) in Miami said.
“CDEMA urges countries in the Northern Leeward Islands to continue monitoring and to enhance their readiness status,” the Barbados-based CDEMA said in a statement today.
Tropical Storm Erika’s maximum sustained winds are still near 45 miles per hour and little change in strength is forecast during the next 48 hours. A hurricane hunter aircraft was going to investigate the storm this afternoon.
A tropical storm watch is in effect for Guadeloupe, but St. Martin and St. Barthelemy have now joined Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, the US and British Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Vieques, Culebra, St. Maarten, Saba and St. Eustatius on the list of countries under tropical storm warnings.
“Tropical storm conditions are expected to first reach the warning area in the Leeward Islands tonight, and reach the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico tomorrow. Tropical storm conditions are possible in the watch area tonight and early Thursday. Tropical storm conditions could reach portions of the Dominican Republic on Friday,” the NHC said.
Tropical Storm Erika is moving towards the west near 17 miles per hour, and a west to west-northwestward motion is expected over the next 48 hours.
It is expected to produce total rainfall of 3 to 5 inches, with maximum amounts of 8 inches across portions of the Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico through Friday morning.
Tropical Storm Erika’s future track and intensity beyond Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands remains uncertain, and may involve a track near the Bahamas this weekend and possibly parts of the Florida peninsula early next week.
You must be logged in to post a comment.