MESSAGE: Tropical Storm Harvey formed east of the central Lesser Antilles. Tropical Storm Warnings are issued for Saint Lucia, Barbados, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Dominica.
THE SITUATION:
As at 5:00pm (EDT), three (3) low pressure systems surge over the Tropical Atlantic Ocean.
Tropical Storm Harvey; located 295 miles east of Barbados has maximum sustained winds of 40 mph with a minimum central pressure of 1004 mb. Environmental conditions appear generally conducive for further development while it moves westward across the tropical Atlantic Ocean into the Caribbean Sea on Friday, August 18, 2017. Heavy rainfall and gusty winds are expected to spread across portions of the Lesser Antilles tonight into Friday, and interests in the eastern Caribbean should monitor the progress of this system.
Invest 92L located 1200 miles east of the Leeward Islands continues to show signs of organization. Gradual development of this system is possible during the next day or so as it moves westward at near 20 mph.
Upper-level winds are expected to become less conducive for tropical cyclone formation when the disturbance moves north of the Leeward Islands this weekend. Formation chance through 48 hours is medium (60%).
Invest 93L is located over the far eastern Atlantic Ocean near the Cabo Verde Islands and is producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms. Gradual development of this system is possible during the next several days as it moves westward to west-northwestward at about 15 mph. Formation chance through the next 48 hours is low (near 0%) and formation chance through the next 5 days is also low (30%).
Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology (CIMH) Weather Briefing
The Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology (CIMH) in its Thursday August 17, 2017 briefing has advised that Tropical Storm Harvey is expected to affect the Central Lesser Antilles (Barbados north to Martinique) within the next 12 to 24 hours.
- Other models consulted by the CIMH including the CIMH high-resolution models are in general agreement with the NHC assessment on expected rainfall accumulations of 6 – 8, with higher totals at elevated locations.
- The likelihood of swollen rivers, localized flooding and landslides in vulnerable areas has increased due to saturated soil conditions as a result of previous rains.
- Winds are likely to approach tropical storm force with stronger gusts in areas of thunderstorms,
- Wave models including the CIMH model are consistent with the NHC forecast suggesting heights of 3.5 to 4 metres mainly in the area around Barbados and north to Martinique. Near shore and marine operators should therefore exercise caution.
The effects of TS Harvey will begin to be felt in Barbados this evening into Friday morning. The system is expected to slow considerably over the islands. This could produce large rainfall accumulation over the islands of Barbados, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and St. Lucia north to Martinique. It is expected to further develop as it moves in the Caribbean Sea.
Disclaimer: The CIMH provides special weather interpretation of the current and forecasted tropical weather affecting the Caribbean region and is NOT an official forecasting agency.
National Actions
The national systems of the threatened CDEMA Participating States are on alert and monitoring.
St Vincent and the Grenadines
The following update was provided by the National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO) in St. Vincent and the Grenadines:
- NEMO activated their national plan and conducted an internal briefing Wednesday August 17, 2017.
- A meeting of the National Emergency Management Advisory Council (NEMAC) was scheduled for 6:00 pm (EDT) August 17, 2017.
- Press releases were issued to the public in conjuction with the national MET office; communities in the mountainous areas were asked to exercise caution.
- NEMO has activated their internal monitoring mechanisms and will continue to monitor and coordinate the subcommittees.
Saint Lucia
The following update was provided by the National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO) in Saint Lucia:
- As of 11:00 (EDT) the government of Saint Lucia issued a Tropical Storm Warning,
- The Prime Minister and Cabinet Secretary have been briefed.
- The public was informed through press releases and via the digital National Early Warning System.
- District disaster committees have been briefed.
- Radio communications were tested between NEMO, the district communities and the Sub-Regional Focal Point – Barbados
- A pre-strike meeting of the National Emergency Management Advisory Committee (NEMAC) was scheduled for 5:00 pm August 17, 2017.
Dominica
The following update was provided by the Office of Disaster Management (ODM) Dominica:
- The National Meteorological Service issued a Tropical Storm Watch for the island as of 11:00 am.
- National stakeholders have been alerted.
- The public was informed through press releases.
- There National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) will be partially activated this evening.
Barbados
The following update was provided by the Department of Emergency Management (DEM) Barbados:
- A prestrike meeting of national stakeholders was held at 12:00 noon (EDT).
- The National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) will be activated at 6:30pm (EDT)
- The Government of Barbados authorized the shutdown of non-emergency Public Service Organizations at 2:30 pm Thursday August 17, 2017.
- The Barbados Chamber of Commerce authorized the closure of business entities in a staggered manner; from 2:30pm (EDT) non essential private sector business were closed; at 3:30pm (EDT) retail and commercial outlets were closed, and at 4:30pm (EDT) essential services such as gas stations were closed.
- The Barbados Transport Board (BTB) advised that the last buses would leave Fairchild Street Station at 5:00pm (EDT)
Grenada
The following update was provided by the National Disaster Management Agency (NaDMA), Grenada:
- As of 5:00 pm (EDT) Grenada was not under any Tropical Storm Watch or Warning.
- As a precautionary measure, the National Emergency Advisory Committee (NEAC) will meet at 5:00 pm (EDT) and guided by the weather update from the Meteorological Service and advice from the National Disaster Management Agency (NaDMA), they will decide on national actions.
Regional Actions:
The CDEMA Coordinating Unit is in contact with the National Disaster Coordinators (NDCs) of the threatened Participating States. The status of regional actions is as follows:
- The Regional Coordination Plan (RCP) has been activated,
- The Regional Response Mechanism (RRM) has been placed on standby,
- The Regional Security System (RSS) has placed the CARICOM Disaster Relief Unit (CDRU) on standby,
- CDEMA has placed the CARICOM Disaster Assessment and Coordination (CDAC) team and CARICOM Operational Support Team (COST) on standby,
- CDEMA CU convened a WebEx briefing for the regional partners (The Eastern Caribbean Development Partner Group on Disaster Management (ECDPG/DM) and the threatened CDEMA Participating States) at 3:30 pm (EDT). At the briefing the Caribbean Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology (CIMH) provided an interpretation of the current and forecasted weather conditions affecting the region. Updates were received from each of the threatened CDEMA PSs.
- CDEMA is equipped to offer support through the mobilization and deployment of surge capacity in specialized technical areas to its Participating States and stands ready to respond as required.
- The CDEMA CU will continue to monitor the weather systems and provide updates to the RRM Partners.
CONTACT DETAILS: The CDEMA CU 24-hour contact number 1(246) 434-4880
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