Local Weather…
Cloudy & Windy with showers (possible thunderstorms), high seas, and FLOODING. Sea-caution (rough seas) & Road-caution (street-flooding) is strongly advised — meaning stay INDOORS as much as possible & definitely DON’T GO SWIMMING until after TS Erika is out of the area.
The Bottom-line of Tropical Storm Erika…
As of 2pm, the center of Tropical Storm Erika is…
* Located: 16.5 N 63.8 W (+/- 100 miles SSW of St. Maarten)
* Max. winds: 45mph
* Moving: W at 16mph
Due to its weak-intensity, the center (or eye) of Tropical Storm Erika is “not connected” to all of the showers associated with it — the showers are “behind” the so-called “center” of it. Hence, Erika is still expected to continue bringing rain (possible thunderstorms), strong winds, high seas, and FLOODING to the North-eastern Caribbean — throughout the day today.
Tropical Storm Warning issued for: St. Maarten/St. Martin, Saba, St. Eustatius, St. Barths, Anguilla, Montserrat, St. Kitts, Nevis, Puerto Rico, Vieques, Culebra, U.S. Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands.
A Tropical Storm Warning means tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, in this case, within 24 to 36 hours.
Tropical Storm Watch issued for: Guadeloupe, the Dominican Republic (from the northern border with Haiti eastward & southward to Isla Saona), southeastern Bahamas, Turks & Caicos Islands.
A Tropical Storm Watch means tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, in this case, within 48 hours.
(Click images to zoom in)
We will continue to closely monitor its progress.
Here are some useful links:
* Before a Hurricane
* During a Hurricane
* After a Hurricane
* Emergency Supplies Kit
According to a Press Statement from the Prime Minister of St. Maarten:
“ALL SCHOOLS and BUSINESSES (including restaurants, casinos, and non-emergency government services) are to stay CLOSED on THURSDAY (27-Aug) — as a precautionary measure. This is to safeguard life and property due to the passing of Tropical Storm Erika.
All businesses are to stay closed, until the all clear has been given by the Prime Minister — after he makes his address at 12:00pm Thursday.”
Airport CLOSED for the day…
According to a Press Release from PJIA:
“SXM Airport will be CLOSED today THURSDAY (27-Aug), after following standard international safety measures related to the passage of a storm. Normal airport operations will resume tomorrow, as weather conditions permit. Travelers should contact the respective airlines for flight information.”
Stay tuned to our Facebook fan page for continual Hurricane Information.
Note:
- SSS-Islands: St. Maarten = 18.0°N, 63.1°W | Saba = 17.6°N, 63.2°W | St. Eustatius = 17.5°N, 63.0°W
- Neighboring Islands: Anguilla = 18.2°N, 63.1°W | St. Barths = 17.9°N, 62.8°W | Antigua = 17.1°N, 61.9°W | Barbuda = 17.6°N, 61.8°W | Montserrat = 16.8°N, 62.2°W | St. Kitts = 17.2°N, 62.6°W | St. Croix = 17.7°N, 64.7°W | St. Thomas = 18.3°N, 64.9°W | Tortola = 18.4°N, 64.6°W
- Remaining names for this year’
s Atlantic Hurricane Season are: Erika, Fred, Grace, Henri, Ida, Joaquin, Kate, Larry, Mindy, Nicholas, Odette, Peter, Rose, Sam, Teresa, Victor, Wanda. - Future Tropical updates will be sent out periodically (as needed).
