November 1st 2010, PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad - The Tropical Storm Warning for Trinidad has been lifted but is still in effect for Tobago, Grenada and dependencies.
The TT Meteorological Service has advised that Tobago and Grenada can still expect tropical storm conditions within the next 36 hours.
Earlier today, Tropical Storm Tomas was upgraded to a Hurricane and is moving in a west north-westerly direction at 19 km/hr. With the centre of Hurricane Tomas moving away from Trinidad, there is still the probability that Hurricane Tomas can produce rainfall in excess of 25mm in Tobago and 50 mm in Grenada. In light of the foregoing, the ODPM underscores that residents of Tobago must still be vigilant and cautious at this time.
The Tobago Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) remains on alert in Tobago and all first responder agencies on both islands (TT Fire Service, TT Police Service, TT Defence Force, Municipal Corporations, and CEPEP) remain on alert so that immediate assistance may be rendered to areas that experience heavy downpour and inundation. The Trinidad and Tobago Red Cross Society and other regional agencies are also still on standby to render additional assistance if required.
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Tropical Storm Thomas - October 30th 2010
Updated 1:11pm NADMA Update:
Tomas now a Category 1 hurricane. 90 miles N.E. of Grenada. Storm warning still in effect. Storm conditions expected after midday.
Updated 08:11am
Tropical storm warning is still in effect for Grenada and its dependencies. Only essential workers are allowed to go out to work this morning. Until the all clear is given no one should venture out to work. NAWASA will open its taps sometime this morning.
Updated 8:11am
Tomas causes damage on Barbados...now heading toward the
Northern windward Islands at near-hurricane strength...
Summary of 800 am ast:
Location...13.1n 60.1w
about 70 mi...115 km SE of St. Lucia
about 70 mi...115 km E of St. Vincent
maximum sustained winds...70 mph...110 km/hr
present movement...WNW or 300 degrees at 15 mph...24 km/hr
minimum central pressure...993 mb...29.32 inches
Summary of watches and warnings in effect...
A hurricane warning is in effect for...
* Barbados
* St. Vincent and the Grenadines
* St. Lucia
* Martinique
A tropical storm warning is in effect for...
* Trinidad and Tobago
* Grenada
* Dominica
A hurricane warning means that hurricane conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area...in this case within 12 hours. Preparations to protect life and property should be complete.
A tropical storm warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area...in this case within the next 12 hours.
For storm information specific to your area outside the united states...please monitor products issued by your national meteorological service.
At 800 am ast...1200 utc...the center of tropical storm Tomas was located near latitude 13.1 north...longitude 60.1 west. Tomas is moving toward the west-northwest near 15 mph...24 km/hr...and this motion is expected to continue with a gradual decrease in forward speed tonight andS. on the forecast track...the center of Tomas will pass through the northern windward islands this afternoon and enter the eastern caribbean sea by tonight.
Maximum sustained winds have are near 70 mph...110 km/hr... with higher gusts. Strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours...and Tomas is expected to become a hurricane later today.
Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 140 miles...220 km from the center. During the past hour...a wind gust to 63 mph...100 km/hr...was reported on Barbados. Information from the Barbados meteorological service indicates that damage to homes and downed power lines have been reported on the island.
The minimum central pressure recently estimated by an air force reserve reconnaissance aircraft was 993 mb...29.32 inches.
Hazards Affecting Land:
WIND...tropical storm conditions are occurring on Barbados...and will spread across the remainder of the warning area this morning. Hurricane conditions are expected within the hurricane warning area later this morning.
Rainfall...Tomas is expected to produce total rain accumulations of 3 to 5 inches...with possible isolated maximum amounts of 8 inches...across portions of the windward and southern leeward islands.
Storm Surge...a dangerous storm surge will raise water levels by as much as 1 to 3 feet above normal tide levels within areas of onshore flow. the surge will be accompanied by large and potentially destructive waves.
Updated 4:30pm Yesterday
National Disaster Management Agency
Press Release
Friday 29th October, 2010
The National Emergency Advisory Council (NEAC) acting on the weather advisory from the Met Office wishes to inform the public that at its Emergency Meeting today Friday, 29th October 2010, the following decisions has been concluded on:
• Government Ministries and Departments will be closed at 2:00 p.m with the exception of the emergency services (police, medical sectors and Her Majesty Prisons)
• Private Sector is advised to close at 4:00 p.m thus allowing workers time to make the necessary preparations.
• The Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) will be activated from 6:00 p.m today, Friday, October 2010.
• All Shelters will be opened from 6:00 p.m. today, Friday, 29th October, 2010.
Environmental conditions continue to be favorable for further development of the system into a Tropical Depression or Tropical Storm. However at this time, the Met Office does not see the likelihood of the system attaining hurricane status before affecting Grenada and the rest of the Windward Islands.
A Hurricane Hunter Aircraft is currently investigating the system and the Met Office will continue to update the general public in a timely manner.
In preparation for this weather system, NaDMA’s District Disaster Coordinators are instructed to activate the shelters and the district EOCs. (FOR EMPHASIS PLEASE NOTE: Environmental conditions continue to be favorable for further development of the system in to a tropical depression or tropical storm. However at this time, the met office does not see the likelihood of the system attaining hurricane status before affecting Grenada and the rest of the Windward Islands.)
Updated 3:30pm Yesterday
A strong tropical wave...accompanied by a developing low pressure system...is located about 225 miles southeast of Barbados.
Data from an air force reserve reconnaissance aircraft investigating the system this afternoon indicates a closed surface circulation with winds to tropical-storm-force is forming. If this development trend continues...then advisories will be initiated on tropical storm Tomas at 5 pm ast...2100 utc. Tropical storm warnings would also then be required for portions of the Windward Islands. There is a high chance...near 100 percent...of this system becoming a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours as it moves west-northwestward at 15 to 20 mph.
Updated 1:00pm Yesterday
Weather officials in Grenada are calling on Grenadians to take urgent precautionary measures as a tropical wave located about 600 miles East-Southeast of the Windward Islands continues to produce a large area of showers and thunderstorms.
Environmental conditions appear favorable for development and a tropical depression could form within hours as the system moves Westward or West-Northwestward at 15 to 20 miles per hour.
There is high chance, 60 percent of this system becoming a tropical cyclone during the next 24 hours.
Regardless of development, this system is expected to bring locally heavy rainfall and strong gusty winds to the Windward Islands, Venezuela and Northern portions of Guyana during the next couple of days.
During a hastily called press conference this morning officials from the national disaster management agency urged persons on low lying areas to move to safer ground as soon as possible.
The National Water and Sewerage Authority (NAWASA) is encouraging consumers to be vigilant of the approaching Tropical Wave. This system is favoured to develop into a Tropical Storm but with or without the development will bring with it heavy rainfall and gusty winds.
Consumers are being encouraged to collect and store as much water as possible in clean covered containers which will meet their needs, as customers will be seeing interruptions in their water supply from 7:00pm this evening. Production Facilities will be shut down to avoid damages and prevent turbid (muddy) water from entering the system.
Customers leaving their properties are being asked to switch off their entry valves near their meter so as to prevent wastage in their absence.
The Authority is encouraging all to take necessary actions to be fully prepared. An assessment of the situation will be done on Saturday morning at which time decisions will be made as to when distribution can be restarted.
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