BRADES – Her Excellency the Governor Elizabeth Carriere believes Montserrat is in a good state of readiness ahead of the arrival of Tropical Storm Erika.
According to the 5PM report from the National Hurricane Centre: “Tropical Storm Erika is expected to move through the Leeward Islands overnight. It’s centered about 195 miles east of Antigua, moving toward the west at 17 mph.A west-northwestward motion at a slightly slower forward speed is expected over the next 48 hours.”
Governor Carriere made this statement to update the public on the status of affairs.
“Following the passage of Tropical Storm Danny on Monday, There is now a Tropical Storm Warning for Tropical Storm Erika, that is moving towards the Caribbean at 17mph with current wind speeds of 45mph. Montserrat can expect to start to feel the effects of Erika early this evening. The storm is expected to last through the night. This storm is different from Danny in that it is larger, is moving faster and may strengthen, though it may not do so much by the time it reaches here. So we hope Montserrat will be spared the strongest winds.
“The Emergency Policy Group (which, in addition to myself, includes the Honourable Premier, his Permanent Secretary, the Honourable Deputy Governor, the Director of Disaster Management, the Commissioner of Police, press and communications officer and my UK Policy Adviser) met again this morning to ensure preparedness for the storm. This includes ensuring timely public messaging, protection of people, property and public assets, and preparation of shelters, should these be needed.
“As I said in my remarks on Monday, we must maintain a full state of readiness for what is to come; and we must continue to be prepared for any eventuality during the hurricane season. Our systems and responses have been well tested, and we have acted on lessons learned from Danny. The DMCA, the Police, the Royal Montserrat Defence Force and the Red Cross – entities for which I have responsibility in my defence and security role – are on alert and making appropriate preparations for this oncoming storm.
“Please continue to listen to public broadcasts about the nature and advance of Tropical Storm Erika. Radio ZJB is issuing forecasts and information about the storm and preparations, as well as useful tips on what to do to be well prepared.
Information is being updated continuously.
“Montserrat is in a good state of preparedness for this storm, as most of our preparations for Danny are still in place. But we should not underestimate the risk.
“Please follow any instructions and public announcements, and stay safe,” the statement ends.
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Anguilla, Saba, St. Eustatius, St. Maarten, Montserrat, Antigua, Barbuda, St. Kitts, Nevis, St. Martin, St. Barthelemy, Puerto Rico, Vieques, Culebra, and the U.S. and British Virgin Islands. A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Guadeloupe, the north coast of the Dominican Republic from Cabo Engano to Cabo Frances Viejo, the Southeastern Bahamas and the Turks & Caicos Islands.
Maximum sustained winds are near 45 mph. Little change in strength during the next 48 hours is expected.
