Excerpt
Updated: 11:00 PM
Here's the latest from the National Hurricane Center:
- Tropical Storm Bret is currently less than 30 miles south of Trinidad, moving swiftly toward the west-northwest.
- The tropical storm is expected to begin moving away from Trinidad over the next 6 hours and move near or along the northeast coast of Venezuela on Tuesday.
- Tropical storm warnings are in effect for portions of the southern Windward Islands and the eastern coast of Venezuela.
- Heavy rain, gusty winds and increased seas are expected to be the main threats in these areas into Tuesday.
- This system is no threat to the U.S. mainland.
TROPICAL STORM BRET ADVISORY – 6.00pm. Updated at 9:00pm.
** BANKS AND SCHOOLS ALL CLOSED TUESDAY 20th JUNE
** TSTT is closing Non Essential Services Tuesday 20 June
Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada and its Dependencies can expect Tropical Storm conditions within 6 – 12hours.
Tropical Storm Bret is moving to the west at about 48 km/hr and is expected to continue at a slightly slower speed over the next 48 hours. As such, Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada and its Dependencies will therefore be mostly exposed to Tropical Storm conditions from tonight and early Tuesday. Gusty winds, street/flash flooding, landslides/landslips and disturbance in sea conditions are likely to arise.
The ODPM has not received reports of incidents in Trinidad at this time. However, Tobago Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) has reported loss of power on the Northern side of Tobago, due to a fallen tree on Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission (TTEC) utility lines and a collapsed structure in Signal Hill. No injuries have been reported thus far. Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission (TTEC) teams have been mobilised and power will be restored within the hour.
Citizens are asked to remain vigilant, calm and pay attention to relevant advisories from authorised agencies in Trinidad and Tobago namely the TTMET Office, the ODPM and local media houses. Shelters in Trinidad have been activated, while shelters in Tobago are opened.
Consequently, we continue to underscore the following:-
During a Tropical Storm
- Never ignore evacuation orders. Leave as soon as possible when told to do so
- Listen constantly to a battery-operated radio or television for official instructions.
- Stay inside, away from windows, skylights and glass doors. If need be, stay inside a closet or a room without windows. You can also lie on the floor under a table or sturdy object.
- Avoid using open flames, such as candles and kerosene lamps, as a source of light.
- Avoid flooded roads and watch for washed-out bridges. Do not walk through moving water. Even 6 inches (15 centimeters) of water can make you fall.
- Do not go outside unless it is absolutely necessary. When the winds get very strong, you are in danger of being hit by flying objects.
- Children should not be taken outside, since they may be in danger of being blown away.
- If you are away from home, remain where you are until the storm has passed. Many people have lost their lives trying to go from one place to another.
- If your glass windows have not been boarded up, place a large heavy object in front of the window to protect yourself and others from splintering glass.
- Be calm! Your ability to act logically is important.
- Listen to the radio, watch your television and check the official social media sites for information on what is happening e.g. ODPM and TTMET.
No current storm watch or warning for Saint Lucia.
The Saint Lucia Meteorological Services has stated that Saint Lucia is not currently under a tropical storm watch or warning and adverse weather associated with a current weather system is not expected to significantly impact the island.
The center of the system is forecasted to pass to the South of St Lucia in the vicinity of Trinidad sometime tonight, it said.
They expect that Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada, the South of Barbados and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines could be impacted.
Update: All schools in Trinidad and Tobago will be closed tomorrow.
All schools in Trinidad and Tobago will be closed tomorrow as the twin-island Republic is bracing for a potential tropical storm after midnight.
Education Minister Anthony Garcia during an interview during a live update on TV6 News just after 2pm that all schools in Trinidad would be closed tomorrow.
Speaking with TV6 News via telephone, after that live broadcast, Garcia said the Tobago House of Assembly Chief Secretary Kelvin Charles, who is also Tobago's Education Secretary, advised him that all schools in Tobago will be closed tomorrow as well.
Update: Tropical storm warning.
Tropical Storm Bret has formed in the central Atlantic Ocean and is expected to bring heavy rain and gusty winds to the Windward Islands Monday night into early Tuesday.
Here's the latest from the National Hurricane Center:
- Tropical Storm Bret is currently more than 100 miles southeast of Trinidad, moving swiftly toward the west-northwest.
- Tropical storm warnings have been issued for portions of the southern Windward Islands.
- Heavy rain, locally gusty winds and increased seas are expected to be the main threats in the Windward Islands from this tropical storm Monday night into Tuesday.
- This system is no threat to the U.S. mainland.
The southern Windward Islands may begin to see tropical storm conditions, including gusty winds and heavy rain, Monday night or early Tuesday, making outside preparations difficult or dangerous by that time.
Total rainfall accumulations of 2 to 4 inches are currently expected over the Windward Islands and the eastern coast of Venezuela Monday night into Tuesday.
Tropical storm warnings have been issued for Trinidad, Tobago, Grenada and Venezuela (Pedernales to Cumana, including Isla de Margarita). A tropical storm watch is in effect for Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao.
All the views expressed at the source of these articles may not necessarily reflect those of T.E.A. Watchers.
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