October 20th 2020:
High surf warning in effect for the British Virgin Islands…
Locations to be affected: Reefs and especially exposed northern and north-facing coastlines with relatively shallow, gentle to moderately sloping near shore areas.
Timing: Until Thursday for the British Virgin Islands.
Synopsis: Moderate, long period swells, from Tropical Storm Epsilon, have started to impact the area, mainly northern and north-facing coastlines. The threat level is high and there is the potential for extensive impacts to the life and property of persons using affected coastlines. These swells are expected to cause life threatening surfs and rip currents near some coastlines.
Seas: 2 to 2.8 meters (7 to 9 feet), occasionally or locally reaching near 3.5 meters (12 feet). Swell period: 10 to 13 seconds. Swells: North-northeast at 2 to 2.8 meters (7 to 9 feet) and occasionally higher.
Surfs (breaking swells): Over 3 meters (over 10 feet). These conditions will be very conducive for dangerous rip currents. Please note that surfs could be as much as twice the height of swells, depending on the bathymetry of the near shore areas.
Coastal flooding: High tides combine with onshore wind and swell actions will result in coastal flooding and beach erosion.
Potential Impacts: Loss of life – strong currents that can carry even the strongest swimmers out to sea; injuries to beachgoers; beach erosion; sea water splashing onto low lying coastal roads; beach closures; disruptions to marine recreation and businesses; financial losses; damage to coral reefs; salt-water intrusion and disruptions to potable water from desalination. High surfs can knock spectators off exposed rocks and jetties. Breaking waves may occasionally impact harbors making navigating the harbor channel dangerous.
Precautionary/preparedness actions: A high surf warning means that dangerous battering waves, with surfs of over 3 meters or over 10 feet, will pound some shoreline in the forecast area, producing life-threatening conditions. No one should enter the waters of the affected areas, especially on the northern and north-facing sides of the islands. All are also urged to stay away from rocky and or coastal structures along beaches in the affected areas.
Rip currents: are powerful channels of water flowing quickly away from shore, which occur most often at low spots or breaks in the sandbar and near structures such as groins, jetties and piers. If caught in a rip current, relax and float. Don’t swim against the current. If able, swim in a direction following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave for help.
Please continue to monitor these hazardous, life-threatening marine conditions.
Disclaimer: The Department of Disaster Management (DDM) is not an official Meteorological Office. The Information disseminated by the Department is gathered from a number of professional sources used or contracted by the DDM to provide such information. This information is to be used as a guide by anyone who has interest in local weather conditions. By no means can the DDM or the BVI Government be held accountable by anyone who uses this information appropriately for legal evidence or in justification of any decision which may result in the loss of finances, property or life.
