September 6th 2018 – Hurricane Florence became the first major hurricane for the 2018 Atlantic Hurricane Season, while two disturbances one in the Far East Atlantic and the second just moving of the coast of Africa are showing signs of development.
Residents should monitor these systems as they have the potential to reach the Caribbean. Preparations should be expedited and persons should begin reviewing their family emergency plans and emergency kits to ensure they have all the items needed.
Double check roofs, windows, doors or shutters of your homes and for those who have businesses that are still in the process of rebuilding, secure them as best as possible.
The National Hurricane Centre is issuing advisories on a number of systems. Three in particular are being monitored by forecasters in this region.
Florence, according to NHC at 5am was located near 21.4 North, 47.9 West or approximately 1100 miles East North East of the British Virgin Islands. Movement is towards the North West with maximum sustained winds at 115 mph. Hurricane force winds extend outward of 15 miles from the centre while tropical storm force winds extend up to 90 miles.
On the current track Florence poses no threat to the British Virgin Islands however, we will continue to monitor Florence for any changes.
Disturbance 1 at 5am, was located near 12 North, 31 West and is moving west near 10 mph. A west or west-northwest, motion is expected over the next 7 days. According to the NHC the system has a very high (90 percent) chance of development in five days and may develop into a Tropical Depression as it continues moving further westward. Forecasters continue to think that if it did reach the eastern Caribbean, it would not do so until late next week.
The NHC predicts that a tropical wave is forecast to move off the west coast of Africa on Friday. Some development of this system is anticipated after that time, and a tropical depression could form over the weekend or early next week while the wave moves westward over the far eastern tropical Atlantic Ocean.
The Department of Disaster Management (DDM) will continue to monitor the systems and provide updates accordingly.
Persons at home and abroad are encouraged to download the DDM’s Alert app in the apple app store or Google play store to receive updates of any hazards affecting the territory.
You can also visit the DDM’s webpage at www.bviddm.com and subscribe for updates or like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/bvi.ddm.
Image credited to the National Hurricane Centre
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.
