At 2:00 p.m. today, the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Meteorological Services issued a Tropical Storm Warning for St. Vincent and the Grenadines for Tropical Storm Bret. This Tropical Storm
Warning means that sustained winds of 39 -73 mph (63 – 118kmh) associated with Tropical Storm Bret are expected within our area within 24 hours.
Based on this new update, the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines has taken the following decisions:
1. All schools and the public service are now closed.
2. A full shut down of the country will take place at 6 p.m. today, this includes all businesses.
ONLY essential services such as police, health services, and utilities will report to work undertheir department instructions.
All emergency shelters will activate at 6 p.m. this evening.
3.The National Emergency Operations Centre will fully activate at 6pm this evening.
At 2 p.m. the center of the Tropical Storm Bret was located near latitude 13.8° North; longitude
57.7° West, or approximately 230 miles (370 kilometers) east of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
The system is moving towards the west at 14 mph (23 km/h) with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph (110km/h) with higher gusts. Tropical storm conditions can be expected across the northern-most portion of St. Vincent and the Grenadines by this evening and tonight. Storm conditions could linger across St. Vincent and the Grenadines during Friday.
Outer bands of Tropical Storm Bret will occasionally affect St. Vincent and the Grenadines with moderate to heavy showers, periods of rain, isolated thunderstorms and strong gusty winds. Rainfall accumulations of 3 to 6 inches (75 to 150mm) with isolated higher amounts are likely across our
islands. The Flash-Flood Watch remains in effect until further notice. Marine conditions are expectedto deteriorate this evening with moderate to rough sea swells peaking near 3.5m (11ft), mainly along the northern and north-eastern coastlines. The small craft and high surf advisory remains in effect
until further notice. Only vessels capable of withstanding these swells should venture out. Small-craft should remain in port. Sea-bathers are also advised to stay out of the water.
The National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO) urges the public to be vigilant and
increase preparedness. All residents are asked to be cautious especially persons living in areas prone to flooding, landslides and storm surge. Residents living in areas near rivers and streams such as Fitz-
Hughes, Chateaubelair, Spring Village, Vermont, Buccament, Rose Place, Calliaqua, Belair,Dauphine, Arnos Vale, Marriaqua, Lowmans, Greggs, South Rivers, Dickson and Langley Park are asked to be vigilant and be prepared to evacuate at short notice if it becomes necessary. Residents of
the red volcano hazard zone are asked to monitor the rivers and streams and avoid crossing them during heavy rainfall.
Residents living in the following coastal areas are strongly advised to avoid using the sea, to be extremely vigilant and ready to evacuate to higher grounds at short notice if it becomes necessary:
Fancy, Owia, Sandy Bay, Langley Park, Georgetown, Grand Sable, Mt. Young, Byera,Gorse,
Colonaire, Mt. Greenan, San Souci, Biabou, Rawacou, Salt Pond, Calliaqua, Villa, Arnos Vale, Sion
Hill Bay, Ottley Hall, Clare Valley, Lowmans Bay, Questelles, Buccament, Layou, Barrouallie,
Cumberland, Rose Bank, Petit Bordel, Chateaubelair, Fitz-Hughes, Richmond, Union Island, Bequia,
Canouan and Mayreau. Fisher folks and small craft operators should remain in port. Sea-bathers are also advised to stay out of the water.
The National Emergency Management Organisation will continue to provide updates from the St.
Vincent and the Grenadines Meteorological Services